Emma Joy Mohrman
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
6:42 pm
6 lbs, 6 oz
19” long
38 weeks, 5 days

Birth Story
The birth of my beautiful princess began about 5 days before she actually entered the world.  Mommy started having contractions on the Friday before she came.  They weren’t too serious, but I knew my body was gearing up to deliver my sweet baby.  On Sunday the 26th, we went up to Labor & Delivery at the hospital because I thought I may have ruptured.  I was really hoping that I hadn’t because Bama and Papa were still driving home from their two week vacation in Colorado and I wanted them to be here.  We went in and I had not ruptured, but I was contracting and dilated to 1 cm and 50% effaced.  We went home and went on with our week.  I lost my mucus plug on Tuesday and I guessed that she would probably not wait until after her baby shower on Friday like I was hoping. 
The big day...at about 3 am on Wednesday morning I was awakened by my contractions.  It seemed that they had started to come in a pattern and were getting harder than they had been.  They kept me awake, coming about every 7-10 minutes.  I got up around 5 and went to sit in the bath tub for a while, hoping that would make me relax more.  After I got out, I headed to work (cleaning the Elk River district office) and was still having the contractions.  I honestly didn’t really think I was in labor because they were staying about the same distance apart and not getting much more intense.  After cleaning, I stopped at Target to pick up some things for dinner and I decided to call my OB’s office when they opened.  They called me back and said it was probably time to head into labor and delivery because the contractions had stayed regular for so long.  I asked how soon she thought I needed to go in because I didn’t want to just sit up there, and she was like “Ummm...now would be good.”  So I drove home and got Mike and Zeke up.  We dropped Zeke off at Grandma Connie’s house and headed to the hospital. 
We got to the hospital at about 10 am.  We got all checked in and set up, they told us we would be staying.  I was dilated to 3 cm and about 60% effaced.  My mom, Miranda, Melinda and Mike were all there right away.  My dad and Bridget came a little later to hang out with us too.  We had a few other visitors throughout the day too.   We even called Danielle and the boys on Skype and got to video chat with them.  Later in the afternoon they called and said they were going to get in the car and head to Minnesota from their home in Colorado.  I was sooo excited!
After a few hours of regular contractions, I didn’t progress much.  Dr. Olson came in and ruptured my water bag at about 1:15 pm.  Then I got my epidural and some pitocin.  I was quite the pin cushion that morning.  They put my IV in wrong and had to do that twice.  Drew my blood wrong and had to do that twice.  And finally hit something wrong with my epidural and had to take that out and do it over too!  It was a little frustrating, but I guess stuff like that just happens sometimes!  Baby was not responding well to the contractions.  Her heart rate kept dropping dangerously low with every contraction.  The pitocin made that worse, so they shut that off.  I was told to lay on my left side for a very long time, which meant my epidural medicine went all on the left side and I could still feel contractions on the right.  I didn’t mind it though, because my contractions weren’t picking up on the monitor, so at least I knew I was having them.  Baby’s heart rate kept dropping lower and lower and then coming back up, so there was a nurse in with me at all times watching to make sure she was still ok.  My doctor even came in and just stayed to watch her.  They were all getting pretty nervous, but I just knew she was ok.  I could feel her moving which was really reassuring to me.  We kept moving me around trying to find positions that would work better for her.  They also put an internal monitor on her to get more accurate readings.  I ended up on my hands and knees for an hour or more, which is a tough way to lay when your legs are numb! 
At about 5 pm I was still only dilated to 4 cm and 85% effaced.  My contractions started coming better and better while I was on my hands and knees, so Dr. checked me about every half hour.  by 5:30 I was about 6 cm and by 6 I was between 7 and 8 cm.  At about quarter after 6, I just had a small ridge left so they broke my bed down and got ready for delivery.  Bridget had left for work just before then, but my mom and dad, Mike, Miranda, and Melinda were all here and they all stayed in the room with us.  Mike and Melinda held my legs, mom held my hand, Miranda stood by the doctor fascinated and my dad took photos from behind my head.   It was wonderful!  I started pushing at about 6:25 pm and it only took a few contractions to deliver her.  Emma Joy Mohrman was born on July 29, 2009 at 6:42 pm.  She was perfect.  A little purple but that changed quickly.  She was lifted directly onto my belly, so I got to snuggle her right away.  It seemed so surreal that she was here!  She barely made a peep, but she did cry for a few minutes so I knew she was ok.
She is beautiful!  She was 6 lbs, 6 oz and 19 inches long.  Exactly the Same as one of her namesakes, Miranda Joy (her auntie).   She seems to be so content and quiet already.  She is happy just sitting and looking around the room.  Her brother, Zeke came up to meet her about an hour after she was born.  He’s pretty excited about her and he’s so adorable with her. 
Emma Joy, you were named years and years before you were born after your Great-great Grandma Emma (and your Great Grandma Emma on daddy’s side) and your Auntie Miranda.  They are both beautiful strong women.  You will get to grow and love your Auntie, but your Grandma Emma you won’t meet until heaven.  She would love you so much though!  I pray you have their strong, sweet spirit.  I love you baby girl.  Welcome to the planet.