Marvelous Monday at Birth Stories on Demand ❀

Today's featured bump picture comes from bff Jenn ☄

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Today's Friend of the show is the amazing Toni of

 The Unbridled Editor ✔

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Today's Featured Birth Story is

Molly's Birth of Evan

Evan was born on Halloween night right at trick-or-treat time ☽

             I was eight days overdue, and though we didn't want to be induced (and my doctor prefers a totally natural, drugless birth.)  We were scheduled to go to the hospital at 8:00 a.m. on Halloween.  When I called ahead to make sure there was a bed, the hospital told me to stay home, and that they would call me when a room became available. I cried — I wanted to go to the hospital right away.  It wasn't much later they called, however, and we were on our way.

          When we had agreed with the doctor that, if we hadn't had the baby by Halloween we would go in to be induced, we agreed to start with the Prostin gel.  I had one contraction that morning, but nothing more before going to the hospital.  Once I got settled in my bed with my pretty hospital robe, they started the monitor.  After about 20 minutes of monitoring, the nurse checked me (I believe I was 3cm dilated) and prepared for the gel insertion - it was about 12:00 noon.  At that time, the doctor told my husband and me that it could take four or five applications of the gel, and up to 12 hours.  (They even ordered me a lunch tray.)  I was a little disappointed because I was so ready to have that baby then and there.

          After the gel was in, the doctor and nurses left the room.  Well, much to everyone's surprise, my contractions took off!  There was no down time between them, and they were very painful.  I also noticed that the baby's heart rate had dropped, so I told Chris (my husband) to get the nurse.  Several nurses rushed in and were preparing for an emergency C-section.  One of the nurses was able to help me onto my hands and knees and the baby's heart rate returned to normal, thank God!  They were tempted to flush the gel out, but I stabilized, so they left everything alone.  However, I was paranoid about the heart rate for the rest of my labor and continuously asked Chris what it was.  The contractions didn't slow down much either.  (I wasn't prepared to be in that much pain right away.)  I thought I'd be building up to that level over the next couple of hours.  It was hard to get comfortable, and poor Chris didn't know what to do for me, so he ate my lunch!

          Not much time had passed and the doctor came back to check me again.  I was at least 4cm, and because the contractions were so hard and close together, she decided to break my water.  There was some meconium in the fluid, so we were a little concerned.  After that, I got a little relief between contractions, but still could not get comfortable.  We tried the shower, and that was awful.  Sitting on the hard shower stool was unbearable.  The nurse then brought the big ball in.  That was the best position we could find.  I stayed on that thing until my back got fatigued, at which point I returned to my bed.  I remember falling asleep between contractions for about one or two minutes, but even that sleep was great.  I could hardly talk to anyone because I was so sleepy (or exhausted).  It seemed to take forever to get from 4 to 5cm, and sometime during that wait, I began to shake and shiver.  I didn't realize at the time that I was going through transition.

          About 3:15 p.m., things started to pick up.  Once again, we surprised everyone, and I went from 5 to 10cm in about 45 minutes.  I started begging for an epidural sometime around 6 or 7cm, and can remember thinking that I might never be able to do this again.  My husband talked me through those contractions, and I stuck to my guns and did not get the epidural.  I am so happy I didn't.  Despite how painful it was, I don't plan on an epidural for any future deliveries either.  I was begging to push at 8cm, so I made the nurse check me practically between every contraction because I was sure I was ready.

          At 4:30 p.m. I finally heard the words I had been waiting for.  "You're at 10 - you can push."  They dimmed the lights and started preparing the room for delivery.  I started pushing with both my husband and a nurse holding my legs, but that was very uncomfortable.  My doctor had a "U" shaped bar ("pushing bar") brought in, and tied a sheet around it, then gave me the ends of the sheet.  That way, I could pull myself up whenever I felt ready and didn't have to wait for the nurse or Chris to get into position.  It was great!  I grunted and groaned, and an hour and a half later at 6:06 p.m. (also trick-or-treat time), Evan Ward was born.  There was such a relief after his head was out.  The doctor told me to stop pushing because she wanted to suction him due to the meconium in the fluid.  Without any help from me, the rest of him slipped right out.  He was clean as a whistle and started crying before his whole body was out.  Once he was out, they told me it was a boy and immediately put him on my chest.  Then they let Chris cut the cord after it had stopped pulsating, and Evan stayed right there for the next two hours and nursed.  It was wonderful!  I couldn't believe how beautiful he was, and that it was all over.  The absolute INSTANT he was born, I forgot about all the pain, and knew I could and would do that all over again in an instant.  I immediately felt as though I had found my purpose in life - to be a mom.  Chris went to the waiting room to tell his parents and my mom, and they came back to our room right away to see their new grandson.  Everyone, including Chris, had tears in their eyes.  I was just excited - not a single tear.  I hardly remember delivering the placenta, and couldn't have cared less about being stitched up (small episitomy and slight tear) - all I could think about was how beautiful this baby was with his big hands, big feet and perfect skin.

          I eventually let them take Evan over to the warmer to be weighed and measured - 8Ibs. 10oz. and 21.5inches.  Daddy helped give him his first bath.

          He turned one year old today, and I can't believe it. I cried when we sang "Happy Birthday" to him.  He is a healthy (never been sick) happy, smiley, and funny little boy.