Monday morning we went in for my usually check up. I was 40 weeks and 1 day along and mentally ready for baby to come though no signs of labor had really shown. Upon being checked we found out I was 3cm and decided to go ahead and have my membranes stripped in hopes of moving things along. The rest of the day went about as normal. Josh went to work and I stayed home with Emerald. While I did feel a little crampy from being checked I didn't feel like I was having an real labor. Emerald and I decided to head to Chickfila to see daddy and to eat some dinner. We probably got there around 5pm and began eating. While eating I was noticing some contractions and by around 5:30 or 6pm, I was 90% sure that my labor had started since the contractions were regular. I told Josh to keep his phone near by just in case but told him it would probably be awhile till we headed to the hospital if this was labor. I headed home with Emerald. She got a bath and headed to bed. While she slept I finished laundry and the last few cleaning up of things around the house. As the contractions continued and began to get more noticeable, I decided to get all the bags ready and set them by the door. I sat down to relax and watch some tv (Psych--coincidentally the same show I watched while in labor with Emerald). Thats when I noticed the contractions increasing...I started doing different things to cope with the contractions and began timing them. They weren't always the same distance apart ( sometimes 15mins, or 10 mins, or less...with the occasional "mini" contraction in between two bigger contractions). I continued to text my husband at work but was trying very hard to mentally convince myself that I still had a long way to go before it would be time...my labor with Emerald was like 20 hrs from beginning to end and while I expected this one to be shorter I didn't think it would be only 9ish hrs.
Things continued to intensify and I continued to mentally tell myself I had a long way to go. The contractions began getting closer together but were still not always consistent which threw me off. Finally, threw text message we decided Josh should arrange to be off work the next day and I should text my mom/dad so they could be prepared to come watch Emerald. Around 9pm or so I text my midwife to let her know about the contractions and told my mom we might be calling that night sometime. In my mind I kept thinking it would be much longer. Around 10 things were really increasing and I finally around 10:30pm I decided to take a bath to try and help things. About that time, I started emotionally really wanting my husband to be home and was beginning to really notice how strong and intense things were. I texted him and he got home just before 11pm. He hurried to get things set up in the car and encouraged me to text my parents to come, as he could see how intense the contractions were and how close they were getting. I continued to labor at home while waiting on my parents and things definitely started to intensify. I began to get really panicked that they weren't there yet and was wanting to go to the hospital so badly. By, this time the contractions were 3ish mins apart and intense. We literally met my mom in the stairway and headed to the hospital.
Luckily we live 3mins or so from the hospital! By the time we got there it was hard to walk bc the contractions were so close together and intense. I made it from the car into the doorway, where a security guard offered us a wheelchair. I felt dumb having to use it but later realizing how far into labor I really was am glad i took the wheelchair. Around 12:50am we were at the hospital trying to get signed in. Talk about the longest 10 minutes of your life!!! Of course, the lady thought it was my first baby (she proably thought I was being dramatic with the wheelchair), but once she realized that it wasnt and really looked at my face, she began to hurry (she was a sweet lady...I would have thought I was a dramatic first-timer too!). We finally got up to our room and all I wanted was for someone to just please check me and tell me I was as far along as I felt (I still had this dread that they were going to say I was only 3cm...in which case, I wasn't sure I was going to make it...lol...). Again, talk about the longest 10 minutes ever! I finally told the nurse who was preparing somethings that I really felt like I was far along and really wanted to be checked soon. I believe Josh also told her how close the contractions were, and she hurried up to check me. She was shocked and told us I was fully dialated and seemed ready. She wanted another lady to check me since showing up at 10cm is kinda rare. The other lady came in and confirmed it. She also asked about my water which we told her had not broken...she figured so and said it was the only thing "holding baby in". The nurses went to call our midwife (who is amazing and came to deliver even though she wasn't on call!!! Thanks Becca!!!). Mentally I just wanted to start pushing but the nurses told me to do my best to wait as Becca was on her way. Josh continued to support and help me through the contractions and the nurses prepared the room speedily. The ladies also did a great job at keeping things feeling calm and light even though I was beginning to transition and getting emotionally. Becca soon got there, broke my water for me, and finally it was time to push...
The pushing was harder than it was with my first. Physically Asher wasn't as low yet as my first was when I started pushing, and he was "sunny-side up". Emotionally, I was at that point of transition were I didnt think I could do it. With my first, I hit that point emotionally before pushing and while still emotional, felt mostly focused pushing her. This time was different, not bad, just different. Josh and all the nurses continued to encourage me through this frustration as did my midwife, who also helped me gain some focus and realize he was coming just slower than I wanted. Asher made his way down and my husband got to actually see him finally turn at the last second as he came out and at 2:08am, on April 30th, our beautiful boy Asher Elijah was born!!! He was so cute!!! I got to hold him immediately and Josh cut his cord! We were so excited to be a larger family and overjoyed that he arrived safely and quickly! He was so alert after arriving and I got to nurse him soon after delivery which is always nice.
Our hearts our so thankful. Thankful for God giving us this life and taking us through this process. Thankful for a safe delivery and the grace to do it without medication. Thankful for a loving and encouraging coach who support and love I couldn't have made it without! Grateful for a great midwife who we can trust and who has been encouraging towards us in how we want to try for natural childbirth each time (and her heart to come deliver even though not on call). Thankful for sweet nurses and there encouragement and support. Thankful again to God for His sovereignty over all this and His grace to make it through. Thankful for a beautiful first-born daughter with a caring heart and thankful for our buddy, Asher, who is sweet spirited and so far an "easy" newborn!
We love you Asher and Welcome!
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