After that I started getting contractions. They started off pretty strong, but still tolerable. So Shawn quickly went into coach mode going through all the techniques our Bradley teacher had taught us. He suggested doing some household chores, having some wine, and walking to make sure it wasn't false labor. So I started unloading the dishwasher and quickly realized that I couldn't do very much without my contractions getting stronger and stronger. We figured that we'd be in labor for a long time, so we thought we'd go for a walk. I got my shoes on, but again quickly realized that I would not be able to walk. I then thought maybe I would be able to relax in the bathtub. I got in and lasted about 5 minutes before realizing I could not get comfortable there either. Shawn suggested I get into bed because we had mainly practiced our relaxation techniques with me laying in bed. I asked him at that time to call Dr. Jaffee because we had been timing the contractions, but they weren't consistent and they seemed to be coming so fast that there wasn't much break in between.
Dr. Jaffee told us to head to the hospital, so that's what we did. That was 8:30 p.m. The car ride to the hospital was excruciating. Every little bump felt like a mountain. We got to the hospital at about 9:00 p.m. and Shawn wheeled me into labor and delivery. The nurses were moving very slow and being very calm about the whole thing, but I just wanted everything to move quicker. Once I told them my water had already broken they seemed to be more understanding of my pain. I had decided in the car that I was going to have to get the epidural. I was really disappointed in myself, but did not anticipate the amount of pain I would be in.
The nurses asked if I wanted the pain meds and I said YES!! The told me they could give me a narcotic that would "take the edge off" until the magical man with the epidural appeared. So I said do it!! The narcotic didn't really do anything for the pain, so that was a bust. In the meantime, Dr. Jaffee showed up and when she found out I wasn't 10 cm yet, she said that she would be back when things progressed a little further. She said she only lived 10 minutes from the hospital so not to worry. However, Aiden had other plans. I don't think it was 5 minutes later when I informed the nurses that I had to push. They had to call Dr. Jaffee and tell her to turn back around.
It was so hard to wait for her to get back because the urge to push was so strong. The nurses informed me that the epidural would not have time to take effect before I would likely deliver the baby, which ended up being fine with me because once I felt the urge to push, the contractions were much more tolerable. Once the Doctor came back she changed into her scrubs and told me I could push. That was like music to my ears. With each contraction I pushed as hard as I possibly could. It actually didn't hurt to much at that point. I had pushed through two or three contractions when Aiden's heart rate started to drop. Dr. Jaffee said that I had to push him out with the next contraction. So I put all I had into the next contraction and he finally came out. His heart rate had dropped because the umbilical cord had wrapped around his neck twice. The doctor cut the cord and the rest of him came out pretty easily. He was born at 10:14 p.m.
We didn't have time to look at him very long before he was whisked away to the warming table because his breathing wasn't totally normal due to the cord being around his neck.
It was the best and hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I will never forget this whirlwind birth and am busy enjoying my perfect little boy.
Here are some of the first pictures. Enjoy!
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