Birth Story for Anthony James *pics

We got home last night.  We had the option of another day, but we didn't take it. 

Here is a quick run down of the birth story and some pics :)

My water broke around 5 or so.  I just felt, like last time, that I was peeing and peeing.  Then had to return to the bathroom repeatedly and finally only with a pad I had to keep replacing (we learned water only breaks in ten percent of women).  Of course, I was thrilled to start labor naturally, and the timing was great in that my in laws had arrived around 4 to stay the night and care for Charlie.  So I called dh at work and said I was pretty sure this was the real deal (my percent of certainty increased with each bathroom trip! lol)

I made the call to not rush rush around because I felt no contractions.  I called, though, and let my doc know and she (on call doc) said to come on in. I wasn't going to be dumb about it, I just wasn't in a hurry.  I was told I could eat a light meal before induction, so  I definitely wanted to eat prior to getting to the hospital.  I was tempted to get something heartier, but I got a chiccken salad.  Turns out my bro in law (anesthiologist) was fuirous someone told me I could eat.  I was glad I did, but glad I didn't do a heavier meal since I did end up vomiting after labor (and almost during, from sitting up and trying to use gravity).  The idea of being nauseated didn't occur to me because I didn't have any medicine that would do that to my knowledge, just the whole process I guess.

Anyway, I started getting uncomfortable in the restaurant and was highly annoyed that the waitress saw zero urgency despite our telling her I was in labor.  I think she thought we were joking.  She proceeded to sing happy birthday to two tables before bringing our check and I was getting highly irratable and wondered if stopping to eat was a bad idea.  I was expecting painful tightening of the abs as contractions if I had any.  What I got was menstral like pain that intensified.  I had had some in my pregnancy and this just worsened.  Evidently that was my contractions.  Interesting, had no idea!

Got to the hospital and my nurse was a rockstar.  She'd just had a fast labor and was very conscious I would go fast given the baby was low and I was super thin.  I didn't realize that was possible given my contractions were 7 min apart and, had my water not broke, I wouldn't have even been in the hospital yet.  She was insistent, as was dh, that I order the epidural asap.  I was grateful as it took an hour and they had to do some prep before they could do it (get a bunch of fluid in me).  I was able to offer up my contractions, the epidural (numbing hurts but the epidural feels like nothing), lots of crazy itchiness that was a side effect of something, and other things after the fact (kneeding of my stomach-ouch! and very sore nipples from breastfeeding, which continue-another post).  Anyway, lots of good stuff and it really helped me to accept any pain that came my way, relax, know it was for good cause, etc.  I had a great CD of Christian songs playing and that was great too.  Everything was a really good experience.

I was a 2-3 upon arrival and normally they check you every hour, but I kept having signs for her to check me sooner.  First my legs shook, my teeth chattered, I felt pressure after the epidural, etc.  So then I was a 4, 4 again, 4.5, and then bam-right when my contractions had spaced further apart (4-5 was the closest they got) and I was gonna send family home for the night, I was complete (10 and totally effaced)!  The nurse said, "don't you dare laugh or the baby will fall out!"  She wasn't kidding.  I am not sure the exact timeline, but I got to the hospital about 7:30 and had him at 12:30am. 

My doctor said I pushed 1 and a half times, whatever that means! :) My epidural was amazing and I felt no pain but total sensation.  Can't explain it, but I was totally able to feel him come out, something I missed out on with Charlie.  To get that, without the pain, ideal! 

It was amazing to see we had another boy, and I thought I would cry, but I couldn't stop grinning like a big goofball!  He was so much bigger than expected 8lb 10.5 oz (bigger than Charlie and longer too-20").  He had huge hands and feet, thick thighs, a wide nose, less hair than Charlie and lighter too (Charlie's was dark at first).  It was so neat to see how different two newborns could look.  This baby, named Anthony James (name means "flourishing"), hardly ever opened his eyes, whereas Charlie gave us intense stare downs from day one.  Charlie wouldnt nurse right away, way too overstimulated, but AJ nursed for an hour right away.  It was nuts!  He was gulping audibly and the nurses were amazed.  They said never seen that in all their career.  He is a hungry big boy, hence the sore nipples despite pretty good latch. 

That's pretty much the highlights.  As soon as blogger fixes an error, I will update to include pics including me with my prayer intention list.  All of your prayers were amazing.  I felt them, I swear!  Having my water break on its own, plus no pitocin, such a great fast labor, and feeling him emerge, him being so healthy and a good eater...what a blessing!  I thought of you all the whole time, continue to think of you and offer things for you, and appreciate him for the undeserved miracle he truly is!  By the way, several nurses are now praying for you as well and are now well aware of Dr. Hilgers and the amazing work he does!