All righty, here we go...
Due date was 6/13, a Thursday. I was supposed to have an OB appointment that afternoon, but my dr got called into an emergency c section and I had to reschedule for the next day w/ a different dr in the practice.
Friday morning (6/14) I woke up at 2:30am w/ contractions. They varied from 6-15 minutes apart. The intensity wasn't bad, but as the morning wore on they increased in intensity, but not frequency. The hubs got up for work and I gave him the heads up that he might not be working a full day. Around 7:30am I managed to get some sleep in the 10 minute increments between contractions. I sent out a text to my coworkers letting them know I wouldn't be in that day and that I would keep them updated. I eventually got out of bed and after breakfast I started cleaning up the house and doing chores hoping that it might start making the contractions closer together, it didn't. However, I was having to stop what I was doing and breathe through them, which was at least a sign of progress.
My appt was at 4. I took a shower and my contractions stopped for almost 40 min, I was totally bummed and thought they were gone for good. They picked back up again and I went to my appt. While I was there they started to get closer together about 5-7 minutes. The dr checked me and I was at 2cm and 75% effaced. He sent me home saying that he would likely see me over the weekend (he was the on call dr that weekend).
When I got home the contractions started to get closer together and more intense. The hubs made dinner and I tried to eat some, but I was getting nauseous during the contractions. Around 6:45pm the contractions were 4-5 minutes apart and had been for about 2 hours so I decided to call the doc. He called back and said to go to the hospital to get checked out. We got there about 7:30 and were checked into a triage room. The nurse checked me and I was still at 2cm. They monitored the contractions and baby for about 20min then had me walk the halls for an hour. The reason behind that being that if I was in active labor my cervix should dilate within the hour. So we walked the halls where I had several more very painful contractions. At 9 we met the nurse back in the room and she checked me again, still at 2cm, which meant they were sending me home. I was so upset! The contractions were 3 min apart and very painful. The whole time we were walking I kept telling the hubs that I was going to cry if they sent me home b/c I was in so much pain. I couldn't believe that the contractions were so strong, but I wasn't dilating anymore. I'm not a wiener or anything when it comes to pain (I know everybody says that, but I've had my share of injuries and this was way worse.), but these contractions hurt!
So they gave me 2 ambien to help me sleep since I had been up since 2:30am and sent me home. *This next part is AJ's favorite part of the story* Now I've never taken ambien before....I can tell you now that 2 was about 1.5 too many! We got home about 10pm and I was already loopy. I took a shower, but before I did I texted the hubs who was in the living room to come check on me every 7 minutes because I felt out of it. Why 7 minutes? Well I didn't want to make him get up every 5, but 10 seemed too long...that's totally rational, right? I think so too. After what I assume was 7 minutes (I was too doped up by this time to have any concept of time) he came to check on me. I vaguely remember being in the shower and not being about to stand up very well. I kept falling into the wall and thinking how bouncy the wall was. Then I hallucinated/imagined I was having a party in the shower with the shampoo and conditioner bottles....like I said 2 pills was overkill. I also remember asking AJ to get in the shower with me, but him refusing b/c the shower is too small. I eventually got out and he helped my dry off b/c I couldn't stand very well on my own. I must have gone to bed then, but the next thing I remember is crawling around on top of the covers and pillows screaming because the contractions hurt so bad. This is where the being on ambien really screwed me b/c I wasn't coherent enough to breath through them or get in any positions to help. All I could do was yell and crawl around apparently. I sorta remember going out to tell the hubs that he should think about sleeping in the guest bedroom b/c I was being loud. At some point he came to bed in our bedroom and started timing the contractions. I can't remember for sure but I think they were anywhere from 2-4 minutes apart. They must have increased in intensity again because I started throwing up during them. That's when I told AJ to call the dr. I knew I wasn't going to be able sleep at all and I was going on 24 hours of contractions and no sleep. I was going to go to the hospital and I was not going to let them send me home this time! The dr said to go get checked again....
