This Christmas the Gutierrez family received one of the best gifts in the world...a new family member. On December 23rd 2008 at 11am in the morning, we were blessed with a beautiful baby girl named Victoria Lucia. She weighed 8lbs 9oz. and was 19inches in length.
Victoria's due date was December 25th, but I was certain she was going to be early. I didn't want her to be too early. Shortly before Thanksgiving I started feeling some very strong braxton hicks contractions, One Monday morning the contractions were very strong and were very close together. Dr. Cueto advised me to get on bed rest and take it easy. I did as the Dr. ordered and went on bed rest right away. In my mind I thought this baby is coming sooner then later....well she definitely had a mind of her own. The braxton hicks kept coming and it became harder and harder to move around.
On Dec. 19th, I went to the Dr's office, I was 2 cm dilated and 70% effaced. One week prior I was 1 cm and 50% effaced, so I was definitely progressing. Victoria was enjoying hanging out in mommies tummy, she wasn't sure if she wanted to join us for Christmas.
I had contractions on the 19th at night for an hour...then it stopped....more braxton hicks I thought. All weekend long I was getting contractions, they were sporadic and painful. Then again Sunday night Dec. the 21st, I had more contractions, these were about 5-7 minutes apart and lasted anywhere between 2-3 minutes in length. They lasted from 10-12pm, then just like that, they ended until 5am in the morning. I thought this was it..... and then just like that a couple hours later, they stopped again.
Carlos and I were both starting to get a bit restless, so we decided to walk her out. We went to the mall to walk....for three hours. Every hour or so I would get the occasional, painful contraction and just continue to walk. Once I arrived at the house, I was exhausted, and still nothing that indicated the baby was on arrival.
Dec. 22nd at night, I advised Carlos to go to work. "This isn't happening any time soon", I told him. The contractions appeared to be few and far between, I was starting to think that this was going to be a New Years baby and not a Christmas baby after all.
Dec. 23rd at 6am in the morning, I told Carlos that he can start getting ready for work. I would stay home with Sofia and Maya and wait for the baby to come. Just then at 7 am, I started feeling some strong contractions. These were definitely painful and they were long. Carlos was just about to jump in the shower and get ready for work, when I turned to him and said.... "We need to go to the Hospital NOW!", He looked at me and asked, So can I take a shower....so I said..."NO, GET THE GIRLS READY NOW! Needless to say, he got the picture, got the girls ready and we were on our way.
By the time we arrived at the Hospital at 9:30, I was already dilated 6-7cm and in immense pain. They asked if I wanted epidural....YES! OF COURSE! They called the anesthesiologist and had him administer the epidural, by then I was already 9cm dilated and in active labor. I must say, I was very proud of my pain control that day, even though it was very painful, I was able to get through it without having to be scraped off the ceiling. In fact, I was very collected and calm, both the anesthesiologist and the nurses were very impressed.
Victoria arrived shortly thereafter at 11am, it was love at first sight. She was a healthy weight of 8lbs. 9oz. and beautiful beyond compare. She had a rosy pink complexion and a natural urge to nurse. At that moment not only was Victoria born, but I was reborn a mother for the third time. I wanted nothing else but to give this little precious gift, all the love I possibly could.
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