Brooke Elizabeth Hepler finally decided to come into the world on her own special day...LEAP YEAR, Friday, February 29, 2008 at 3:23 pm. I wasn't especially happy with the date since it only comes around every 4 years, but since it was right between my original due date and the date that my last ultrasound predicted, I should have known that would be when she decided to come. So here's my story. I went to work on friday just like any other day. I think that most of my co-workers were getting a little paranoid at this point, they were all sure that my water was going to break at work. After talking with my sister about the fact that you don't hear about peoples water's breaking at work or when people are out for that matter, I felt like I was pretty safe...WRONG. I am not sure if it was walking up and down the stairs going to the front desk are if it was just time. It was about 11:30, Faye and I were about to go to Olive Garden and pick up lunch, I was sitting at my desk and felt something. Not sure exactally what it was, I walked to the bathroom as quickly as possible since I felt like I was peeing my pants..well skirt since that is what I had on! I made it with out anyone stoping me which was good and it was a good thing that I got there when I did. From that point I wasn't sure exactally what to do..since my water was just leaking and hadn't totally broke. I peeked my head out of the bathroom and told one of my coworkers to bring my purse, it was time. I went back into the bathroom and by the time I came back out, there were about 15 people standing there. They all decided that someone should drive me, but I had my friend Liliana follow me home instead. I called Rusty and he was on his way to lunch with his co-worker Jack and was shocked that I was calling from my cell phone. So shocked that his exact words were "oh shit Jack turn around, were having a baby." I was laughing, since to all of you that know me that is what I do when I am nervous, and he couldn't tell if I was crying or laughing. The girls at work grabbed a few towels and a few more stops at various bathrooms though the hotel, I was walking out the door. Oh, did I mention that there was a line of people clapping from security staff to Human resourses staff on my way out...I was so scared that my water was going to totally break right in front of them, but it was ok. My nice frined Faye was parked (illegially) right at the employee entrance, and was willing to give me a ride to my car, as long as I sat on all the towels. Once to my car Liliana followed me home. I talked to my parents and sister and Kristin on the way and they were all shocked that it all happened at work. Rusty of course called several times as well, having our friend Greg get the rest of the stuff in my bag. So when I got home they were both waiting. I changed and asked for Rusty to take some pictures, and Rusty kept telling me that it was time to go. On the way to the hospital I started to have contractions, but not too bad yet. Once I got to the hospital I walked in to check in arear and there were two other girls there having contractions, but their waters hadn't broke so I was first in line. Once upstairs to the baby floor, I still had to sit and wait for about 45 minutes before they called me back. Rusty Grandparents got there before I was even called back. The contractions were getting stronger, but still not too bad, the bad things was, by this point, it looked like I had peed my pants because my water was still leaking. Finally my turn. The called me back and in the triage. I got in my gown and into the bed. The on call doctor came in and checked me and I was at 5 centimeters and the contractions were getting stronger and stronger. I asked when I was going to get my epidural, and the told me as soon as I got in my room. That was the bad part...there were no rooms, they were waiting on someone to get discharged in order for me to get a room. So I waited...and waited...and waited. I talked to my sister and she couldn't believe that I was still talking thru the contractions. The nurse came in and game me the IV so when I finally got my room I could get my epidural. Dr. Patel came in and I asked him as well, when was I going to get my epidural, he told me the same thing, as soon as I got a room. I had to pee so I got up and went, when I got back to my bed Rusty was talking to my sister and he told her that I wasn't wanting to talk anymore. At that time I couldn't figure out why she called right back, but later I found out that it was because she didn't think that I was going to get the epidural either. By that point, the contraction was so bad, my body took over and I couldn't stop pushing. The nurse was there and said that she needed to check me now. She checked and yelled, she is having this baby NOW. I have never seen people move so fast, they were wheeling me down the hallway, and I saw us fly past Dr. Patel and he followed quickly. Rusty said that the ladies that were moping the floor were leaving the room as we were entering...however, I don't remember that. All I remember is asking if I was going to get drugs and they said No sweetie, it is too risky at this point and will put the baby to sleep...and I said OK, what was I thinking! Once into the room, I had to move onto the bed and I still couldn't stop pushing...Dr. Patel was telling me to push because her head was already out, and at the same time a nurse was telling me not to push. I just remember looking at Rusty and asking what do I do. Dr. Patel was still getting into his gown and she was almost here, three more pushes and Brooke was born. They put my little angel on my chest and was just beautiful. Of course, since it was so fast, no cone head and her skin was beautiful, 10 fingers, 10 toes and a little button nose. The tears came. The took her to clean her up and I was just releived that I did it with out any drugs. After I have told all of my friends who have had a natural birth that they were insane, and that drugs were there for a reason, now I am one of them. I quickly remembered Kristin telling me that it didn't matter if I got an epidural or not. There was no award for having a "natrual birth" and no balloons were going to come from the ceiling, and she was right, no balloons until family and friends brought them. Would I do it again? If I was assured that it was going to be this quick, I think I would.
Sorry for this being so long, but that is my story.
