This is the first time mom got to touch Reiley. This was two days after Reiley was born.

Reiley Kate, 5 hours after delivery

Ready for the operating room

University of Virginia Hospital, Charlottesville, VA Saturday, Jan. 10

We were greeted by an excellent staff when Ruthie was wheeled into her room on the eighth floor. Several doctors came in to introduce themselves, and even a doctor from the Newborn Intensive Care Unit, which is on the seventh floor, came up to let us know who she was and how we could reach her in case we had questions. Our room was not as big as the room at Fauquier, but I was soon at ease once the staff had met us. I knew both mom and baby where in good hands.
Our head physician wasted no time in informing us about preeclampsia. The disorder in mom’s body is a response to the placenta. While the exact cause is still uncertain, the cure is delivery. Our doctor explained the course of action they would like to see happen, and asked for our questions. We did not have any at first, as my brain was in overdrive trying to process all the information being given to us and Ruthie being dazed by her magnesium. We had plenty of questions in the next several hours, however; and the staff did great addressing them.
The doctors wanted to try for a vaginal delivery. Several things were making this a big challenge. First, magnesium is used to stop premature labor. Ruthie had been on it for 36 hours already. Taking her off of MAG was not a risk the doctors were willing to make. Second, since her water had not broken, her cervix was not dilated at all. The doctor let us know it would be a real challenge, but they wanted to give it their best try. So, labor was induced at 6 PM.
My brother Kelvin and his wife Beth were kind enough to bring us food that evening, but Ruthie was not allowed to have any. This was annoying for us both, as delivery was projected to be 2-3 days away.
It took several hours for the contractions to give Ruthie any discomfort, but after 4 or 5 hours she did begin a pain medicine. We were both able to rest well, and I think I did sleep a little. Instead of a comfy cot, I had a recliner with a steel bar in it that insisted on poking me.

Sunday, Jan 11
Today was a waiting game. Ruthie’s contractions get were not getting much done. She was only dilated 1 or 2 cm, and 10 seemed like a long ways to go. Her parents came into her room around 11:30, and surprise, her sister Ragina and Cousin Wanda were along. Much happiness. Ruthie’s brother Steve and his family were there as well, and not to much latter our pastor Dave and his wife Vonnie came to be with us.
In the afternoon, the team of doctors decided to was time to try to step things along, so Ruthie had to endure some grueling procedures to help her cervix dilate. Needless to say, neither one of us got a lot of sleep that night. We had two excellent nurses who took really good care of Ruthie that night. Her doctor kept coming in to example her and I was kept busy asking questions, answering other questions, and sleeping.
Monday, Jan 12
This morning it seemed like the progress we made during the night leveled off and not much else happened till around 10.
With Ruthie being 4 cm for several hours, her doctors wanted to break her water so the baby’s head would put pressure on the cervix. There was considerable risk in doing this, and as a caution the doctors wanted Ruthie to have an epidural in the event that they would need to do an emergency c-section.
After Ruthie’s water was broken, her contractions were closely monitored for strength and length. For 6 hours strong contraction marked the monitor, and still Ruthie was only 4 cm. Around 6, the doctor came in and informed us that they would need to do a c-section that evening.
The longest preparation time for the c-section was waiting for the attending anethesaligist. She finally showed up, and Ruthie was wheeling into the operation room around 7:45. I was kept waiting outside till they had Ruthie all set up and were already working on her. I was then allowed to side beside her head on a small stool and keep her mind thinking pleasant and relaxing thoughts. The anethesaligist was a great help, asking if we knew the sex of the baby, if we had a name, and updating us on what was happening on the other side of the curtain. I kept having an incredible urge to look over the top of the curtain, but I was really concerned about Ruthie. She was in a lot of pain for most of the surgery, and towards the end of the operation she kept wanting to fade out of alertness. She never really was unconscious, but somewhere close to that.
Reiley Kate was finally born at 8:55, and immediately put on a ventalator. Her doctor told me she was doing really well, and doning most of the breathing on her own. The seroid shots given at Fauquier had done their job. They took Reiley to the 7th floor and into the Newborn Intensive Care Unit. I stayed with Ruthie till she was back in her room and cleaned up. I did watch the surgens sew Ruthie back together. I must admit I was really fasinated.
Ruthie was sedated enough at this point she had to work to even talk. Her mind was clear, and that was a big comfort to me. I was really worried for several hours for she could not move any of her body below her shoulders. Her nurse would check her toes every half hour and slowly she regained movement of her feet and legs.
The only cool part of the operation itself was I got to wear this suit that I just thought was totally cool. I don’t know why, because its not a very flashy garment. I guess the whole process of becoming a dad does give a cetain feeling of accomplishment and pride. Anyway, I was extremely releived the delivery went without complication, Ruthie was on the road to recovery, and we had the most beautiful baby daughter in the world.