If you've been reading along through the last few weeks of my pregnancy, you know I'd been getting increasingly impatient to meet Baby G. On Thursday the 2nd, I saw Dr. H, the OB who practices with my midwives, for my 39 week appointment. Before I could even ask her to strip my membranes and get the party started, she suggested it. She told me I was a good 2 cm dilated at that point and that she suspected the membrane sweep would move things along. A snow storm was predicted to begin that evening and she asked me how far we were from the hospital. I told her not to worry, we have all wheel drive, we'll be fine, ha ha! But I wasn't laughing later that evening when I was feeling all contracty and the roads were nearly impassable. Luckily, it wasn't the real thing that night!
Friday, January 3rd. A quiet day at home with my big boy. We had an awesome time playing Legos and keeping warm in front of the woodstove. I had started spotting a bit and was contracting regularly but didn't want to get my hopes up. So instead I forced myself to make a grocery run. This sucked big time. It was all of 4 degrees outside and I had to drag my 3 year old to the store while having contractions and feeling increasingly more uncomfortable. In hindsight, perhaps not the smartest move, but I wanted a full fridge and pantry in case this was it. I purchased a whole fresh pineapple, because I had read that it was rumored to jump start labor and I was prepared to eat the whole darn thing! By the time we got home I was exhausted and threw a couple of frozen pizzas in for dinner. I didn't have much of an appetite though and only picked at it. Later that evening, I lost my mucus plug, which is every bit as appetizing as it sounds, but was a real indicator that things were moving along. We had a dear friend who also happens to be our neighbor and Sweets' sitter, lined up to be our labor support person, so I was keeping her informed of the goings-on as well. After putting Sweets to bed I was wiped out and crashed on the couch for a bit, noticing that the contractions seemed to be picking up. When I got into bed around 10 pm to try and get some rest, they suddenly started coming very regularly. Hubs had fallen asleep out on the couch so I texted him to let him know what was up. Yep, I sure did text him when he was two rooms away ;) By 12:30 am I knew this was for real, so we called my parents, who were coming to stay with Sweets, the midwife on call, who told me to head over to the hospital, and our friend L, to let her know we would be on our way shortly. The contractions were anywhere from 2-5 minutes apart but totally manageable. Just like with my first labor, I was thinking "these need to get so much worse" before we went to the hospital, but all of my people were gently suggesting that it was probably time. They were right!
After peeking in on my sleeping boy and bursting into tears at leaving him, knowing he wouldn't be my only when we returned, we were on our way. We arrived in triage around 2:30 am. My babies love these middle of the night labors! I was checked and pronounced a solid 4 cm and 100% effaced. While they readied my room, Hubs and I walked the halls for an hour or so. This definitely helped the contractions pick up even more, but I was feeling great in between. Around 5 am, I got into the whirlpool tub and let me tell you, it was blissful. As a great lover of hot baths, I was in heaven. It was a huge tub with lots of jets and I just labored away one contraction at a time, occasionally having a nurse check on the baby with a Doppler. I was also starving, which surprised me. Hubs was feeding me graham crackers and water and L was keeping me supplied with cool washcloths, and the three of us were having a merry old time in the dark tub room! I think it was around 7 am when a resident came in and said my midwife had asked her to check my progress, so I climbed out and we all trooped back to my room, where she proclaimed me 8 cm. I couldn't believe it! I was feeling awesome - how could I be at 8 already? She asked if I wanted to do some more walking and I agreed. A half lap around the floor later I was doubled over telling Hubs I couldn't do it - transition time! Back in my room the contractions got evil for that last centimeter or so. Hubs and L were praising me and telling me how great I was doing and my only response was "I can't, I can't!" I remember L saying "that means we're going to have a baby soon!" She was right! Around 8 am my water broke and with the next contraction I screeched that I had to push. No, like now. RIGHT.NOW. So I did. I could have cared less that my midwife wasn't in the room yet. I was getting that baby out! She arrived moments later and L tells me she said "oh look, there's the head!" Um, yeah, I know, I can feel it! ;) Five super intense minutes later, G2 appeared squalling and pink and I asked Hubs to tell me what we had. I'll always remember his voice cracking as he cried "it's a boy!" They handed him right to me and just like that, we were a family of four and my heart grew about a thousand times over.
It's all fun and games in triage ;)
My mama made me a couple of snazzy delivery gowns and they were a huge hit!
Thanks, Mom, for ensuring that I labored in style!
A gorgeous sunrise outside our window
After getting out of the tub
Transition...
...the last centimeter was no fun
It's a boy!!!
Getting acquainted...
Shhhh, sweet baby
Daddy cuts him loose!
Welcome to the family!
No one said being born was easy ;)
I didn't ask for this, people!
Ten tiny toes
Nursing for the first time - he did great!
Pure outrage
"The decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." -Elizabeth Stone
Cole Brian, 8 pounds, 5 oz and 19 inches long. We've been waiting for you and loving you for nine long months, sweet baby. Welcome to our family. And thanks for not making me eat a whole pineapple ;)
Awhhhhhh! Congrats! Loved the pictures and your snazzy gown! Enjoy all the newborn snuggles!
ReplyDeleteThank you! The newborn snuggles are the BEST!
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