Tuesday, October 29, 2013

William's Birth Story


My pregnancy with little William was an easy one.  I never experienced serious morning sickness, and the majority of the time, I felt really great (I loved being pregnant!).  I kept my regular work schedule and planned to do so until his due date.  My big "birth plan" included the following: 1) get an epidural, and 2) no c-section.  Pretty simple.

I experienced some signs of preterm labor starting at 31 weeks (this involved a brief hospital stay).  I was told to "take it easy" and that this baby was most likely going to arrive EARLY.  An early baby, wow!  He could be here any day!!!  So, Dave and I prepared for an early delivery and hoped we would make it past 36 weeks.

Fast forward to 40+ weeks and I was still pregnant.


very pregnant

As my due date of September 14th came and went, I acted like any normal pregnant girl at 40+ weeks: I complained a lot.  Everything hurt.  My belly was enormous, I felt like a freak show, and I had been having contractions for about 3 months.  Dave and I had done everything we could to prepare for baby's arrival, and we were ready to meet him.  So, my doctor scheduled an induction for September 23rd.

Then, around 2pm on September 18th, I began to feel strong lower back pain along with more painful contractions.  The pain increased throughout the day and by 3am the next morning, I told Dave "this is it!"  FINALLY.  I was so excited!!  We grabbed our bags (which I had packed weeks ago with every necessary provision the internet told me to bring-- camera? Yes. Multiple bags of candy? Check.  Twenty pairs of socks? Packed! Obviously, I was prepared.) and we made our way to the hospital.  We arrived at 4am on September 19th, and I was admitted to labor & delivery.



 happy and smiling, in the early stages of labor (clearly)


I labored naturally until 8:30 that morning, and my contractions were about 3 minutes apart.  But, my labor wasn't progressing fast enough.  So, I was put on a pitocin drip to get things moving.  Have any of you mommies out there experienced the wonders of pitocin??  OH BOY.  That drug is serious.  They tell you pitocin is tough stuff, but I never had a clue just how tough it was.  By 12noon, I was experiencing some pretty intense back labor and I felt like my body was ripping in half.  Like, I was dying.  Actually, I think the only way you would feel pain that serious is IF YOU WERE REALLY DYING.  I'll spare you the details, but I have a new found respect for mothers everywhere.  Child birth is serious business.

My water broke at 1pm and somehow, the pain got even worse (so much worse).  Time for an epidural.  The anesthesiologist arrived in my room around 1:45pm and within minutes I felt relief.  Sweet relief.  My nurse helped me get comfortable, and we thought the drama of labor was over.  The anesthesiologist left the room.  Then, fifteen minutes later, I began to feel a little odd.  My arms felt extremely cold, and my blood pressure dropped.  I felt so sleepy, I could barely keep my eyes open. The baby's heart rate had also dropped.  It was scary.  I remember the nurse calling for help and I thought they were going to order a c-section (which at this point sounded great to me-- silly "birth plan" gone out the window).  My doctor and a group of nurses hurried into our room and after about ten minutes, they were able to stabilize my bizarre reaction to the epidural.  No c-section needed.  They took me off the pitocin, and managed my epidural drip.  Then, I rested.  Two hours later, I began to feel "normal" again (and Dave and I were able to recover from the stress of the situation).  Around 4pm, my pitocin drip kicked back on and things were back on track.  And, most importantly, my epidural was working.  :)

At 6:45pm, I was fully dilated.  And, at 7:07pm it was time to push.  THIS WAS IT.  I wish I could say that I was mentally present during this major life moment, but I really wasn't.  The whole experience felt like a flash.  I pushed for almost an hour.  And just when I was thinking "this isn't going to work-- you guys are going to have to cut this baby out of me," little William was born.  At 7:58pm.  It was the most paralyzing experience of my life.  We heard him cry and I couldn't focus on anything else.  The love I had for this little creature was all consuming.  How could he be mine?  It was a phenomenal moment.




William weighed 8lbs 8 oz (the exact weight I was when I was born) and he looks just like my husband.

