Throughout my pregnancy, my doctors and I had an ongoing discussion about my options for giving birth. We decided that if I went into labor before January 20th, we would let nature take its course. Otherwise, I would have a repeat C-section. I had mixed feelings about my options, and from one day to the next for months on end I changed my mind about what I hoped would happen. I knew that it was ultimately out of my control, so I tried to focus instead on the best possible end result— a safe delivery and a beautiful, healthy baby.
On Friday, January 16th, I had my last appointment of my pregnancy with Dr. Tatum. Based on the position and condition of my cervix, it seemed unlikely that I would go into labor over the long weekend. With this knowledge, I spent the weekend resting and packing my suitcase. It was both strange and wonderful as Tuesday approached knowing that it would be the day I would meet my baby girl.
On Tuesday morning, big sister, Nora, decided to get us an early start. She woke at 4:30 a.m. for some snuggles (Daddy was on snuggle duty so Mommy could get some more sleep) and then she was up for the day at 6:00. I got up with her and got her breakfast, and then Brad let me go back to sleep for another hour or so while he got her ready to go to Ms. Tracy’s house. Around 8:00, I hugged and kissed her and told her that the next time she saw mommy, she would get to see baby sister, too.
We were scheduled to check in at 11 a.m., and surgery was scheduled for 1 p.m.
At 10:25 as we were gathering the last of our belongings, I got a call from the hospital that they were actually expecting me at 10 a.m. for surgery at 12. I had been moved up an hour, but no one had let me know! They offered to push me back until the next day, but I told them “absolutely not!” and we were on our way.
We got to the hospital just a few minutes before 11:00 and after filling out some paperwork, we headed upstairs where the nurses were waiting for us. I was rushed into my room, and in record time, I was hooked up and ready to go. My nurses, Melinda and Brittany, were fantastic at making small talk and keeping me distracted during a time that could have been otherwise stressful. Dr. Tatum came in to check on me and teased me for being “late”. We signed off on some papers, and then not too long after 12:00 p.m., I was being wheeled into the O.R.
Brad waited with Dr. Tatum while the anesthesiologist got my spinal block in place. It took a few minutes, but once it was set, I was numb in no time.
Dr. Tatum came in next and got me prepped for surgery. The curtain was drawn, and then Brad was brought in. He sat by my head holding my hand, and we kept our eyes on each other for a while with nervous excitement. I know I kept my eyes on Brad for some of the surgery, had them closed for some of the time, and stared off into space at other times. The conversation going on around me was muffled, and I couldn’t really focus on what was being said as all I could think about was baby being out and in my arms.
While I was nervous leading up to the surgery, once we were in there and settled, a calm came over me, and just like with Nora, I kept repeating one of my favorite birth meditations in my head: I set all fear aside as I prepare for the birth of my baby.
After some time, I heard Dr. Tatum say that he had the baby, and as he pulled her out before she was even weighed, he announced that we had “a ten pounder”. I thought he was making a joke because he also said, “Congratulations, it’s a first grader!” Dr. Tatum thinks he is funny. Sure enough, though, when she was weighed, her official weight was 10 lbs 1 oz., and her length was 22 inches. She outdid her big sister by almost a whole pound and a whole inch!
Very soon after she was born, she was in her Daddy's arms. I was able to touch her and give her some sweet kisses. Not long after that, she was safely snuggled in my arms, and we were being wheeled back to our room where we would stay for the next 3 days.
Matlida Ann was born at 1:19 P.M. on January 20th, 2015. Sweet baby Tilly completes our family in the most perfect way.
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| Mom and Dad waiting on Dr. Tatum |
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| Look at that big, beautiful baby! |
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| Squishy face, holding on to Daddy's hand |
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| First kisses from Momma |
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| Mommy is in love! |
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| Those lips, oh my! |
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| Daddy is smitten, too! |
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| Big sister has been waiting her whole life to meet you. |
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| My happy place |
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| Dede and Grandpa think you are perfect. |
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| Waiting on our discharge papers |
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| All ready to go home |
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| Snuggled in momma's arms |
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| Mommy and Daddy love you. |
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| Making a break for it! |
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| Beautiful baby going home |
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| Home sweet home, at last! |
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