I interrupt my summer narrative (there was a lot more that went on!) to welcome Daniel Douglas Wilson to the world! He was born September 10th, 2013 at 12:13 am. He was 8 pounds even and 21 inches. He was delivered by JON at Holy Family Hospital in Spokane, WA!! The doctor didn't quite make it into the room in time . . .
Here's the story:
As the last few weeks of my pregnancy progressed, I was dilated to 3 cm, and ready to go at any moment. Thursday September 6th, I really thought I was in labor! I was having contractions but then they would go away. So for my appointment on the 7th, the doctor checked and I had dilated to 4 cm- - and he suggested I just get induced. I was worried that I would go too fast (like I did with Cynthia and Lillian), so doing it a bit early and in a controlled environment seemed like a really good option! My due date wasn't until the 16th (and even later according to my original dates). I don't know any pregnant women who are against being induced early . . . So we were scheduled for Monday September 9th in the afternoon. He ended up being 8 pounds- so he certainly was ready to be born!!
Very pregnant me!! Maybe it is just because I am older, but I don't remember being so uncomfortable those last few weeks of pregnancy in the past. I would get shooting pains down my legs, and lots of muscle cramps-- he felt dropped and ready to go for such a long time!
So Monday dawned with a perfect blue sky and just the perfect temperature- it was a great day to have a baby, I thought! After a nice walk with Lisa and Ryan (my neighbors)- - I hadn't been walking for fear of going into labor, but I figured time was close enough!-- Jon and I went to Holy Family Hospital here on the North Side of Spokane for the big event.
I totally thought it would go fast, and that we would have a baby by dinner time- - but that is not at all what happened. They broke my water at 2:30pm and it did put me into a slow labor. Pitocin would have helped things along, but they held off while the doctor was busy at his clinic and with other patients in the early evening. I am realizing maybe that is why things went so fast with Lillian- it was being induced with Pitocin and not having an epidural in time. This time I did get my epidural (thank heavens!) and it probably slowed things down also. The epidural wasn't necessarily fun, though- they had to do it twice (the first one didn't work)- but in the end was super worth it when it was working! Ahhhhh- it was the best I had felt in weeks- all the pain from the pressure on my pelvis was gone and I rested quite nicely as the hours slipped past. I just felt bad for my mom and dad who were there- as the night wore on I could tell they were getting a little antsy (and tired as it got really late). Finally, about 11:00 pm they did do some Pitocin to get those last few cm dilated and for him to drop into position. That did the trick! I still feel like I had to work pretty hard to push him out, more than the past, but he was one of my bigger babies after all. What probably made it hard also was the fact that the epidural had mostly worn off- I really was feeling a pretty good amount of pain during the pushing process. I am sure it would have been worse without it, but still . . .
So as Daniel was pushed into place, the nurse called for the doctor and he was with someone else! So, she just told me to breathe through the contractions and hold off on pushing (ya right). I only lasted about 5 minutes and I looked at Jon with my pain filled eyes and said, let's just get this done! I couldn't stand it anymore- Daniel was crowning and that is a horrible place to try to stop laboring! Jon was already gowned up since we was going to do the birth anyway (with Doctor Hardy's help of course), so he proceeded to deliver our beautiful little boy! It took four hard pushes to get him out, and then we got to meet our newest family member! Dr. Hardy came rushing in just a minute or two after he was born and wasn't terribly happy with the nursing staff- - apparently he COULD have come in in time, but something got mis-communicated and he didn't know I was delivering the baby at that exact moment. He was so bummed he didn't make it in time- - luckily everything went find and he was there to deliver the placenta and stich me back up (I tear every time). In then end, I guess it makes a nice story- Daniel was completely delivered by his dad!
The last picture is Dr. Hardy- he is an awesome Doctor! Oh- and if you are wondering about his purple face- he was terribly bruised (so was my poor tail bone apparently). Luckily it went away after a day or so.
We enjoyed my one day stay at the hospital with grandparent's visiting (and my favorite- the hospital food . . . )
The kids came and visited us in the hospital also- they sure did great meeting their new little brother! We also gave them each a gift "from baby Daniel"- so they would feel like it was a special occasion . . . it was a fun tradition that my parents did with me and my siblings- so we have carried on the tradition. Marcus got an Epic Ball, Cynthia legos, Lillian a Dr. La La Loopsy Doll, and Tyler a little portable matchbox race track. My favorite was just seeing how happy they were to hold their new little brother! They truly have been great- everyone loves baby Daniel!
He is truly amazing!
Going home from the hospital was a bit overwhelming- I think women get sent home too early from the hospital- although I was excited to bring our baby home, I was not really emotionally ready to face life again! I have been feeling a little "off" the last few weeks since he was born- a touch of post partum blues- but I am sure it will resolve. Luckily no matter how I feel about life in general when I am so tired, I really just want to stare at Daniel and marvel at the miracle new life is! I am also so grateful for all the meals friends brought and all the help people gave . . . During my labor and delivery on the 9th (until after midnight on the 10th) Lisa had the kids over for the whole afternoon and evening, and then put the kids to bed and stayed at our house until my parents could get back to stay with the kids while Jon and I were in the hospital. Other's also have taken Tyler so I could get rest, and of course meals (good food) is wonderful! As I posted on facebook:
I am so grateful for the tender mercies of The Lord. An answered prayer to calm a fussy baby when I just needed a few hours of sleep, and lots of wonderful service. One of the best traditions of service is bringing food. Not just for sustenance because it is hard for me to cook, but for the comfort of it. The not having to think and plan what we will eat, enjoying good meals that bring comfort. There is nothing like good food to lighten a heart and ease burdens. Thanks do much to all who have blessed us with good food this week!
