My phone rang. Seeing the number that popped up, I knew it was go-time!
After hanging up with Stuart, I saw that I had missed a text from Ashley. At that moment I was so grateful I asked her to call if I didn’t respond to her text – the ring on a phone call is so much louder than a text message notification!
My camera bag was already packed in preparation for this day. I grabbed the bag, my car keys, and out the door I went. The adrenaline was already rolling. I knew they’d make it to the hospital before I got there, but I just prayed I’d make it in time before the baby decided to make an appearance.
I parked my car, walked to the nearest entrance and headed up the elevator. Once on the 3rd floor, I pressed the intercom button and the doors came open. It wasn’t until I reached them that my heart calmed down! I made it – Ashley was hooked up to monitors, but it wasn’t time to push yet. It was 5:45pm and she was 4cm dilated.
Before long the nurse came in to move her to her birthing suite. Once she was moved and her vitals were taken, she was given the go-ahead to walk around. She walked and walked and walked. You’d never know she was in labor as she didn’t make a peep the entire time! About 7:20pm, her nurse asked her to meet her in the room again to do some checks. That was the first Ashley showed any sign of labor. For the first time since I arrived, she had to take a moment to close her eyes and just focus on getting through the contractions. Another nurse came in and started preparing the room for birth. She unloaded all the tools and utensils needed for child birth and completed her counts on everything that was present.
At approximately 7:45pm, Ashley’s contractions were close together and lasting a good length of time. Stuart grabbed the nurse – Katie’s attention, and she agreed it was time to lay down on the bed. Ashley did so, and that’s when the night’s events got exciting.
The nurse checked her progress and immediately called the doctor and delivery nurses. All I remember is Stuart saying something along the lines of “he’s here, he’s coming!” I quickly snuck behind Ashley to get the baby’s arrival! Without a single push, Fox Edward Russ had entered this world! It was beyond amazing!!! The nurse quickly scooped him up and laid him on Ashley’s belly. He was here! The newest addition to the Russ family was ready to enter this world…and he wasn’t waiting on anyone – not even the doctor!
Fox Edward – welcome to this beautiful world!
Here he is. All 20 inches and 6lbs 13ozs of him!
