No Turning Back Now!

Posted March 29, 2008, liveblogged September 2-3, 2007

After arriving at the hospital, Leigh was immediately admitted…no assessments or anything. We were taken to room 301 at Kennestone Hospital just prior to shift change for the nurses (7:00). At 7:00, we met our new nurse, Christy, as well as the midwife, Michelle, who would be handling the delivery. They checked her out and she was dilated to a two and her cervix was still a little thick. Even though Leigh’s water was broken, it looked like we’d be in for a rather long night. We tried to keep 25+ hour labor flashbacks to a minimum.

The Pitocin drip was started around 7:30 and contractions started pretty quickly. Leigh spoke with Jeff, her school team leader, to let him know that she would definitely need a sub for the next 7 weeks.

One major regret about the experience so far is the lack of ESPN at the hospital. The Nextel Cup race is in Fontana California this week and was supposed to start at 7:30 or so. Considering we were watching the Pocono race when Leigh was in labor with Kamryn (birthing babies on Sunday is apparently the trendin the Talley house), it’s a little disappointing that we’re unable to watch a race that’s on. Later, we found out that Jimmie Johnson was the winner…which made our inability to watch the race a little more platable (“Big whiner!”, as Kamryn says).

Mimi Jane made it to the hospital at 8:45…shortly after Christy increased the Pitocin drip for Leigh.

At 9:30, Leigh asked for her epidural and handled it like a trooper. At 9:55, Christy checked Leigh’s progress and, unfortunately, she hadn’t dilated any more. Time to increase the Pitocin drip. Now that Leigh is numb, her response was “Bring it on!”

Around 10:00, Laura Gunter came by the hospital to see Leigh. Around 10:30, Christy came back in and advised Leigh to get some sleep. With mouthpiece on hand, Leigh closed her eyes and rested…occasionally joining in the conversation with Bill, Jane and Laura.

11:30: Jane and I go to the cafeteria and, to our chagrin, find that the food is the same food they served for lunch, heated up for dinner and finally served up again at midnight. I come back and eat a couple Kashi bars. Laura goes home, leaving Leigh, Bill and Jane on their own.

12:00 Leigh is checked. No progression. Increase the Pitocin. Leigh naps in her hospital bed, Bill and Jane share the couch, head-to-head, opposite directions. Snoring commences.

2: 30: Epidural starts to wear off.

2:45: Epidural “recharged”, Leigh is checked and has progressed to 5 cm and 100% effaced.

3:00: Pitocin kicked in like a MAD MAN! In 15 minutes she’s progressed from a 5 to a 9. Shouldn’t be much longer now!

3:15: Leigh asks me to get Christy…she feels like she needs to push! Christy confirms that she’s reached 10 cm and calls Michelle. It’s time to push!

After 4 good pushes/contractions, Christy calls Michelle as young Mitchell has already started crowning. Christy literally had to hold Mitchell in while Michelle was putting on her gloves and smock. A couple light pushes later, Mitchell came into this world at 3:34 AM. When Mitchell was halfway out, Leigh reached down, pulled him the rest of the way out and put him up on her chest where he let out a healthy cry.

Daddy went to the warmer with Mitchell while Mommy was being tended to by Michelle. Mitchell handled the whole assessment in stride…despite all the pokes, prods, stretches, etc.

6 lbs, 14 ozs, 18 inches, APGAR score of 8/9 A little sandy blond hair and big kissable lips (which have since returned to a more normal size, less "Mick-Jagger-with-collagen-injections!"). He’s a beautiful boy with all of his parts in the appropriate spots. After being given a clean bill of health, Mitchell was handed to Daddy. Mommy and Daddy spent the next few minutes taking in this little angel. Both of us were awe struck and in love with this little man.