A Baby Story

It has been 2 weeks now since Rex William Rowland joined the world, and I realized I want to write down all the details of his delivery before I forget them, so I will blog. 

Where shall I begin?  How about on Wednesday (Apr 28th).  I was really thinking Wednesday would be my day to go into labor.  Why?  I dont know, wishful thinking, womens intuition, the force of the full moon that night?  So when nothing happened that day I was kinda bummed and thought well I think it is going to be May now before the baby comes.  So we went out to eat at Taco Bell for dinner and we took Amelia to the dog park, then we came home and watched American Idol.  Basically just a nice normal quite evening.  I was up (like normal) in the night about 2am for a potty break, then back to sleep.  Then at about 4:30am I awoke again.  I rolled over and thought hmmm another bathroom break already.....and then it happened!  My water broke!  I just knew instantly that was what it was.  I jumped up and ran to the bathroom and confirmed it.  I came out and whispered, "Will....Will".  I got a grunt out of him so I broke the news.  "My water just broke".  The way I remember it he sat straight up and said, "ok lets go to the hospital!".  He was dressed in a flash and was racing around the house.  I followed my Drs orders and ate some breakfast before we left the house.  I did have a pre-packed hospital bag so we just added a few last minute things (which I had made a list of several nights before) and we were off. 

Because it was early in the morning we entered throught the ER entrance and went to the desk.  Neither one of us said anything as we approached the counter the lady behind the desk just looked at us and said "Looks like you need to go to the 4th floor." (which is where the labor and delivery is).  So we were off.  They confirmed right away that my water had indeed broken and said I was about 2 1/2 cm dialated.  (which was about 1 less than what my Dr had said on my Monday appt, apparently it isn't an exact science).  So they monitored me for a little bit and then said it was time to walk to help the labor progress.  So we walked the halls of the 4th floor for about an hour.  It was still only about 6 in the morning so it was still kinda early to call anyone so I sent a few text and figured I would call the fam later.  After our walk they checked me again and said I had made some progress so after some monitoring they would have me walk for about another 45 minutes.  I was starting to have some contractions at this point but they weren't bad at all.  So pretty soon we were up and walking again.  By now it was later so we notified all the parents and siblings and work.  They had said if I didn't progress enough in the next hour they would probably give me some pitosen.  When they checked me next time I cant remember for sure (see I am already forgetting the details) but I think I was at 5cm and they said that was good enought and they wouldn't have to use the pitocin.  The contractions were starting to get more intense at this point but they were managable.  Will was right there by my side the whole time doing whatever I needed.  As the contractions started to get more intense he really helped me get through each one. 

When we started I had said I might get a epidural I might not, I wanted to see how it went.  I went back and forth throughout the morning saying I think I will get one when its time, or I dont think I want one.  At one point I was on the birthing ball and they were getting really intense, especially in my lower back.  The nurse came in and I said, "am I far enough along to get an epidural?"  She seemed almost a little suprised I was asking but she said that I had done so well already and that I didnt have much more to go.  She said they could start me on an IV of some drug (cant remember now) that would help take a lot of the pain away, she said would would make me feel very relaxed almost kinda goofy.  The more I thought about it I thought, this is possibly the most important day of my life I dont want to be feeling goofy or numb for it!  I want to be aware, and alert, and focused!  So I guess I decided right then and there that I didn't want any drugs.  So the labor continued drug free.(my old DARE officer would be so proud)!  Quite possibly the most awful painful part was from 8cm to 10 cm.  The contractions were really awful but it wasn't long and they said they thought it was time for me to start pushing.  And strangely enought the pushing was somewhat of a relief.  I actually felt better to push than to just have the contractions.  I dont remember exactly when but at one point they said they needed to put a monitor on the babys head because the one on my stomach kept losing him.  I think it was while doing this that they realised he was head up instead of head down like they want them to be for delivery.  (which would explain the intinse back pain I had been having.)  So it seemed strange to me but they had me get on my hands and knees for a while.  I didn't think that would really do anything but sure enought next time they checked me he had flipped and was now head down.  As the pushing continued I began to feel more and more exhausted.  30 min passed, 1 hour passed, an hour and a half passed, then 2.  Finally around 2 hours my Dr brought in another Dr to get a 2nd opinion.  They said I had works so hard all day and they really wanted me to be able to deliver the baby without a c-section.  I think that might have remotivated me to keep pushing I did not want to have a c-section!  They ended up doing an episiotomy and a few pushes later out came Rex.  I guess he came out with his little hand on his head, which was making it even harder for me to push his head out!  They immediatly laid him on my chest and suddenly all contractions, pain, 3rd degree tearing, and exhaustion of the last 12 hours were gone and here was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.  He was perfect 10 fingers, 10 toes, a full head of hair, a sweet little cry, 7lbs 12 oz, 19 inches long, and he was ours!  The End