My Boy :)

I sit in bed as my sweet husband and precious son sleep- so cute!

I haven't blogged in a while, but I figured I should start using this thing again to hopefully keep people updated on little (giant) Silas!

I was anxiously awaiting the birth of my son and being able to tell Matt that it was time to go to the hospital. Silas had measured big (about 2 weeks ahead) at the ultrasounds at 23 and 32 weeks, based on their weight estimations. Since this was the case, we all thought he would come early, but my Dr. didn't change my due date. My mom thought he would come around the 5th, which would have been 2 weeks early. The 5th came and went, so I just kept looking out for the 19th- his due date. That came and went, too. The 22nd is my birthday so I hoped for that day... no bday gift from Silas. The 25th is my father in law's birthday (he had been rooting for Silas to come on that day!) and that came and went too. At my last appointment, she told me I would be induced on the 27th at 8:30- finally I knew that this could would be coming out!

The entire time I was eagerly awaiting him, I had never felt any contractions. I had cramps, but nothing I could call contractions or even time. I would progress a little in the last 3 weeks at each appointment, as far as dilating, but still no signs of the little man coming.

We got to the hospital at 8:30 as planned, but things didnt get started right away. I had been checked and was already 4-5 cm dilated, and apparently having regular contractions 5 mins apart that I didn't even feel. When she hooked up the monitor she said they were pretty strong and was surprised I couldn't feel them. I never knew I had a pain tolerance... I always thought I was pretty wussy. I just stayed in bed pretty comfortable. They came in and broke my water at 11:15, and at 12:15 they started the pitocin so that my contractions would be stronger and 2-3 apart to get the show on the road. She said that I would have the baby by the following afternoon. WHAT? I came in to have a baby that day!! I got an epidural at 1:45. I still wasn't feeling anything really, except some occasional pressure in my back, so I decided to get the epidural then, in fear of thinking it would be too late if I just stuck it out or that the anesthesiologist would take forever to get to me.

I sat in the room with many different people coming in and chatting with me- only 3 people at a time. At about 3:30ish, there was a shift change, so the new nurse checked me and said that I was at a 5... what? NO progression? In hearing this, we knew it would be a while, so Matt and his dad left to go get some dinner and bring it back. The room was nice and calm. The lights were low, and Shea, Patience and Cathy were in the room and we were just chatting away. Then, a nurse came up to me and said "I need you to put on this oxygen mask and turn on your side, the baby's heart rate has dropped a little bit so we want to make him a little more comfortable". As I am moving and holding the mask up, next thing I know is a doctor is checking me and says "How long has she been clotting like this?". At that moment, it was a whirlwind! In a matter of about 30 seconds there was about 12 people around me all telling me different things. "we're going to have to get the baby out NOW" "you're going to get a shot of in your arm to help stop contractions, it will make you shaky" "move your hips and slide on this other bed".... I mean, I don't know how I was bale to follow so many commands being told to me and still hear Shea right next to me calling Matt and telling him to get back to the hospital ASAP because the baby's heart rate dropped and I needed an emergency c-section. That was at 4:17. And in the midst of this, I was completely calm. I just followed whatever they said. I don't know how I stayed that calm, because a c-section was my biggest fear. I did NOT want one, as I mostly feared the recovery. I could hardly sit up after having my belly button pierced... pfft. Matt panicked and rushed back to the hospital and pulled up to the curb leaving his dad to park the car. He ran inside and somehow got all ready and dressed to come into the operating room. I was told on the way being wheeled into the secondary, small OR (they had JUST finished a c-section in the regular OR) that nobody would be allowed in because it was an emergency. Still at that news, I was just calm and at peace. I said a little prayer and got ready for things to begin. All of a sudden, the Dr. had let go of my hand and Matt was there :) Somehow he was allowed to be in there. I could see the panic in his eyes, and especially for me, because he knew I did not want a c-section. I knew, though, that it had to be done, and that I couldn't freak out because it would make things worse for the baby and myself. I told Matt that I was at peace with the whole thing, and I think it shocked him, but helped to comfort him. after 4 mins, Silas was born at 4:31pm :) As soon as they pulled him out, everyone in the room said "oh my God, he's HUGE!" at that very moment, I said the same thing. The rested him on my legs for a second while they suctioned his mouth and I said, "wow, he's BIG". He weighed 10 lbs and 9oz and was 22in long. I later found out that the circumference of his head was 15! They told Matt that I would have ended up with a c-section anyway, as there was NO way I would have been able to push that out! I am glad that I do not have to recover from attempting to!

My little man is here and I can not be happier. I learned that my placenta had abrupted and that is why I was clotting and why he was in distress. I read up on it just a pinch and learned, apparently, that it is really dangerous and most people lose their babies in that process. I was glad that everything worked out in the timing it did. getting that epidural was a good choice at that time otherwise they would have had to put me under general anesthesia.

Silas is perfect in every way, and truly a wonderful baby. He cries when he needs something and stops as soon as we fix the problem.... He sleeps well and is eating well also. Matt is a wonderful father, and things come pretty naturally to him. He loves talking to his son, and is especially glad when Silas grabs onto his finger. Silas loves to move his hands a lot and likes holding onto something at all times, even if it is his other hand, or cheek, or nose- I think it comforts him :)

Sorry this was such a novel, but I wanted a way to share with people about our experience.