The Arrival of Lynnie May

February 4, 2017 - A day to remember!

Let's back up to the beginning of how that day became so special. Some of you may know that I teach high school math and my biggest fear was that I would go into labor while I was teaching one of my classes. Phew...what a relief when I made it home and then my contractions started.

It was Friday, February 3rd. I got home from school and Evan and I decided to go for a walk with our dog, Zoey. While we were on the walk, I started to get really painful jolts in my - you know what - and a shortness of breath. I looked at Evan and said "We have got to turn around right now and get home. I think it's time."

So I waddled all the way back home, this was no easy task. My pain level was growing more at this point and I could feel that it was time. However, my contractions were not quite at 2 minutes apart yet. So we ate dinner and I waited. I called the nurse's twice before we actually drove to the hospital because I wanted to make sure that it was actual labor and not get sent home when we arrived.

Finally, at around 11 pm I made Evan take me to the hospital. We grabbed our bags, and our last minute items and left. We made sure we had the car seat and everything we needed for the baby to arrive. Evan didn't think I was actually in labor and that I was just going to get sent home.

We parked in the parking garage at the Methodist Hospital at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. We walked in and went to the labor and delivery wing where they brought us into a triage room to check and see if my cervix was far enough along to be admitted. I hoped would be because I did not want them to send me back home. Well, they checked me and I was only dilated to 4 cm. They told me to stay in the room and that they would check on me an hour later to see if my cervix had dilated more. Ugh.....I had to wait in this room and sit on a ball to try and get labor going. At least we had some movies to watch to help pass the time.

Finally, at 1 am the nurses came in to check on me again. This time I was dilated to a 5 so they said I could be admitted and I was finally taken back to my room, where I would give birth.

By this point, we had called my parents and let them know that we were at the hospital so that they could get their plane tickets and meet their first grandchild. Evan called his parents as well and let them know it was almost time.

Once, we got settled in the room, I took a bath in the big tub that they had to help with my contractions because I hadn't gotten my epidural yet. This seemed to help ease the pain a little bit. Finally, at about 4 am I got my epidural and let me tell you, that was so amazing. I slept the whole rest of the night and woke up around 7 am.

Since we didn't know if we were having a boy or girl, we had some names picked out. On the
whiteboard in the delivery room, we put our list of names up on the board and asked all the nurses and doctors who came in to add their vote for one girl name, and one boy name. It was so fun and I loved seeing what others chose. Our list of names included: Girls: Evelyn Rae and Lynnie May. Boys: Jack Potter, Wrigs William, and Wilson Michael. We got the most tally marks for Evelyn Rae and Wrigs William.

The doctors came to check on me to see how I was progressing, I was kind of stuck at 8 cm, so they went ahead and broke my water and gave me Pitocin to help get me to deliver. The baby was sunny side up, so I had to use a peanut ball to get her to flip over and be in the right position.

Within about twenty minutes of getting the Pitocin, it was finally time. My OB, husband, the nurse, and a medical resident where the only people in the room. I had Evan on one side holding my foot and the nurse holding my other foot. Evan and I were very excited to see if we were going to have a boy or a girl.

My doctor told me to push when I could feel the contractions coming on and within 45 minutes of pushing, we welcomed a sweet little baby GIRL!!! We were thrilled!! They immediately gave her to me to hold on my chest and that was a wonderful feeling. Then Evan cut the umbilical cord and the nurse took her to get cleaned up and weighed and all those things they do. She was born at 10:16 am on February 4, 2017. She weighed 8lbs 4oz and 20.5 in long.

After, a couple hours and a lot of thought we finally decided on her name; Lynnie May Whipple.

I will never forget how I felt when I saw her for the first time. Pure joy, a sense of overwhelming, and a deep deep love for her.