Salem Alyssa Smith

We are thrilled to announce the birth of our daughter

Salem Alyssa Smith.

Born on Sunday, May 30th 2010 @ 3:25am.

Weighing 6lbs 7oz and measured 18 inches.

Thought I would share a few of the details about the birth cause it's good story. Beware and don't read on if you think hearing about a birth is TMI.

I went to the Dr. for a regular weekly check up on a Wednesday and my blood pressure was high. Up to this point I have had no problems with my blood pressure. It was so high that I was told to go immediately to the hospital, where I was admitted for the night. I was hoping they would just induce me, but the next day I was released on bed rest and had to return to the hospital for non stress tests twice a week to monitor baby and me.


Saturday we returned for the first non stress test. Blood pressure still high, around 160/100 after monitoring it every 5 min for an hour. So, the on call Dr. decided to induce me around 1pm. They had to put me on magnesium sulfate IV (to prevent seizures that might happen cause of the high blood pressure) which I was told has the side effects of being hung over (just a side note, that's why I look hung over in the family picture below) and I would have to continue the IV for 24 hours after the delivery! Not the funnest thing, but I was able to fall asleep at the drop of a hat while I was recovering.


Around 10 pm I had the epidural and my blood pressure went dangerously low, I felt like I was about to pass out and was really hot and sweating. Wes said I looked gray, and all I remember was that I just had to keep breathing. Everything stabilized and all was well.


At 3am I was about ready to push and the nurse asks me to push once, then immediately tells me to stop. Wes and the nurse tell me that the sack is coming out, since my water never broke and they didn't do it for me. Nurse Debbie calls for the Dr. and tells them to hurry. All the sudden I felt nauseous! She got me a bucket just in time to not puke all over Wes. In the middle of the vomiting the nurse is telling me not to push and breath, but I didn't know that I was pushing. After the nausea was over I look down on the bed and the baby was there. I had to do a double take, I didn't even have to push. Guess vomiting is a good way to get the baby out. The Dr. made it about a minute after Salem was born. The nurse delivered the baby. She was born in the sack and the nurse had to break it after she came out. Pretty crazy, I'm so glad she is here and a part of our family! She is so adorable and a joy to have with us.

The boys meeting Salem at the hospital for the first time.



At home

She is so small, both the boys were about 8 lbs so we haven't had one this tiny. Her ear is about the size of my thumb.

Her first Sunday ready for church.