Nathan was born on November 6, 2011 even though my due date was October 30. I went in to my 39 week doctor appointment hopeful that I would soon be done with being pregnant. By that point I was so exhausted and ready to be done. My doctor had been watching my blood pressure and swelling and was all ready to send me to the hospital to be induced.
Unfortunately my blood pressure was just a few numbers away from going to the hospital and when the doctor checked me I was had not begun effacing or dilating, and the baby was still up high. The doctor told me to not be discouraged, to walk a lot, and that she was sure I wouldn't go too far past my due date.
My last day of work was the Friday before my due date because the doctor told me I was not allowed to work beyond that. My due date came and went with no excitement and I showed up to my regular doctor appointment at 40 weeks 2 days. My doctor told me if I was even just dilated to a 1 she would send me to the hospital to be induced but unfortunately I still hadn't progressed at all. She scheduled me to be induced on Sunday when I would be 41 weeks.
I ended up going to the hospital Saturday night because the doctor thought it would take at least 20 hours once I got induced. The nurse told me they would start me on three pills throughout the night and then begin pitocin in the morning. The pills were supposed to help me efface but not start contractions. Within 20 minutes of taking the first pill I started having contractions.
The nurse came to check me after three hours and I was 50 percent effaced, dilated to a 1 and the baby had dropped down into position. By 7 am I was dilated to a 4 and didn't even need pitocin. They gave me my epidural right as my mom and Emily got to the hospital. By 12:45 I was dilated to a 10 and ready to push.
They called the on call doctor, Doctor Warren and I began pushing. I pushed for two hours but couldn't get the baby's head out. At 1:30 the doctor suggested using the vacuum to get the baby out and by that point I was so exhausted I would have agreed to anything to get the baby out. Once she put the vacuum on the baby's head he was out within 5 minutes!
It was the most amazing moment when all of the sudden the baby was out and I heard him cry for the first time. The nurses immediately laid him on my chest and was overcome with how much love I instantly felt for my sweet baby. I held my baby and cried with absolute joy and as I held him he calmed down and snuggled next to me. Emily cut the cord and they took the baby to weigh him. He was born at 2:49 and was 8 pounds 7 ounces and 21 inches long. Matt decided that his first name would be Nathan and I picked David after my dad for his middle name.
I was so grateful to have Matt by my side throughout the entire labor as well as having my mom and Emily there. They were all so wonderful and encouraging and I was so happy to share the experience with them. Labor was such an amazing experience even though it was not how I had planned it but more than anything I am so happy to have my little Nathan here after 9 long months!
Poor kid...he wasn't ready to come. I can't wait to meet him! I'm hoping to come next week, but let me know for sure!! He's darling!!
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