Katie made quite the unexpected entrance into our world. Elizabeth worked a normal day at school on Wednesday, March 19. After work, she went to a routine checkup with her OB at 4:30pm. During this routine checkup, it was discovered that Elizabeth was 2-3 cm dilated. However, she did not feel any contractions or have any other symptoms of labor. The doctor still wanted her to go to the hospital to be monitored just to be sure. Elizabeth complied and went to the hospital, although she was anxious to get home as she had much to do that evening.

It turned out that Elizabeth was not destined to go home that night. When she arrived at the hospital 40 minutes, Elizabeth was 5-6 cm dilated! Quite in shock and disbelief, Elizabeth hastily called Nathan to pack her a bag and hurry to the hospital. She and Nathan also called their families to alert them to the new developments. Elizabeth was admitted to a labor and delivery room (although she was still not convinced she was in labor). All of the monitors confirmed that she was indeed having labor contractions quite regularly and she was barely even feeling anything!

Elizabeth's labor progressed rapidly. A very flustered and scattered Nathan arrived at the hospital around 6:30 or 7pm. Elizabeth's family also arrived and were there. Finally, at 9:55pm, after only a few pushes, Katie Anne Neufeldt made her grand entrance in quite a hurry. Mom and Dad were able to spend a few minutes with her before she was taken down to the NICU to be evaluated due to her prematurity. Despite the early and unexpected timing, it was a perfect birth with precious moments that Katie's mom and dad will always treasure and never forget.