(dilated at about 8cm. that's when i put in the earphones and stopped talking)Nothing like a good hike at nine in the morning to get things moving...and so the heavy contractions began.
I felt contractions ever since I was five months pregnant. So, I needed to feel really strong contractions before I knew I was in labor. Slowly, they began. They were fairly consistent throughout the good part of the morning into the afternoon. However, the whole time I wasn't convinced I was in labor. I went with Rick to a young men's activity (watched them weld a sled) and did things around the house. It wasn't until I laid down with the kids for a nap, the contractions didn't stop, but, were getting stronger (a little too strong in the tail bone area) that I realized this may different.
However, I still wasn't convinced. I briefly mentioned it to Rick, but, continued as though nothing was going on. He started timing the contractions while he cleaned the garage. He'd poke his head in the house, "are you still contracting?"
"Yep."
"I think you're in labor."
"no, I'm not." And I said that for a good hour more. Rick suggested I call my mom and have her be available, just in case. She said she'd come down.
An hour later, I texted her wondering where she was. I was having a hard time talking to my neighbor during the contractions (the neighbor had no clue what was going on). When my mom arrived, I was still in denial that I was in labor, I tried on a j.crew sweater she'd bought, and then she saw me through a contraction and said, "you look like someone who's in labor." I started to get anxious.
Rick and I prepared to leave for the hospital, I didn't tell Chrissie where I was going on (I wanted to be sure I was in labor before getting everyone's hopes up). Chrissie just assumed Rick and I were going on a date. And quite honestly that's how it felt. Just Rick and I. No kids. I got Rick's undivided attention (he didn't even have his pager). we got to the hospital around 5:00pm. He sat next to the bed while I rested my head on his arm and he rubbed my arm.
I was at a 5/6 cm when I arrived and three hours later (8:20pm) Jane was born.
This labor/delivery was by far my best and most favorite simply because I was in more control with the whole laboring process. Since I had had Matthew natural, Rick and I knew better what to expect. Also, I knew what I needed from Rick, which made him feel more involved. He even "enjoyed" this labor/delivery because he didn't feel as helpless like he did with Matthew's labor. He rubbed my shoulders, arm, and back. And if I didn't want him to do that, he just stood by my bed. His job was to keep me relaxed and feed me the energy bars and gatorade we packed (we did this while the nurse was gone. we're so sneaky). When I was dilated at 8cm the doctor broke my water and the contractions got really intense (that was at 8:00pm).
I found myself almost losing it and that was when Rick would remind me to stay relaxed. It was Rick that told the nurse things were getting intense (she was busy getting the room ready). I didn't even have to tell Rick. He knew. I loved that he took the initiative. And I love that he was so in-tune with me. She looked at me and then left the room. Soon after, the doctor came in, followed by more nurses, and so began the delivery. I said to the doctor, "I can't do this." (not that I wanted an epidural. I never even thought about it. I just wanted it to be over). The doctor replied, "yes. you can." And I thought, "yes. I can." The baby crowned and the doctor mentioned, "She has hair." I looked at Rick. And I felt no more pain. I got a boost of energy. The idea of a new baby became a reality. The baby crowned for a few minutes before delivering, which prevented major tearing, all the meanwhile the doctor and I talked to each other. And then once she came out I shouted, "I did it!"
Oddly enough, during this whole process, Rick was most bothered when my blood was drawn at the beginning, which was weird since he sees blood drawn several times a day.
(seconds after birth. this picture makes me cry. ahhh...such a lovely experience)Side note: me choosing not to have an epidural or pain medication in no way reflects my toughness. As many of you know, I passed out when Rick gave me a shot to stitch up my finger. And I passed out when a doctor did a biopsy of my uterus. And I've passed out a couple of times when my blood has been drawn.
(The post-lunch face. He's the messiest eater. I feel like I spend the majority of my day washing his face and the floor)
