One hundred jumping jacks and seventeen hours of labor later, on January, 19, 2015 at 6:08pm my son made his debut into this world. I had been planning and anticipating for this day to come, and though it didn’t go as I had planned or be what I expected, it was one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
It was early Sunday morning when I noticed my mucus plug had been released. At that point I was 40 weeks and 3 days over due and any kind of progress was happy news to my ears. I had been waiting for what it seemed like forever for the arrival of our baby. My patience had grown thin and I was growing more and more hopeless that this baby would never arrive.
Later that day I decided to go for a walk with my sister around the mall to get things moving, and when we got home I took a recommendation from a friend and added a hundred jumping jacks. It wasn’t until 1 am in the morning did I start having contractions along with a bloody show to compliment it. It started 10 minute apart like mild cramping, but by 6am they were 6 minutes apart and getting progressively worse and more painful. I remember the only relief I had through my contractions was petting my cat Sasha and counting down the minute. When my contractions reached 5 minutes apart my husband and I decided to go to the hospital.
When we reached the hospital we received promising news we would be meeting our son before dinner time that day if not sooner. I was still able to walk through my labor but after being up all night I was beginning to tire and between contractions I would nod off because I was so tired. At 8am I was only 3cm dilated our doctor came in and gave me an option to break my water to speed up the process. I hastily agreed to the procedure. Even though I had wanted a natural birth, seven hours of labor had tested my patience and I was ready to get this baby out.
If there was one thing I wish I had done different it would have been that decision right there. No sooner after they broke my water my labor pains intensified a hundred times worse. I was 4 minutes between contractions with a minute long contraction. By 10am, after 2 hours of labor with my water broken I was ready to either kill everyone in the room, or pull my hair out. I knew at the time I couldn’t go any longer without an epidural. I still wanted my husband alive, and I still wanted to have hair by the end of this so I finally gave in. I remember that moment that epidural was put inside me, I felt like I was in heaven. Within minutes I passed out, and the last thing I remember was me thanking the anesthesiologist and telling him he was an angel.
Five hours later I woke up, refreshed with the biggest smile on my face. Both me and my husband had taken a little nap and we both felt rested after a long night of laboring. Shortly after I woke up the nurse checked me and gave me good news that I was 9cm dilated and almost ready to push. There was a tiny upper lip of the cervix that was still left that we had to push through before we started the final birth pushing. I remember my legs were numb and not feeling any pain down there. It was the best feeling in the world, but it made it harder for me to push because I couldn’t feel myself pushing. I remember just imagining myself pooping when I was pushing and just hoping I was doing it right.
Finally after getting through the little bit of cervix I had left, it was time to do my final pushing. My husband was doing such a great job coaching and helping me through the process. He kept the mood light in the room with his jokes. My doctor brought the mirror out so I could see myself push. It helped me out so much to see my progression when I push. I remember the moment I saw his hair and his head peaking through it gave me such an adrenaline rush. When the nurse asked me if I had one push left I remember screaming, “I have two!” That final push when his head came out and the doctor pulled the rest of his body out was probably one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I was in disbelief. I just couldn’t believe I had carried such a precious human being.
My husband was able to cut his umbilical cord and be there for the cleaning. I remember the moment they put him in my arms I was over joyed. He was more than I could have ever imagined. After the delivery I only had a minor tear and some stitches. The recovery process went very well with little complications. I did have a slight fever through the delivery so my baby and I had to be on a 48 hr watch just to make sure everything was ok. Overall I was very pleased with how everything went. I couldn’t have asked for a better hospital, nurse, doctor, and support staff. I commend those who’ve had natural births and hope one day I will be able to do the same. My first was a great learning experience, and I’m so glad I get to share it with ya’ll.
? Dawn
