It all started on Wednesday am, June 12 @ 3.30am. I woke up and went to the bathroom and there was pink - I wasn't concerned, but pretty excited. I went back to bed and I noticed my stomach hardening and I felt cramps, so Mark started timing them and sure enough they were contractions every 7 mins apart, then 6, then 5, then 4 and back up to 5. We timed them for an hour and decided we should go to the hospital. At 7 am we were off. I began crying because it was all so real and happening after waiting so long for our son. We got to the hospital at 7.30 am, registered and was hooked up to the monitors - contractions were every 5 mins and I was 3 cm and his head was very very low. At 9.30am, my dr came in and told me to go home, rest & relax because the contractions weren't very strong & I'd be more comfy at home. We came home & rested - I was still contracting every 5 mins which was uncomfortable. We had dinner and dessert and off to bed. I woke up at 11.30pm to really hard & strong contractions. I couldn't sleep or get comfy so I woke Mark up with all my tossing and turning. I was on the verge of tears because they hurt so bad and I just wanted to sleep. Mark timed the contractions and they were every 2-3 minutes so at 1 am we took off for the hospital.
Mom and Mark were worried that we wouldn't make it in time because the contractions were right on top of each other. We got to the hospital and into our labor/delivery suite straight away and they put the monitors on me and I was 4-5 cm already. Jack's heartbeat was great and contractions were every 1-2 minutes. I got my epidural put in and that hurt like crazy - I don't think the anesthesiologist got it right because it took him 30 mins to insert it and I felt everything - the pain never subsided or got better, only worse. So I just closed my eyes and focused on breathing. By 7 am I was 7-8 cm, then shortly thereafter I was 9 cm. I then stalled at 9 and actually went backwards to 8 cm. They started pitocin to increase the contrax and broke the rest of my water that didn't break earlier. Once I stalled for 4 hours, I had a bit of a breakdown - I just wanted him out. I knew he wouldn't come out naturally - it would have to be a c-section.
After my melt-down - I got back on track with my breathing and calmed down - I listened to Mark and Mom who made fantastic coaches and wouldn't have been able to do it without either of them. Around 12.30 or so, my dr said I could continue laboring and hope I get to 10 cm, or go ahead with the c-section - I said we'd do the section. The contractions were so bad at that point that I was actually pushing through them because it felt so good. I was disappointed about the section, but so happy to know I would soon meet my son. I just wanted Jack to be safe and healthy - there was meconium when my water broke as well so we were all worried.
After 34 hours of labor, I was prepped for the c-section. The spinal felt amazing, no more contractions!!! Mark came in and all of the sudden they said "Dad, get your camera" and Mark showed me the picture right away and both of us just cried and cried. The neonatologist took care of Jack and I heard him cry which was the best sound I ever heard. Jack's apgar scores were 9 and 9. Mark cut the cord and they brought Jack to me but all I could do was kiss him because my hands were strapped to the table. Mark and the nurse went to the nursery while I was being cleaned up. They called Dr. Z and she said it was no wonder he didn't come out naturally, he is 9 lbs 15 oz, 21" long!!!! I couldn't believe it - such a big boy!! I went to recovery for 2 hours and slept and then was taken up to my room to properly meet my son - a moment I will never forget.
All Mark and I could keep saying is I can't believe he's ours and that he's no longer in my belly but in our arms. He's absolutely gorgeous and we are so lucky. We stayed in the hospital until Friday - 2 days after he was born. I would've stayed until Saturday or Sunday but I got a roommate on Friday am and all they spoke was Spanish and had their TV on so very loud. My dr said I was doing great enough to go home so I did. I had help from Mark and Mom and it was more comfortable at home so I definitely made the right decision.
We've been home for 2 1/2 weeks now and it's been great. Jack is sleeping 4 & 5 hr stretches at night and is nursing like a champ, though we still have to supplement with formula because he's a growing boy. My incision is healed and I'm feeling better everyday. Everyone has adjusted to life with Jack very well - we still do what we always did, it just takes us a little longer to get ready now. I can't believe he's almost 3 weeks old already.
