They don't call it 'labor' for nuthin'

mom is in labor, aided by a whole range of pharmaceuticals. One drug helped get her ready for the baby, one drug tried to make her more comfortable last night, ...

But now we've got the good stuff: A bunch of drugs in an epidural, and Pitosin to help things roll along.

So, right now, everybody's doing OK. mom is comfortable and Lil' Genghis is running strong, but still very much inside. They say the typical first labor runs 12 to 24 hours, which'd mean mom still has many hours to go. Dunno if the drugs change the time scale significantly, although I know the epidural can slow things down a bit.

It's still going to be a long day. Grandma Biziza is by her side as dad types this. mom has a lot of support, a lot of good drugs, some stunningly wonderful nurses, a stellar anesthesiologist, and, of course, that certain stubbornness that defines mom.

By the number: It's now 11:50 a.m. Doc broke water at 9:30@2cm, epidural at 9:50, contractions have been 2-3 minutes apart.