On August 2nd, Jeremy and I were enjoying a nice summer Saturday. We had just eaten lunch and around 1:30 pm I started experiencing some contractions. I didn't think much of it because the contractions were so mild. They continued to come regularly so Jeremy told me I should start timing them. I started timing them and they were about 5 minutes apart and slowly getting more intense over time. After an hour of this, we didn't know if I was actually in active labor. I asked Jeremy for a Priesthood blessing. In the blessing there were words of comfort and great love, the spirit was strong, and at that moment I was very grateful for the Priesthood Jeremy holds. After the blessing we both felt we should go to the hospital. We were sad that Dr. Thackeray wouldn't be there to deliver her, he was in Ceader City until late that night. We packed up the car and drove to Murray. The car ride was difficult because the contractions were getting worse but in between each contraction we would both smile at each other because we knew our sweet Madie would be here soon. We got to the hospital at 4:15 pm and they took us to our room to check to see if I was in active labor. It was an exciting time for both of us! We did not know what to expect but were anticipating the great arrival of our baby girl. Our nurse Pam checked me and I was dilated to a 4 and 100% effaced. She put the monitors on me and started watching the baby's heart rate. With each contraction the baby's heart rate would drop a little. Dr. Barton who was the fill in doctor assigned to us thought it would be best to admit me so they could monitor and watch the baby. The contractions got to be so intense I wanted an epidural right away. The Anesthesiologist was in a surgery and wouldn't be able to give me the epidural for about 45 minutes. When I heard this news I wanted to cry. Luckily, the surgery was shorter than expected and the doctor came right in and took all my pain away. I was expecting the epidural to be more painful than it was, I guess that tells you how strong the contractions were. After about a half hour of monitoring me and the baby, the nurse and doctor were concerned because her heart rate kept dropping from 165 down to 90 bpm. Pam tried moving me in different positions to see if it would help the baby's heart rate, but it kept dropping lower and lower. Dr. Barton came in to check me again and I was now dilated to a 7 and 90% effaced. At this point he broke my water and there was meconium in the fluid. This alerted the staff that the baby was in stress, they also thought that it could mean the cord is wrapped around her neck. The staff decided to put a heart monitor on the baby's head to get a more accurate reading. They also put a probe in between the baby and the uterus to measure the intensity of each contraction.After more monitoring, the Doctor told us that the baby is in so much stress and the contractions are so intense that she cannot recover in between contractions. At this point Dr. Barton thought it would be best for the baby to do an emergency C-section. Jeremy was so calm during this whole process, he was holding my hand and sitting right by my side. I was very scared for the baby, I didn't want anything to happen to her and I was emotional thinking about her not getting here healthy and safe.The staff had me sign a few consent forms to approve the c-section, meanwhile Jeremy was putting on his gown, mask and hat to get ready to go into the operating room. The Anesthesiologist (Dr. Myers) came in to give me more medication to numb a larger portion of my body. He was so kind and nurturing, he treated me like I was his daughter. At that point I was so scared and emtional, I really appreciated his love and encouragement. They wheeled me into the operating room and started the surgery. Because there was meconium in the fluid the NICU nurses were in the room to take care of the baby when she came out. Dr. Myers suggested that both Jeremy and I watch in a mirror as they take the baby out. He said it will be something that we will never forget, and he was right. As they pull Madie out it was such an instant love. Both of our hearts were bursting and melting at the same time. The first thing we both noticed was how dark her hair was and we were crying and holding each others hands as the nurses took her to work on her. When she first came out she was not breathing. The first APGAR score they gave Madie was a 2 (scoring is based off a 1 to 10, 10 being the best). The nurses had to intubate Madie twice to get the meconium out of her air way while using an oxygen bag to help her breath during the process. After they did that she started breathing and the next APGAR score they gave her was a 9, much improved! This was all happening while they were stitching me up and Jeremy was giving me a play by play of what they were doing to Madie. He would reassure me that she was crying and doing great. After about 10 minutes the nurses brought her to Jeremy and he got to hold her for the first time. They told us she weighed 5 lbs 11 oz and was 19.5 inches long, we could not believe how little she was. I watched Jeremy's eyes fill up with tears as he looked at her and kissed her. He had so much love for her already. Jeremy brought her over to me so I could kiss her and get our first family picture. After what seemed like hours, the surgery was finally over and I got to hold Madie as they wheeled me back to my room. Jeremy and I had a few minutes alone with her and we soaked up every minute of becoming a family of three. Our families were in the waiting room and came in 4 at a time to meet Madie for the first time. The whole process happened so fast, but it was so amazing that she got here safe and healthy. Having a c-sections gives you an extra 2 days in the hospital which we took full advantage of. We loved the whole hospital experience and I actually cried when we left because I didn't want it to be over. I loved that Jer had over a week off to spend with us. We would take walks around the hospital and pushed Madie in the bassinet while the sun would rise. We talked about all the dreams we have for her and wondered what she will be like as she grows and what things she will like to do. It was honestly the best 4 days we have ever had. I will never forget it! My love for Jer grew more than I ever thought and the love I have for my baby girl brings tears to my eyes as I write this. They are my world!
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