On Thursday night we checked in to the hospital at 10 PM. We signed all the paperwork, got our room, and they hooked me up to the monitors and started me on the meds. We finally got taken off the monitors and left alone at 1:00 AM to try and get some sleep. Ryan was out right away but I had a hard time falling asleep because of the anticipation. The nurse came in at 3 AM to give me more meds, then again at 5. We woke up about 6:30 to get ready for the big day. I got hooked up to the monitors again and was given pitocin at 7 AM. I was dialated to a 2. I was having contraction but couldn’t really feel them, we just watched the monitors to see when they were.
At 9 AM my doctor came and broke my water and said I was dilated to a 2-3. Once my water was broken the pain started immediately! It was pretty bad. I was having contractions 2 to 3 mins. so they slowed down my medicine because I was a little too responsive. I don’t know if the pain was worse because I went from none to a ton, or if it would have been just as bad even with a gradual increase. Anyway, I lasted about a half hour before we asked for an epidural. An hour later, at 10:30 we finally got the epidural. It was great! It made such a difference, I felt no more pain and couldn’t feel the contractions again. I was even able to sleep a little. My doctor came back at noon to check on my progress and was surprised to find that I was fully dilated. It was a bit faster than I was expecting also but we made up for it with 3 hours of pushing.
Asher was just not wanting to come out so the doctor decided to help him and came to deliver him at 3 PM. She did an episiotomy and used the vacuum to help pull him out. The umbilical cord was wrapped around Asher’s shoulder holding him in place so they pulled it around him and Asher came out at 3:26. It was definitely uncomfortable and painful. By that time my epidural had ran out because they turned my drip off so I could push harder. I saw Asher for a second but they needed to take care of him and me since I was in a lot of pain and bleeding a lot. After delivering the placenta and being poked and prodded, the doctor stitched me up (it took forever). I was in a lot of pain and starting to hyperventilate so they turned my epidural drip back on, did some local anesthetic and gave me a shot of a mild sedative. Finally, an long hour later I got Asher. He didn’t really cry at all when he was born, just a few fussy noises. He was breathing really fast and shallow so they had him checked out but he was fine, just needed some time to adjust.
(Warning: DO NOT HAVE AN EPISIOTOMY!!! I didn’t really want one to begin with but hesitated just enough that the doctor had me cut open before I knew it. Anyway, it’s miserable and I think I’d rather risk tearing than being cut for sure. At least with tearing there’s a chance it won’t happen and if it does I will deal with it then. The episiotomy hurt from the beginning and still hurts.)
Wendy and Amy came to the hospital on Saturday to visit baby Asher. What great Aunts.
We stayed in the hospital until Sunday about 3 PM because they wanted to monitor me and Asher for a bit longer. Here he is all dressed and ready to head home. I love the outfit, though it won't fit him much longer.
When we got home Ryan and Asher took a nap. Daddy and son! So cute!
Here's Asher at five days old. I didn't really feel the immediate attachment or bonding with him at the hospital, but I think I might have just been too drugged up. But I'm in love now and get more attached each day.
His big, beautiful, blue eyes.
And this is an extra picture. Look closely and you can see little droplet all over him. I was changing his diaper and he took the opportunity to pee all over himself. Needless to say, it was bath time!
