Lillian Fay Padilla

Lillian was scheduled to arrive on March 22, 2012. Well, that day came and went and there were absolutely no signs of her trying to make an entrance. My doctor thought it would be best if I did not wait another week or two to see if she would come in to this world on her own, so we decided I would be induced.

On Sunday March 25th, 2012 at 9:00 pm, Josh took me to Saint Joseph's Hospital. After being admitted I was given a medication to help soften my cervix for the induction the next morning. I had to drink the medication every two hours through out the night. At about 1:30am I began having painful contractions and any hope I had of getting sleep to be ready for my big day, was gone. Despite the contractions, when the nurse checked my cervix at about 4:00am there was still no change. This was a bit concerning because I could only take one more dose of the medication. So, another two hours went by and I took the medication and still nothing.

My doctor arrived at about 8:30am, started timing my contractions and decided she would try to break my water to see if that would help speed up the process. I was having regular contractions every two or three minutes but my cervix was still closed. Once my water broke, Lillian and my body decided it was probably a good time to get the party started. I was at the point of passing out from the pain at about 11:00am and decided to get the epidural. I asked for a very low dose so that I could still feel some of what was going on and I got just that.

One Indiana Jones movie and several Popsicles later, it was time to start pushing. I was able to lift my own legs and feel when I was having contractions so I could use the contraction to help me push. After about an hour of pushing with every contraction I went to pushing for two and resting for one. By the time Lillian's head was ready to emerge my epidural had almost totally worn off but she was just about ready to make her entrance so I decided to go without more pain medication.

At 3:55pm the doctor slid Lillian's little fat body up onto my chest and I saw her chubby little cheeks for the first time. Tears ran down my cheeks as I looked into her big eyes. She looked so familiar to me, and I knew in that moment that we had known each other in the preexistence. She gave one squawk and when she heard my voice she was silent. We have spent the past two weeks getting to know each other and I have been trying to get the hang of being a parent. Josh and I are tired but other than that all is well.