Parker's BIRTH NIGHT

I had many "Braxton Hicks" contractions for about two weeks before Parker was born. I even felt like I was in labor a couple times prior to him coming. Our sweet Bubbs, came to us a little early. 10 days before he was due, they discovered that his heart rate had dropped two times in a 20 minute period. It was significant enough that they ordered an immediate induction. I was so surprised and also worried. They sent me right over to labor and delivery and I called Greg to tell him that they were going to induce me. We were super excited but a bit anxious because of his heart rate dropping. They induced me at 6pm, gave me pitocin (so they could speed up the process, so the little guy could get out quickly). They started the pitocin at 4 levels(she told me the highest legal amount was 20) and that they would increase it by 4 every 20 minutes. The contractions were pretty strong up to that point, but not too bad. I couldn't really talk through them, but I wasn't moaning in pain. My Dr. came in at 8:20pm to break my water. Pretty much, right after that the contractions got really strong. They were also upping the pitocin, so that contributed to the intense contractions. I wasn't sure about if I wanted to get an epidural. My hope was to try with out one, for as long as I thought I could (until I felt the pain was more than I wanted to try to handle). Once I found out that the medicine would not go into my blood stream (therefore, not causing the baby to be tired or out of it), I decided that I was ON BOARD. The contractions were getting very painful, so I decided I would get one. I told her I wanted to wait a little while longer to get it. The nurse said "If you're going to get it anyway, you should probably get it now, because your contractions are quickly going to get even stronger. " I saw what she was saying, and I knew I DID want an epidural, so I told her to go ahead and call the anesthesiologist. He came at 9:15pm (5 or so minutes after I asked for one). That's when Greg was able to make it to the hospital, because he was waiting for my mom to get to our house, so she could stay with Kate.

This time, the epidural HURT! Last time, with Kate, it didn't even hurt very much. So, I was ticked, because the contractions were hurtin' SO bad and he wanted to put that needle in my back too. My contractions were about 2 minutes apart at this point. I think I was dilated to a 4 or 6. I can't remember. I think at this time, I was at 16 on the pitocin scale (out of the legal 20) and it was doing its job a little too well. Contractions were very strong and very close together. The epidural worked for about 3 contractions, and then my labor started going SOOOO quickly, that the epidural "couldn't keep up" (as the nurse said). Within a very short time, and a few VERY painful contractions, I could feel that the baby was ready to come. She couldn't believe me. I demanded that she call the Dr. and tell him that the baby is about to come. She checked me and said "You're complete!"

Apparently, I had dilated from a 4 to a 10 in 45 minutes. The Dr. came within just a few minutes. The contractions were VERY strong and I was so mad that the epidural wasn't working...again (it wore off with Kate during the last 3 hours of labor). I also asked the nurse to get the other Dr. to come give me more numbing medicine. I didn't want to feel the last part again. That was PAINFUL with Kate. He and my Dr. came in just around the same time. I got the extra shot of medicine, and was ready to push that sweet baby boy out. My Dr. was amazing, because he was very assertive, calm, and a good coach. He also was very expert and steady handed. I got to watch the entire birth and it was sooooo amazing. I pushed about 4 or 5 times and that little sweetie was born! He came to us at 10:56pm (so 5 hours since they induced me). They found that his umbilical chord was over his shoulder and around his leg or waist. That was why his heart rate kept dropping. Words cannot express my gratitude that they could see this in a test earlier that evening. They placed him right on my tummy and cleaned him off while he was lying on me (which was great). We were obviously in love with him immediately, and have been ever since.

So, the labor at the hospital was short but painful and the delivery was fast and I didn't feel any pain. Hooray! He weighed 7lbs. 15oz. and he was 20 and 1/2 inches long.

We are TREMENDOUSLY grateful that the Dr.s were able to detect that Parker's heart rate was dropping so significantly, and that they ordered the induction. We love him so much and feel he is a gift to our little, (now bigger) family :)