I was in a pre-labor phase for a couple days leading up to his birth. Started having cramps and mild contractions. Sunday night I thought labor was starting and actually didn't feel him move for a few hours so they had me come into triage. Luckily his heart rate was great and he passed his NST so we were sent home (I was 1 cm dilated). Then Monday night the contractions got a little stronger and closer together and I was losing my mucous plug - so back to the hospital we went. While I was contracting they were about 7-10 minutes apart and too early to be at the hospital (I was about 2 cm at this point). I was very discouraged and confused and not sure that I would know when it was really TIME. So home again we went - I tried to relax on the couch and nap since I had been up the past two nights and then the pain got severe and the crazy, painful contractions were only a couple minutes apart. I still did not want to go to the hospital only to be sent home again but my App where I was tracking everything kept telling me "Call and ambulance and go to the hospital" so I called my doc and wanted to just go in for a quick check and they said "go right to the hospital." At this point I knew it was TRUE, REAL labor and was sent right to the labor and delivery room. I was now 4 cm dilated and well on my way. I was very ready for my epidural as the contractions were coming hard and fast - Hung and my mom did a great job of getting me through the pain! Unfortunately, the epidural was not an easy process - I apparently have very strong ligaments back there and he could not get the needle in all the way. What usually takes about 10 min took almost an hour and so I was hunched over and contracting and having the needle shoved into my back. It was rough but very worth it because once he got it in, the pain went away and I was able to relax until it was time to push. I dilated about a centimeter an hour and started pushing around 6:30. My Dad and Teri arrived just in time and I was able to have Hung, my mom, my Dad and Teri all in the room with me and helping me through labor. They were all so encouraging and wonderful - I could not have asked for a better setting for Taylor to enter the world. He finally emerged after about 8.5 hours of active labor and he was perfect! Cried right away and then laid on my chest for an hour for skin to skin and then we nursed before we was bathed and checked out. Avery made it to the hospital for his first bath and got to be in the Labor and Delivery room with us. I LOVED having her there and she could not have been more sweet or loving to me and the baby.
We had a very easy, quiet and laid back hospital stay which is how we wanted it. We tried to get sleep when we could and Avery visited every day. Saying good bye to her at night was always hard and had us both in tears but she was in great hands with Grandma T and Grandpa so we knew she was well taken care of.
We headed home Thursday night after his 48 hour check - he was holding up his weight pretty well and went home at 6 lbs and 4 oz. Avery came racing downstairs when we got home and it could not have been a better homecoming for me or Taylor. Now it is time to start life as our family of 4!
Hospital Trip #2 - Sent home :(
Later that day....After the Epidural and feeling good!
He's Here!!
Meeting Avery
Getting checked and bathed
All snuggly and ready for bed!
Hospital Shots
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