The Birth!

Okay, so I used to get so mad when people wouldn't update their blog but now I TOTALLY understand. So, that is to say...if my posts are few and far between from now on I know many of you will understand. I wanted to post about the birth so I didn't forget about the details (that I remember).

Sunday, November 23rd: Went to church then headed over to my mom's house for a big family dinner. All of the Church kids (Church is my maiden name) were in town, including my sister and her family. I was so excited to be done with subbing and get to spend time with all of them. We had the week planned out-Sunday dinner, Twilight on Monday, Zoo lights, pie making, Thanksgiving dinner (one with the Winsor's and one with Voorhees/Church families), BBQ at Pistol's, shopping early on Friday morning, etc. On Sunday, I announced to my family that I was going to hopefully have the baby on Friday then my mom could just enjoy her week and then stay extra to help me out. I was a tad uncomfortable today being so big and my feet rather large. I kept saying that "this turkey was done!"

Monday, November 24th: Went to the gym and enjoyed a great kickboxing workout. Got showered, dressed, and went to my Dr. appt. at 11:10 am. Those of you who are avid readers of our blog know that my feet have been swollen for the past month or so. My doctor has been watching me closely for toxemia/preclampsia issues so I've been okay so far. Well, today they took my blood pressure and it was much higher than normal, there was protein in my urine, and I had gained more weight (to put me over my limit to say the least)! My doc came in and "checked" me, looked at my chart, and said, "Looks like we are going to have a baby today so start making your way over to the hospital." WHAT? I was so shocked! Yes, I wanted to have the baby early but Friday was going to be the big day (or even after that). He seemed a little concerned and delivering the baby was the only cure for toxemia. It was happening now! I was scared, confused, nervous, excited..........the list goes on! I was waiting in line to check out and text my Jason and my mom (I was supposed to meet them for lunch). I didn't want to call because I was going to start crying and there were people in front of me and behind me and I hate crying in front of people. I got out to my car and called, cried, and said "It's time!"

I should have recorded Jason talking on the phone. He was frantically trying to close things up at work, get home (without a speeding ticket), and get to the hospital. I was just going to meet him there but decided I could probably go home and wait for him and go to the hospital together. (Plus..I had a few last minute items to put in my bag.) My bag was already packed but Jason needed his. I kept telling him to pack it but he didn't. It sure was a site to watch him pack. I think he was feeling every emotion as well.

We got to the hospital, check in, and they started hooking me up to drugs. I got started on a drug called Magnesium around 3 pm (which is for patients with Toxemia). It is to help alleviate the risk of having seizures. They started Pitocin around 4pm. I was only at a 1 1/2cm at this time still. My mom and sister stopped by to say hi. I was having contractions but just breathed through them (they weren't bad yet). After awhile a nurse asked if I wanted something to take the edge off. I agreed! For about 3 hours of that I finally asked for an epidural. They gave me the epidural when I was 6cm at 11:30 pm. They had warned me that once I got the epidural that things might progress more slowly so I did try to postpone it as long as I could. But once I got it it was HEAVENLY! I'm not sure how my sister or anyone else had made it through labor without one! I let all of the nurses know that people who don't have an epidural are crazy!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008: All of a sudden I turned over and felt something drop inside of me. I called the nurse button and said, "I think I feel something down there, like a head!" She came in and said, "Yup, you are at a 10, that is the head, and we need to start pushing." They called my doctor around 1:30 am. I think he got there around 1:45 or so. Wyatt's heartrate was dropping rather quickly so the nurses started prepping me and they were about to deliver the baby. I asked them, "Have you guys done this before?" They laughed! With my first push my doctor came in. When they were telling me to push, I had no clue if I was or not. I asked them if I made the face if that counted because that's all they were getting.:)

Finally, Wyatt was born. He wasn't crying yet and it scared me a little. The dr. asked if Jason wanted to cut the cord (I guess I should have gone over my birth plan with him). The nurse said, "We don't have time for that!" She rushed Wyatt over to assess him. His first APGAR score was a 2. Jason went over and was watching them/him. After two minutes of not breathing, our little guy finally took a breath! I started crying when I heard him because after hearing the nurses and watching Jason I knew something was wrong. Apparently they had to do chest compressions on our little fighter but he made it through. He didn't want to miss out on the party! (Don't worry...after 5 minutes, his APGAR score was an 8...Phew!)

I asked my doctor if I tore. He said that I didn't. I asked him if he cut me and he said, "Yes!" I vaguely remember him saying that he was going to "help me out" when I was pushing but didn't know what that meant. Now I know! Every time I sit I know! After the delivery, I was finally wheeled out into postpartum. Whenever they move someone over they play the Brahm's lullaby. It is so sweet!

So, my recovery has been pretty good. Jason has been the biggest help! He is already the best dad and we all know that he is the best husband! I couldn't do any of this without him. I've already cried a few times. My first spell was in the hospital. We had some visitors (some of my family, then Jason's family) then Jason left for awhile to go eat, get out of hospital, go home and set up pack n play, etc. I had a melt down because I realized that I was a mom now and that this little guy depended on me. I was all alone and I started to worry about when I would be home without any nurses, my mom, or when Jason was at work how I was going to accomplish all of this. A little overwhelming! The nurse came in and said that my eyes were swollen. I told her I had been crying and started crying again. She hugged me and said I would do great (plus these dang hormones)!

Anyway, we are home and doing well. I just love being a mom already! That is for a future post that deserves a day all to itself.

BTW... that might just be Jason's first and last post if he doesn't approve all pictures by me first! Sorry y'all had to see that. I know everyone has those pictures but still! That picture was taken right after birth.