Labor story

If you want the story, here it is. If not, skip this part:

Labor started at 11 pm and was done in 5 hours--super fast! Since I was a couple days overdue I had done a lot that day hoping it would get this little man here: exercised on the elliptical 20-30 minutes, walked around Sams Club, went on a walk with the girls, baked cookies and popcorn, etc. etc. I guess all that activity worked cause as soon as we laid down to go to sleep at 11, I had a contraction and they came every 10 minutes for an hour. By 11:30, I decided I was not sleeping, so I got up to read and figure out if these were regular or not. My mom was up and recommended that if I thought I was in labor, I should not wait long to get to the hospital since I would progress fast since I had already been a "generous 4" at my last appointment. Luckily, she and my sis had come into town on the 1st of August so we could leave whenever for the hospital. By 12:30 am they were about every 5 minutes. The nurse midwife had told me to come to the hospital if my contractions were every 5 minutes for 1 hour OR if I felt I really needed to come. I felt like this was the real deal so I finished up packing my bag, hopped in the shower for a warm rinse (supposed to help you relax), and by then it was a little after 1. I decided I needed to wake up Eric cause the contractions were coming faster and faster (3-5 minutes apart). We got to the hospital at 1:50 am and by then my contractions were coming every 2-3 minutes.

It was kind of funny cause I walked up to the triage desk and they asked me if they could help me and I told them my name (since I had preregistered). I wasn't having a contraction then so I was calm and talking all normal. They looked through their paperwork (probably the people showing up to be induced), and looked at me confused and said, "what are you here for?" I said, "I'm in labor." They probably were like, right, you are standing here, not in pain or anything. But they walked me right back to triage and had me change in a gown immediately. Then I had a super big contraction and looked at Eric and said, "I want an epidural." So, they checked me and I was already an 8! That made me feel so much better and happy and I thought, "I can do this!--it's almost over." I had prayed it would be quick and was handling the pain ok, but in the back of my mind I remembered how long and painful B's delivery was and was a bit worried about the pushing/stitching/after phase lasting a while. Looking back, I realize that fear of pain is sometimes worse than the pain itself. But, anyway I opted for an epidural. The anesthesiologist was worried the baby would come super fast so he suggested a spinal instead since the epidural takes 30 minutes to kick in and the spinal is immediate.

Got the spinal at 2:40. Checked me at 3 and I was a 9. Checked me at 3:16 and I was a 10. Sitting down had definitely slowed my labor and I was a bit anxious at this point because I couldn't feel ANYthing and I liked how with S's labor I could feel pressure to push.

But they had me start pushing at 3:30. My water hadn't broken and my nurse thought it would be cool to see a baby be born in the sack, but to me it just seemed like it would be messy and harder to push so I told them to break my water. The NM agreed and did so. I think it made pushing easier cause he was born at 3:47. He come out with his hand up by his face too. :)

Because of that cute little hand I needed a couple stitches, but that was all.

So, I guess my fears of a long pushing phase were nothing to worry about. It's just so hard to predict because every baby and labor and doctor/nurse midwife is different. And the way I am during labor depending on if it's the middle of the night, or I'm induced during the day, etc.

It's crazy to think he was 2 1/2 lbs bigger than Sierra! It was pretty funny too, cause I thought he was big but the NM kept saying, I don't think he's more than 8 lbs. I'm thinking, "I'm over 6 feet tall and my stomach is HUGE--measuring big--and he measured big at his 20 week ultrasound--so this kid is BIG."

Anyhow, we are home and doing well now. The first night at home is always the hardest. Pretty sure I got a max of 3 hours of sleep. Thank goodness for my mom and Livy being here to help so I could nap that day. Gabe was a bit restless/cranky since his circ. but now that's all better he is a much happier baby. Let's hope he stays that way. I already love this little man so much!