A Sweet Saturday::Birth Story Part 2 of 2

If you missed the first part of the Birth Story, start here. 

This could be lengthy.  I'm a big fan of details.  And I don't want to ever forget these.

So, where we left off...Friday after a full day of fun, the night began to wind down.

About 8:30pm I started feeling quite uncomfortable.  I really thought it was because I'd done so much through the day and I'd been folded over the sewing table for a few hours.  I sat down on the couch but couldn't quite get comfortable.  A trip to the bathroom would surely relieve some pressure.  No luck.

I came back upstairs after a few more painful episodes.  I decided to lay down on the couch in hopes that relaxing would help me to get comfortable.  No luck.

About 9:15 we decided it was time for Easton to go to bed.  We were having such a good time together upstairs the time had gotten away from us.  We all headed downstairs.  I tucked Easton in and laid down with him for a minute and said his prayers. 

The pain was not letting up.  Lance and I talked about it and he said he agreed that I'd probably just done too much.  He suggested a bath and then going to bed. 

I got in the bath and tried to relax but that wasn't happening.  I'd never experienced 'natural labor' before since I was induced with Easton so I wasn't sure if what I was feeling was the real deal or false labor.  I consulted Dr. Google who really was no help.  After I got out of the tub I decided to page my doctor and give him my symptoms.  An hour of pain, about 4-6 episodes total.  He suggested drinking 24 ounces of water as fast as I could to see if that would slow the pain, if it did, it was false labor.  If not, it's the real deal. 

I went to check on Easton, who was still awake at this point.  He wanted me to get back in the bed with him.  I just knew.  I had a gut feeling, this was it.  This was the last time that I'd get my big belly self up in his bed and lay with him.  As I laid there, my nose began to tingle and warm tears filled my eyes.  I stroked his sweet little head until he fell to sleep tucked right up next to me.  As I loved on him, the tears fell like rain drops.  Things were about to change.  Forever.  For the good.  But change.  Ready or not. 

Finally the pain was too much and too close to continue laying there quietly and still.  As to not wake him, I rolled out of his bed and made my way back to our room where I tried to convince Lance this was it.  He suggested the water, but I knew I'd throw up if I guzzled water like that. 

I text my mom, dad and best friend to let them know I was pretty sure I was in labor, and to be on-call.  Lance called his mom.  We decided she'd come to our house and sleep with Easton and bring him to the hospital in the morning. 

Lance went and got Easton up and laid him in our bed while I lay there contracting about 3-4 minutes apart.  Walking around seemed to provide some relief, so I paced the floor while we waited for my mother-in-law to arrive.  Once she arrived we woke Easton up to let him know what was going on.  This seemed like the best idea since we hadn't previously discussed a baby would be coming home with us in a few short days.  He seemed ok with everything.  He hugged and kissed us and we told him we'd see him tomorrow.

Looking back, I'm so thankful that it happened like this.  As I mentioned before, I was scheduled to be induced on December 2.  Had that really happened, I'm pretty sure I'd have been an emotional mess on Sunday before.  It would have been a hard week.  A 'this is our last Monday...this is our last dinner...this is our last...'  For me, I think it would have just been too much. 

My contractions were hard and strong about every 2 minutes.  As I stood on the step to get into Lance's truck a contraction came and I focused hard on the clock.  11:19pm.

The drive to the hospital is about 40-45 minutes.  I was certain we'd never make it.  I tried to keep my eyes closed because seeing each exit was torture.  I've driven that drive a million times in my 31 years.  I know about how many minutes it is from one exit to the next, certainly one exit to the destination.  As I'd peek through my clenched eyes from time to time I realized we were making pretty good progress.  I prayed the whole way.  Begging Jesus to ease the pain.  Let me make it.  Please don't let my water break.  Please let me be able to get an epidural. 

At one point Lance said 'this is like what you see in the movies!'  I assume he was talking about the hollering and mild acrobatics that were going on in the front passenger seat of his truck. 

Finally, we arrived at the exit.  We sat at the light, made a left turn and head about a mile more to the hospital.  He dropped me off at the door and I walked in to the kind lady at the L&D desk.  She asks me to fill out paperwork.  Ain't happ'nin lady!  Lance came to the rescue and signs the necessary paperwork.  She called for the nurse and they came and wheeled me back.  Upon entering the triage room, the nurse checked me and informed us that I was already dilated to 9cm. 

Can I get an epidural?  Please OH PLEASE God, can I please get an epidural.

I'd said since I found out I was pregnant with Emerson, I'd take the epidural upon arrival to the parking garage.  The contractions I'd felt when induced with Easton were plenty of feeling for me. 

They transferred me to another bed to wheel me in the delivery room.  The nurses in there confirmed that they'd get me an epidural just as fast as possible.  Finally the angel appeared with the needle and magic potion and somehow I was able to sit still for the insertion of the epidural.  They assured me the current contraction would be the last big one I'd feel.  They were right. 

My doctor made it and we did a few pushes.  He left the room for a bit and I pushed with Lance and the nurse for a little bit.  Finally, about 40 minutes later, at 1:27am, early Saturday morning, Emerson Sloan was born!

8 pounds, 11 ounces of pure sugar.

19 inches long.

 

And she's had us all around her little tiny finger ever since!

We are all smitten.  In love.

One of each. 

My boy that made me a momma.  This little girl, who is so precious and sweet.

Healthy & Beautiful.

Thank you Jesus for the blessing of these children.