Epidural Ease and Broken Water

This is Jared typing on behalf of Ashley who can no longer feel her legs.

The contractions became too painful to handle and closer together around 11 this morning so the nurse suggested the epidural while Ashley could still sit still.  She was so brave while the needles were in her back, I am so proud of her.  She has come a long way in getting used to needles.  From his post in the waiting room, her dad was just recalling a time when Ashley would pass out from getting a mole removed or having her ears pierced.  Now she has tubes and/or needles emerging out of a variety of places in her body and she doesn't even flinch.

What a transformation!  Since the epidural has taken effect, Ashley's pain has been eased and her overall attitude is back to being positive and hopeful. Like a caterpillar morphing into butterfly, Ashley has changed back into my beautiful wife, no longer cursing the day I was born and writhing in pain.

At noon, Doctor Wicker came back into the delivery room to check on progress.  Ashley is still dilated at about 3-4cm.  Wicker successfully broke Ashley's water, which will hopefully speed up the process.  We are all now taking bets on the time that our baby boy will be born.

As I type this, Ashley is dosing off for a nice nap.  She will soon need all the strength she can muster!!