Madeline's Delivery Journey Began Two Years Ago Today

Two years ago today I had a doctor's appointment and ultrasound to see how Madeline was doing. I remember sitting in with my doctor and her telling us "go home, have a glass of wine, do what you need to do because tonight I want you to come back and start the process to have a baby."

At that point, I'd been on bedrest for about three weeks. I was going in for monitoring two to three times a week, and every step I took brought fear that I was doing something to harm Madeline or myself since my blood pressure just wouldn't settle down. So as nervous and excited I was that the day had come to be induced, there was also a great sense of relief that the bedrest thing was finally done.

We were fortunate that that was the weekend my doctor was on call, which probably also played a role in her bringing us back that night. I had switched to her mid-pregnancy when I became "high risk," and I loved her. I was so glad that she was going to be the one to see us through Madeline's delivery.

We left that appointment and had chowed down at Rudy's. Then we went home with the task of killing about 8 hours before we were slotted to come back. I can honestly say that was one of the weirdest periods in the whole pregnancy because we were just sitting there wondering what to do with the time, anxious for the evening to roll around so we could get things under way. I remember going to Walgreens for camera batteries and a few other things and the woman asking me when I was due.

One last belly shot before we left. That smile hid fear, anxiety and relief.


We arrived at the hospital around 9 that night looking a little like tourists whose vacation had gone wrong. We rolled two suitcases, pillows, a camera bag and more into the hospital. In hindsight I packed way too much stuff, but I've been a chronic over-packer, so why should that be any different?

No one had told us that I should have something to eat prior to the induction starting, so Brian ran out at like 9 or 10 to get some dinner. Then we settled in and attempted to rest. The next day was when the real fun would begin. And I use the word "fun" very loosely.

I'm not going to recount the entire birth story because I did it here. It makes me teary to go back and read it because I remember how scared we were. And now we're on the cusp of welcoming another little girl to the world. I feel so much more prepared and totally unprepared all at the same time.