I had been having high blood pressure and had been going back and forth to the hospital and to my doctor's office for days and days, to get non-stress tests and blood work, and urine checks and blood pressure checks. I had been put on bed-rest, and Josiah moved in with my mom and dad for about two weeks. I was miserable. The last two days before he was born, I had flu-like symptoms. I saw Dr. Park on Monday morning, April 18th, and finally bottom-lined him.
What are you waiting for? Are you waiting for him to come on his own, or are you thinking you will induce soon?
He said he was waiting for 39 weeks, which was another WEEK away..... my heart sank. How was everyone going to make it another week? Especially ME! He said at 39 weeks he would break my water to start labor.
He stripped my membranes when he checked me that day, though, and said that he hoped that I would go into labor before our next appointment on Thursday. I sure hoped so, too!!
That night I took a bath, like I had been doing almost every night since the high blood pressures had started. I had a lingering headache in the back of my neck that never went away, and the jet tub made it feel a little better.
I had a real labor contraction while still in the bath. It was about 9:30pm. Since I wasn't 100% sure, I thought I better get out and try to see if I could sleep it off. I was really tired. But the contractions didn't stop.
I knew it was the real deal.
I told Seth, you better take your power nap!
About 10 minutes later, I woke Seth up to let him know that we needed to start thinking about leaving for the hospital. After how fast Josiah had come, I was afraid to stay home much longer. We didn't even take the time to time the contractions. I told him that I knew it was time. He took my word for it and started brewing the coffee!!
He woke James up and put him in the van (Josiah was already at my mom's). I sat in the van with James while Seth grabbed some last minute things and a cup o joe. James said, "Why did Daddy wake me up in the MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT!?" haha!! Cutie!!! I told him that it is because he is going to spend sleep at grandma's house because when he wakes up in the morning, he is going to have a new brother!
We got to the hospital at about 10:30pm. A nurse checked me, and I was dilated to 5 and a half. I warned her not to let that fool her -- that my babies come fast, and not to wait too long to call Dr. Park -- that last time he didn't have time to change into his scrubs. Thankfully, I had gotten to know that nurse a little since I practically lived at the hospital lately, and she also had three boys who also came really fast. She said that her third "practically fell out." So, she took me seriously.
She said that actually Dr. Park was already at the hospital, which relieved me... until she told me why he was there. He was going to perform a c-section right then. The next time they checked me I was at an 8. Dr. Park had not left yet for his c-section. The contractions were very difficult. My body aches over the last couple of days were magnified, especially in my inner-thighs. I was fatigued going into it. I really wanted to wait for Dr. Park. He had been out of town for a week the week prior, and had just gotten back into town that morning. I had waited for him this long... could I wait another half hour or so???
Both Seth and Ryan had guessed April 19th would be Caleb's birthday. We still weren't sure whether it would be the 18th or 19th, since it was so close to midnight.
Lyndsey arrived at the hospital, followed by my dad and grandma Audrey. Lyndsey called Teryn to let her know that Caleb was on his way... I thought, who else do I need to make sure and tell? Between contractions I texted Ashley and Erika. haha!! We kept trying to reach Carla, who was home snoozing away. She finally woke up enough to call us back, and then finally arrived when I was already in pretty hard labor - around midnight.
I kept my eyes closed the entire time. I had to focus really hard this time. It was more painful. Maybe because of my condition. Maybe because he was a bigger baby. I don't really know... but I can't wait to watch the birth video that my dad took, because at the time I didn't even open my eyes! It's a whole different perspective when you watch the video later!
When Dr. Park got back from the c-section, they checked me again and I thought for sure I would be at 10. I was only at 9, but Dr. Park let me push anyway. Caleb had moved up higher since I had been on bed-rest, and we had to get him to go down lower again. My water just wouldn't break! So Dr. Park decided to just break it, and after that I pushed him out in about three or four contractions...
It seemed much longer to me, but my entire labor - from the very first contraction at home in the bath, until he was out - was only three hours!! Caleb was born at 12:30am on April 19th, 2011. They put him on my chest. He was beautiful. He seemed smaller to me than I remembered Josiah looking, but when they weighed him, the scale said otherwise (Josiah was 7lbs.9oz. and Caleb was 8lbs.1oz.) My dad called my mom and let her hear his sweet, sweet cry. I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE hearing their very first cry. There is nothing like it. It is relief to know that they can breath and cry and they are alive and well!
I was E-X-H-A-U-S-T-E-D!!!!!
When Josiah was born, all I wanted to do was hold him and never let them take him to clean him up or anything. But this time I could care less!! haha!!! I was too sore and exhausted to care. And yet I barely slept at all that night. It's hard to sleep when a little life is right next to you, and you just want to count the breaths and stare at their tiny (hardly believable how tiny!) fingers and nose and ears....
The next day, we had a good amount of visitors, but not too many. My parents brought James and Josiah to meet their new brother. They were soooooo sweet.
I am one happy momma!! And I sure feel better now that he's OUT!
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