On July 10th at 2:12 pm we welcomed our new baby, Neil Edward, into our family. Everything about that day went perfectly...which was a welcome surprise after how the pregnancy had gone.
I knew things were going to be different this time around when we went for our routine 20 week ultrasound and the technician announced, "It's a BOY!" We were shocked. I had figured that we would never have a boy.
The next major shock came at around 28 weeks when I failed my glucose test and was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. That was a doosy! I had to change my diet, count carbs, turn down yummy desserts, and indulge my pregnancy cravings by eating cottage cheese and lots of peanut butter. It was hard to say the least, but I did survive!
As the weeks went by, I started having my "usual" contractions. There were just a lot less of them. There was no bedrest, no drugs to stop them, no trips to the hospital for preterm labor...nothing. This gave me an inkling that perhaps he wouldn't be making an early appearance like his sisters did.
My exams at the doctors only added weight to this theory. My cervix, although changing, wasn't nearly as dilated as it had been in the past. I resigned myself to the idea of an induction at 39 weeks. It turned out so well!
We dropped off the girls at my parent's house on Friday night, and then Chris and I went to a movie. It was fun to get in one last date. Early the next morning we left for the hospital. It was so strange to walk in without pain, and know that I wasn't leaving without having had a baby. It was great to be with all the people I knew and worked with. They saved me the corner room, and I was able to choose my nurse and my CRNA.
They started my pitocin at 7am, and by 9am I was contracting quite painfully. My epidural was placed around 10am. Once that was in, Chris and I enjoyed some quiet time and a few naps. It was great! So relaxing and laid back. We had to wait for my doctor to come break my water. He had told us 11am, but he didn't make it in until 1pm. At that point I was only 4cm/90%. I was a little discouraged. I thought I would have been much more dilated.
It didn't matter in the end, because about 45 minutes later I was feeling tons of pressure, and I asked to be checked. Sure enough, I was complete and ready to push. I waited until my doctor showed up and everything was ready. It all went really well, and after about 10 minutes, little Neil was born at 2:12pm.
He came out healthy and strong. Chris cut the cord making certain not to cut any other appendages. It was so surreal. In that instant it was all over...the pregnancy, the blood sugar testing, the carb counting, and the giant belly. Now he is here with us, and we can all enjoy him. It was a perfect day!
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