On Friday, August 9, 2013 I got up early at 3:30 am and knew that this would be the day our Olivia arrived! We had been anxiously awaiting and anticipating her arrival for months and it was finally time. At 5:00 am, we reported to Highland Hospital in Shreveport and got checked in. To say we were impressed with the nurses and staff would be an understatement, everyone was so kind and informative. After filling out lots of paperwork, answering intake questions, and getting settled in, we tried to relax and get some rest before the day got busy.
Once I got hooked up to the monitor, we realized that I was already having contractions on my own and was dilated to 3.5 cm and 65% effaced. All of these were great signs! Between six and seven they started an iv with pitocin, and the waiting game began!
Around eight, my doctor paid me a visit and went ahead and broke my water. My contractions began to get more intense, so I went ahead and elected to get my epidural around ten. Fortunately, the epidural was perfect! It was strong enough to kill the pain, yet I could still feel pressure and could move my legs with no problems. Honestly, I think I could have gotten up and walked! Once I was nice and cozy I tried to get some rest as we waited for my body to progress.
Around 12:30 my doctor came back to check my progress, I was between 6 and 7 cm dilated and 90% effaced. He told me that once I finished effacing he suspected that I would finish dilating very quickly.....well, thirty minutes later guess what? I noticed that I started feeling pressure, and mentioned this to the nurse. When she checked me, I had dilated to 9.5 cm! She then told me it was time to get ready to push. Within minutes our room was flooded with medical equipment and extra nurses. We took a second to snap a few more pictures together before all the action began.
I started pushing once my doctor arrived and within thirty minutes, Olivia Lou Railey made her grand entrance into the world! Olivia was born at 2:10 pm weighing 7 lbs 8 oz and measuring 19.75 inches long. Our sweet girl was absolutely perfect, and surprised us all with her LONG blonde hair! She is absolutely gorgeous, and we were so excited to meet her!
I honestly could not have asked for a better delivery! Everything went perfectly and we felt truly blessed!
Later that day, my dad brought Savannah up to the hospital to meet her new little sister. When she came into the room she saw me first and immediately ran to me. She sat on the bed, patted my stomach, and said "baby." I told her that the baby was no longer in my belly and pointed to where Olivia was. She was absolutely fascinated and you could see the light turn on in her head. At that point she wanted to see Olivia so we gladly obliged.
Brent's mom drove up from Baton Rouge that afternoon and meet little Livy too!
Over the next few days we had several more visitors and made the most of having extra help from the hospital staff!
On Sunday, we packed up our bags and got the final ok's to be able to check out from the hospital. We headed back to my parents house and were ready to see what life as a family of four was like outside of the hospital.
When we arrived home Savannah was still asleep, but Olivia was immediately greeted by our "first child" and fur baby. :)
Savannah woke up shortly after and was so excited to see her baby sister. She was very interested in Olivia and repeatedly gave her sweet pats and kisses. It was so precious to see our two girls together!
And so began our life as a party of four! We were so thankful to the Lord for allowing Olivia's birth to go so smoothly and for our perfect little angel! Olivia, Mommy and Daddy love you so much and are so thankful to have the privilege to be your parents! We can't wait to watch you grow up. We love you!
