E-P-I-D-U-R-A-L Spells RELIEF!!!!

Holy cow. What a difference an epidural can make. After waiting SO long for something to happen, it feels like there is so much to report since the last post. Mona, our amazing labor nurse, was able to cut teaching her classes short for today so that she could rush over here to the hospital and take over Jess's care. Since that time, she has cracked the whip and made things happen.

Jess FINALLY got her epidural and OMG!!!!! Talk about an IMMEDIATE difference. Almost instantaneously, Jessica began laughing and, dare I say, enjoying the labor process again for the first time since the insertion of the catheter this morning. According to Jess, it is extremely important for me to let everyone know that she has always been able to handle the discomfort of the contractions. In her eyes, the epidural was primarily needed to help lower blood pressure and ease the discomfort of the catheter!

No less than 10 minutes after the epidural was started, Dr. T made his afternoon arrival. Upon checking her, he noted that she is dilated to approximately 5 cm and therefore he was able to remove the balloons that were used to start the induction process. Unbeknownst to Jessica at the time, he also broke her water while he was "down there." Because of the epidural, she didn't feel a thing :-) According to Dr. T, we still have quite a ways to go before delivery. He is estimating a 9:00 pm delivery AT THE EARLIEST and more likely closer to midnight or even 2:00 AM.

At this time, Jessica is feeling better than she has ALL day. She is able to laugh and joke with everyone which has made such a HUGE difference for me and the grandparents who are all keeping close vigil over her.

Thanks again for everyone's care and concern. We are so blessed to have such great family and friends. More updates to come as things continue to progress!