We are excited to share the news of our brand new addition to the Anthony family. Kathryn Judith was born on November 29 at 2:45 pm. Here is the story of her arrival:
Chris and I have been preparing for the past few weeks on who would take care of Daniel while the baby was born. We compiled a list of sitters with days available. We even packed his bag and were ready to go each night. We really thought it would happen the same way as it did with Daniel--that my water would break and we would head to the hospital. The final two ob appointments I had made little progress so my doctor suggested we induce me on November 29, a week before my due date. Everybody was assuming I would have it before than anyway.
We got a sitter arranged for November 29th with instructions that we could be asked to be at the hospital anytime from 5 am till 9am. We anxiously awaited a phone call from the hospital that morning. I was instructed to call the hospital by 10 am if I had not heard anything by then. When I called them then, the told me they typically don't induce patients in the afternoon, but I could call again in an hour. I anxiously waited an hour all the time worrying that we would have to arrange babysitters the next day. When I finally called at 11, they said to come in. We dropped Daniel off at the sitters and arrived at the hospital at 11:40. I registered and was taken to my room. I got dressed and waited for a nurse. She came in at 12:15 and checked me. I was dilated to a 4 or 5 then.They started me on Pitocin and broke my water at about 12:30. Within 30 minutes the contractions were very strong and getting unbearable. (Funny sidenote: I don't remember the contractions from Daniel's birth and was very worried with this pregnancy that I wouldn't know what a contraction felt like. Crazy me! They are unforgettable!) I asked for an epidural and was told the anestiologist was finishing up a c-section and could be awhile. They shut off the Pitocin and gave me a narcotic to take the edge off the pain. I have never felt this loopy and the world has never spun so much as it did with that medicine. About 20 minutes later, I received my epidural. As soon as it was placed in me and I was instructed to turn to the other side to level out the medicine, I felt horrible pressure and knew the baby was coming. They checked me and sure enough, I was ready to push. I had dilated 5 cm in 20 minutes! My epidural had not reached its full power, so I was very miserable at this point. My doctor came in and after persuading me to push through the pain, Kathryn Judith made her appearance at 2:45 pm, 2 hours 15 minutes after I arrived at the hospital. I was told this is very rare to have an induction take so little time. Here is her 1st picture from the hospital.
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She weighed 7 lb. 5 oz and was 19 inches tall
