Jenn and Randy headed into the doctor’s office Friday morning with the intent of inducing as soon as possible. It had been a looooooong ninth month and with all the pain Jenn was in - they were ready to move to the next phase.

Less than a week away from their due date - they didn’t see inducing being a problem. Jenn had been dilated 1-3 cm for weeks, but after an ultrasound identified Ella being an 9 lb baby their doctor suggested C-section. C-section! huh! When did that word enter our pregnancy vocabulary! At this point we were “done” (well Jenn was and Randy struggled to see her in pain). So they scheduled a c-section (which could be changed to an induction if they decided to do so.) But they would have to wait until Wednesday the 23 rd before anything would be done.

They went home disappointed, tired and made plans for the entire weekend. They decided if she wasn’t coming as soon as they had hoped, they would need to distract themselves for the weekend.

It wasn’t until a little later that day Jenn started to feel a little “off”. At 4 am Saturday morning jenn was awakened by a crampy sensation...not knowing what contractions felt like she decided to get out of bed and time the new sensations. Sure enough the cramps came every 3 to 5 minutes for over an hour. Jenn woke up Randy and they were off to the hospital to get checked out. They didn’t want to get their hopes up Ella was on her way - so they convinced themselves the contractions would stop and they’d be sent home.

Once they were in the observation room, the nurse hooked Jenn up to the monitors. Sure enough she commented that she hadn’t “seen” a contraction since we arrived (20 minutes ago). Instead the nurse examined Jenn - “You’re 4.5 cm dilated - you are having this baby today! “

Jenn looked over and Randy - it was real now! The doctor was called and gave them the option of going through labor and trying to have a vaginal delivery (instead of a C-section). She said it seemed as if Jenn’s body was moving in the right direction - but ANY complications they would have to perform a C-section. Excited and terrified the couple was moved into the birthing room around 7 am (they would labor, deliver and recover in this room over the next few days).

Jenn started making phone calls, as did Randy. Letting parents and grandparents know what was going on. Jenn was convinced she’d be in labor for hours on end so she assured those traveling from afar to take their time.

Jenn was having contractions, talking on the phone and texting from 7 am to 9 am. At 9 the doctor came in and decided to break Jenn’s water so they could hook Ella up to a fetal monitor. When Jenn’s water broke the bed turned into Niagara Falls and the room was flooded. Water began to spill out, and it just wouldn’t stop coming - the nurse finally gave up trying to keep up with the flow and instead called maintenance with a mop.

After her water was broken, Jenn had her first REAL contraction. “OH - so this is what they are supposed to feel like!!” The nurse looked at Jenn and said “Epidural?” Jenn responded “YES PLEASE!!” They waited for what seemed like an eternity(45 minutes to be exact) for the anesthesiologist. Contractions were coming hard and fast and Randy coached Jenn through every one.

When the anesthesiologist arrived he began to go over pros cons, dangers and rumors...”Any questions?” “Where do I SIGN!!!???” After her first epidural didn’t take she had to get a second one and as frustrating as it was - it was well worth it! From that point on it was “happy times”.

Jenn went from zero to 60, she dilated a lot faster than expected. Ella’s heart rate was fluctuating and the doctor said “We either start pushing or we get her out via C.” So Jenn was asked to do a practice push (actually 3 practice pushes - just as she was ordered by the doctor) And since her nurse had gone to lunch before putting in her catheter she peed all over her doctor - not once, not twice but three times head to toe...hey - she said push!

From there (after the doctor cleaned up) we began pushing. With her coach and hubby holding one leg and her mom holding the other, she used their strength to push out her 8 pound 14 ounce bundle of joy. And sure enough 37 minutes later Ella Irene Marie Smith was born at 1:13 pm on that beautiful Saturday!

Perfect!