We got to the hospital the second time around 3am. We checked into triage and the nurse checked me during a contraction. I was 4cm and my water was bulging so she said I'd be admitted (thank God!). She asked if I was planning on an epidural...I said definitely and would like it as soon as possible. I had to get a bag on IV fluid in first which took about a half hour. Luckily there wasn't a wait for the anesthesiologist and I had the epidural by 4:30am. Then I slept and AJ slept.....and slept. The nurse came in every hour to help me switch sides. They were impressed I was still able to move my legs even though I was numb. At some point my contractions slowed down and I was given pitocin to help increase them. Around 6:30am the nurse came in and checked me, I think I was only a 5 or 6, but my water was bulging and she felt sure that once the dr came in and broke my water I would progress faster. The dr was supposed to be in about 7 to do that, but about 8am he still hadn't been in. The nurse came in and discovered that my water had broke on it's own...all over the bed. Apparently I had been laying in a puddle, but thanks to that amazing epidural I had no idea.
About 7:30 we started calling our families and letting them know that Wyatt was going to make his appearance today. I called my parents and my dad picked up...I wished him happy birthday (b/c it happened to be his birthday) and asked him if he'd be okay sharing it with his newest grandson. He just handed the phone to my mom, who couldn't believe I was calling so early to wish my dad happy birthday (she knows I'm not a morning person LOL). So they were on alert and were getting ready to head down later in the day. They let my siblings know too so I wouldn't have to make multiple calls. AJ called his mom and let her know and she spread the word to his siblings.
Sometime around 9am my epidural wore off and the anesthesiologist came and gave me another dose of the good stuff....it was heavenly. At some point AJ went and got breakfast (which somebody bought him out of the blue!)....and then more sleeping took place, at least on my end. At noon the nurse came in and checked me again and I was at 8-9! I was going to be able to start pushing soon. I'd say 20-30 min later my epidural started to wear off again. The nurse decided to check me before calling the anestheologist. I was at 10cm! Time to start pushing!
I started pushing at 12:45pm...I know a lot of my pushes weren't as effective as they could have been b/c from my pelvis down was numb still. I was able to feel all the contractions though, which while very painful, let me know when I should be pushing. Let me tell ya...extended pushing is exhausting!! By the end I couldn't keep my eyes open at all. They asked me if I wanted a mirror so I could see his head (which was already full of hair!), I wasn't interested in the slightest LOL I kept asking how much longer it was going to take b/c I was running out of strength to push. Eventually they called the doc in...side note, isn't it funny how the docs only come in for like the last 15 min? It really is the nurses who do the hard part. Luckily for us we had amazing nurses during labor and delivery.
Okay back on task...the dr came in and I guess at some point, according to AJ, asked if I'd be ok w/ an episiotomy if needed and I said I'd rather not, I don't remember that exchange. I do however remember saying that I couldn't do this anymore b/c I was so tired and the contractions were so painful. I remember the second time the doc asked if I'd be ok w/ an episiotomy b/c the baby needed more room and i was tearing...I said sure b/c I just wanted this kid out! So he got me numb (alhtough I'm sure I was plenty numb from the epidural) and he made the cuts. I could feel the scissors cutting, but it didn't hurt which was just a weird feeling. One of the nurses told me to look down and see what was happening and I looked down to see my baby boy make his way into the world at 3:02pm (over 2 hrs of pushin!) weighing in at 8lbs 6oz and 21 inches long. AJ cut the cord and they put him on a blanket on my chest where we met each other for the first time :-) there's a moment that no one could ever put into words. The moment you finally see this tiny human who you've only known through kicks and jabs in your belly. He was/is absolutely perfect. A full head of hair and blue eyes like his daddy.
After that things are kinda a blur. They cleaned him off and put him skin to skin on my chest, pictures were taken, we tried breast feeding (which he picked up right away and has been a champ at since, hence his awesome weight gain) and our parents showed up.
We went home the next afternoon b/c we were so done being in the hospital and both sets of parents were staying at our house for a few days. AJ had 2 weeks off which was awesome and even though he had cabin fever I enjoyed having the help while we figured things out.
So there it is....I finally finished it 7 weeks after the fact. I'm sure I've since forgotten parts, but I got all the important parts down and I'm glad I did so I can look back on it later and remember things I will have forgotten.
Here's some pics, it's amazing how much he's changed and grown in the last 7 weeks. I can't believe it's been long....it seems like yesterday they were putting him in my arms and at the same time it's like he's always been here.
18 weeks
