Difficult Child-Birth: Putting the Lives of myself and my baby into doc's hands

     I would like to take you back to the evening of April 14th, 2009. I was 24 years old, and very much in labor with my first child. Just a year earlier, I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Family Life & Human Development with an Emphasis in Early Childhood Development. I went into this pregnancy; and labor with the knowledge of the coulds, the could nots, the shoulds, and the should nots. One thing that I almost regretted that very night.
     When I arrived at the hospital, I couldn't even walk. I was in so much pain that my husband and a nurse wheeled me in. After being checked, I was told that I was dilated at an 8, and 100% effaced. The nurse and OBGYN were certain that Brooklee would be born real soon. They both turned to my husband, and said that I should have been admitted much earlier than I had been.
     I was rushed into delivery, where for hours I pushed and pushed but nothing happened. I was loosing a lot of blood, and Brooklee was "stressed". I laid there listening to my doctor and nurses converse, using words that "only medical professionals understand"... {I think they use those words to keep their patients calm}. Little did they know, I knew and understood most of what they were discussing. Words describing my condition, and the condition of my unborn baby. These words were not good, they were words that would just about terrify anyone. My baby and I were slowly dying.
     I remember looking up at my doctor's face. I knew he was trying to keep his composure as he said, "Your baby is stuck, and she is stressed. Her heart-rate has dropped dramatically, 3 times. We only have two options now. We can either do an emergency c-section, or use forceps." Laying there exhausted and worn out, I fought with every strength that I had to push back the tears. That's when I asked, "If you were me, what would you do?" He answered, "The forceps!"  Knowing full well the pros and cons to each option, I said, "Go for it." Those next few minutes, the lives of my daughter and myself were put in that man's hands. I cannot describe the fear that I had felt, not knowing if my daughter would be born alive... and even if I would live long enough to even see her face. I remember saying a little prayer in my heart, and the next thing I knew Brooklee was here. Oh, and she was such a beautiful little thing. Perfect in every way. I was so very lucky to hold her, and tell her "Hi Brooklee. I'm your mommy!" That's when the tears just started streaming down my face. I was so relieved to know that she was going to be okay.
    What a blessing, what a miracle! If it wasn't for that doctor, I wouldn't have the amazing little family that I have. I am so grateful.