9:30 am, 5/2/00
At a routine prenatal checkup it is noticed that Jessica’s blood pressure is running a lot higher than normal. Upon discussion there is concern that she might have preeclampsia (toxemia). Jessica is 38 weeks pregnant.

10:15 am, 5/8/00
At a second visit Jessica’s blood pressure is still higher than normal. She is only a week before her due date and already slightly dilated and effaced, so the decision is made to avoid preeclampsia and “take the baby”. The hospital is contacted about a spot in labor & delivery for an induction, but there is no room. “We’ll call you if something opens up,” they say.

8:00 pm, 5/8/00
The hospital calls. “Come on in within the next half-hour.”

9:00 PM, 5/8/00
After a lot of paperwork and questions we are about to begin the induction. Jessica is hooked up to fetal monitors and given an IV.

10:00 PM, 5/8/00
Jessica is given medication to ripen her cervix and hopefully trigger labor. The wait begins.

12:00 am, 5/9/00
Contractions begin, we both try to rest and get through them.

6:00 am, 5/9/00
After a long night of contractions we are both beat. An examination reveals that the labor has only progressed to almost complete effacement but only an additional centimeter of dilation. We both get to nap for an hour.

8:00 am, 5/9/00
Our OB/GYN, Dr. Fowers, decided to rupture Jessica’s membranes to try to induce labor further. We are both worn out after the long night of contractions.

9:00 am, 5/9/00
The membrane rupture shows immediate results as the frequency and intensity of contractions intensify. Due to the nature of the induced contractions and the physical state of us both, the decision is made for Jessica to have an epidural block.

9:30 am, 5/9/00
The epidural block is successful and Jessica no longer feeling the pain of the contractions is able to sleep. Barry gets some shuteye also.

11:00 am, 5/9/00
Jessica and Barry awake from their naps and find that Jessica is completely dilated and effaced. “Rest for an hour and then you can push,” says the doctor.

12:30 PM, 5/9/00
With the epidural block Jessica is able to feel the contractions and push with them with far less pain. Things progress rapidly.

1:06 PM, 5/9/00
A baby is born.

1:08 PM, 5/9/00
The baby, still nameless, is weighed and measured. 6 lbs, 9 oz. in weight, 19 inches in length. Mom (Jessica) is tired but happy from her labor.

1:30 PM, 5/9/00
The family gets some free time together. All is happy. A few hours later the name Brenna Mahalia is decided on. She is a happy, healthy baby.