Fast and Furious - Baby Hayden's Arrival

As you could see by my last post, I was definitely ready for this guy! I had a few contractions Friday evening, but nothing that seemed any more than what I'd been having randomly for a couple weeks. I hoped it might be something, but didn't want to get my hopes up too much. Saturday morning at 3am just after settling back into bed from my routine nightly potty break (one of a few that is) I felt a sudden gush -- my water broke! I couldn't believe it was finally time, nor could I believe my water had actually broke as it only really happens in like 17% of deliveries. I also couldn't believe how much fluid there was! So glad that didn't happen in a public location. I cleaned up and read my handy flyer from the midwives, "If Your Bag of Water Breaks", to be sure I remembered what to do and what not to do. Because contractions hadn't started yet I decided to let the midwives rest and didn't page. I also remembered Teresa's voice: "If your water breaks in the middle of the night with no contractions, don't page us. Go back to bed." (she politely followed that with, "well you can page, but we'll just tell you to go back to bed") ;) I was very close to not even waking Loren, as I didn't want to alarm him, but I decided to anyway. He was very calm and both of us went back to bed. Contractions started around 3:30am, but remained inconsistent, between 5-12 minutes apart. I wanted to wait until at least 5am before waking anyone, but as the contractions remained inconsistent I forced myself to wait until 7am. I actually was even able to sleep a bit between them. But I was definitely ready to get up by 7am -- it seemed a reasonable time to "get this show on the road". I got up and went about the house a bit, feeding the dogs and emailing reminders to my summer school students. I also paged the midwives and was delighted to hear Paula promptly return my call. I informed her that the contractions still weren't consistent and that I'd call her when they became closer together. Well apparently just a bit of movement was enough to get them going. After settling back into the bedroom, discussing the events with Loren, they quickly became 2-4 minutes apart. As Loren was getting the car loaded and we were waiting for Ryan to come watch Addie, I called Teresa around 7:30am to tell her the contractions had picked up. At that time I actually still wasn't positive I needed to head in to the birth center, but she decided to go and get the room ready anyway and I said I'd call back in 15 mins to see where I was. By the time that 15 minutes was up and Ryan was here, there was no question -- it was time to leave. We loaded up and headed out -- I called my mom as we left the driveway and that was 7:59am. The contractions had become rather intense by that point and were rather close together -- I felt every bump and was so glad when we arrived at the birth center! I waddled myself in and sat in a chair, just focusing on the contractions as they came closer and closer together (I used Aryn's mantra of "Pain with purpose" to remind myself this was only temporary). Loren settled in with a magazine, Paula continued to ready the room, Shelley soon joined her, and about 10 minutes later my mom arrived. Just in those 10 minute Shelley said my contractions progressed from about 2 minutes to 1 minute apart, but she said I "handled them so gracefully." :) I mentioned that when Paula returned I might like the bath filled, but after having another contraction, upon Paula's return I instead informed her that I felt the urge to push. And I must say that I was surprised by this so-called "urge". With Addie I had an epidural, so I never had this feeling. I imagined it must feel similar to the "urge" to use the bathroom really bad -- such an understatement! Much closer to the urge to vomit (but that's still not intense enough). It's not so much an "urge" as it is a completely involuntary spasm. The thought of a woman being told not to push is preposterous to me -- had someone told me that I think there would have been profanities. Paula decided that we should go ahead and check my cervix, so I hobbled over to the bed. As soon as I was on it I spiraled into another contraction and the game was on! The next moments (no idea how long this was) were a blur of contractions, pushing, huffing and puffing, and screaming (I didn't know I'd be so vocal!). Paula said if I felt like pushing then push because my body knew what I needed -- and my body wanted this baby out! The experience was so intense I couldn't even open my eyes, but clearly remember the sounds and sensations. Loren held my hand and cheered me on with "Great job sweetie! Good push! You can do it!" My mom held my leg and reminded me to "Calm down, slow down" (which seems like it would have been annoying, but was exactly what I needed -- it helped me to focus on my breath and what was happening). I listened for Paula to give me instructions -- push or wait. I have no idea how long it took or how many pushes -- it was the most intense painful experience of my life, but at the same time I remember moments of relaxing and smiling as I enjoyed the moment. I was even able to feel his head as he crowned, which seemed abnormally squishy to me. :) Once he was out, at 8:55am (remember, we left the house at 7:59am!), I enjoyed holding him as Shelley and Paula cleaned up. They actually were quickly called to another birth in the other room, but it was nice to just enjoy the quiet (we heard that other mother a little later, but not too much) with my new baby boy, Loren, and my mom.

We actually didn't end up taking any pictures -- my mom took them all. :) Here is right after delivery.

Paula and Shelley came in and out, checking on me and Hayden, and we made our phone calls. We eventually learned he was 21 inches long (Addie was 20.5) and 8 pounds, 4 ounces! I couldn't believe I carried such a big baby! No wonder I was so miserable. ;) And, I have to say, I had to give myself a little pat on the back for delivering the big guy. :)

Now you can see all 8 lb 4oz. :)

We haven't really come to a consensus on exactly who he looks like yet.

He is very busy with those little hands and loves to scratch his face. We have to keep mitts on him.

My big guy.

Robin and Hutch stopped by (Loren's parents) and then we decided to head home around noon, as I was feeling pretty good and Hayden was doing great.

Can you tell he loved the carseat? :) He crashed immediately after this.

Loren and I reflected on the experience as we headed home, Loren discussing how much he enjoyed the birth center experience (he was skeptical all the way up to delivery). I couldn't help replaying the event in my mind, amazed at all that had happened in just a few hours.

At home we met my mom (she beat us there), Ryan, and Addie, who was actually napping. She really didn't pay much attention to Hayden until later that day, after our visitors had left. She's interested now and then, mostly when he's awake or crying. She likes to touch him and look at him. We've been so busy with visitors that she's pretty sidetracked and she loves being the center of attention -- which she easily steals from her baby brother already. :)

I haven't been the best about taking pics, but we at least have one of him with Grandpa Rick.
So far he's an awesome baby. Excellent eater and big-time sleeper. :)

Thank you to Treasure Valley Midwives and all you women who gave me the confidence to do this. It was quite an experience!