In love again

When my first daughter was born, I discovered a pure, unconditional love that I never felt before. It was, and still is, an intense love that knows no limits. I never imagined that I could ever love another human being with the same intensity or same pure love that I feel for my first daughter....until I met my second daughter. Now I know that the heart can grow to include love for other children. And now, I am twice blessed.

Another angel is born

Sydney Olivia
Born March 31, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
8 lbs. 10 ounces
20 inches long

March 30 - 11 pm: Started having contractions that every 15 minutes that eventually went away so I went to bed.

March 31 - 9:30 am: Got out of bed to get ready for my OB-GYN appointment and as soon as I sat up in bed, my water broke. Just a huge gush of water that wouldn't stop.

10:30 am: Registering at labour and delivery when my water continued to gush. Nurse confirms that I'm not going anywhere and admits me into labour and delivery. Admitted into labour and delivery and hooked up to all sorts of monitoring machines and IV. Nurse noticed some meconium and doctor decided to give me pitocin to speed up labour.

2:00 pm: Contractions getting really strong and hard. Nurses couldn't find my cervix! Eventually they did and told me I was only 2 cm.

4:00 pm: Contractions really painful. Nurses checked me again and I am 4 cm. I finally agree to get epidural.

6:00 pm: I realize that I still have significant feeling in my legs despite the epidural and what little of the epidural that is working is wearing off. I ask for more but they say I can't have anymore as they want me to "feel the pain and pressure" so I can push. Contractions are really painful and long at this point. It was almost unbearable and I cried during every contraction. Nurses check and say I am 8 cm dilated.

@6:45 pm: I feel extreme pain and pressure to push. Nurse checks and I am fully dilated and baby's head is "right there." Doctor is called and I am instructed to start pushing.

@ 7:27 pm: Sydney Olivia is born. I felt every inch of her movement down the birth canal and I felt her head, shoulders and body come out. The most intense and unimaginable pain I have ever experienced but I completely forgot it all after I saw her.

@ 7:30 pm: Doctors confirm she did not inhale any meconium and she is given an APGAR score of 9/9. Thank God!