Introducing: Ian Richard Nelson!!
The long and treacherous pregnancy is over!
Giving birth was great for two reasons: One, I got my baby. Two, I was not pregnant anymore!
So, on to the "birth story". Not much of a story I can assure you, as my birth(s) have been very uneventful as far as excitement and tumultuousness go. And I'm totally okay with that!
Ian's story actually begins a week before he was born, or two weeks from his due date (Jan. 30th) I had gone to my OB a few days ago and she said I wasn't dialeted yet. I didn't want to be induced like I was with Gabe, and I was armed with a treadmill and a belly band, so I figured I may as well get things going myself. I walked two miles and the rest of the day was uneventful. That night however, I woke up with contractions that just would not stop. They went on for a few hours. Of course Erik was on call that night, and there was no babysitter on call to watch the kids. I almost called Erik but then I decided that I would just listen to my Hypnobirthing Relaxation cd and then the contractions stopped, thankfully. The following week was probably one of my hardest weeks, physically. I could barely walk. My hip joints were so displaced it hurt to get in and out of the car; I felt like a crippled or elderly person must feel! I walked around slowly and painfully and people would just stare and me in pitty. I did not have this happen with Gabe or Elisa!
I went into true labor the following Friday. I think my body was quite ready to have the baby so just a routine checkup from my OB was all that it took. I walked out of that office around 2 pm with very mild contractions, but I didn't think too much of it; I had been having those for the past month. However, while at a friends' house picking up Elisa, I noticed that the contractions were not going away. And I just got this feeling that I wasn't going to make it to Monday (my scheduled induction date). I didn't want to hang around for too long at her house because frankly I wasn't feeling "normal". After gratefully receiving a nice wooden bassinet from said friend, I packed Elisa in the car and went to pick up Gabe like any other day. Waiting for an exciting moment? Well, there isn't any. The contractions kept coming. No pain or moaning or yelling like you see in the movies. Erik messaged me asking how my appointment went. I told him I was 3 cm dialated and that I've been having contractions since 2 and maybe he should come home. I arranged for some girls from church that live in our neighborhood to come over to watch Gabe and Elisa so we could go to the hospital. Then I cleaned the kitchen floor because it was embarrassingly gross. And also stuffed my face with some dinner leftovers from the night before because I knew I wouldn't be fed if I were admitted that night.
The hospital was much smaller than the one Gabe and Elisa were born at. Since my water hadn't broke, the staff wanted to make sure I was progressing before they could admit me. I made sure to help that along by walking around the floor. After and hour or so, the doctor check me again and I had dialed to a 4. Whoo hoo. 5 hours of contractions so far and only one centimeter accomplished. I was admitted and stuck about 4 times before a successful IV was placed. I hate IV's like nothing else.
Ouch.
I asked for the epidural around 5 centimeters or so. I felt silly asking for one since I wasn't in any pain (not counting the IV), but since Elisa's birth went so fast after 5 cm I figured better safe than sorry. Well this epidural placement was just as bad as the last one. The dude didn't have the bag of numbing meds properly attached to the needle (DURRRR) so when he went to place the needle, the bag of numbing meds popped and exploded all over my back. But did he try again? Nope! Double DURRRR. He proceeded to stick me with the real deal, several times, with mostly no medication. OUCH. Jerk.
Despite the placement however, I actually liked how this epidural worked the best because I could feel what was going on. I could feel each contraction and the baby moving down and I could feel that they were quite strong, but nothing that had me keeling over in pain. After about 2 hours after the epidural was placed, the nurse told me it was time to push. I gave 3 pushes and baby was out!! I liked that I was sitting up more as opposed to flat on my back like the other kids--I actually got to watch him come out--so neat!! No rips or tears (neither kind!), just a smooth & easy labor and delivery!
This kid was a BIG boy!! Even the OB commented on his size. He weighed in at 8 lbs 5 oz. We were surprised at his size since he came a week early. I guess technically he wasn't huge, but we we expecting him to weigh at least a pound less since he was early. Not only was this boy heavier than my other kids, but he was shorter! A whole pound heaver and a whole inch shorter than my Elisa. A couple ounces heavier than Gabe but and inch and a quarter shorter! He was born at 2:50 am Saturday. Another 12 hour labor for me (I'm completely ok with my long labors!). He looked like Gabe and he looked like Elisa. I guess all my babies looked practically the same!
Overall my hospital stay was pretty good. I liked my nurse and it was nice to just relax and enjoy the baby. I am so very glad and grateful that I didn't have a c-section or stitches! The post-partum time is hard enough as it is. There is no such thing as an "easy" birth, as birthing is never truly easy. There are only good births, and I have been extremely lucky to have 3 good births!
We named him Ian Richard Nelson. Erik liked the name Ian for Gabe but I'm glad we named Gabe Gabe and this one Ian. Ian Richard sounds better than Ian Erik. Plus it just suits him.
I can go on and on typing about how very sweet, beautiful, cute, darling, etc etc Ian is but that would be redundant...the pictures can tell you all of that! But he really is ever so sweet and we all love him very much!!
I love Ian <-- Gabe typed that in!
