I'll try to be as thorough as possible but in many ways it all feels like a blur. The hours of labor ran together and the days and nights after his arrival did too. Anyway, I'd been having braxton hicks pretty often for a while, but on Wednesday, January 11th, they started picking up. The whole night I had consistent and pretty intense contractions. They were lasting nearly a minute and some as close as 6 minutes apart. I really thought I was going to have our baby that day. I told myself I'd wait until 6am to call my parents and let them know, and just about that time, the contractions completely died down. I was surprised and disappointed. But I just kept telling myself God knew the perfect timing for baby's arrival. The good thing about having those contractions that night was that Alex and I got to practice some of our coping techniques.
Throughout the day on Thursday I had contractions pretty much every 15 minutes. After dinner that night I wasn't having contractions that wrapped around my whole body, instead I just felt them in my back. I was on the phone with my friend, Kortney, and the contractions were getting uncomfortable enough that I was having trouble focusing on the conversation so I said I better go. After I got off the phone, I was pretty sure my water had broken. So I just went to our bedroom and continued on the birthing ball. Alex happened to be talking with his brother in law and sister at this point - his family kept encouraging him to take me to the hospital. So I called my doctor and she said I was probably just in early labor so to continue at home. I was having trouble making decisions - I just wanted to continue focusing on getting through contractions. I also didn't want to get to the hospital and be sent back home. Since they still weren't as intense or as close together as the night before, I just didn't think it was time yet. Ladies: my advice to you whether you're in labor or not, listen to the wisdom of your husband. Alex said the worst thing that could happen with us going to the hospital at that point was that we'd be sent home, but at least we could know if it was true labor or not. So we went :)
I felt so funny because I had imagined I'd barely be able to walk through the hospital doors and instead I was totally able to. So we got all checked in, they said my water had indeed broken, I was dilated to 5, in active labor, and they were for sure admitting me! Thank you, Alex for being my voice of reason and taking me to the hospital when you did! We took a few sets of walking around the hospital and then getting checked to see how far along I was. Soon enough I did not want to walk around anymore as the contractions were getting pretty intense. Alex kept checking with me about when I wanted to get the epidural. I finally said I was ready. They checked me after I got the epidural and I was nearly at an 8. Once I got the epidural, my body was able to relax and my contractions picked up like crazy. They encouraged us to get some sleep and they would call my midwife when it was time to push. At about 6am they checked me and said they'd call my midwife - it was time!! We had an amazing labor and delivery nurse - I don't think we'll ever forget her. My midwife, the charge nurse, our nurse and Alex surrounded me. The room was full of joy and excitement as they prepped for his arrival and encouraged me through pushing. It brings tears to my eyes as I think back to how encouraging and supportive Alex was - I don't remember everything he said, but it was his words that made me feel so empowered and ready to do whatever it took to meet our son. He was truly the best! I started pushing a little before 7am and little Weston was ready to come in a hurry. My two favorite parts of my birthing experience were: 1. The incredible bonding experience to have Alex by my side throughout it all and 2. when they put Weston directly on me right after he came out. I just kept saying "Oh Honey, Oh Honey, he's OURS!!". It was a truly beautiful and incredible moment.
I am SO thankful for a smooth pregnancy, labor, and delivery experience! It was so wonderful to finally have Weston in our arms. After they stitched me up (like I said he came fast and I tore pretty badly), Alex moved our stuff into the new room and they prepped to move us. Well it turns out they didn't realize quite how much blood I had lost so I immediately passed out as they tried to get me in the wheel chair. It was a very odd feeling waking up to the strong smell of whatever the stuff was to wake me up and like 4 nurses rushing all around me and wheeling me like crazy fast down the hall. They got me into the new room where poor Alex was waiting having no idea what was going on - poor guy got quite the scare. The rest of my time at the hospital is pretty foggy in my memory. Turns out my hemoglobin levels were down to 6 something which is apparently REALLY low. I'm not exactly sure how many other times I passed out but there was no way I could even make it to the bathroom (with help) without passing out. So after getting lots of blood tests and my levels not rising, they decided they needed to keep us there an extra day so I could get a blood transfusion. Between all the normal specialists, doctors, and nurses who come to check on baby and mom and all the extra ones I had to have because of blood loss, we had medical staff coming in our room like every 20 minutes. So needless to say, I did not feel up to having guests or even have time for guests. However, we were so blessed to have our families join us as soon as they could. My parents came around noon on the day of his birth and wow what a special moment to see them hold their first grandchild for the first time! Alex's parents, sister, brother-in-law, and their son came around noon the day after his birth and Weston got lots of love and snuggles from Alex's side of the family. We were so ready to join everyone at home on Sunday and were so thankful for all their help that weekend.
I'm so grateful to the Lord for blessing us with an adorable, healthy, sweet baby boy! AND I cannot even express my thankfulness to my incredible husband for his faithful support and encouragement throughout labor and delivery and for all that he did for us during the recovery process - the Lord has truly blessed me with Alex!
Thank you for listening to Weston's story. Here are a few pictures of our sweet Little One!
