But then Friday came and I started contracting. I thought perhaps I had gone into labor on my own, and even earlier! Contractions kept going about every 5-8 minutes apart...BUT they weren't really getting stronger. So we waited at home hour after hour. My contractions had been going regularly for over 8 hours so we decided although they weren't much stronger, we should just go get checked. We arrived hopeful at the hospital but the news was once again not what we hoped. I was only a 2. But I had progressed so the nurses had me walk for two hours and then come back. We came back really hopeful because my contractions had gotten stronger. Not as strong as I remembered with Aben, but stronger. They checked and I was still only a 2. So we left the hospital feeling sad, but excited at the same time. Being a 2 meant I could be induced, and safely so!
July 9th came, and we were so excited. My parents were in town so they could watch Aben and help with new baby and Sean's parents were leaving that day to come see us. Everything was planned and was working out perfectly. But I should have known it was too good to be true. We called that morning to make sure they had a bed, and of course, no bed available-they were packed. They said call back later. So we did...and still no bed. Then they called and cancelled my induction that day completely. Once again I felt like the induction would never happen. So the next day we started over again. We called to check for an available bed and once again we were turned down and it wasn't looking hopeful for the 10th either. But finally the day went our way and we got admitted for an induction on July 10th.
Once we got to the hospital, everything got started really quickly. I knew this delivery would be different then Aben's but I didn't expect it to be as different. With Aben I was in labor from 2am till 4 pm. Noah came MUCH faster. The pitocin was started around 10:30 and my water was broken shortly after. The contractions didn't start of nice and calm like a normal progression. They hit hard and fast. The doctor checked me an hour to two hours after the pitocin was started and I was only a 3. I knew the day was going to be long if I was only a three! And baby was still at a station of 2- (still very high) and only 70% effaced. So we buckled down for the long haul. An hour or less later, the contractions were getting strong and very painful. My husband was a great labor support but with how fast and strong the contractions were I knew I couldn't last long with such awful contractions (I blame the pitocin for making my contractions so much stronger and closer together). So even though I was only a three I decided to get an epidural. I had wanted to wait till I was at least a 6 but...it hurt! So I got my epidural and it was heaven instantly! Sean and I were watching a movie, trying to relax, and about 45 min after my epidural, I started feeling a lot of pressure. I tried to just ignore it cause it had only been an hour and half since they checked me and I was only a 3, so there was no way I was complete. The pressure got more uncomfortable so I called my nurse in just to check. And surprise! I was a ten and baby was coming quickly at a station of 2+. The nurse jokingly said "Try not to push" but she was serious at the same time. So she quickly paged the doctor who got there 10 minutes later. The doctor made the comment that I would probably only have to push twice. I just laughed and said there was no way that would be the case. I pushed for 2 1/2 hours with Aben! So I started pushing thinking I would have to for at least 30 min. First contraction I pushed through and baby was head out. Only one more push and baby was here! Only five hours of labor and only 5 pushes-2 contractions to push through! I was such a better delivery. I did manage to pass out twice after delivering :)..WOOPS. I guess I forgot to drink enough water afterwards and thought I could still get up to the bathroom. Gratefully I didn't fall on the ground...I just got some extra cuddling time with my nurse in the bathroom and then again once she got me into a wheelchair. But all was well after drinking some extra water and some more IV fluid.
Noah was healthy and beautiful! He weighed 6 lbs 15 oz and measured 18.5 inches.How in love we were with him the instant we saw him! I can't wait to get to know him!
While I loved holding my new sweet boy, I couldn't wait until Aben could come see us and his new brother. He loved seeing the baby and was so excited to kiss him and hold him. He was so sweet! He was worried about me too...with all the wires and IV hooked up he wanted to make sure I was okay and was so cuddly. I loved it. What a special moment it was to watch him meet his new baby brother!
