The Harrison Family: Kayleigh Marybell Harrison

On October 12, 2010 at 2:17pm Kayleigh Marybell Harrison made her debut into the world. She weighed 8lbs 9oz and was 21inches long. Jeremy and I can not be more happy with our precious little girl. She has already brought more happiness to our lives then we could have ever imagined.
Here is our birth story:
On October 11 we left our house about 7:45pm for the drive to Vanderbilt Medical Center for our induction. Before we left the house we took numerous photos of our family of "4" for the last time. My mom rode with Jeremy and I to the hospital and Jeremy's mom followed us down there. When checked into the hospital and were placed in birthing room 10. We got all situated, I got an IV and doctor Lipsitz came to check me. I was 2cm dilated so she decided to break my water and start PIT (the medicine that starts contractions and labor). So the labor process begins......
Jeremy, my mom and I just hung out watching the Monday night football and having contractions. I proceeded to dilated throughout the night and around 2AM my contractions were unbearable and I decided that an epidural was a necessity!!! Wow, can I just say that an epidural is the most amazing thing ever and I can not even imagine childbirth without one.
After the epidural we were all able to sleep some, well I am not sure how much sleep my mom got because she was in a chair, but I did sleep some. The doctors and everyone came in and checked on me all night and into the morning. They continues to turn up my PIT making my contractions stronger and closer together, but I did not have to feel a thing. At 11AM much to all of our surprise my nurse checked me and I was 10cm dilated!!!! Yeah!! It was much faster than I though. I was thinking nothing would really happen till 3 or 4pm, but YEAH it was 11 and I was about to start the pushing process. The nurse called Dr. Lipsitz and informed her of my progress, Jeremy and I told my mom and BFF Jennifer good-by, probably cried a few tears because they next time they were going to see me I was going to be a mommy!
At 11:45 I started pushing. Yes, that means 3 pushes of 10 seconds each, then about a 2 minute break before the next contraction when I had to start all over again....3 pushes, 10 seconds each, then a break. I thought for sure it would not be long before Jeremy and I met our precious baby, but I guess our baby had a slightly different plan. I pushed for 2 1/2 hours. I was exhausted, a few times I had pretty much given up, I cried, I was frustrated, but thru the whole thing Jeremy continued to encourage me that I could do it! He started watching the labor process about a hour into it when the nurse said she could see the baby's head and that it had hair. Jeremy was pretty shocked that you could actually see hair. Everytime I pushed he would encourage me that the baby was making progress and getting further out. Dr. Lipsitz checked in numerous times and everytime would say I was making a little bit more progress, but oh my gosh I thought it was never going to end.
About 2:00pm Dr. Lipsitz talked to Jeremy and I about things that she would do to help baby Harrison out. The results were a little scary sounding, including a vacuum that would cause a huge hematoma on it's head, or forceps that might cause scaring to it's face or even a c-section. I was upset about all of those "helpers" and maybe that it what motivated me to push REALLY had and get that baby our. About 10 minutes later Dr. Lipsitz came into the room and said "wow, don't push" and she started getting ready for the actual birth. YEAH, I was finally going to push this baby out!! I did not push thru one contraction and on the next contraction, I pushed, Jeremy and I heard a huge POP and the baby's head was out! I paused for a few seconds, pushed one more time and out came our baby. Dr. Lipsitz announced "IT'S A BEAUTIFUL BABY GIRL!!" I just looked at Jeremy and started to cry...really a girl? I can't believe it's a girl! I was overwhelmed with joy! Kayleigh was laid on my chest and I just kept saying, "Hi Kayleigh" and rubbing her sweet face. It was instant love, forever love. Jeremy and I just cried and stared at our baby...she was perfect, 10 fingers, 10 toes, and a sweet face that just made us melt.
The doctors and nurses got Kayleigh and I all situated and in came my mom, Jeremys' mom and Jennifer to share the special moment with us. There were many photos taken, tears shed and an overwhelming of joy on our room. I am so glad that the 3 of them could share that special moment with Jeremy and I.
Jeremy and Kathy accompanied Kayleigh to the nursery for her first bath and check up, while my mom stayed with me. Papa Charlie and Brooks came a little bit later to meet Kayleigh.