Out of the Woodworks...: Isaac's Birth Story

This is more for my own record than anything....so, here we go:

Isaac has always measured big. My first EDD was 2/5 according to an initial sonogram, but at my first "official" OB appointment, I was given an EDD of 2/12 so that's what we went with. However, throughout the remainder of pregnancy he was consistently measuring a week early on fundal height and sono. At my 36 week growth sono he was measuring 7 lb. 4 oz. At that point my OB was pretty sure he would come on his own but also recommended scheduling induction for 39 weeks since he was so big--- would minimize need for c-section. Well, he was nice and cozy so induction date of 2/6 came...

I had heard induction horror stories so was apprehensive to being induced. However, the planner in me approached it similarly to running a marathon...made sure I got good sleep 2 nights before, ate strategically the day before (knowing I would be NPO after midnight--although I did make Caleb go AMA and give me 1/2 a protein bar about 3 pm), and had a plan in place for Carter. Woke up on the 6th around 4 am super excited but also anxious. Had some good time with the Lord, took a shower, got ready, and got Carter boy ready. Caleb went for a run which ended up being perfect for him since there was lots of just sitting around at the hospital. We loaded the bags and all got in the car and headed for Carter's school. Dropped Carter off and he was happy to be in a familiar environment, blissfully unaware his world was changing forever (we did tell him Mama was going to dr and they were going to take baby brother out of her tummy, so Aunt Diana would pick him up ).

Arrived at Medical City at 8 am. Got into the gown, into my bed I would be in for the next ~12 hours, and it began....lots of questions, IV, etc. Dr. Ryder came in ~0830 and checked me with intention of breaking my water. I don't want to go into too much detail, but let's just say that I had not progressed AT ALL and my cervix was so posterior she coudn't break my water....she said it had been almost 2 years since she couldn't break someone's water. Nice. I was discouraged, but she was encouraging to me saying that it would be fine, let's start pitocin and she would come back late morning. I decided on my own to hold off on the epidural (original plan was to get epidural THEN start pitocin) for multiple reasons, primary being that I'd heard many stories that epidurals would slow down labor, and I didn't want a 24 hour labor but also that I felt good and kind of wanted to "feel" labor a little bit :). So, pitocin was started at 0915 and Caleb and I sat in the room watching TV. Note to self: next time, if induced, bring a movie--11 am TV is no bueno :). We did find jeopardy (he let me win, with one of the categories being anatomy), played a game of gin, and watched a lot of sports TV as Isaac was proudly born on national signing day. Caleb even watched a clip on CNN about how to make recruiting videos of your sons to get a coach's attention--and Caleb talked to Isaac about "18 years from now....".

Moving on....Dr Ryder returned about 1030 and could then break my water. Let's just say I always wondered if I would know if my water broke. Umm...yes, would definitely know :). Contractions were noticeable but not really painful, I was doing fine. On a side note, the nurse asked me early in the morning on a scale of 1-10 at what point would I need medication for pain, with 10 being you just got both of your arms cut off pain. I said 7. Caleb looked at me very surprisingly, thinking I have a very low pain tolerance. Well, friends, both Dr. Ryder and my nurse were thoroughly impressed with how I handled the contractions so I was able to prove to Caleb that I'm not a total pansy and can handle *some* pain (epidural def came!).

Family started arriving and it was nice to visit, a welcome distraction from bad TV and contractions. Around 1 Dr Ryder returned and I was at a 4. Contractions stronger but I could still talk through them. They increased pitocin and by 2 (at a 5)they got to the point where I couldn't talk and would close my eyes and concentrate on breathing....time for epidural! The anesthesiologist came in, a cocky quirky fellow, and placed the epidural. During the placement my entire right side of my body "jumped" so he replaced it. Well, it continued to only work on the right. They turned me on my left side to try to get gravity to pull meds to my left but it didn't work. I think this was the worst part of labor---feeling heavy contractions on left and almost nothing on right. My Mom came in and just played with my hair (something that has calmed me ever since I was little) as I was having very paintful contractions every 1-2 mins. After 40ish mins of this my nurse realized that it was not working correctly and anesthiologist came back in. Instead of completely replacing it, he gave me a "booster dose" which worked the trick in 10-15 mins. GLORIOUS. Although I didn't feel anything, I had hoped to feel something as that's why I think I pushed so long with Carter. Oh well. Nothing is better than half :). I felt like a new person, so Emily and Jeff came in and visited a while and then Emily encouraged me to get some rest/try to sleep if I could. Caleb went out to the waiting room so I tried to sleep to no avail. Ended up putting some worship music on my iphone and spending some sweet time with Lord and feeling those last baby kicks in my belly--a very special memory. Dad and Jolie came back in around 4:30 and while they were visiting I felt a weird pressure feeling in the middle of my belly. It didn't hurt, but didn't feel right. I called the nurse in and she said it was a contraction--don't worry about it, and went back on her merry way. Well, about 515 Carter arrives, so Caleb goes out to get him and Dad and Jolie leave the room, and in walks Dr. Ryder. She checks me, I'm at a 10 (in hindsight that pressure was the need to push--I had likely been at a 10 for 30-45 mins before being checked), and has me give a practice push. Then tells me to stop and where in the world is Caleb? I call him and tell him it's time to push--don't bring Carter in, and he walks in to a room completely transformed, Dr. Ryder all gowned up and ready to deliver a baby!

I pushed through 4 contractions and out came little Isaac. They placed him directly on me, the most beautiful, slimy mess I'd ever seen. I heard his first cry and knew he was the healthy boy we had been praying for since day . They let him stay on me a few minutes before taking him to get weighed/checked out while Dr. Ryder finished with me. It was really amazing to sit and watch Caleb interact with him and talk to him (and of course check his earlobes!). They then let us have about an hour just the 3 of us while they cleaned up the room. It was a great experience I never had with Carter due to Carter's fever (another note to self: get antibiotics!). Caleb then went to the waiting room, had Carter announce his name (baby eye eye) and then Caleb announced his name and stats. Carter came in and was interested in "baby" briefly, told him to "shh", then proceeded to press the buttons on Mommy's bed. Caleb took him out, my Mom came in, got to hold little man, then took over Carter duty while the rest of the family met Isaac. I was actually on the phone with room service when everyone got their first looks as it was about 655 pm and if I was going to get food, I had to order by 7 pm---and I was STARVING so I was getting me some food (pork chops...yum!). It was nice not to be rushed, so everyone got to hold Isaac and I got to watch all the first interactions.

Oh, what a great day it was. February 6, 2013. I will be telling this story for years to come...and let Isaac roll his eyes when I tell him "I remember the day you were born..." and reminisce on the above :).

If you made it this far, here is our hospital stay in pics:

Pitocin is starting!

Lots of playing on iphone....looking out that window, it was a very foggy morning but ended up being a gorgeous 70 degree in Dallas in early February :)

and here he is! so pink!

first glances at him---love this pic of Caleb :)

Wood, party of 4!

Dr. Ryder--she's been awesome throughout this whole pregnancy and I was SO glad she got to deliver him!

Love the look on Mom's face seeing Isaac for the first time

Nana and Papa

GrandmaJo and Grandpa

Aunt Diana

Uncle Stephen

Proud parents and grandparents!

Our little chunkeroo :) Love those cheeks!

Carter came up the next morning and got better looks at baby brother. Honestly, Carter didn't do great with his first hospital stay, but to give him credit, it's a little overwhelming for a 2 year old right?!