And... She makes her debut!!!!

December 9, 2011 Raelynn Marie Thomas made her entrance into the world. Weighing a whopping 8 pounds 11 ounces. Measuring 21 inches long. Dark hair, gray eyes, perfect skin, and the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!
And now for her story. We decided to induce on Thursday night, having to be at the hospital at 4:45. I worked all day Thursday and Ryan cleaned house and got things ready at home, then came to pick me up at school. Auntie Em came to school to hang out for the day. We went out and got Arbys for dinner, not knowing when I would get to eat again. Ryan, Auntie Em, and I arrived at the hospital and got checked in. IV was started, but no meds yet, and the doctor came in to insert the Cervidil. (A pill inserted next to the cervix to thin it out.) At this point in time, 6:00 pm, I was dilated to a 1.5. The contractions began and were like all of the other contractions I'd been feeling, not painful, but I could tell they were there. Granny Prouhet arrived at about 7. We all sat around and visited. They had a constant monitor on Raelynn's heart rate and on my contractions. I wasn't aloud to get up and move around much because of the Cervidil. Granny and Auntie Em left about 10 to go home and let the dogs out. We were going to call them and let them know when things were progressing.
About 10, I started to feel more intense contractions that didn't really let up. There was a constant pressure, but nothing more. About 2 they checked me again and I was dilated to a 2 or 3. They called the doctor and she said they could take the Cervidil out and see how things progressed. They were hoping contractions would continue and intensify on their own, but they could also decrease and stop. Well, I got lucky and my contractions increased and intensified. I asked if I could get in the jacuzzi tub and was aloud to get in for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes I had to get out and be on the monitors for at least 20 minutes to check on Raelynn's heart rate. Well, because the contractions were painful by this point, the only way I could get through them was by leaning forward. Leaning forward resulted in the monitors being shifted and not catching her heart rate. So instead of being 20 minutes, it was closer to over an hour. The nurse finally had to come in and hold the monitor on my belly to keep her heart rate on the monitor. By 5:15 am they had monitored Raelynn's heart rate long enough and the nurse was going to allow me to get back in the tub, begin on IV meds, or get an Epidural. I told the nurse I wanted to get in the tub for a while and then start IV meds. She checked me and I was at a 7. The nurse told Ryan that it was probably a good idea to make his phone calls to get Granny and Auntie Em back into the hospital. They got the call at 5:30 ish and were at the hospital at about 6. I went and got in the tub and about 3 contractions later I was back out because I felt the need to push. They checked me at 6 and I was at a 9 to a 9.5. So within about a half an hour I was about fully dilated. They were working on calling the doctor and she was there by 6:30. They set up all of their things. I had been pushing just a little since about 6 and when the doctor got there she said I could push when I felt I needed to. I pushed for a little over a half hour and by 7:08 Raelynn made her debut. She was out in one push, and that was the best feeling in the world! The other greatest thing about my delivery besides getting to finally see our daughter was being able to have her all natural. (Except for getting things started.) I always wanted to have a natural birth, knowing women had been doing so for centuries. Although, if I would have had to go much longer or had not dilated almost fully in 2 hours I would have gone with some sort of medication. I am so proud of myself for being able to live out my dream.
In this time, they wanted to hold my legs up so I could get a better push. Well, the nurse had one, and Ryan had the other. But, he didn't make it all the way through. He ended up very white and having to lay down so he didn't pass out. Thankfully Granny was there to help take Ryan's place. All of the nurses throughout the 10 hour labor and delivery were EXCELLENT!!! Actually beyond excellent. They coached me through each contraction and each push. I was surprised they didn't tell me how to breathe or how to push or when to push. The doctor didn't tell me how or when to push either. It was all instinct.
They placed her on my chest immediately and Ryan got to cut the cord. She didn't really cry much until they took her away to weigh her and do their testing. Then she started screaming and holding her breath. All of their testing looked great! They did have to check her blood sugar because she was so big, but all of their tests came back in the normal range.
While they were cleaning her up, the doctor did have to stitch me as I had a 2 degree tear. After feeding RaelynnRaelynn's first bath. There again she was screaming and holding her breath, but she made it through and the nurse was fantastic.

We had a few visitors in the hospital. ALL of the nurses I had throughout our stay were excellent! Very helpful and were able to answer any questions we had. The doctor came in on Saturday and Sunday to check Raelynn out and every time things were great! They actually did more monitoring on me than they did on her. However they had to run all of the tests on her. We got to check out Sunday at about 11.
Our car ride home went well. Raelynn slept the whole time except for when we got off the highway and our bumpy drive through town. Being home that last few days has been wonderful! We're up about every 2 hours feeding in the night, but that is to be expected. My milk came in yesterday and so I don't know if it was the switch in her food or if it was something I ate, but she was very gassy yesterday and crying because it hurt.
She had her first bath today at home and it went well. She does not like to be changed or messed with once she is comfortable. She smiles in her sleep. We can't keep socks on her cold feet.
Immediately after she made her debut and she was on the table being checked she had her fingers in her mouth. She has her fingers in her mouth or near her mouth constantly. It was funny because in all of her ultrasounds she had her hands by her face. Like mother, like daughter! She looks beautiful in her pink!

This week we are hanging out at the house while Ryan works. Auntie Em is coming up today to hang out for a few days. Then on Saturday, Raelynn and I are making our way to Kirksville to watch her Auntie Em graduate from Truman State University.

I'll find some time to put pictures up of her. I hope everyone has a wonderful week! I know I am going to soak up our little girl!

Love,
The Thomas Family