Labor and Delivery

So much happens in the first week of having a baby that I will have to catch up. On December 30, a Tuesday night I started having contractions that were painful and close together. They continued through the night and the next morning Michael went to work. I was still having contractions and felt like I should go to the hospital. Luckily, Michael was able to get off only after a couple hours of work and our friend Chantelle showed up to take Levi for the day. We went to the hospital and they monitered me for a couple of hours. I was a 3-4, but I wasn't progressing so they said to come back in a couple of hours and they would check me again. Michael and I went for a drive and I cried and whined the entire time. I was having back labor which I think is the worst labor to have. I admit I was a baby and I think I drove Michael insane. I finally couldn't take the pain and so we went back to the hospital. They checked me and I had made a little progress so they decided to keep me. (I think the nurse felt bad because I was in so much pain that she "said" I made progress)

I was ready for some pain meds so they came in to give me my IV. I was poked 7 times and they blew 2 of my veins. Finally the fourth person was able to get an IV in the inside of my elbow. This meant that I couldn't bend my arm, which was really hard to do. Once the IV was in I got my epidural which was good thing. I was moaning and crying so much that I think Michael wanted to leave. The epidural was a lifesaver. I could go to sleep and relax. (For those of you who have a had a natural birth, I am in awe of all of you.)

I only had my epidural for about 2 hours when they decided that it was time to push. I pushed for only 30 minutes and out came Benson at 6:33 p.m. He was beautiful. The rest of the night we spent with Benson and I laid in the bed because the epidural didn't wear off until 11:45 p.m. I was so glad to finally be able to move. Michael went home earlier to get Levi and spend the night at home.

The next two days we spent at the hospital letting Levi meet his little brother. He was so happy and wanted to kiss and hold him. Our friends the Holmans, Newmans, and Wayments all took turns watching Levi for us. Thanks! It was so nice to have Levi taken care of and Michael was able to spend a lot of time at the hospital with Benson and me. We went home late Friday night, because we had to wait 48 hours because I was postive for the Group B Strep. They wanted to make sure everything was fine.

It is nice to be home and start the recovery process. Michael went back to work on Monday and so this week has been very busy, but I will save all that for another blog.