BORN- 9:09pm Monday, July 18, 2011
9lbs. 12 oz., 21 inches
On Monday morning around 4am I woke up having some contractions. I didn't really think anything of it because over the past week or so I had been having some Braxton Hicks contractions in the middle of the night. I would usually go downstairs and get on the couch in a different position and they would go away. Not this time. I even ate something to see if they would stop. They weren't extremely painful and very erratic. Anywhere from 5 minutes to 20 minutes apart. Finally at 6am I decided I was going to go take a shower. I had read if you move around usually they would go away. I had a sneaky feeling they wouldn't.
When I got out of the shower Ben was awake and wondering what I was doing up so early. I said, "I think it may be time." Fortunately, I had a doctor's appointment at 10:30 that morning and decided to wait it out and see what the doctor said (We did put our bags in the car because deep down I think we both knew we wouldn't be coming home). Wouldn't you know she was running behind. She had another delivery. When they finally called me back at about 11:45, my contractions were about 6 minutes apart and starting to hurt. She checked me and after being dilated 1cm for 3weeks I was 3cm! We decided to go on over to the hospital, check in, and get things rolling. Boy am I glad I did because by the time I got settled in my contractions were really painful. I went ahead and got my epidural because she was going to break my water immediately but her schedule didn't allow her to come back until almost 6 o'clock. By that time I was 7cm dilated.
In the meantime, my mom had been at market in Atlanta for a week and we had briefly talked that morning. She was flying back to Monroe but had to change planes in Dallas. Of course when I called to tell her I was checking in, she was in the air. Her flight was schedule to land somewhere between 3 and 4pm but of course it was delayed and she arrived around 5:30. After the doc had come over she said if he had broke my water after lunch like she had planned my mom probably would have missed the delivery. God was watching out for me. I never would have let her live that down if she had missed this!
Finally at 8:20pm we were ready to have a baby. I suppose I thought it would be super easy since the whole labor process thus far had gone so smoothly and quickly. I really love the epidural! I felt no pain. I knew it wasn't going to be easy when 20 minutes in he doctor said his head is bigger than I thought it would be. I replied, "so you think he'll way 8lbs then?" She kinda avoided the subject and I knew he would be a big boy. Finally, Aiden arrived. But not without drama. At the time I wasn't sure what was going on but I knew it was bad when everyone was whispering. Suddenly, 4 people, including the doctor were on the bed with me pushing so hard on my stomach and pulling at Aiden. I heard them call the neonatal team down and I just gave it everything I had. He had what's called shoulder dystocia which means his shoulders were too wide to fit and he was stuck and they weren't sure if he was breathing. Things turned out fine but I was balling when they finally placed him on my lap. The doc went over to make sure his collarbone wasn't broken (which is very common) and all was good. He was so alert and wide awake and of course as every mom thinks just perfect.
The next couple days were a blur of feedings, trying to sleep, and visitors. On Wednesday, the pediatrician came and said he had jaundice and we would have to do some more blood work and the end of the day to determine if he could go home or have to stay an extra day. His bilirubin levels were on the border and they released me but I had to follow up with her on Friday. Friday came and went and his levels were not in the danger zone but I was to continue supplementing with formula until the jaundice was completely gone. She also found a heart murmur and had us sent over for some chest x-rays. This really scared me and I was an emotional basket case all day. We have an appointment with Dr. King (pediatric cardiologist) tomorrow afternoon just to make sure everything is okay.
Below are some of my fav pics over the last 8 days. It's amazing how much he's changed in a week. Also, thanks to everyone who visited and has helped with food. Ya'll have been a lifesaver! I am so blessed.
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