I'm mostly writing this for myself, so if you don't care about birth stories, please skip to the pictures!
On Sunday morning, April 21, I woke up thinking I might be in early labor. So before church I called my parents and the doula, Laura, to give them a heads-up. During mass,I had quite a few strong contractions, so I texted Mom and Dad that they should be on their way. Mom and Dad left their house at noon so they would be here by 3:30, that was comforting. When we got home, I kept busy with chores. I did some laundry and baked a pumpkin bread and did some cleaning; I was having contractions the whole time and their intensity was picking up. I walked in circles around the house for hours. I called Laura and told her things were progressing. She said she would come soon and suggested Doug and I take a walk while we waited for her. It was a nice day and a nice walk and my contractions were coming every 5-8 minutes.
On Sunday morning, April 21, I woke up thinking I might be in early labor. So before church I called my parents and the doula, Laura, to give them a heads-up. During mass,I had quite a few strong contractions, so I texted Mom and Dad that they should be on their way. Mom and Dad left their house at noon so they would be here by 3:30, that was comforting. When we got home, I kept busy with chores. I did some laundry and baked a pumpkin bread and did some cleaning; I was having contractions the whole time and their intensity was picking up. I walked in circles around the house for hours. I called Laura and told her things were progressing. She said she would come soon and suggested Doug and I take a walk while we waited for her. It was a nice day and a nice walk and my contractions were coming every 5-8 minutes.
Laura arrived around 3:30. As soon as she got here my
contractions slowed down and then all but stopped. I was afraid we were in for a long
couple of days. So Laura left around 5, suggesting I try to relax and enjoy the evening. We had dinner around 6. As soon as she left my
contractions started again and during dinner were beginning to intensify. After we got the kids in bed around 8 we
called the doula to tell her that things were definitely progressing. She arrived at 9:15.
After Laura came, the contractions got
more intense and closer together. I could still laugh and chat in
between them, but in less than 30 minutes contractions
became 2-3 minutes apart and they were getting difficult to manage. At about 9:45, Laura said it was time to go to
the hospital. So Doug gathered last minute things and we said goodbye
to Mom and Dad. I was glad I had gotten to say goodnight to the kids earlier.
We got in the car, Laura followed in
her car. She was prepared to be on her bluetooth with me the whole
way, but we did okay by ourselves. Halfway to the hospital I realized
we never called the midwife! So I called when we were just 10 minutes away. Luckily, she only lives 3 minutes from the hospital, so she got there
before we did!
As soon as we were out of the car, the
contractions got more intense and I needed Doug and Laura for physical and mental support. I walked to Labor and Delivery
instead of taking a wheelchair and it took us FOREVER to get there! I labored in my room
for a while and then Laura suggested getting in the bathtub. It felt
good at first and the contractions seemed easier, but not
much later it was unbearable being in there and I asked for the
epidural. (Though, in my heart of hearts, I knew it was too late. I
hadn't even had blood drawn or an IV placed or fluids given.) Doug suggested I get checked first since he basically knew it was too late also! Miraculously, the
contractions got more manageable the minute I got out of
the tub. Doug and Laura were totally there for me through each one. When I was
finally able to lay down and get checked, the midwife said I was 9
cm. Music to my ears! When she asked if I wanted her to break my water to speed things along, I think I may have shouted yes! As soon as she broke my water, I went to 10 cm, and it was time to push.
Pushing without an epidural may be the hardest, most painful thing I've
ever experienced, but it helps when you don't have a choice! I felt like it took forever. But in the end, I
only pushed for 12 minutes. Joseph Anthony was born at 12:24 am on
Monday, April 22.
I asked if he was a boy because for
some reason lately I'd been afraid they got it wrong at the
ultrasound! Doug confirmed that he was a boy. They put him on me
right away (though I didn't realize it since my eyes had been shut
tight for the last 12 minutes). When I finally looked down and saw
him, he was perfect. He was a little blue and didn't give a good cry,
so they had to suction him out a bit, but they let him stay right on me
for quite a while. Laura and Doug and I just chatted away during this time. Then
Laura had to go. She was amazing! Worth every penny and I couldn't
have done it without her (or Doug for that matter). After she left Doug and I had time to admire our newest little miracle. He really was beautiful!
It was really hard and really painful,
but I'm glad I did it and I'm proud of myself. And in the end I got a
perfect and sweet little boy that I can't wait to get to know better.
Mom and Dad (Grandma and Grandpa) brought the kids the next day to meet Joseph. They fell in love right away, just like we did!
To keep things light and funny, Mark wore Joseph's hat.
