my labor story!

At around 11:30am on July 29th, 2008 I started feeling serious contractions. They weren’t too intense, but they became steady at around 8 minutes apart. The contractions remained that way until 1:30pm, and then started speeding up. In just a few short hours, they went from 8 minutes apart to 4 minutes apart. That’s when I decided it was time to go to the hospital. But not before stopping at Wendy’s to enjoy the last good meal I would eat for 3 days! My mom and I arrived at the hospital at 5pm and after sitting around for 20 minutes waiting to be admitted, we were taken upstairs and got settled in a room. I was hooked up to all sorts of fun monitors and given an IV. The nurse checked me for dilation upon arrival, and I was already at 5 cm. My contractions increased steadily over the next couple of hours. At around 8pm, the nurse came back to check me for progress, and during her exam my water broke all over her arm! Up until that point my contractions were very low key. They didn’t hurt much at all (in fact, I almost didn’t go to the hospital because I wasn’t so sure I was in labor!). After my water broke, my contractions became unbearable pretty quick! The nurse called down to get me an epidural (during which I used extremely colorful metaphors at the anesthesiologist because he was pressing on my back during a contraction!). I got the epidural at around 9pm, and was feeling pretty good for the next couple hours. Davi Sue and Lacey came up to the hospital to see me and be there for the birth. Brityn and Sara were there as well! As the minutes ticked by, my contractions started getting more intense. After awhile, the pressure got pretty bad too, so I called the nurse in to check me for dilation. Brityn and Sara left the room at 11:45pm. At 11:49pm I started pushing. Things were moving along pretty quickly. After only 20 minutes of pushing, Devin Alexander entered this world. His birth was at 12:09am on July 30th, 2008! He weighed in at an amazing 9 pounds 0 ounces and is 21 ½ inches long! His head measures a whopping 13 ¾ cm (remember now… the cervix only dilates to 10 cm!). His chest is 13 ½ cm and he has 10 perfect little fingers and 10 perfect little toes! I endured quite a bit of damage during his birth, resulting in 16 stitches (14 on the bottom of the opening, 2 in other locations). Every ounce of pain was worth it to see my son brought into this world. I would do it over in a heart beat! He is the most mellow, sweet-natured boy that I’ve ever known. I love him with every fiber of my being!

Did you walk/exercise a lot close to the birth? And when was your son's edd? Was he on time/early? Glad to hear everything went great!! Congrats Mama!

Congratulations mumma!!!   x

I walked almost everyday throughout my pregnancy. I started walking a lot more in the last couple weeks before he was due though. He was due July 24th, but didn't come until 6 days later! Once it got closer to my due date, I started trying out some of the fun wives tales people talk about (walking, pineapple, nipple stimulation, ect). My doctor said I could try castor oil, but I wasn't too keen on the side effects that has on people (the whole day bathroom run wouldn't be too fun!). Devin just decided to come when he was good and ready. And it was totally worth the wait!

ahw. congratulations!