Jackson (1 day old)
After having a check up on Friday, I didn't feel good the rest of the day. That night we went to bed about midnight and I finally woke up at 2am realizing this might be the "real thing". So I woke Kit up and we tried to think back to all we read in the baby books and in birthing class about how to determine if it is early labor or not. Around 4am, I couldn't rest at all and we knew that this was probably it. So I showered up, ate, and started packing. I didn't want to go to the hospital too early, so I waited until the contractions got to be intense enough that I had to really think about breathing through them. We headed to the hospital around 9:30am, and my doctor told me I was 3 cm dilated.
We went up to the birthing center where they did another non-stress test to monitor how well the baby was handling the contractions. He was doing fine and I quickly dilated to 4 cm and had my water broken to make sure it was 'clear'. Things progressed pretty quickly after that. Kit and I moved into the natural birthing room so I could try to find comfortable positions to labor in. The contractions started to get much more intense and difficult to handle, but what was really hard was the bottom and back pain I was having. I had been having lower back and bottom pain for about a week already and now I know why. Jackson was head down, but face up, so his big old head was putting a lot of pressure on that area.
I just want to brag for a minute on Kit. He was awesome the whole time, but especially during this really difficult period for me. He kept making suggestions on positions we'd planned to try in advance and he was such a comfort to me. The best labor partner ever!
I could only bear the contractions in 2 positions, one of which was just standing and holding him. I couldn't lie down, squat, or eventually even kneel. I was dieing to get into the tub, but had to wait until I was at least 6cm. So once I could, I got in and felt some relief for a little while.
The pain got so bad when I was in the tub and the contractions moved so close together that I had a hard time catching my breath. But during this part, I felt so much emotion. Kit had some of my favorite Christian songs playing and was trying to comfort me by playing with my hair and reading me some scriptures I'd looked up to help me through this day. I felt God's presence and peace so strongly during this time. I was in so much physical pain but in so much spiritual comfort at the same time.
The pain became too much for me and I finally decided to get an epidural. I knew it was now or never and that it was only going to get harder, so I decided that was the way I wanted to go. After the epidural (not fun getting because of the constant contractions while trying to hold still) I felt great. I even slept a little off and on for a couple hours. My labor seemed to slow a little bit after this, maybe because of the epidural, maybe because of the problem we soon discovered.
I sat at 8cm for a little while and we just rested while waiting for the doctor to come back and check me. She soon came rushing in because the midwife told her Jackson's heart rate was consistently dropping. She said she thought he may have a short umbilical cord and that is why he wasn't progressing down and his heart rate was dropping. She told us not to worry, but within seconds it was obvious she was concerned because she told me to start pushing. Even though I had some feeling still, it was really difficult to push because of the epidural. I didn't know if I was really making progress or not. I pushed for a while and then they all rushed out of the room and back in with all the delivery supplies. It got really intense after that because the doctor discovered the cord was around his neck and that's why I couldn't push him out and his heart rate was dropping. I pushed for what seemed like an eternity and she ended up having to use forceps to help him out. At that point I told her to do whatever she had to do because his heart rate monitor had gone silent.
When he came out, they laid him on my lap while they tried to suction him a bit and rub him to start crying. His body was so blue and still so they rushed him out of the room and into the hall to try to get him breathing. Those few seconds of silence felt like forever! Kit and I were both so terrified and then incredibly relieved when we heard his cries. I know things like that happen all the time, but when it is your baby (especially your first) it is terrifying to feel so helpless.
But, God is so good and has blessed us with a beautiful, healthy, baby boy. He is perfectly made and we are so happy he is here. I just can't stop thanking God for this precious gift that we couldn't ever deserve. Even though I didn't have the all-natural birth I wanted and we had some terrifying moments, we wouldn't change a thing about that day. God just gave us another opportunity to put our faith in Him and to accept whatever He decides to give us. The doctors we had, the midwives, the nurses, and the hospital were wonderful! We felt so spoiled and so well taken care of. Thank you all so much for your prayers, encouragement, and your congratulations! We can't wait to move back home and have you all meet our sweet boy.
At 4 cm dilated
Feeling good after the epidural
Just born! So cute, even with his big cone head!
So happy to be a family!
