Thursday, February 18, 2010

new baby


Leandra Lynn Ferrara
Birthday: February 13, 2010
7 pounds 8 ounces
19 1/2 inches long


Birth story:
We went in at 9:30 a.m. to get my membranes stripped and took black & blue cohosh, then we walked around the mall - had a few contractions. I started at 2 cm dilated and after an hour was 3 cm. We decided to strip membranes again, go eat lunch and take a nap. We checked into our hotel early and I had a great nap. We went back at 3:30 and took a.... (don't know what it's called). Started having contractions about every 6 minutes but I could tell I wasn't really in labor. Took another..... at 5:30 and was having contractions every 3 minutes but I didn't feel like it was going anywhere. (I've had 7 babies so I know what it really feels like!) At 7:30 p.m. I asked her to check my cervix and break my water. She had originally said she wouldn't break my water until I was dilated to 5 cm. I was still only 3 cm. after all that time so she broke my water. I was immediately dilated to 5 cm. and now I felt like I was in real labor. I got into the tub still having contractions every 2 1/2 to 3 minutes apart but they were HARD!! I started to think I was going to have those contractions until midnight because they were not getting closer together, but I started getting really shaky - typical transition for me. At about 8:25 p.m. my midwife had just stepped out to get me some water when I had the hardest contraction of all and I told Dave I was going to have to push. The next contraction I had to push even if I didn't want to - love those natural urges! I probably only had to push 3 good times and she was in my arms. All the pain is forgotten as soon as I have my baby!


Thoughts about Leandra:
*Dave and I both noticed how red her hair seemed even all wet

*We both immediately recognized her eyes - same as Annalisas and mine

*She looks a lot like I did as a newborn

*She seemed really chubby so we both guessed she was in the 8 pound range

*She had a really hearty cry as soon as she came out until she was nursed - haven't heard her cry like that since!

*She has REALLY long fingers and toes

*For the first few days she almost seemed sunburned because her skin was so red!


good things:
having your husband whisper how proud he is of you

hearing your baby cry for the first time

finally holding her after 9 months

5 comments:

Tamara said...

Wow - that is an amazing story. I can't believe what a fast labor you had! She is BEAUTIFUL and I love her name (perfect with your family). I've only known one Leandra, our friend in High School, such a pretty and unique name. What a little sweetie. I'm sure you can't get enough of her!

MamaBug said...

Yay for you!! Congratulations!

Marley Family said...

I'm so glad that you had a good delivary!

Jeron & Brook said...

So wonderful! I LOVER her name! I do have to ask why you chose that for her middle name. She is beautiful! Thanks for sharing the story you are amazing!

Erin said...

I love how you do forget all the pain involved once they put that beautiful baby in your arms. Nothing else in the world matters anymore! I'm so glad that she's here and so beautiful and healthy! Congratulations!