Birth Date: February 10, 2008
Weight: 5 pounds, 14.6 ounces
Height: 19 ¼ inches

I went in at 9 a.m., and they administered the gel. About 2 hours later, I was checked and the contractions were happening, but I wasn't dilating. They told us to go, have lunch and come back at 1. We did."

"While on our break, we went to my brother's apartment and helped him unload his U-Haul. I was having contractions and my brother kept saying "You don't have to help". I told him I was fine and when I want to stop, I will."

"We headed back to the hospital and they administered more gel, but again checked and told me nothing new was happening. They said ‘go home, take a bath, relax, and we'll see you back here tomorrow at 2 p.m.'"

"We went home, and it was snowing/sleeting. When I got home I took at bath which was around 4:15-4:30. I went down and sat on the couch with my husband to watch the pro-bowl. At 5:05, my water broke. Of course my husband said ‘are you sure'. We decided to take our time at the advice from one of my brothers. We got to the hospital at 6:45. The midwife was worried that I had taken so long."

"My sister and my best friend showed up and everyone was stocked for a long hard night. (Pillows, snacks, even a laptop to watch movies on.) I got my epidural and the doctor was instantly my best friend. (I told my husband, sister and best friend several times to stop talking when I was having contractions because I couldn't concentrate on the contractions ... prior to the epidural). Afterwards we were all joking and talking. The midwife came in at about 8:15 and told me I was 8 cm dilated. At 8:45 she told me I was 10 cm, but the head was still not all the way down. At 9:10 I told the nurse I was pretty sure I felt the head (pressure) down there. I started pushing and Gabriela was born at 9:15pm."

"My sister and my best friend had both of my digital cameras and they were able to record an amazing and touching time in my life. (with discretion)."

"When Gabriela came out, my husband was the first to see that we had a new baby girl. (sex previously unknown). My midwife missed the birth, but came in time to 'fix me up'. Never had I imagined that everything would've moved so smoothly and so quickly.
I can't wait for the next baby. : )"