{ on his first morning of life }

Dave and I are your typical new parents-- fawning over every little face expression and trying not to freak out over every little problem (is he too hot? is that a rash? is he eating enough?).  But, we're slowly getting the hang of it.  And smiles from this little face make it all worth it.

{ cuddling with Dad }

I promise not to flood this blog with mommy & baby related topics (although, I will post a few things here and there).  But, I can't make any promises for Instagram, where I shamelessly post pictures of my baby on a regular basis (follow me @kellyrobson).  I can't help it.  I'm a mom now.  :)


...



No Comments Yet, Leave Yours!

Katie Waddell said...

Tears in my eyes!! I have three boys, had my first vaginally and the last two by C section...yes C sections are that bad, however when it's whats best for your baby you gotta do it. :) LOVE hearing birth stories, takes me back to all three of mine, the day(s) your life changes forever. Thanks for sharing and Congrats he is beautiful!

Alex said...

he's so cute!!!

Lindsey said...

Awe! Congratulations! I loved reading your birth story. It brought back so many memories of my own son's birth just a year ago. His first birthday is approaching on the 9th, and the range of emotions I feel right now is scary. Hold on tight to your little sweet angel because boy oh boy does the first year go FAST!!!

Unknown said...

Congratulations again, Kelly! And thanks for sharing your birth story--it's always so neat to get a little peak into what a mama's unique journey was like. William is beautiful!

Jennifer said...

This brought tears to my eyes! Welcome baby William! And welcome to the club, Momma :)

Libby said...

What a story Kelly... Well, I guess each birth story is so unique! I pushed for 7 hours (yep, that was 7!). And yes it is exhausting!!!! Enjoy your most wonderful son!

kayce hughes said...

I could listen to birth stories all day long. Mine were long enough away that I only remember the good parts. I hope that you are enjoying this sweet time.

Amy Williams Hall said...

Oh my, this made me so teary! Out of joy for you and your experience (When he cried and you could hear nothing else..such a sweet, heaven-sent moment!) and just reliving my own labor. Argh.. :) So bittersweet, isn't it all? I waived the epidural because oddly my contractions were somehow tolerable...BAAAD decision!! Oh my word, my hard labor was INTENSE! Next baby, epidural for sure!!! Thank you for sharing!

charlotte | the vintage vogue said...

No need to apologize - you're a mommy! Post and post and post. I think I speak for the majority here when I say we love it! This was such a touching story. I love hearing birth stories. Happy that you made it through without serious complications. He's so precious :)

Julie Richard - Shelter said...

Amazing story!!! Congratulations!! Every Mommy has their birth story, it's your medal of honor!! Enjoy, he's precious.

ps. my story was a bit similar but I ended up with a "C" section!

Best,
Julie
Shelter

Holly Gruszka said...

I still get teary eyed anytime I read a birth story - if you're a parent you know what an incredible experience it is and how humbling it is. I'm so happy for you and it sounds like you are all doing great. Quite a scary moment for you but it sounds like you handled it like a champ. I also had great prengnancies and LOVED being pregnant - I wish I could have 10 kids but that isn't happening. Just enjoying our two girls :) Enjoy every little moment with your little man and congratulations again - it's like you finally get into a spot where you can say "ok, I can do other things again without feeling like attached to the baby right " ? Fun stuff. And such a fun season ahead (holidays are even BETTEr with kids).

Unknown said...

Congratulations!!! Thanks so much for sharing your story. William is such a little cutie!! :)

Laura said...

Congratulations! And flood away! I'm feeling particularly nostalgic for babies because it really is all over for me. I have two boys -- the younger one just started kindergarten and the older one - named William! - is a 7th grader who is taller than me now! Wah! By the way, my William has asked that we now call him Will...the cliche is true...they grow up so fast!

Beau lifestyle said...

Congratulations, every childbirth is so diferent, Wiliams face is precious though. I am due of my second baby the 5th of january, another boy.
kisses Chantal

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your beautiful baby! He's adorable. I can't wait to see his awesome nursery as well! That is, if you'll show it to us:)

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...