The Story of Scarlet's Birth

The morning of May 22, 2011 I woke up with some cramping that seemed a little more intense than usual. Throughout the day, the cramping became worse. The pains were so intense at times that I would double over and break out into a sweat. I thought, "If these are false labor pains I am definitely in for a treat when I get to the hospital." I called the doctor on call, Dr. Robinson, and informed him that the cramping was intense and that I was spotting. I was continuing throughout the day to clean and lounge at the pool. I would have been calling the doctor floating around in the pool if Jason had not insisted that I not get in the pool. Dr. Robinson stated that the pains were just the Braxton Hicks. He said, "Oh just take two Tylenol and lay down and relax." For the ones that know me well, know that I don't like to take medication. However, I was hurting so bad that I would have taken the entire bottle of Tylenol if I knew it would help. I talked to my best friend Jennie Crocker during the day and she said that if the pain and the spotting got worse to continue to call the doctor. Well, after the "take two Tylenol and relax" comment I wasn't calling him back for anything. My doctor, Dr. Middleton, was at home sick with some type of the flu that the Health Dept. and pediatricians had assured him was not contagious to pregnant women or infants. (SURE) So I knew that if my pains continued I would be going to the hospital. The pains did get worse and by 8:00PM I could not stand or walk around without doubling over. I only found comfort for brief moments in the recliner in the living room. At 10:25 I managed to make it out of the recliner and into the kitchen to get some water. I was standing at the refrigerator when I heard a popping sound and water went all over the kitchen floor. My water broke and of course I got a towel and managed to clean up the floor. After cleaning up I told Jason that my water broke and we headed to the hospital. We arrived at the hospital around 11:00PM. We were admitted to the hospital and taken into an exam room to wait. They checked to see if I was dilated. I was dilated 2cm. I was moved to my birthing suite. I was having major contractions at that point. The anesthesiologist came in for my epidural. After my epidural I was 6cm. They then gave me some mediation to speed my labor up and I was ready to push. I pushed for about 45min. and Scarlet was born. I feel so blessed that labor went so smooth. The nurses were so sweet and Dr. Middleton was able to deliver Scarlet at 9:33AM. Scarlet was 5lb 13oz. She is so beautiful with a head full of her daddy's dark hair.