Out of the Woodworks...: Brooks' Birth Story

Our sweet little guy was due 11/25. My ob decided early on it would be best to induce at 39 weeks given genes and Isaac being 8 lb 12 oz at 39w1d. A 37 wk growth sono was measuring him at 6 lb 12 oz but again, genes play bigger role so we stuck with the 11/18 induction. I was hoping he would come on his own. I had contractions off and on those last 2-3 weeks and went in at 2 cm and 70% for induction.

The Monday before I took the big kids to pump it up for some fun quality time with mama. Carter and I made Brooks a "birthday eve" cake and had a lil bday eve party with pizza, chicken Parmesan/pasta for mama, and cake for all. Nana, Burlie, and Mimi came over and dropped off presents for all 3 boys which was fun. I didn't sleep well the night before, more excited than anything. At 430 I looked over and Caleb was awake too. "You ready to have a baby today"? He went for a run and I took a steam shower and took my time getting ready and spending time with the Lord, praying for (then unnamed) Brooks and delivery. The boys got up and we got them ready for school. Mimi came and picked them up at 7, taking them to IHOP for breakfast with great nana and papa burl. Caleb and I drove to kroger for newborn diapers (#3rdchild) and a movie then onto the hospital!

We got there and there was no room available. I wanted to go see all the new babies in the nursery and there were 15...no wonder no labor rooms were available! Thankfully after a 30 min wait (that felt like 2 hours!) I was called back. Got on my pretty gown, let the student nurse do her first IV EVER (hey, I'm all about learning...you can do IV, you can't deliver my baby!), and Dr Ryder came in to check me.

I was at a 2, 70%. She broke my water and pitocin was started. Felt really good those first few hours. Felt contractions but not unbearable. Caleb and I watched the today show (of note it was 26 degrees that morning and weather was major story), and played gin. We typically play for a prize...I was winning so tried to negotiate winner gets to name baby but he wasn't conceding. Around 11 family started to arrive. At noon Caleb went to waiting room to eat lunch with his fam (such a great thing as he wasn't hungry/crabby/eating my food after birth) and dad and Jolie stayed in with me. Mom dropped by for a bit and brought a sweet outfit (which she ended up returning once we realized we had a small baby) then went to run errands. Around 1 dr Ryder checked me and I was only at a 4. I felt discouraged since the contractions had been going strong and since they were getting way more painful decided I was ready for epidural.

Anesthesiologist came in, placed epidural. Had a crazy left leg jump. Laid back down and felt it only working on my left, still feeling painful contractions on right. They rolled me on my right side to try to get meds to "move". Nope. 45 mins of super pain--feeling everything on right nothing on left. This is what happened with Isaac except for it worked on right, not left. dr came back in, gave me a "boost" dose. Still nothing. Caleb was being super sweet but I wasn't so sweet back. He was rubbing my face and I remember saying "quit petting me!". Ha. Long story, they had to pull the first epidural and put in a 2nd with a 2nd boost and then my right side worked. Anesthesiologist was joking and showing you tube videos to Caleb and the nurse as I was hunched over in pain...did not care for that guy but it finally works. Hallelujah! Anesthesiologist said I have some issues in my epidural space so note to self--if induced again, get epidural before contractions get painful! At this point I was at a 5. Unfortunately, with all the meds and an empty stomach I started having low blood pressure and nausea. The rn (jami--loved her) gave me meds and within 20 mins I was feeling good. I also had Caleb sneak me a protein bar around this point :). I went from 5 to 10 in 45 mins. Felt a weird pressure around my ribs which I remember from Isaac being the need to push. It sure was! Dr Ryder was called in, room was transformed to a delivery room, Brooks' nurse showed up and we were ready to have a baby!

I pushed through 3 contractions and he was here! They immediately put him on my chest and my first words were "he's so little"! We were expecting a 9 lb baby, but he was so perfect, all 7 lbs 13 oz of him. They let me hold him and Caleb look at him a good 10-15 mins then took him over to his little warming table to get weighed and wiped down. They gave him back to me and he was so alert and latched on immediately for nursing. We had a good 45 mins the 3 of us then called family in. Carter looked at him but was way more interested in how my bed worked than his baby brother. Isaac on the other hand was super interested, kept pointing and saying "baby! Baby". Once other family came in, Isaac insisted on being right next to baby at all times. I was a little worried how this would play out but thankfully the newness wore off quickly :).

Ali brought us Jason's deli wraps which were a huge hit. I also got the traditional pork chop :). They changed policy where they don't give baths until babies are 6 hours old, so Caleb wheeled Brooks in his little bucket up to the postpartum room and he stayed with us until we were completely exhausted and ready to go to sleep. Love the luxury of the hospital where I could call Brooks' nurse and she would take him until he was needing to eat. Caleb got our bags, Brooks went to get his first bath, and mama went to sleep. Oh, November 18, 2014. A day I will never forget. Happy birthday sweet baby boy!