At the hospital - LIVE UPDATES

Hello, blog readers! I am blogging live from the hospital with Nathan as my guest blogger. If anyone is awake out there, you can feel free to check out my blog for updates throughout my hospital visit.

I was having contractions at home so we were sent to the hospital around 10pm for observation. I was dilated to 3cm when I arrived. They made me walk two 40-minute rounds which felt like a marathon for me. I didn't have any shoes on and got to wear a super cute hospital gown though.

Essentially, I'm here for false labor. But, they are afraid to send me home because of how quickly I go into labor so I'm staying to be induced.
----

This is Nathan - it's 2:11 AM. Amber just got her epidural. She's at 4 cm.

Her blood pressure just dropped to 80 / 43 and we had a bit of a scare. She thought she was going to pass out and had some nausea. Feeling better now. 2:35 AM.

2:55am Working to start Pitocin (drug to speed up contractions) because the baby isn't dropped quite low enough. They need some good contractions so baby will drop and they can break my water. Nathan keeps snacking in front of me and I'm so hungry!

3:10 Amber here. We love to joke when I'm in labor and have a good time. We have a nice nurse named Cressie. Nathan is trying to nap. I think I wore him out when we walked all those laps around the maternity ward.

3:15 So, who's in for watching some live video feed of the childbirth} Wait, bad idea.

3:4o Maybe I'll try to nap. We were up last night due to the storms and tornado sirens so this makes 2 nights in a row of being up. Signing off for a little while....

4:04 am So much for trying to nap. Too much going on.
This room has a piece of art on the wall that slides up and there are secret shelves/compartments underneath. I want one. It reminds me of Webster and his secret passageway through the grandfather clock. Anyone remember that show?
BTW-- Thanks for the comments. Love to hear from people, although I can't believe some people are awake.
I feel fine. No pain. Sometimes lightheaded because my blood pressure keeps dropping so they just increase my hydration.

5:51 - been trying to sleep

6:05am We had an opportunity to sort of nap so we took it. I think I'll be up for awhile now though. They checked me again and I'm stuck at 4cm. They think that once they break my water I'll start dilating much faster but they can't break my water until the baby drops more. She's being a little stubborn about that.
Nathan is so cute in his lazy-boy chair with a big blanket. The lights are dimmed and we are just relaxing. I feel no pain but my contractions are getting bigger per the machine I'm hooked to. I also keep getting light headed due to low blood pressure. Baby's heartrate is good.

6:20am My stomach has been growling with hunger since we left home last night to come here. Anyone want to sneak me some food?

6:35 Might try to drift off again..... no updates for just a little bit while I at least shut my eyes.

7:20am No big updates. Eating a cup of ice, pretending it's a cheeseburger. Nathan hasn't moved most of the morning; I think he might actually be sleeping.

7:30am I loved having a catheter and not getting up to pee all night like usual.
I'm thinking of the kids who are at my house with their grandparents this morning. I hope they are being good and Keegan gets off to school OK.

7:45am It was Michele that guessed March 1st for the date! Assuming I have the baby today, Michele is the winner-winner and gets total bragging rights!! I'm also glad this isn't a leap year or it'd be a Feb 29 baby with birthdays only every 4 yrs!

8:10am My real doctor (as opposed to the on-call doctor) is here now. I think the baby was holding out for her. Now we can get this show on the road.
Nathan went down to get some breakfast and I'm super jealous.
They just changed my IV from regular to sugar water to get my blood sugar up. Like a Kool Aid IV.

9:20am I'm relaxed and enjoying lounging around with no kids to chase. I think the baby is taking her time because she knows I'm enjoying this pre-baby vacation day.
Rumor has it that the doctor might be back in the near future and we hope the baby is ready for me to have my water broken.
Keep the comments coming-- I love reading them!

9:40am If I owned a hospital, I'd have a person who did hair/makeup for the new moms while they were in labor/delivery. That way the new moms would be photo-ready when the baby came out. Just a thought.

10:19 - Nathan here - They just broke Amber's water. Amber wants pancakes. And maybe a cheeseburger.

10:40am I'm realizing that so many of my posts are about food. Maybe I have a problem. :)
My water was broke. Really it was more like a flood. I'm pretty sure other patients on this floor were building an ark just in case. I started singing "There's a hole in the bucket." Nathan went to get Starbucks downstairs but didn't miss the baby's arrival.

10:55 Apparently there is no 'Buy one labor, get a liposuction free' deal. It was a scam.

11:00 Nothing better to do, I guess..... so Nathan is going to shave with a straight razor. And I quote, "because I can." We're close to the ER in case he cuts part of his face off.

11:10 Good question, Tabitha. They checked me when my water broke and I was just 4 cm then. No new checks. (BTW, Tabitha- I told Dr Adams you were on here!). :)

11:12 I'm hoping the fact that this baby is taking her time (very much unlike my speedy deliveries of Keegan & Kennedy) means that this baby is totally laid back and easy going.

11:20 One of my readers (Rebekah) suggested I do the Texas Roll. I'm not sure what that is but I hope it involves a big yeast roll with butter because I'm ravenous. Oh, there I go talking about food again.

11:25 I just had a great idea for a business. You could hire someone at the hospital to live blog your birth and do play-by-plays just like this..... for people without regular blogs. I so need to open my own hospital.

11:45 My contractions are pretty big. The nurse says it won't be long with contractions like this....

12:03 - Nathan here. Amber wanted a pillow removed from her left side. On top of her legs was an unacceptable, new position, as was at the foot of the bed on the floor. My chair was clearly not an option. The spare chair in the back room was deemed suitable. Crisis averted.

12:35 - Nathan again. Amber is at 5 cm - some progress :)

12:37 - 9 cm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The baby was acting funny and the nurse decided to check!!! Says she "I don't think it will be long!"

12:40 We are anxiously awaiting Dr. Adams' arrival! I'm moving Amber's legs to a more comfortable spot.....

12:41 Dr. Adams is here. Amber is feeling pressure!!

Says Dr. Adams "Let's get you ready for delivery!" "and all in time for lunch"

12:44 Amber is in delivery position.

12:48 One push - baby born!

IT'S A GIIIIRRLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1:45 I'd like to introduce SAVANNAH REESE! She was born at 12:48pm and was 6lbs, 11oz and 20 1/4" long.
She came out after half a push.... maybe 30 seconds. I like to be efficient.

My legs are still completely numb so I haven't gotten up to be cleaned up, etc. I'm also waiting on a cheeseburger. :)

Visitors are welcome but please wait until I'm cleaned up so give us some time. You can call us for the information, codes to get in, etc.

Welcome to the world, Savannah!

4:35 I finally got my cheeseburger (45 min after I ordered it) and devoured it. My parents stopped by briefly because they couldn't seem to wait. We were trying to hold off on visits until I was cleaned up a little better (this evening). My legs are still pretty numb. I think I broke a record by not only filling..... but completely overflowing the urine catcher bowl thingy in the toilet. I'm sure there's a trophy waiting for me.

Savannah is getting her bath now by the nurse in our room. She's crying and isn't a fan. Other than that, she's been quite content.

I haven't had a chance to upload pics from my camera yet. I'll take more pics once my legs aren't numb and I can get up and use the camera. So, hopefully you'll see some tomorrow. There is one pic on facebook that Nathan uploaded from his phone if you're on facebook with us.

Keegan & Kennedy will visit later this evening with Nathan's parents. I'm excited for them to meet Savannah!

7:30 Finally uploading a picture!