3:30am I woke up to having a contraction. I knew it was a real one because it went all the way around my stomach and back. I got up, went to the bathroom, drank some water, waited, and nothing. Sighing I went back to bed.Another contraction woke me up at 4:30 and then another at 5:30. I gave up trying to sleep, debating about waking DH, then decided to check my emails and watch some TV. The contractions were irregular so I saw no need to rush.
At about 8:30 my contractions were coming more regular so I woke my DH up and he showered while I ate breakfast. He then went to get gas, doughnuts, and pack the car. At about 9:45 I called my doctor. She told me to start timing the contractions and to call back when they were five minutes apart. DH and I watched some Netflix and whenever a contraction hit he would right down the time. They were getting really painful. Traveling down my back and almost into my knees. By noon I was in agony and the contractions were still not 5 mins apart. They sped up quick and by 1:30 I was not smiling any more. We called the doctor and she said to head to the hospital.
At 2:10 I was admitted to LD. The nurse came in and asked me to change so she could check me. I was 4 cm and 100% effaced! Officially checked in to stay at 3:10pm. We talked about my opinions for pain management and I decided to try soaking in the hot tub. DH called my parents and his parents to tell them the news. I got in the tub and soaked with the jets on my back. Nothing seemed to help the pain (severe back and leg pain, like a 10 on the scale). I held out in the tub for an hour, hoping to help the process a little.
I hopped out of the tub after an hour and tried using the birthing ball. My MP promptly fell out. I attempted to breathe through a couple contractions before asking the nurse what she would recommend. She told me honestly to get an epi sine the pain was a 10 on the scale. I agreed (feeling a little guilty about it) and sent my hubby out of the room (he doesn't do needles well). I was hooked up and drugged up by 5ish. The doctor came in to check me and I was 10cm dilated (from 4 to 10 in two and a half hours about)! The doctor broke my water and the nurse told me to rest and she would be back when it was time to push. I actually dozed off for a bit (the epi was wonderful and looking back I am glad I got it).
At 7:00 the nurse came back and told me it was time to start pushing. DH held up one leg and she held up the other. I pushed and pushed. In between pushes, the nurse and DH chatted and helped keep me distracted. After 30mins they gave me oxygen because I was having trouble catching my breath. I continued pushing, bearing down hard each time.After another two hours of pushing, my LG popped out easily at 9:25pm. She cried about two seconds later and then I started crying. DH cut the cord, the nurses wiped her off and handed her to me. I got to cuddle with her for a few minutes before they took her to get cleaned and measured. While DH was watching her and taking down her numbers, I delivered the afterbirth. I did have a small tear and the doctor stitched me up quickly. Once I was clean and stitched up, they gave my LG back to me for some skin to skin time. She started BFing almost right way. I was so amazed and in awe of her. I was so happy she was finally here.
Introducing Evelyn May. Born 5/5/2011 at 9:25pm. She weighed 7lbs and 14oz and was 20 and 1/4 inches long. I took the first picture on Friday (5/6) morning. The second picture was taken on Sunday (Mother's Day), which was our first day home with her.
