A Birth Story

Ella Elgene Torres

October 15

7 lb 9 oz

20 1/4 inches

It started with patience: Ella waiting patiently above, and me learning to be patient and let things happen when they were supposed to. Then came acceptance that I most likely would have to wait until my induction on the 19th (a week and a day past my due date). This acceptance luckily brought on contractions. And more contractions, until they were coming closer than 3 minutes apart and it was time to go into the hospital around 2 AM on Friday morning. I crossed my fingers when they checked me, hoping I didn't go in too early and end up trapped in a hospital bed for hours. Things were to be fast though as I was completely dilated. Papers were signed, monitors were put on, an IV was started, and my doctor appeared. He got out the crochet hook and my water was broken. Severe pain came next along with panic. Tyler was there though quietly doing his predetermined jobs: 1. don't let me chicken out, and 2. make sure I don't make any of the animal noises (cow, chimpanzee, whatever) that all the Ina May births talk about. There was some very unpleasant pushing (I have no idea how long) and then perfect little Ella appeared at 3:25 AM. She was beautiful, healthy, and alert. Aside from a couple of trips to the nursery she was rarely put down while we were at the hospital. She was, and is, so loved. The End.

I am actually not storing food in my cheeks like a chipmunk, I just got really fat this pregnancy.

I still don't know who she looks like, but I think she looks perfect of course.