In the early morning of January 23, Dawnie started to feel strong labor pains that drove her out of bed. She spent the day getting acupuncture to speed the process, cooking Japanese food with her mom, and cleaning and organizing the house between contractions. Baby Yamane Milner's entrance had to be coming soon!
Things started to really pick up later that night. Rest was at a premium and Dawnie and JJ spent the night trying to sleep a few minutes between strong contractions, hour after hour. Their doula, Cara, joined them around 10.30am and helped them move around the house, try some different positions, and draw a tub. Around 1pm, they were ready to go to the hospital. Baby Yamane Milner's entrance had to be coming soon!
After a tough, bumpy car ride to the hospital and dealing with some unpleasant hospital logistics (really? you need my driver's license right at this moment?), Dawn had her first exam by her midwives around 2pm. Good news: 8cm dilation! Baby Yamane Milner's entrance had to be coming soon!
Alas, not quite. Baby was enjoying her time close to mom so much, she wasn't quite ready to make her move down. A few more challenging hours passed as Dawn drew from the depths. Warm water tub, shower, walking around the delivery room. 4:30pm exam: still 8cm. Back to the tub, back to the shower, more walking and breathing. 6:30pm: 9.5cm...getting closer. Finally, Dawn gets the go ahead to push all out at 8:30pm.
Forty-five minutes later, at 9.27pm on January 24, Minami Reilly Yamane Milner's entrance became a reality. As Mina slipped into the world, breathing air in her lungs for the very first time, she emitted a single sharp cry. Then, as if she did want to waste a single other breath expressing dismay upon such a glorious moment, she opened her eyes wide open to the world and looked in the direction of her insanely happy and loving parents.
Forty-five minutes later, at 9.27pm on January 24, Minami Reilly Yamane Milner's entrance became a reality. As Mina slipped into the world, breathing air in her lungs for the very first time, she emitted a single sharp cry. Then, as if she did want to waste a single other breath expressing dismay upon such a glorious moment, she opened her eyes wide open to the world and looked in the direction of her insanely happy and loving parents.
Welcome Mina to your new family! We love you!
*******
January 23, 2013
Morning of January 24:
9:27pm, January 24, 2013:
Love, love, love the pictures! Especially the ones from 9:27 p.m. So touching. Your doula did an amazing job capturing those special moments. One question - Dawn, how could you look so beautiful after the 40 grueling previous hours?! You both look so HAPPY - I just can't stop smiling as I look through the blog.
ReplyDeleteMuch love,
Mom/Debbie/GramGram