John's birth was different than my prior two in that I started having "real" contractions at 33 weeks which got progressively stronger, closer together, lasting longer, etc, as time went on. I was nervous that I was going to have him early and nested furiously. I was all ready by 35 or 36 weeks and settled in to wait. Imagine my surprise as weeks fell by.
37 weeks was Christmas and we were kind of wishing he'd come that week for that nice tax benefit. The morning of the 31st came and I actually had some nice contractions going, but again they fizzled out.
At 38 weeks and 5 days I had a doctor's appointment where we discussed that I was coming down on the "deadline" for VBACs in their office. They preferred to induce at 40 weeks, but I was sure I wanted to my little guy to pick his own birthday. I scheduled my next appointment for 40 weeks and 1 day, really hoping I wouldn't make that.
That evening, I began losing little bits of my mucus plug and all weekend I had lots of random contractions. My body sure felt like it was trying to do something active. I tried to check myself the evening I started losing my plug and thought that I felt about 2-3 CM dilated and very soft, thin and stretchy. We were hoping to make it to late in the day at 39 weeks and 2 days since my parents were coming that day and we hoped they could watch our girls when we went to the hospital.
Monday, January 9, 2012 (39 weeks and 1 day) dawned with me waking up at 6:20 to a nice contraction. I didn't think too much of it, as I'd been having so many. Chris and I got up to do our usual morning workout (after doing P90X for a while, we were just starting up P90X2). As I was getting ready, I had more contractions and when we got down there for the workout, it was clear that anything I did was causing a contraction (and we were just trying to warm up and stretch out a little). Because we wanted to wait another 36 hours, I made the call to go back up to bed and rest and drink water.
I laid in bed for a good hour, drinking water, coping with contractions and timing them to see what was happening. When I was in bed, they would stay 15-20 minutes apart, but they were definitely pretty painful. I was getting bored with laying in bed and decided I at least wanted to brush my teeth and get dressed, so a little after 8, I got up and bam, as soon as I was out of bed, my contractions were coming close again. I got together as quick as I could and went down to lay on the couch.
Again, while laying down, they spaced back out, but were pretty strong. I had Chris take care of the girls and get me some breakfast. I urged him to take a shower. I had to get up to use the bathroom a few times and every time I got up, the contractions got down to about 5 minutes apart. It was around 9 or so and I sent our sitter a message to be "on alert" and then I called my mom to let her know what was up.
For the next 2 hours, I mostly laid on the couch and the contractions were pretty spaced out - around 20 minutes apart unless I needed to get up to use the bathroom. But they were getting progressively stronger. At about 11:20, I had a contraction that REALLY rocked my world and was accompanied by a pop (not sure what that was). I decided that laying on the couch was doing nothing but spacing my contractions and it seemed they were progressing anyway. I remembered that some women found that moving around actually got their false contractions to stop and I wanted to clean up a little around the house and finish packing my bag, so I decided to see what would happen.
I got up and used the bathroom again and decided to check myself again. It seemed that I was now about 4-5 CM, as best I could tell. As I was up and moving, the contractions got closer and closer together and were definitely hard to cope with. Each one sent me to my knees or draped over a chair. By 11:45, I decided there was no more waiting and I called the sitter. She was there remarkably fast - within about 10 minutes. My contractions were now about 5 minutes apart, but I was also getting random ones 2 minutes apart. We got out of the house just after noon and I called the doctor's office and my parents to let them know we were on our way.
The car ride was horrendous. I was contracting probably every 4-5 minutes and they were 2-3 minutes long and just horrible. It's a half hour drive and I thought I was going to die. I rolled the window down because I was so hot and I had a bowl on my lap. I wanted nothing more than to crawl out of the car - Chris actually asked me if I was going to try and open the door when we were on the highway because I was acting so crazy. He was really nervous we were going to have a baby in the car, but I knew we still had a little ways to go.
Finally, just after 12:30, we pulled up at the hospital and the valet parking line was full. I decided to get out of the car so I wouldn't have to deal with another contraction sitting back like that - I went and kneeled in front of a bench in front of the hospital while Chris dealt with the valet. I was moaning pretty loud and the workers got a bit scared I think. I think too they thought I was alone! Chris was in such a hurry he almost forgot to grab the bag from the truck and when he ran back to get it, he dropped the valet ticket on the ground (but thankfully noticed and picked it up). We went straight in and I had another contraction waiting on the elevator, then another IN the elevator. I was down on my hands and knees moaning and the people in the elevator were looking worried. Chris told them I was in labor and then they got it! Still, I think they were pretty glad when we got off. Thankfully I got a little pause when we went to check in, but I had another contraction there before we could get to the room.
