Well, it all started Wednesday, March 7th.  We had an ultrasound that day and they predicted that Jacob was already around 8 pounds, 13 ounces.  The specialist I saw suggested we go ahead and try the gel on my cervix to start inducing labor.

I went in Wednesday, March 7th for my first dose of the gel and I returned on the 8th and 9th for additional doses.  Unfortunately, nothing happened.  I was still not thinned out at all and not dialated at all.  We scheduled a doctor's appointment with my OB on Monday, March 12th to decide what to do.

Mom came in to town over the weekend just incase they decided to induce on Monday.  (I had already decided I was going to insist on it ~ I was getting really nervous about how big Jacob was getting and that the odds of a natural delivery were being greatly reduced.)  Monday morning at 8:00 a.m. we went to see Dr. Chavez, my OB.  She decided that we could go ahead and try another method to try to thin out my cervix.  I would be admitted to the hospital at 3:00 that day and they would give me cervadil to try to get me started.

We checked in at 3:00 on Monday, March 12th and got the Cervadil.  By around 8:00 I was feeling some mild contractions and we could see them on the monitor.  They weren't good enough contractions to actually do anything yet, but I was optimistic since at least something was finally happening.

My mom and all of Mike's family were at the hospital visiting for much of the afternoon / evening.  They all went home probably around 8:30 or so.  Meanwhile, I continued having these mild contractions.

Around 9:00, I asked if I could be taken off the monitor since my doctor had only ordered intermittent monitoring.  The nurse told me that she couldn't take me off just yet because she wanted to monitor baby's heart rate a little longer.  At about 9:45, the nurse came back into the room and said that Jacob's heart rate was not responding well to the contractions and Dr. Chavez was on the way.  The nurse said she was sure Dr. Chavez would want to do a c-section.  At this point, I began to freak out a little bit.  I was really scared that this was all happening so suddenly.  Mike called all the family to come back to the hospital and then he did a wonderful job of trying to calm me down and get me excited about the fact that our son would soon be here.

Around 10:00, they were prepping me very quickly.  I had oxygen, an IV, a catheter and who knows what else they did in that short time span.  The family all showed up (a little panicked as well) and got to see me briefly before we headed off to the OR.

I think we got into the OR around 11:00 or maybe a little earlier.  It was all quite a haze.  The anesthesiologist had to take three attempts before he finally got the spinal tap going.  That was slightly painful, but I was relieved he got it done.  I was afraid that if he didn't get it done soon, they would put me to sleep for the procedure.

The nurse then went to get Michael to bring him in.  Before they got back, Dr. Chavez already started cutting. I was a little shocked she started so soon.

After a few pushes and tugs at my tummy, Jacob was born at 11:16 p.m.  It was kind of scary at first because he didn't cry immediately.  They took him over to the little warmer where they work on the babies and I could see them rubbing on him.  I was crying and praying that he would be okay.  Thankfully, within a couple minutes, he started crying really strong and loud.  I was so relieved!  (I found out later his first apgar score was 4, but that his second one was 9)

After they got Jacob all cleaned up, Michael was able to bring him over to me and let me kiss him and see him before they took him away to the nursery to get all the work done there.

Soon, Michael was off to the nursery, showing Jacob off to the family along the way.  I was off to recovery.  Mom came and joined me, which I was really relieved to have someone there with me.  I only had to stay in recovery for about an hour and a half and then they took me to my room and brought Jacob so that I could try feeding him.

He was a little champ at breast feeding ~ he took to it right away.  We've had a few little challenges with it over the week, but I think he's gaining weight and so I hope all will go well with it. 

We came home on Thursday, March 15th and it was such a relief to be home.  The past few days have definately been a huge adjustment.  Sleep is my biggest wish these days and it never seems to come in large enough doses.  I'm just trying to hang in there and I'm focusing on the fact that it will get easier ... he has to sleep some day. 

Anyway ... as I mentioned in my previous entry, Jacob ended up being 8 pounds exactly and 21 inches long.  He's healthy and strong and that's really the biggest thing I have to be thankful for!

Jacob Michael Madrid entered the world at 11:16 p.m. on Monday, March 12, 2007 via c-section.

He weighed 8 pounds and was 21 inches long.  He's BEAUTIFUL.  I'll add pictures ASAP, but he's just the most lovely baby I've ever layed eyes on.  (Imagine a mom saying that about her child.)

I'll update the birth story later ... but for now, all we need to know is Jacob is here, healthy and just and absolute joy!

I have so many updates with really so little to say.  Quite a bit (and really nothing at all) has happened with Jacob over the past few days.

Tuesday afternoon I had an appointment with my OB, Dr. Chavez.  She said I still was not at all effaced and not at all dialated.  We discussed several options and finally settled on having me see a specialist for an ultrasound to see if there was any medical reason to induce at this point.

Wednesday morning, I saw Dr. Rappaport and she did an ultrasound.  Everything looks good with Jacob ~ fluid is good, heart rate, everything is fine.  However, she estimates at this point that he is 8 lbs and 13 ounces!!  She suggested that I go ahead and let my Dr. try using the get to start softening my cervix.

Wednesday afternoon went to the hospital to get a dose of some gel (like prostoglandin).  Doc told me to see what happens and come back Thursday at 9:00 if nothing happened overnight.

Thursday morning ~ nothing has happened yet, so I went back in for another dose of gel.  The doctor says I feel "a little softer" but that the cervix was still pretty thick.  She wouldn't give me a percentage of effacement, so quite frankly, I think she only told me I'm a little softer to make me feel better.  She gave me another dose of gel.  She said if nothing happens, I'll go back in Friday morning for a final dose of the gel.

If nothing happens over the weekend, I have to go into her office at 8:00 Monday morning to "see what we're going to do".  No real game plan set forth, so I guess we'll wait and see.

At this point, even though he is not due until Sunday, I am feeling very frustrated and anxious.  I'm very fearful that all this maniplulation is not going to work and they'll end up having to do a c-section.  I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

So, I'm 6 days out from my due date and Jacob still shows no signs of wanting to join us out here in the world.  Apparently mommy provides a very warm and comfy environment that is hard to give up.  (I'm already such a good provider!) 

I haven't been sleeping too good at night and I feel like I'm a little crampy lately, but certainly nothing worth noting.  I feel a little energetic today, so I think I'll try to get some things done around the house.  I'm trying to keep on top of things because I know he could decide he wants to come at any moment, so I'm trying to be ready.

That's really all I've got to share today .... all is quiet here.  I'll update again tomorrow after my doctor's appointment.