Baby Kendall is here, happy and healthy!!!!!!!!!!

With baby Kendall being baby number 9, we were all sure that she would not make it to her due date.  We were wrong.  Dr. Drake let me know that he would not allow her to go past 41w and we decided to induce at 40w3d.  I was to be there Wednesday morning at 5am!!  Holy moly, why so early???   After paperwork and room shuffling, I was induced at about 630 am with pitocin starting at 60% and 3cm. I had an epidural placed at about 10 and my water broken at about 11. The epidural had never kicked in so they were having me lay on my back to 'distribute the meds'. Over the next 5 hours the anesthesiologist had come in 3 times to give meds directly into the IV and this whole time they would not let me change position(made me stay on my back). I had told the nurse so many times that I needed to sit up. I knew from past experience(this was my seventh birth) that I NEEDED TO LABOR SITTING UP. So at about 6pm the anesthesiologist came back in and finally realized that all his meds were wasted as I should have been a numb blob and I wasn't- every limb was working and every contraction was being felt. So he placed three more epidurals and finally the last one was a success. As soon as this one was done, my ob came in and said I want you sitting up and if you don't make any change in the next hour then we are going to a c section. I was calm in his presence but as soon as my IM walked in she must have seen something on my face and asked what was wrong. So I told her and she started crying and I started crying and her mom started crying. They felt so bad. So an hour goes by and he checks me and I went from a 5 to a 7 and almost complete!! Yes!! So he says okay, I will be back in 45 minutes. So at about 40 minutes I am watching the clock and my epidural isn't working anymore and I know it's time to push. I look at my IM and her mom and my mom and my dad and dh and say IT'S BABY TIME. I don't think they believed me. So I call my nurse(felt like it took forever btw) and she strolls in and my OB comes in right behind her and kinda took over(love him) and he checks me and says to his student Get Dressed!!! So everything moved so quickly at this point. She was born 11 minutes later- a perfect little baby. She was born at 8:24pm, 7lb11oz, 20in long.

40w2d....the day before induction.

My beautiful gown.

PUSH time!

Dr Drake and Correna

My parents watching the spotlight emerge from the ceiling.

Go time!

Such an awful but real pic.

IM watching her baby crown....

.....and be welcomed to the world.

First cries!

Tears!

She's perfect!

My parents, my kids, and IM's dad.

First cuddle.

Placenta...

...nice and healthy.

She is perfect!

And will never be short on pretties.

She's just beautiful!

I really wish I could tell you what she was thinking.

I had the best time in the hospital. My IPs are wonderful. I have been so lucky with each family that I have worked with that they have treated me as a friend, as an equal with a common goal. They have embraced me and my kiddos, my husband, and even my parents. This most recent birth experience was filled with a tad of drama(on Kendall's part lol) but ended in the most wonderful way. My IM, her mom, my mom, my dad, my husband, my most awesome OB Dr. Drake, his wonderful student Correna, my nurse Cheryl, and countless other nurses were all present for the birth. Some might think that my dad being present might be odd, but he has never been able to experience birth with his own children and has never been able to be present for any of my previous 8 births. I offered for him to be present if he would like and he welcomed the opportunity. IM's dad was also present shortly after birth.

I have made the decision that I would not be carrying any more surrobabe's after this one. I have been able to help finish four families and really feel like I have accomplished more than I ever thought I would be able to. I am lucky to have continuing contact with each family and could not ask or hope for a better outcome.

I welcome any and all questions, please do not hesitate to reach out! anaseven@msn.com