a baby story

Here's how it all happened.

Around 3:30 on Wednesday, October 22nd, Camden and I decided to go for a stroll down the street to this big field so we can play. I was hoping the brisk walk would maybe start my labor (little did I know!). So, we stroll to the big field and I, at over 40 weeks pregnant, start throwing the football as far as I can so Camden can go chase it. Well, a few minutes later I started feeling really crampy and was experiencing a low back ache. I remember that cramps and a low back ache are the beginning signs of "real labor". I then realize that they are coming and going every few minutes. Well, I try not to get my hopes up but go ahead and tell Camden it's time to head home. When we get home I decide to sit on the couch and try to time the contractions to see if there is a pattern. Sure enough, they were coming every 10 minutes. I decide to call David just to give him a "heads up". After I get off the phone with him, the contractions are coming about every 7-8 minutes. Hmmm...I decide to finish packing our hospital stuff just in case. I call becca, my sister-in-law who is planning to keep Camden for us when it's time to head to the hospital and give her a heads up as well. At that point, the contractions were every 5 minutes. THAT was quick, I thought. I then talked to the doctor and told her what was going on. She said it was up to me whether or not I wanted to go ahead and get checked out, or wait until the contractions had been 5 minutes apart for about an hour. Well, we decided to go ahead and see what was happening. We took Camden to Aunt becca's house with his bag packed in case he needed to spend the night. While dropping him off, I start to get very uncomfortable. We head to the hospital about 6:15 pm. Contractions definitely getting very painful. We head inside and walk straight into a room. This was quite a surprise since last time we had to wait in triage for 3 hours before a room was available. They start hooking me up to the monitors, but still unsure whether they are going to admit me. Depends on how far I'm dilated and what the doc says. Contractions coming every 3-4 minutes, very painful. At that point I couldn't talk during the contractions. Well, after about 30-45 minutes, the doctor comes in to check. I am 5 cm. and definitely going to be admitted. Yay! Then we freak out a little because it was REALLY happening. We couldn't believe it. Contractions VERY painful. David was watching the number on the monitor that told when the contractions were starting, and he was saying things like "ok it's starting........ok now it's going down." I was squeezing his hand very very hard, according to him. :) After getting my IV (which took SO long!) and doing some bloodwork, they ordered my epidural (thank goodness!!!!). The anesthesiologist had a little trouble with it and had to administer it twice before it actually took effect. I had two lovely little scabs on my back the next day. Anyway, a little bit of pain relief, finally. However, still could feel contractions. Ouch, I can still feel them! Why isn't the darn epidural working?!? The doctor then came in to check me and break my water. 7 cm and clear fluid. Good. Moving along! About 5 minutes after doc leaves, I am in a lot of pain and start feeling a LOT of pressure. I tell the nurse and she checks me right away. She says, "yep, you're fully dilated." I went from 7 to 10 cm within minutes. I tell the nurse that I really feel like I need to push. She gets me ready and tell me she can already see a little bit of his head. Oh my goodness! Nurse pages the doc and tells her to get in there quickly. Epidural not working, but it's ok because I can really tell when I need to push. The doc tells me she sees the head and I ask if there is hair. She said NO and I about freaked out! Camden had a whole head of black hair. Well, 15 minutes of pushing and about 6 contractions later, out he comes! I couldn't believe he was already here. This labor was SO quick compared to my last one. Anderson arrived at 9:56 pm at 7 lbs 11 oz. A whole pound lighter than Camden...crazy! No wonder he came so easily! :) It was such a great experience and I loved every minute of it...even though it hurt pretty bad. It's true when they say you forget the pain! We are so thankful for our sweet addition and are loving every minute of him being here!!!