Born June 15th, 2013 at 7:53am
Weight: 8.1 lbs
Height: 20 inches
Ben's birth story:
I had a doctor's appointment on Thursday before Ben was born. I was dilated to about 2cm, but wasn't feeling any contractions. I was exactly 40 weeks at my appointment. I wasn't really sick of being pregnant, but I did have my mom coming into town and wanted her to be able to help with the baby. So, when my doctor asked if I wanted to be induced I said, "yeah, let's do it!" So he told me to go to the hospital the next day, and we'd get things going. I was so excited and super nervous. It was nice, after waiting for 10 months for him, to know he was finally on his way!
So, on Friday afternoon, I drove to the hospital and checked myself in. (Doug was in charge of picking my mom up from the airport, so he met me at the hospital a little later on.) I tested positive for Group B Strep, so they had to give me an antibiotic for a few hours before we did anything else. I have to say right now - that was honestly the worst part of the entire process. My IV hurt the entire time I was there, and the antibiotic burned as it entered my bloodstream. Ugh. It was terrible.
Moving on, okay, so eventually, they started me on Pitocin. I don't really know how IV drips work - numberwise- but they said that the Pitocin drip starts at 2 and goes up by 2 every hour until you reach 20. I guess generally people start feeling contractions waaaay before they ever reach 20, because my nurses thought it was really weird that I wasn't feeling anything.
I was at 20 (pitocin-wise) for about an hour before I started feeling anything, and when I did - it just felt like Braxton Hicks; tightening of the uterine muscles without any other pain. I think fairly soon after that, my doctor arrived and broke my water. That's when I actually started feeling the pain. But it just felt like menstrual cramps to me - and not even the worst I'd ever had, either. With the real contractions started now, I dilated to 3cm. The anesthesiologist was just in the next room over, so they said, if I wanted, they'd have him come drug me next. I certainly wasn't anywhere near a 10, pain-wise, but I was pretty uncomfortable, so I told them I was ready for my epidural.
Let me tell you - an epidural is the best thing ever! The anesthesiologist gave me some awesome hybrid of an epidural + spinal tap. He explained the whole process in great detail to me, but it was all just medical mumbo-jumbo, so I don't really know what he did, but I could not feel a thing! He actually had to scale back on the meds a little bit because it worked too well on me. haha.
After getting the epidural, I finally was able to get some sleep. They keep you all hooked up to pressure cuffs, and belly monitors, etc. and so I couldn't really lay on my side (which is the only way I sleep, because it hurts to lay on my back because my spine is curved), but with the epidural I had no problem sleeping on my back at all - yay!
While I slept, my body did all the work and by about 5 am, I suppose, I was finally dilated to a 10 and they had me start pushing. It was extremely weird to push without feeling anything. They tell you to push like you're taking the poop of your life. I've been having bowel movements my whole life, so I figured I could handle that much. :) But unlike pooping, when you push with an epidural, you don't get the satisfaction of feeling anything "moving down." So, you just have to push and push and push and the doctor keeps saying, "that was so good", "you're almost there", "I can see this much of the head", etc. I only had to push for about an hour and a half (which they told me was pretty average for a first-time mom being induced) and he came right out.
When Ben came out, they pulled him out and up so I could see him. He looked like an alien. That was the weirdest looking thing I had ever seen! haha. I was prepared to see some purplish-white, puffy little body. But it was his head that was crazy! He had been turning his head all around the whole time I was pushing, so his bump on his head was really off to the side. I was also surprised that he had any hair at all! My family generally had bald babies, so for him to have hair - that was weird.
Of course, once they cleaned him up and wrapped him up he looked a lot cuter - and a lot less alien!
I did end up tearing and needed stitches. They said it was a 2nd degree tear. I don't really know what that means, other than they told me I tore part of my urethra! Ouch. But actually, as far as recovery is concerned, I haven't been in too much pain. A little sore every now and then, but overall, I feel great! I think a huge thing that helped me throughout the whole labor process was expecting the worst. I figured if I plan for the worst possible outcome, anything less will seem like a piece of cake! And, so far that's been true. And Ben is just the cutest thing ever - so it makes it all worth it. If I could have the same birth experience all over again, I'd have a million children! :)
Okay, okay, I know you're not actually here to read what I have to say - so I will stop talking now and just post lots of pictures of Ben! :)
I was at 20 (pitocin-wise) for about an hour before I started feeling anything, and when I did - it just felt like Braxton Hicks; tightening of the uterine muscles without any other pain. I think fairly soon after that, my doctor arrived and broke my water. That's when I actually started feeling the pain. But it just felt like menstrual cramps to me - and not even the worst I'd ever had, either. With the real contractions started now, I dilated to 3cm. The anesthesiologist was just in the next room over, so they said, if I wanted, they'd have him come drug me next. I certainly wasn't anywhere near a 10, pain-wise, but I was pretty uncomfortable, so I told them I was ready for my epidural.
Let me tell you - an epidural is the best thing ever! The anesthesiologist gave me some awesome hybrid of an epidural + spinal tap. He explained the whole process in great detail to me, but it was all just medical mumbo-jumbo, so I don't really know what he did, but I could not feel a thing! He actually had to scale back on the meds a little bit because it worked too well on me. haha.
After getting the epidural, I finally was able to get some sleep. They keep you all hooked up to pressure cuffs, and belly monitors, etc. and so I couldn't really lay on my side (which is the only way I sleep, because it hurts to lay on my back because my spine is curved), but with the epidural I had no problem sleeping on my back at all - yay!
While I slept, my body did all the work and by about 5 am, I suppose, I was finally dilated to a 10 and they had me start pushing. It was extremely weird to push without feeling anything. They tell you to push like you're taking the poop of your life. I've been having bowel movements my whole life, so I figured I could handle that much. :) But unlike pooping, when you push with an epidural, you don't get the satisfaction of feeling anything "moving down." So, you just have to push and push and push and the doctor keeps saying, "that was so good", "you're almost there", "I can see this much of the head", etc. I only had to push for about an hour and a half (which they told me was pretty average for a first-time mom being induced) and he came right out.
When Ben came out, they pulled him out and up so I could see him. He looked like an alien. That was the weirdest looking thing I had ever seen! haha. I was prepared to see some purplish-white, puffy little body. But it was his head that was crazy! He had been turning his head all around the whole time I was pushing, so his bump on his head was really off to the side. I was also surprised that he had any hair at all! My family generally had bald babies, so for him to have hair - that was weird.
My little alien baby
My human baby! :) Isn't he so cute?!
Okay, okay, I know you're not actually here to read what I have to say - so I will stop talking now and just post lots of pictures of Ben! :)
Sleeping after a bath
Warm and dry after his bath
Sleeping next to mama (we were both exhausted!)
Doing what babies do best.
Making faces while Mom tries to burp him
Going home! First time in his convertible carseat - he doesn't look very comfy!
Finally at home!
(If I left anything out that you would like to know, just tell me and I will add it in!)
