Joel's Birthday

I had to include these classic birth pictures again. They just go with the story.

Usually I wouldn't write too much of my gory details of birth, but this time I feel more inclined to share. Especially for all my fellow nurses who like that sort of thing. And this is not your typical beautiful, all natural birthing experience...

Here is a short timeline of events:

7 pm: My awesome friend Ali brings over dinner to share with us and I start feeling some good contractions, although not regular at all. Felt them before so no big deal.

10pm: Ryan and I watch Man vs. Food on Netflix. If I would have known I was really in labor I would not have been watching Man vs. Food. I would have made Ryan rub lotion on my back or something more relaxing. Oh well.

1130pm: Contractions are around 8-10 min apart, and getting stronger. Still in denial it was the real thing. We decide to go to bed and see if they stop. I was able to sleep a little.

130am: Toree wets the bed and Ryan is knocked out. I change her sheets and get her cleaned up while I breathe through a few conctractions. I think this might be it so I go downstairs for a while to time them and walk around. They are about 5 min apart and pretty strong.

315am: I wake up Ryan and ask if he thinks we should go. They are every 2-3 min now and I'm in some pretty good pain with each one. We decide to take our chance and go in. Ryan calls Ali's hubby, they offered to watch the monitor (Thanks again guys!).

330am: driving to the hospital was not pleasant and my contractions got really strong. I'm pretty sure I'm in labor at this point. We have to go through the ER after 11 and they wheel me up to L&D. That took a good 15 min.

345am: They check me and I'm an 8-9. Yep this is it! The nurse offers to try for an epidural but I was hoping not to have one anyway. My water is still not broken. Ryan is being awesome and helping me not hyperventilate during contractions. He even rubbed my back the whole time when I needed it.

Between 350-450am is all mixed together. I feel a gush of water and like I need to push. We call the nurse and everyone comes running. The doctor is in getting gowned up when she says I can start pushing anytime. Well little did we know my water was still intact and the first real push sends my water in a projectile path shooting out all over her. No really... it was movie worthy. In her hair, on her face and in her mouth. Good thing she was wearing glasses. I felt really bad but was a little occupied to care too much.

This was the point where I didn't think I could do it anymore and asked if it was too late for something in my IV. Nope missed that boat. I only had to push for maybe 25 min and he was here. I can't imagine having to do it any longer. My 9 lb 3 oz baby boy arrived at 450 am. He would have come a min sooner but his manly shoulders got stuck.

Going into the hospital, we had two names picked out and when we first held him all cleaned up we knew his name was Joel. My sweet Joel! I love him soo much and am so glad he made it here safely.

Would I do it again? Well, I'm glad I can now sympathize with all my precip and natural OB patients, but I think once is enough for me. We will see again in a few years when we decide to have another one.

Joel's homecoming.

Complete with chocolate birthday cake.