Despite the fatigue that is finally starting to hit me, I want to share his birth story. We arrived at the hospital this morning to have my water broken, which happened at around 8:00 am. I was 4 cm dilated and about 60% effaced when we started. Contractions began soon after, but didn't really progress as I would have liked, so Evan and I took a walk around the block at around 10:30 or so. After a good walk, I returned to my room and the contractions really amped up quickly and I was asking for the epidural pretty quickly. I was still at 4 cm right before they gave me the epidural, but I had made it to about 80% effaced and the baby's head had descended even more. I got the epidural just before noon and by 1:00 I was nearly 9 cm dilated! By 1:50, it was time to push!
I started pushing at 1:53 and that boy just kept getting stuck! His head got jammed behind my pelvic bone and we were really struggling to get him to move. I gave it all I had, but nausea and fatigue started to affect me after a while. At least we were still able to crack jokes in between contractions! Finally at around 2:45 or so, I brought up the idea of using a vacuum to help him get out. Thankfully, he only needed that help for about 30 seconds (1 or 2 pushes) and the head came out. I had to hold things up for a moment or two (which is easier said than done!) because poor Thomas had the cord wrapped around his neck TWICE! My doc got the cord cut quickly and my baby boy was out!
We were a little concerned about him at first because he wasn't crying the "lusty cries" like they prefer to hear and was doing a lot of grunting instead. Considering the issues with the cord, they were concerned he had mucus or something else obstructing his airway. He was taken to the nursery and given some oxygen and got his back beat on a bit until he started breathing and hollering a bit better.
Once I'm a bit more rested, I'll share a few more details on what's going on with me. Let's just say it hasn't exactly been an uneventful postpartum stay so far. Regardless, I'm just happy Thomas is here and healthy!
