Birth Story

I don't know if it was the raspberry tea, pineapple, spicy meat pizza, evening primrose oil, walking or just nature that did it, but I am glad to report that our little guy vacated the womb on his due date.  Well, technically he was born the day after, but I did go into labor at 6:00pm last Saturday in Staples. 

Aisle 12: "Chris, I feel icky.  Find me in the office chair deptartment."
The cushiest chair in the office chair dept: "I think I'm having contractions, but we can still stop by the grocery store."
Produce section: "Flip over th grocery list and start recording contraction times."
Yoplait yogurt shelf: "Oh you're 35 wks pregnant? Today is my due date...  Ya, I think I'm in labor... Well,  I'm here because we needed groceries."
Frozen foods aisle: "Okay Chris, I'm having trouble standing through this one.  Can you hold me up?"
Parking lot: "There's Suzy! Suzy, I'm 10 minutes apart!" 
Chris observed how odd it was that a woman in labor can be so giddy and energetic in one moment and silent, grimacing and doubled over in the next.

Chris and I went home with the intention of leaving for the hospital (45 min drive) once contractions were 6 to 7 minutes apart.  We ate dinner (rice and a popsicle for me), finished packing, and cleaned the apt then I bounced on a birthing ball and took a hot shower. At 11:30, contractions stopped completely.  I was so afraid it had been false labor, so I prayed, "God, please make them start again.  This is the only time in my life I could say 'I want nothing more than to be in excruciating pain right now.'"  They came back 4 minutes apart!  "God, that wasn't what I meant!"  haha.

Chris loaded up while I bounced and breathed.  The ride to the hospital never seemed so short... we were pulled over twice on the way there.  :)  One cop told us to turn on our flashers; the other tried to make small talk.  I didn't want to make small talk!  My contractions were 3 mins apart!  Chris let me squeeze his hand as hard as I wanted while he drove with the other.  "Breathe.  Breathe.  In through your nose; out through your mouth. You can do this.  You're doing good, honey."  He was so wonderfully supportive and encouraging the whole night.  Man I got a good man!

When we arrived at the hospital, I was measuring 6cm.  Thank God for giving man the brain power and resources to invent epidurals.  We waited until I was 7cm before administering it (I don't advocate them earlier than that).  Later, Chris and I laughed as we watched my monitor draw contractions peaking twice as high and lasting twice as long as those I came in with.  Wow.  As much as I don't like that dolphin hide pants feeling on my legs, I am glad I was numb.  Since I was done writhing and yelling, we hung the Texas flag on the wall then took a little nap. 

Momma Maz (our second mom) arrived at 4.  What a blessing it was to have her there!  A blessing for me to have the support of a loving friend who had been through 4 labors and a blessing for Chris to see a familiar face while his wife was wild-eyed and pushing.  I think it blessed her heart too.  At 7:30, our midwife (love midwives!) said to Chris and Momma Maz, "You two go eat breakfast .  When you get back, we'll start pushing." Ah! 

At about that time, the epidural started to wear off.  Perfect timing.  I could feel muted contractions, so I knew when to push, but wasn't in pain.  Then again, I could not feel much other than that, so I did not know which muscles to use.  After 30 more minutes of epidural attenuation, I could definitely feel the pressure.  "Ooooh.  Those muscles!"  I'll spare you gooey details and skip to

Our son came out 6 lbs 12.8 oz, 20 in long and adorable.  While I was being stitched up, I watched Chris, who had previously insisted that "all babies are ugly and come out looking like Winston Churchill," stand by the warmer with his index finger in his baby's hand telling him how beautiful he was and how much he loved him.  :)   Soon after, I held him and nursed him with Chris by my shoulder.  Hands down the happiest moment of my life.