I started contractions at 5 am but actually wasn't admitted to the hospital until later. My midwives said my contractions weren't strong enough and  I was only 3 cm dilated.

As we left the hospital, IPs were there. We decided to go out for breakfast. Of course I ate the worst thing I could possibly eat...the Summer Sizzler...all greasy foods.

In the middle of breakfast the contractions started coming a little harder. IM timed them at 3-4 minutes so I decided I better stop eating. I called the hospital and they told me to come up again just to check. 

We arrived and I had dilated to 4 cm. Pretty good progress. Susan (IM) was sitting by my side and Bruce (IF) was bouncing off the wall. I don't think he could decide if he was more nervous...or more excited. =)

Miwaka and Elizabeth were my midwives and Corky was my nurse. Miwaka and Elizabeth decided to break my water to get things going a little faster. Miwaka had a difficult time reaching my cervix so the water breaking was a lil painful.
When it did finally break, only a little water came out.

I was then placed on the monitors.

 

Shortly after, they let me stand to use the restroom. Susan, Bruce and Bill (DH at the time) were all in the room. I stood up and GOOOSSHHH, my water went everywhere. Corky let me take a shower and Bill came in the bathroom with me. I stood for awhile enjoying the warm water, then returned to the bed and the monitors. Shortly after they moved me to a labor and delivery room.

 

It seemed like awhile before anyone checked me, and when they did they saw that my labor wasn't progressing and decided they should induce me. I was nervous because I had heard that the picotin made labor worse but I agreed to go ahead with the induction.

Corky gave me an IV with the picotin. No more than a couple minutes later my contractions started hurting badly and coming really fast. Miwaka said it couldn't be from the picotin yet and it was just my body kicking in. Finally the pain was overwhelming and I elected to have an epidural.

Guess what??? The doctor who performed the epidural's was in surgery and couldn't come at that time. So they gave me the staylon (I think that's what it is called) to ease some of the pain. Then, right after I had the Staylon, he came in. They tried to sit me up to do the epidural but I was like a drunken sailor weaving all over the place so they laid me down. The epidural was a bit more painful then I thought it would be. I had never had one before so I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. But I can honestly say that the pain of having the epidural (and the needle) really wasn't worth it for me at this point as it only lasted a short time. Maybe about 20 minutes or so. 

 

The contractions were hard and very painful. Before I knew it, I had the urge to push. Corky ran to get Miwaka and Elizabeth and Susan (IM) ran to get Bruce (IF) who was nervously walking the halls. Miwaka checked...ONLY 6 CM...NO PUSHING. At this point I thought I would die. I was in such severe pain there was simply no way I could wait another 4 cm before I could push...the pressure to push was overwhelming.

Elizabeth and Susan took turns holding my hand and helping me breath through them. I did OK for awhile and then I started to cry. I couldn't take anymore. Miwaka checked my progress again and I was only at 8 cm. I was crying I was in pain. I couldn't see Susan but Bill (DH) and Elizabeth said Susan was crying. I don't remember that but I don't remember much of anything but the pain. Even after having my own children, this labor seemed to hurt tremendously.

It wasn't long (thankfully) and we were finally there...I could push. Elizabeth stayed by me at one side and Bill at the other. Miwaka had me push. Even though I was only at 8 cm she had decided to try, physically, to pull my cervix open and help this lil one out. It was the most painful and excruciating experience I had ever been through.

 I thought I would die and I was literally breathing in and SCREAMING OUT!!

 

Finally 10 cm. PUSH!!! PUSH!!! Nothing was happening. They had me roll over on my hands and knees. That did it. As soon as I turned and started to push I felt the baby's head coming. I was pushing and pushing and he wasn't coming. Miwaka had to help pull the baby out with every push. He was bigger then anyone expected him to be and was having a difficult time. 

 

Before I knew it...I start to hear...here's his eyebrows, here's his eyes, here's his nose, and finally I spoke up and stated I didn't want to know every detail, please just help me push him out. (Pain took over at that point =)

Then his lil head was out. (well, not so little)

Bill said Both Susan and Bruce were crying while they watched their baby being born. Then finally the shoulders, which took forever too....then I hear whhhaaaaaa. That was it. He had finally made his appearance to the world. 

The pain and the labor was so intense that I hadn't been paying much attention to anything else.  I turned around from being on my hands and knees and there were tons of people in delivery room with me and I had no idea. Sooo many people came to experience the hospitals first surrogacy with us. There were doctors, nurses and hospital staff there and everyone was crying at the whole experience. It truly was amazing to share it with so many people.

Everyone scrambled. Everyone was by the baby in his bed.  Corky came over to me. She said she was so very proud of me. She hugged me and asked me how I was doing. Then in the sweetest softest voice she said, "Donna....do you want to hold that baby?" Of course I said yes, then no matter what else was going on .....she pushed herself through everyone and grabbed that baby away and placed him in my arms. I was the first one to get to hold him. That was my hint that he wanted his real mommy and I handed Susan her baby boy.

She was still crying with tears of joy. She sat beside me with her baby boy in her arms. It was the most precious thing as she turned to me and was asking "am I doing this right?...is he ok this way" I have to say that it made everything worth it. Then she gave Bruce (IF) the baby. Then she wouldn't stop hugging me and crying. When I actually had time to look. Everyone was crying in the room. Miwaka came to me and said what a wonderful thing I was doing and she was crying. Elizabeth delivered the placenta and she said she couldn't tell if it was normal because she was crying so much herself. =)

Susan later told me she was so scared. She said when the baby's head started coming out it looked like and alien (he,he) and not a baby. Little Lees head was a little bruised and all purple because it took so long to push him out. They said if he would have been even one pound bigger I would have had to have a C-section. Thank God for miracles.

BTW, Corky was off duty and stayed with us anyway. She was so wonderful. She didn't want to miss such an experience.

I have to say that Susan and Bruce were great. I was able to hold and see Little Lee anytime I wanted to.

I thank God for allowing me to experience such a wonderful joy and helping me through it. Surrogates are angels and I truly believe we are touched by God and allowed to give such a precious gift.

 

Thank you surromoms for your guidance and support through it all.