Birth Story!

Birth story
My due date was today- 12/15. On Tuesday 12/11 I had a dr apt. scheduled and she said I was 1 cm and she stretched me out. Had contractions off and on all day at work. At 3 AM I started timing them 4 minutes apart. At 7 AM I felt a trickle down my leg. Called the Dr. and she said to come in to check me. She said my water had broke but I was still only 1 cm dilated. She was delivering at the downtown hospital that day. Rob and I didn't prefer this one but we had no choice. We ran back home to double check last minute things. We got to the hospital and checked in at 10:30. My contractions were getting stronger but I wasn't progressing so the nurse started pitocin. The nurse asked if I wanted an iv pain med and I said yes while waiting on the epidural. It made me loopy and out of it. I hated being connected to all the wires and feeling confined. I really wanted to walk around. The nurse checked me every hour and I was progressing about 1 cm per hour. I got an epidural but can't remember the time. It felt so weird to be numb and have no control over my body. I started getting really nauseous and was very uncomfortable. I felt like I needed to stand and walk and I couldn't. I also had really bad burning pains in my rib and back and sharp shooting stomach pains. Everything is kind of a blur. It was so uncomfortable. I couldn't find a comfortable position. My nurse tried to set me up and put a birth ball in front of me to lean on. It was comfortable for about 10 min. She then put me on my side with my right leg in a stirrup which was a lot better but after an hour my epidural went to my left side so I started feeling contractions on my right side. She flipped me over to get the epidural to even out. It started wearing off and they had to refill my epidural around 11:00 PM. I got unbearably nauseous I could barely stand it. I started feeling pressure around 12:00. I pushed for an hour and had him at 1:21 AM. The minute I pushed him out and they took him away for a minute I put a cracker in my mouth. The doctor was still working on me- Lol- but I felt better immediately. I don't understand why you can't eat a cracker or two. I hadn't eaten for like 16 hours. Then they put him on my chest for skin to skin for over an hour which was the most amazing feeling ever. I cried and thought he was beautiful but was still in a lot of pain. It was so much harder than I thought. My nurse was so great at massaging me and coaching me on when to push. Rob was amazing too. He held my leg while I pushed and watched the entire time. I wish I could have enjoyed it more. Being so nauseous I was not with it at all. I would have liked to see some of the birth but I was in so much pain. I was regretting getting the epidural until I started feeling the contractions and how strong they really were. Those of you who have had natural births I give you so much credit! I don't know if I could do it. 

So all in all giving birth wasn't what I thought it would be like. I was hoping to enjoy it more. But every bit of pain was worth it for this little guy! 

Marshall Robert Stan was 7 lbs 12 oz 20 inches long and had a full head of hair! 

The nurses and Dr. could not believe all his hair. I had no clue what he would look like or that he would have this much hair! 

The nurse combed his hair after his bath.

Dad holding him for the first time.

First family pic.

Skin to skin the next day. 

First outfit. It's newborn and huge, hehe. 

Rob said he looks like a little smurf. 

We got home around 4:30 pm on 12/13.  Robs parents were there waiting for us with dinner and a house full of groceries. They are such proud grandparents. 

He is so sweet natured and pretty relaxed unless you are changing his diaper. He calms himself down very easily. The first two nights home he was awake for most of both nights so Mommy and Daddy are exhausted but trying to rest during the day. Rob has been amazing at taking care of me and helping with Baby Marshall. We are truly in love and feel so blessed. It is still surreal that we are parents! 

Look at that sweet face! 

First swing time! 

First bath time!