The Story

Warning: birth story ahead. I finally have a moment to sit and write. I wanted to blog about Nathaniel's birth so that I would remember it here in a few months when my memory of it has faded. Last week was a good week before his arrival. I felt pretty good and didn't have very many contractions all week and was able to get everything done that I wanted to. Thursday I took the day off from the preschool and went grocery shopping in the morning, took Jarod to lunch, and spent the afternoon getting the house ready. I started to have contractions and just not feel right by that evening. Plus my emotions were all over. I was really nervous and anxious for the delivery and the pain that comes with it. Jarod's mom arrived that evening and just sitting and talking to her and knowing she was here to take care of the kids eased my mind. We went to bed around 10 that evening, and I slept from about 11:30- 3:30 and then was wide awake. We got ready and left the house by 5:30am.

On the way to the hospital we made our predictions of his size and what time he would arrive. I guessed 1:30pm and 8lbs 1oz. and 20". Jarod guessed 12:30 8lbs. 2oz and 19". We got to the hospital and got checked right into the room across from the nurses desk. My first thought was "Great they are going to hear me in pain." They got the monitors on me and I was contracting on my own every 5 minutes. So we think Nat was on his way that day anyway :-). After being poked 3 times the IV was started with the pitocin around 6:45am. The doctor came in around 7:15 and did a check (I was at a 4 and 70%e) and broke my water. So we were on our way.

The next couple hours was pretty easy labor wise. Jarod and I were talking, watching the sunrise over Tulsa (we had a great view of downtown), and waiting in anticipation. The pain was very mild and after a check I was at 6-7cm. So it started to get more intense where I needed my ipod and got into my zone for the contractions. I could breathe through them but could tell they were getting stronger and about 3 min apart. I had her give me some Stadol while she could to help me relax through a few contractions. That stuff makes me loopy! Jarod got a kick out of me trying to talk and saying that my head was heavy during it. It wore off soon and things were still progressing. At around 10 she did another check and I was 7-8 cm. I was past the point of no return for an epidural, and I'm glad b/c I wanted to do it without one again. The contractions picked up in intensity and got to where I was crying through some of them. Jarod was there encouraging when they were going away and holding my hand. I started to get hot and nauseous, so I knew things were progressing. After a little over an hour I knew it was close. A nurse came in to set something up and Jarod told her we needed our nurse to come do a check. I had one contraction where I didn't need to push. Another a minute later where I felt I might need to. Our nurse did a check and I was at 9cm. She left to call the doctor, and I had another contraction where I knew I needed to push.

The next ten minutes was intense! I was in so much pain and needed to push. Jarod had his arm under my neck holding me, and he and the nurse kept telling me to breathe. They were trying to keep me from pushing. I really felt like I was going to die it hurt so bad. I kept saying "I can't do it!" But I had to dig deep and get through the pain. I couldn't help but push and at the same time trying to wait for the doctor. She finally showed up, and they got the bed and me ready for delivery. I asked if he was close, and she said one more contraction and we were having a baby. So on the next contraction I pushed twice, and he was here. He came out with his hand under his chin, and I immediately felt no pain.

This is right after he was born and I love this picture:


I have to say that Jarod was my rock through this. I could not have done it without him, and my love for him grew even more. Now we have another precious baby to raise and love! I want to write more about the last few days, but for now a crying baby is calling my name! :-)