It has been quite a year. Christmas is around the corner which marks a year when I announced to B in a late night Christmas card that we were expecting. Yes; I realize the math does not match up because about 5 weeks later at my first appointment I would find out that pregnancy was not viable. It was extremely shocking and unexpected. As sad as it was I am of the full belief these things happen for a reason and my intended earthly angel was still out there for me to love and raise. I was a lucky woman who knew I could get pregnant and had a sweet boy to come home to and snuggle at night. It gave me a new understanding of the brave mamas out there who try for years and go through expensive procedures to have a baby. They are truly warrior mamas!
Then a mere 5 weeks later the little angel I knew was out there intended for us came. I told Brian on Easter enclosed in a plastic egg the good news. The first weeks of this pregnancy were almost harder in a way than losing the previous pregnancy. Even a early ultrasound did not take the edge off but it sure was the sweetest sound to hear the beating of this lil peanut's heart. Going through that experience really made me cherish this pregnancy a lot more than my first with R. I embraced the beauty in my changing body and knew all the aches/annoyances of pregnancy were worth the gift I would receive in the end.
Flash forward.
I worked until 39 weeks despite B's requests I stay home and take it easy weeks prior. For me, it helps the anticipation of waiting to be at work. I also enjoy my job so as long as my body says to go, I go. Finally at 39 weeks and the end of the trimester I could feel it was time. It felt like I was living in the bathroom and the horrible cold that was hanging on since Thanksgiving was not making matters any easier.
So on the Wednesday of my first week off I was home alone. My mom always watches R on Wednesdays. It was a day where I could just rest and really shake this cold. I napped, did some chores around the house, talked to some friends on the phone and grabbed a couple more Christmas gifts. Around 4 pm I went to pick up R. I hung out at my mom's for a little bit and then was home around 5 pm.
R and I had dinner; some yummy cheese ravioli then took him up to bed early. He hadn't been napping well the last couple weeks so I started putting him to bed at 6 pm on those days. When we were walking up the stairs I had my first contraction but didn't think anything of it. I got him down and came back downstairs. Then I started noticing a pattern to my contractions. About every ten minutes. B texted he was on his way home from work and I called him to tell him what was going on. We decided I should call my mom and have her come over. Both B & my mom showed up about 20 minutes later. B showered and by 7:30 pm we were out the door and the contractions were coming about 6-7 minutes apart.
We were quickly taken into triage and they said I was between 6-7 cm dilated so it was truly go time!
By the time I walked to my room the anesthesiologist was already on his way and the midwife was driving from the other local hospital. I think bets were down that I was going to go quickly. The thing with labor and delivery I have learned is expect the unexpected.
Everything about this labor and delivery was different than R's. I am so glad the chaos of his labor happened first so I didn't know what a smooth delivery is like!
The mid-wife on duty for deliveries showed up and I instantly liked her. She was right away supportive and soothing. She asked if I wanted my water broke but at that moment I just wanted to see what my body wanted to do. B and I took that time to hang out. We watched a couple of movies and just enjoyed one another's company.
Around 1:45 am we all decided to break my water because I was still holding at 8 cm. Around 3:45 am I was fully dilated and then they let me labor down until around 5:15 am. At that time my nurse did a practice push with me and then called the mid-wife to say it was a go!
It was so weird to be so present during this L & D. With R's I had so much adrenaline because of his fetal distress I do not remember the details. Instead of 25 people in a brightly lit, cold operating room we were in our hospital room with only B, my nurse Sarah, my mid-wife Samantha, a baby nurse and me. It was dimly lit, we had music on and the feeling of excitement was in the air. If all went as planned I was going to be given the baby to announce to the room if they were a boy or girl and B was given the duty of cutting the umbilical cord.
About 15 minutes later all went as planned. When Brennie was half way out I was able to grab him and put him on my chest to announce it was another BOY!!! A beautiful, perfect, blonde haired boy with 10 fingers and 10 toes. What a wonderful moment. Worth the 9 plus months of waiting to have the secret revealed.
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Brennan Edward
12-6-12 @ 5:53 am
8 lbs 1 oz
20 inches |
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| My labor and delivery nurse Sarah |
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| Chillin' |
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| First family photo with all four of us. Even if one was still in utero and the other in a picture=). |
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| Self portrait time with my bff! |
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| He is here! I think I am tired at this point! |
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| Awwing at his beauty. |
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| B's baby nurse checking his breathing. He did go to the NICU for about 6 hours after his delivery due to some wheezy breathing. |
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| My awesome L & D team! My nurse Sarah, mid-wife Samantha, and B! |
It also was special to me that he was being born on the day it became legal in our state for anyone to marry the person they loved. A day of acceptance.
