The Holdaways -Ben & Holly

Gabriella Jeanette Holdaway

Born September 27 2008

10:42 Am

19.5 inches

7 lbs 8 oz

We went into the hospital Friday night about 1:30 at night. Holly had been having contractions for two days. The Dula came over at 11 and we went for a walk and tried to sleep but in the end we went to the hospital. She was dilated to a 1 when we got there and a 2 within the next hour. They asked us what we wanted to do, go home or stay there and take a sleeping pill. We chose to stay and Holly slept for about 3 hours between contractions.

When she woke up for good she was at a 5 and got in the warm tub. When she got out of the tub she had a contraction and felt the need to push and her water broke right then. We helped her walk to the bed and she was a 9. After 20 Minutes of pushing our beautiful little girl was here. Her oxygen was low and she was a little blue for longer than we would have imagined (it was the longest 35 second I have ever been through) I was getting scared. They were pretty rough looking with her trying to get her to breath and get circulation going (beating her with soft foam mallets and rubbing her body) it was a lot for a new dad to watch and hear. After about 2 minutes she was the perfect pink and content as ever.

Holly and I spent some family time before any visitors came which was a nice thing to have that bonding time. Holly nursed and Gabbi latched right on and knew exactly what she was supposed to do. Holly did really well through the whole thing and never once complained. She did it all natural and the Hypno-birthing was successful just like she had planned. The only pain medicine she took was after the birth and it was ibuprofen.

Good Job Holly!