...at 1:30am, November 4th. I started having contractions on and off. I thought I was having false labor, because some were close together, some far apart, some long, some short...But, they didn't stop. At 7:00am, I still thought it was maybe false labor, but it wasn't - THANK GOD! Mike came home from work around 10am to help me out. I called the hospital mulitple times, asking what to do, when I should come in, etc. They were very nice each time I called. :) I really wanted to go to the hospital, because I was sick of being home and dealing with the contractions; but we also didn't want to go there, and have to be sent home. Mike helped me tough it out for a couple more hours. Finally, around 12:30-1:00, we headed to the hospital. It was a good thing we did, because once we were in the car, the contractions got much closer together!
They checked me and I was 3cm. WHOOPPEE! That meant we got to stay! I am glad I toughed it out, but also glad that we left when we did. I didn't need to walk the halls or anything, Isabella was just ready to come out! I waited as long as I could to get the drugs, and finally gave in. I don't regret getting them one bit. There is no reason to make yourself go through that. It hurt with drugs - I can't imagine without! YIKES! I couldn't feel the contractions, but I could feel the "pressure" on my "bottom". OUCH. I only had to push for about an hour and a half, when I look back, the time all went by very fast; once we were at the hospital.
Bella made her appearance at 10:33pm - 21 hours later! She was 9 lbs 8 oz...one of the nurses said "No wonder you has such a tough time!" DUH! :-)
