Friday, May 10, we went to our 35 week check up with the doctor. I was 3 cm's dilated and based on the stress test from the day before (he wasn't moving as much as I had felt previously, so although the doctors weren't concerned, I went in for a sonogram and a stress test), was having contractions, but wasn't feeling them. My doctor casually, and calmly, told me to take it easy -- she would like me to hold off until week 37 for Declyn to make his arrival. Mike then proceeded to tell our doctor that he was supposed to be out of town for work the following week (his last trip to San Diego) and asked if he should go or not. Her response? And I quote, "How much trouble would you be in if you missed the birth of your son?" AKA, this babe is coming this week and we're hoping that it's towards the end.
We both walked out of the office with shit getting a little more real. I jokingly told Mike that he couldn't come yet -- I hadn't finished reading What to Expect. Mike headed back to work, and we both called family members to give them today's update.
That night we put some finishing touches on the nursery, assembled some more baby items, and talked about how excited we were to soon meet our little man -- guessing when he would arrive. At around 11:00 that night I went and got what I wanted to be our hospital bag, laid it on the bed to pack our checklist of items I wanted to bring (some of which we had just purchased at Target a few hours prior) and went to the bathroom to empty my bladder before I got started. Now this may be TMI - but hey, being as I use this as a journal-type blog, why not? Sitting on the toilet, I hadn't even done anything and all of a sudden water was trickling out. Conveniently, at the same time Mike was in the bathroom washing his face and getting ready for bed. And our conversation went a little like this...
Ummm... Mike, I think my water just broke.
How do you know?
Because I'm peeing without peeing.
I had him go and grab the paperwork from the doctor while I stayed positioned on the toilet (and fluid continued to trickle). I called the doctor who was on-call that night and explained my situation. And here was our conversation...
OK, I'm going to need you to head to the hospital -- but don't rush (speed).
OK, but my water is still leaking.
Honey, it will continue to do so until that baby comes.
Well, what do I do?
Put a towel between your legs.
And so I did. (and of course my loving husband took a picture of it - just so we could remember it and one day show Declyn the sacrifice Mom made in public - ha!)
We checked into the hospital around 12:30 AM and the woman at the registration desk asked if I wanted a wheelchair. I kindly declined, thinking I was fine. Well... I literally turned to walk away from the desk and looked at Mike -- "I think I just shadoobed (my term for poop, compliments of Chelsea Handler) my pants" I murmured as I ran to the bathroom -- "GET THAT WHEELCHAIR!!!" Turns out it was just another gush of fluid- n.b.d.
Truth be told I was changed into a hospital gown, something still between my legs to soak up the fluid, and was hesitant about getting on the hospital bed because the nurse had made it up so nicely and I was still leaking. She definitely laughed a little when she saw my hesitancy and assured me that it was OK to lay down.
Fast forward a few hours ...
Mike's parents had arrived from Williamsburg and my contractions in my back (the only place I felt them) were starting to intensify. My doctor wanted me to wait to get the epidural until my pain was more of an 8 or 9 (mine was a 3) so that I could quote, "know what contractions felt like in case I thought the epidural was wearing off." Not ideal, but OK.
I thought I did great with the epidural (since I hate needles), but Mike claims it would had been much better had I not moved around and the anesthesiologist had to keep re-inserting the thing. Whatever -- after that thing was in it was heaven and I could have delivered all day.
Without getting into too much detail labor wasn't bad -- the actual delivery part took about 1.5 hours (would had taken 1 hour had his head not gotten stuck) and the nurse was having casual conversations in between each contraction.
At 10:30 AM exactly, weighing 6 lbs, 10 oz and measuring 20.5 inches, our little man made his grand appearance -- almost exactly one month early.
Words can not describe the feeling that overcomes you when you get to see your child for the first time. I couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that he was the little being that had been cooking inside of my for the past 9 months (yes, I said cooking).
I was so happy to have captured this moment -- the forever bond between father and son that can not be broken. My husband is so in love with this child and it makes me melt every time I watch him look at him. We made this incredible miracle and we couldn't be more proud.
Our first family photo... give me a little credit, I had just pushed a human out of my body.
I thought this was such a simple, sweet touch. And how cute, they wrote Happy Birthday!
Side Note: Fairfax hospital was beyond amazing. Each person that we encountered (and there were a lot) was sweeter then the previous and we could have not been more grateful for how they treated us and our son. Kudos, Fairfax. Kudos.
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