We were so excited to welcome Madelynn Rose Schrader on October 21st 2010! So here's the delivery story: I had been having a lot of practice contractions and was 3 cm dilated at my last OB visit so we knew it wouldn't be too much longer. My belly was huge (and uncomfortable) and it wasn't uncommon for me to contract a lot at night after work. I was fortunate to be able to work up until the day of delivery. So, I went to work like normal on the 20th, then went and bought the car seat, set up the stroller, made dinner- normal day stuff. Around 3:30am I woke up thinking I was just having my normal nighttime contractions and potty break, but I felt a strong kick and a gush of fluid- my water broke! Now, being a know-it-all doctor type I thought "First baby- we have lots of time, these things take forever". So I told Barrett it was time and he should take a shower and then we will head into the hospital. We both took our sweet time getting ready and drove to the hospital. Well, bad idea to say the least. I started contracting really strong and close together. By the time we got to our room in the hospital and they checked me I was 6-7 cm dilated! My contractions were 1 minute apart without any medicine. I thought I might not have time for an epidural! I about broke Barrett's hand with each contraction- but he was an awesome coach. By the time I got my epidural and they checked me again I was completely dilated. They let the baby move down on her own for a while before we started pushing. The nurses and doctor were great and Madelynn was born at 9:13am after just a half hour or so of pushing! It was amazing and surreal. She was a whopping 8 pounds 10 ounces! We were all so surprised she was so big! Thankfully she is healthy, perfect, and very much loved :)
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| Proud papa |
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| She's finally here |
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| Cutting the umbilical cord |
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| Holding on to her daddy |
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| He was a natural from the start |
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| Did she really fit inside me? |
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| So in love! |
