Saturday September 6, 2014
1:44am
7lb 14oz
20in
It was Friday the 5th and I REALLY REALLY wanted to go into labor. I got up in the morning and was determined to get some contractions going. My first attempt was walking. I put on my shoes and I walked 2 miles! HAHA I walked to a steep hill, went up, then down, and back home. It hurt every bit, but it also felt SO GOOD. My mom had gone to Grandparents Day with Brenika at school, so I took a quick soak in the bath and did some nipple stimulation with a towel in the tub with me, which is what put me into labor with Brenika. After I got out, Trent and I did a few "other" things to get some contractions going.
Nothing.
My mom and Brenika got home from school and then Brenika went to a birthday party. I sat around and she was sewing a few things for the baby. I decided I would go pick her up. I thought I was having a few contractions but it was nothing too bad. I stopped in to visit with my friend Amy for a bit and she was asking me if I was in labor. I laughed, nah, I was having a few contractions though! My doctor had told me the day before that since I was already at a 4, if I could get myself to a 5 they would keep me at the hospital. I decided that when I got home I would go to the hospital to see if I was at a 5. I didn't think I was though, didn't want to get my hopes up.
I brought Brenika home and told Trent we should go. I hurried to pack a bag, just in case, and we left. I kinda felt dumb walking into Labor and Delivery knowing I wasn't in labor. They asked how they could help us, and I said, "I think I'm in labor." I just laughed to myself because I knew I wasn't, I just wanted to be at a 5.
The sweet nurse put me in a room and got me all set up to check me. I was at a 5!!! She said, well, you are in labor and can stay. I was the ONLY mom in labor, and the only woman in Labor and Delivery. There weren't any other babies in there either. It was so neat! After they hooked me up to the monitors, I realized I really was in labor. My contractions were about every 12 minutes. I really had no idea. HAHA The nurse told me that my doctor, Dr. Debra Bowman, had just left the hospital an hour before and that she wasn't on call, so the other doctor would be delivering me. I was so disappointed. After dealing with her my entire pregnancy I really wanted her there. I hadn't ever had that happen to me before.
I was able to let everyone know I was in the hospital. My mom got the kids all squared away. The nurse kind of let me just progress on my own for a few hours. I couldn't figure out why they didn't hook me up on the IV drip bag yet. I was positive with Strep B so they have to put an antibiotic in your IV bag for 2 hours before you give birth so that your baby doesn't catch it coming out the canal. That nurse got off duty at 7 and the new nurse, Kristy, set me up. I still was only progressing slowly. Dr. Lisa Williams came in to check me and ask what I wanted to do. She kinda irritated me at first. It was about 10pm and she wanted to know if I wanted to try and sleep through the night and push in the morning or try some pitocin and get him out. Who the hell wants to try and sleep through contractions? They were really starting to get rough and I had a hard time breathing through them. I was like... really lady?!?! I told her no way. Let's get on some pitocin and get him out. I kind of wanted him to be born on the 5th because Brenika is the 7th and Dirk is the 6th so the 5th would have been cool numbers wise. They took forever to get the pitocin set up, and by the time they called the anesthesiologist to come in (he was at home in bed), I didn't get my epidural until 11pm or so.
We were able to get one of the cute YW in our ward, Stephy George, to come over to the house and stay there so that my mom could come to the hospital for the birth. She had gotten the kids in bed and asleep before she came.
The epidural went in smoothly though I was a little too numb on one side. I had to kind of lay on the other side to get it to even out better. By the time I got it even, they checked me and I was at a 10. We kinda sat for about an hour while I finished waiting for him to crop into the canal more before I pushed. We skyped Brette in on the computer so that she could watch the birth. She missed Dirk being born and I was glad that she was there on the computer. I could see her, and even Britney, on the monitor.
Dr. Williams came in and I was ready to push. I had the mirror all set up so that I could see. It makes the biggest difference for me in pushing. I was the perfect amount of numb and was ready. She wanted me to test a push and I almost got his head out with the test push. She was like, "Oh, let's go!" So, I pushed and only 2 pushes his head was out. 1 more final push and he was here!!! Not even a tiny rip or tear. It was awesome.
7lb 14oz I was seriously shocked he was under 8 pounds. I thought for sure he was going to be bigger than Dirk was at 8lb 8oz.
Getting check out.
Feetprints
Bath Time
After his bath we all went to sleep. We were all so exhausted. It was about 3am. My mom had gone home before they bathed him.
In the morning I put this little hat on that I made him. So cute.
My mom brought the kids to meet their new brother! The nurses gave them these stickers.
Brenika had drawn Kash and me some pictures that morning. So sweet.
She couldn't take her eyes/hands/self away from him. Such a good sister.
Dirk wasn't quite as smitten as Brenika, but he thought all his bracelets were cool.
And his tiny hands.
First time holding him!
Dirk held him for about 2 seconds before he said he was done. HAHA
Our last day in the hospital was Brenika's birthday!! They set up a big dinner for you and your spouse so that you can have a minute with each other before you go home. It was really nice!!
I had the same nurses the whole time I was there. She came in to say goodbye before her shift ended since we were leaving later.
Grandma brought the kids over again to help us get ready to check out.
I don't remember her name, but she was the baby nursery nurse and was only there during the night shifts. She came to say bye too.
Getting him ready to go in his going home outfit.
Trent was the Scout Master and there was a big Eagle Court of Honor the night we were checking out.
Kristy saying goodbye.
She was the best nurse, we loved her.
Car Seat Check!
Leaving the Hospital and our first family photo of 5!