I was SO glad to finally be in the room and immediately stripped my pants and underwear. I refused the gown because I really don't like feeling like a "patient". They put us on the monitors and he was looking great and I was checked by the resident and found to be 7 CM. As soon as I could, I got up and kneeled over the back of the bed. I was contracting HARD and was frankly having a hard time coping, but I hung in there as best I could. I threw up a couple of times, but not nearly like I did with Becca.
I kept peeing with contractions too, which I thought was really annoying, so at some point I went into the bathroom to try and empty my bladder, but I don't think I was entirely effective. At this point, I started feeling a bit pushy and the nurse yelled at me not to push on the toilet. After that contraction, I got back on the bed and told them I was feeling pushy. I was told not to push and to pant. HA!
The resident came and checked me again and proclaimed me an 8 and I really shouldn't push. I didn't have much choice, but I was trying not to push hard. It seemed like not long after, I was really pushing and my midwife finally arrived and checked and said I was complete and could go ahead. All along, I could feel John moving into position in my belly - he was very active. Chris was great and held my hand when I needed, got me water and my hair tie and tried to find ways to help me cope by rubbing my back and pushing on my lower back where the pain was the worst. He was awesome.
At this point, things got pretty crazy. I think it was about 1:20 when I really started pushing hard. Quickly I felt something bulging and they said it was the waters bulging out. And then they popped and there was water EVERYWHERE. I didn't remember it being that much with Becca! John was having decelerations and they were getting concerned about him, so they kept trying to get me to breathe oxygen (which was for some reason really hard because I was totally full of snot after throwing up so much). They were telling me to push really hard and I was trying, but I also really didn't want to tear again.
Then finally they insisted I turn on my side and they lifted my leg up really high in the air. I kept trying to grab myself to support my tissues (well, that and my midwife was really trying to stretch me and I was fighting her) and they kept putting my hand back on my knee, which felt entirely unnatural to me. Finally, after pushing very hard, John McNary Alexander was born into this world at 1:33 PM on January 9, 2012. Once his body slid out, I felt incredible. They wrapped him up and put him on my stomach and after a very brief cry (maybe a few seconds), he went to sleep. Chris and I just marveled at this beautiful boy we made.
Things slowed down a lot after that and we just hung out waiting on the cord to stop pulsing and the placenta to deliver. They finally placed my heplock and they wanted to start me on pit or give me cytotec, but I refused. I got all kinds of grumpiness over that, but I told them to wait until they saw an actual need. Finally the cord stopped pulsing and Chris was able to cut it (for the first time!). Not long after that, it was time to deliver the placenta and the midwife was pretty aggressive about that - she really massaged my uterus which sucked and then after the placenta was out, she went in search of clots, which REALLY sucked. I kept telling her to stop, but I guess she really felt it was important. Yuck.
It turned out I did have second degree tears, same as with Becca and the stitching again hurt and seemed to take forever. I am not responsive to the numbing agents, so I felt almost every stitch and some of them I wasn't even remotely numb for and those really hurt. Meanwhile, they took John over to the warmer and did his eye goop and vitamin K (which you cannot refuse in the state of NY) and Chris got to help trim his cord down. Finally the stitching was done and they cleaned me up and changed the bed linens so I wasn't sitting in amniotic fluid anymore. LOL
And then they took John to weigh him and and he was 8 lbs 14 oz! Much bigger than my girls. He latched on soon after and has been nursing wonderfully. Later on they measured him in at 20" with a 35CM head. He is incredibly sweet and peaceful - almost nothing makes him cry. He's had some wonderful alert periods and, just like the girls, is already trying to hold his head up and look around. We couldn't be more pleased with our little son!
Susan - 30 married to Chris - 32
Catherine Anne born via c-section June 30, 2008
Rebecca Marie born naturally April 18, 2010
John McNary born naturally January 9, 2012
Congratulations on your sweet boy. What a great birth story!
Me (24) + DH (27) + Baby (2.19.2011--born on my birthday!)
Congratulations again! I am so impressed that you already have your birth story written! Enjoy that cute little boy!
Me-29 (+7)DH-36
Feb 2009 Katherine Ann born Feb. 20, 2010 Josephine May born Feb. 4, 2012
Chart (PP and 2nd pregnancy)
DDog "Gerry" 11 yo Cocker Spaniel living with hypothyroidism & epilepsyDDog "Mission" *Forever in our hearts* 1999-2011
Wow you are a superwoman!!! Congrat's!
Miss : 38 DH: 39
My beautiful family 15yrs,13ys,11yrs, boss baby!
Emergency c-section due to baby in distress,post-partum hemorhagging-7-6-11
http://tcoyf.com/members/mce120210/charts/default.aspx not updated
-7-6-2011 took us 13 cycles while charting
Thanks ladies... I write it quick so I won't forget it. This time around I had the benefit of being by myself in the hospital mostly, so nothing better to do than write up the birth story. :)
YAY! I'm so happy for you. I've been "following" your pregnancy and I'm glad you made it to term before he decided to join the world.
