And Then There Were Three

A quick disclaimer to this birth story is that I have some help remembering the details. My mom is a birth doula and keeps a notebook of her client's births, jotting down notes as she can during the labor process. So, her notebook is by my side as I recount the details of May 30th, 2011, one of the best days of my life! Truly, the story starts early Saturday morning as I woke up with contractions and began to worry I was going to have to cancel Sadie's birthday party. We had a huge day planned with lots of guests and a new (used) swingset being brought up and put together by my Dad. I worried through several contractions then finally, an hour or two later, went back to sleep. I continued to cramp on and off throughout the day as well as have other "labor signs" but we enjoyed a great birthday party with 14 kids and 12 adults and a very happy Sadie. Steven was preaching the next day in Winston Salem and again, in the middle of the night, I woke up with contractions and just knew we were going to have to make other arrangements. Much to my disappointment, the labor slowed. My parents came anyways that afternoon and we just sat around and waited. That night I lost some more sleep due to contractions so I decided enough was enough, he was ready to come out my body just must be oxytocin-deficient. I had an induction scheduled for Friday the 3rd and knew my doctor was on call that Monday. I called her first thing that morning and begged her to let me come in to get checked. She agreed and Mom and I were off, in the truck, to the hospital. 

I got checked in to MAU and thankfully was at least having contractions, however it was definitely early labor. Dr. R. wasn't overly optimistic but agreed to let me stay and start Pitocin to see what I would do. I was so excited, even though I knew what was in store I was ready to have my baby. We started the Pitocin about 1:30 (oh and I was only 1cm and 50% effaced in MAU), I did some walking and began to have some good contractions. They continued to turn the Pitocin up every 30 minutes and at 3pm Dr. R. came in and broke my water...there was no turning back now! I was only 2cm. The labor intensified and I called Steven (who was at home taking a nap) and told him it was time to come in. He is a great husband but sort of shuts down during all this labor stuff, he hates to see me in pain. My Mom is a great doula, however, and doesn't leave my side. I stayed 2cm for most of the afternoon and did progressively worse with my contractions. Steven and Dad went to get some dinner about 6:15 and before my daytime nurse left I decided to get an epidural. By the time I got it, a little after 7:30, I was shaking constantly and unable to relax even between the contractions. 15 minutes after the epidural I had already progressed to 3.5cm (I am convinced I don't dilate well until I get the epidural). At 8:45 I was still 4cm so I tried to rest for awhile, which is hard to do mentally. We turned on the tv and watched the last few minutes of The Bachelorette, then Steven started watching The Office at 10. Dr. R. checked me again at 10:20 and I was 6-7, and with the next few contractions I was about to jump off the bed with pressure. The nurse checked me and calmly paged the doc that I was ready to push. Steven was at the moment laughing hysterically at a scene from The Office, but he did turn off the tv to watch the birth of his son. A couple pushes later and David was born at 10:41pm! They put him skin to skin, then did a quick weight/assessment, and brought him back to me. He nursed like a champ and was sweet from the word go. I am thankful that things worked out well, that he came out healty as my little May baby. He does look just like his Daddy, so watch out ladies in a few years! He is a blessing from the Lord and we are so thankful for another healthy baby.