Remmy's Birth Story...

She's here, and we couldn't be more thrilled.  Our little Remmy Ruth Duckworth joined our family in a hurry on February 9, 2012.  Because everybody loves a good birth story, here is Remmy's....

If you remember Dieter's birth story, you'll understand why I was nervous about not getting to the hospital in time.  To say I wanted this delivery to be less dramatic was a huge understatement!  Well, it wasn't.

After a week of contractions, coming and going, strong and not-so-strong, I started to get some that were feeling a bit more uncomfortable around 4:00pm on Thursday.  When Mitch got home from USC about 4:50pm, they were still 7 or 8 minutes apart, and not really hurting. I went to use the bathroom and my water broke.  This was it!  We hurried and called a few people to watch our kids, but we were in a hurry and opted to have Damon meet us at the hospital and do a quick hand-off.  We grabbed our bags and were out the door at 5:15pm.  Luckily, Mitch had just come home from school on the 110 and noticed the traffic was backed up for miles, and suggested we take an alternate route.  We made decent time - being 5:15 on a Thursday in L.A - and walked in to the hospital around 5:45pm.

At this point I was really feeling my contractions.  I told the nurse at the desk that I had an extremely quick labor with my second baby, that my water had already broke, and I really needed an epidural.  When they took me into a triage room I about died.  Seriously?  They were taking their sweet time, waiting for a doctor to come check me, as I kept telling my nurse that I had fast labors, was in a LOT of pain, and needed the anesthesiologist.  She finally checked me herself and found me at a 7.  Finally, she started to move her booty.  For a quick moment we were alone in our room.  Mitch took this opportunity to offer a special family prayer with our kids, which gave me a little peace in a time of chaos.  When the doctor wheeled in an ultrasound machine, my nurse told her there was no time and they were going to move me over to labor and delivery.  Damon arrived, Mitch rushed the kids out to meet him, and the rest is pretty much a blur to me.  I remember being wheeled down the hall, being told I needed to move into another bed, begging like a baby for an epidural, and then feeling the dreaded need to push and knowing I would not be getting that desired, numbing shot in my back.  I'll admit it, I screamed.  I was probably a little embarrassing, but I was not prepared to welcome this little lady to the world without any help.  But, ready or not, she came...at 6:17pm - one hour after we'd left home.

I was emotional and overwhelmed when they put my little girl on my chest.  It had happened so fast, I almost couldn't comprehend that it was really her.  Mitch was emotional too, and kissed me on my forehead telling me how proud he was of me.  It was a special moment for our family, knowing that this little girl we had been waiting for was finally here.

Remmy Ruth Duckworth

Born February 9, 2012 at 6:17 PM

8 pounds 3 ounces

20.5 inches long

14 inch head

Because it all happened so fast, Damon was still in the waiting area and the kids were able to come in shortly after Remmy was born.  They got to watch her get her first bath, see her umbilical cord, watch her get dressed, and then hold her.  They were both nervous seeing her cry during her bath, but once she fell asleep they were all about holding and kissing their new little sister.

I had called my mom on our way to the hospital to tell her I was in labor.  She hopped on the first flight out of SLC and was in LA by 10:30pm.  It was such a treat having my mom come to the hospital the same day Remmy was born.  Now, she is helping us out like only a mom can, and letting us rest and bond with our new baby girl.  Stay tuned for many more photos of the newest addition to the Duckworth family.