Impressive that you were able to write your birth story so quickly. I think it took me 4 months to get to mine!
Congratulations and enjoy that sweet little boy!
Danica (29), DH (31), Married Oct. '08
Adelyn Mae born July 8, 2011
Congratulations!! I was so excited when I saw your updated ticker! And again, you have the birth story up super quick... you're awesome! And congratulations on baby John!!
me: 30 him: 30 the brand new little guy and the 3 furry ones2 always remembered 9/2/2010 and 12/22/2010My Online Charts My Uploaded Charts See my bio for complete history
Arrived 3/30/2012 at 10:15 am at 40 weeks, 2 days!
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Congrats - I too am amazed you got this all written so quickly and had the energy to do it - go mama! He is beautiful. And I love your ticker "John is "1" day old" - how precious these moments in time are!
Me-39DH-40DS-23DD-15TTC#3 since June 2007; Endo, Seven 's, Still plowing on....
Finally, DS #3 - 1, September 21, 2010
August 2011 at 5.5 weeks
Can't get the idea of TTC out of my head but adoption is definitely on the table for #4!
BFP Dec. 26, 2011 at 11 dpo (I think) - Total Shocker!
12 dpo beta = 158
14 dpo beta = 324
19 dpo beta = 2400
1st u/s 1/11/12 = measuring 6wks1d with a heartbeat!!!
- DD#2, lost at 16wks3d, March 23, 2012. We love you!
Congrats on your adorable little boy! Such a quick birth - maybe next time you'll be planning for home
C
Congratulations on the birth of your son!
Me 35 DH 38, 2 horses, 1 dog, 1cat
IVF#1 = DS 12/08 FET#1 = BFN IVF#2 = IVF #3 = BFP
Congratulations on the birth of your son! I love the pic of John with Chris, he looks so pleased with his little guy.
Whoo-hoo!! Congratulations!
June 13, 2011: BFP on 12dpo! 40 months in the making. chart: http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/16c283
3 amazing sons, Natalie Grace arrived 2/12/2012 at 2:18 AM. 6 lb 13 oz!
Great job Susan! Happy your husband was (and is) with you! Congratulations!
Joelle Natalia, born 6/15/2009 8lbs 15oz @41 weeks 5 days
My little baby, I will love you always! M/C found @ 13 w. Baby measured 7w6d. D&C 8/20/10
Melanie Rose, born 7/18/2011 8lbs 9oz @41 weeks 2 days
Congrats, Susan! Saw your new ticker and was excited to find your birth story here already. Glad your labor was fast and everything went well!
Me 34, DH 33
born 1/26/12
2 kitty-babies
10/28/10, 7w6d
Oh congratulations!! In so many ways it sounded just like the birth of my DS1, including delivering on your side w/ one leg up and not being responsive to the numbing agent for stitches. I had the same problem and it's brutal! What a sweet little boy. Congrats again!!
2924 (me)- Happily married since 12/31/05
-Thomas, (Tominus Minimus Cutious Maximus ) born 05-02-08
-Tommy's twin, lost (but always remembered) at 6wks
-Christopher, My sweet little angel, born too early on 09-02-09. I got to hold him for just a couple of seconds before he went home to be with my Savior.
-Evelyn (sweetie pie) Joy, born 09-06-10
Congratulations! I haven't been on this site in a few weeks, such a wonderful update to read!! Your baby boy is precious!
Thanks for sharing your story! Great job and John is so cute :)
http://www.tcoyf.com/members/bunniekrissy/pccharts/3.aspx
Krista (26) and Jonathan (26) - Married September 5, 2009 <3
Evander Jonathan - Born December 13, 2011
BCP-free since December 2009.
TTA 12/09 - 12/10
TTC 12/10 - 4/11
Congrats!!
Me 36, borderline low progesterone, light endo & fibroids removed 10/6/09.... Dh 37, borderline low morphology TTC#1 March 2006 TTC Charts TTA Charts
Me 36, borderline low progesterone, light endo & fibroids removed 10/6/09.... Dh 37, borderline low morphology
TTC#1 March 2006
First BFP 1/09/2010 wild yam root 500 mg cd 1-9, maca root 900 mg until 11 dpo, clomid 50 mg cd 5-9, NPC from 3 dpo, procheive suppositories 1st trimester
16 dpo beta 397, 18 dpo beta 863
9/26/2011
Congrats- I always noticed your ticker because it was one week ahead of mine...hopefully that means I'm almost there!
Congratulations, Susan. So glad your husband got to be here for this birth :) What a precious boy!
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DH Me, and
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. ~Romans 12:12~