Gemma Lynn Sammin

If you hadn't already heard, you might have been able to tell from my lack of posting for two and a half weeks that our perfect little baby has arrived!  I was scheduled to go in for a c-section on Friday, August 10th.  We were told to be at the hospital at 7:30am, and I quickly got checked in, settled into my room, and vitals and blood taken.  Then the waiting began.  We were so excited to meet our little one, that it seemed like forever.  It was also the hottest day of the summer with the sun streaming in the window of my room, so it made it feel like time was moving even slower!  I think a lot of people were waiting anxiously!

At around 1:30pm, they came and got me and Paul to go to the theatre (as they call the OR here).  I was taken in first and was prepped and given my spinal anesthetic (not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be, although I did get very light headed and sick feeling at first- it eased quickly though with some IV meds).  When I was all draped and ready to go, Paul was brought in and sat at my head.  I couldn't believe how quickly everything went, and at first I didn't even realize that they had started!  Within about 5 minutes, they lowered the drape a bit to show us our beautiful baby girl.  She started to squawk right away, and I was so relieved.  I don't even know how to put into words all the feelings that rushed over me.  All I know is that I would do anything for her from that first glance.  And, what a surprise!  We were convinced we were having a boy!  A lot of other people thought that too from the way I was carrying, etc.  Goes to show that old wives' tales aren't really accurate!

Gemma Lynn Sammin was born at 2:32pm and weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces, and was 20 inches long.  Her Apgar scores were 9 and 10.  They bundled her up after a check by the pediatrician, and Paul and I got to hold her by my head for awhile before Paul and Gemma went to recovery while I was getting finished up.  Within 20 minutes or so, I was taken to recovery to join my family (I just love saying that word!).  Gemma and I got to do skin-to-skin contact and start nursing.  We were in recovery for awhile, as I had lost more blood than average and my blood pressure was a bit low.  It didn't matter though, we had an amazing little girl to cuddle!