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Sunday afternoon, Jeff, the kids, and I were getting ready to go to E’s baseball game when I told Jeff that I had had quite a few contractions that day and they were a little more than normal. We left for the baseball game and the contractions continued. When we got home, I decided that I wanted to do something that involved walking and activity. I headed to the grocery store and 2 hours later, I got home and told Jeff that the contractions had started to become pretty painful. Jeff suggested that I sit down and relax to see if they continued.
As I sat down and opened up the computer, I noticed that I wasn’t having contractions anymore, so I gave up on the idea of going into labor that night. I laid down on the couch and fell asleep for a few hours. My mom called to check on me at midnight and I told her that nothing was going to happen that night.
Immediately after I got off of the phone with her, the contractions started up again. Because they were heavy and seemed to be close together, Jeff started timing them for me. We timed them until 2:30 and they were much heavier than I had experienced before. I called my mom back and told her that I thought “this” might be “it”, but I was really nervous to go to the hospital because I didn’t want to get sent home again. She offered to come to our house and sit with me to help me decide if/when it would be time to go to the hospital.
She got to the house at about 3:30. We continued to time the contractions, which were getting harder and closer together. We eventually went walking down the street together with Rusty. After getting back from our walk, I woke Jeff up and told him it was definitely time to go. By the time we got to the hospital, it was 6:00. I was immediately put into a labor and delivery room and assigned a nurse. They started an IV on me and got us all set up in the room. The nurse checked me and said I was dilated to a 4. I knew things had to have changed, but I had no idea how far along I might have been. They told me that I would be staying this time and that we were going to be having a baby today. I couldn’t hide the huge smile on my face and neither could Jeff or my mom.
After a while, contractions got heavier, but then started to die out. I had progressed to a 5, but since contractions had started to slow down, they decided to start me on pitocin. This increased my contractions and made them pretty steady and hard. My pain level went up a LOT. I had intended to go through labor without any medication, but I decided at that point to go ahead and get some medicine to take the edge off. They gave me Stadol and it helped a LOT. I don’t know how it happened, but something set me off and I started laughing. I started laughing so much that I had tears in my eyes and I was laughing at the fact that I was having a contraction and could barely feel it. Jeff started taking a video of me with his phone because I was acting so silly. That stuff was great, but the contractions continued and got harder while the Stadol began to wear off. They did not check me for a while, but all of a sudden, the contractions got unbearable. I wanted to come out of the bed and the thought of trying to get my body to relax was impossible. My mom and Jeff were both doing everything they could to help me get through every contraction. This is one of my favorite pictures of Jeff trying to coach me through a contraction. He and my mom were both such amazing support for me.
I am so proud of you!! Congratulations to you and Jeff! It is the best experience ever! You will love each other so much more than you ever thought you could!
I love that hair! So precious!!
Thanks for sharing your story…he's beautiful!
The pictures were precious on my phone, but that little boy looks even cuter in larger photos!
All that hair is amazing! Your story was wonderfully written. I could picture the looks on your mom's face as she ran Jeff down the hall and first saw Langston.
Get settled at home & I'll come visit soon. Langston has a little something from his Miss Kristin.
Congratulations! He's adorable.
What a great birth story! You did awesome holding out until you were 7 cm! Congratulations, he's absolutely beautiful. It's so indescribable the love you feel for your child, isn't it… definitely something only a mommy understands!
You do not know me but I have been following your blog for about a year now through Megan Smith. She and I are friends from h.school. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you congratulations and that I am so HAPPY for you. I have followed your strugles and your pregnancy very closely and prayed a lot for you a healthy and happy baby. Enjoy him, there is nothing like it in the world.
Congratulations! He is perfect! And the pics of you and Jeff are so sweet!
He is so precious! I know I would do it over and over again too… it's truly amazing.
Himee… I am so proud of you and Jeff. He is so beautiful and I know that you both will be the most wonderful parents to him. Love you and kiss that baby for me!!
I love your story and thanks for sharing it. The pics of you and Jeff are so sweet….brought tears to my eyes and Langston is one handsome little guy! Hopefully we'll get the our group together soon after my baby girl gets here. Lauren's always up for lunch!
Rock on sister! That epi makes everything so much better (and enjoyable).
You did a GREAT job, and that baby boy is precious!!!
Congrats! I'm so happy he is finally here!