Things I Can't Say

Tips and Tales from an Introverted Mom

Four Years Ago: A Birth Story

Because I had super fast labors with my first and second babies and barely made it to the hospital with each of them even though we lived just minutes away, the decision was made to induce my third.

motherhood

A few days before welcoming baby #3

Having to first get the big boys(the youngest of which had just turned 2 and the oldest just shy of 3.5- yes, we had our babies close together and yes, we are aware of how that happens) to Grammy’s house and then still make it to the hospital 45 minutes away was not something that we were sure we’d have time for and I had absolutely zero desire to have a baby on the side of the road. Or, truth be told, to have another baby without an epidural. Natural childbirth hurts, y’all. 

I was scheduled for an induction on May 30th.

But on the afternoon of May 23rd, I started to feel contractions…ones that hurt a little. Since my contractions never get normal(pregnancy books really need to point this out- that not everyone gets REGULAR contractions), it was the pain that concerned me.

My mom had plans to stop by that afternoon anyway, so I called Hubs and told him maybe we better go to the hospital.

He nervously watched me during the drive to the hospital, remembering our ride with our first, when I was making crazy animal grunting noises and almost tore his arm off when I saw that he was about to take the route that would have made us go over speed bumps.

But, I was much calmer this time around.

No one seemed in a hurry to see us at the hospital. One of the nurses told me they were busy and I was way too calm to be in active labor. I insisted that was what they had told me when I arrived at the hospital with my second and I was dilated to a 9 then.

I was finally called back and my contractions monitored, but it still seemed like we were being ignored.

Later, I was checked and found to be at a 4.  But, my doctor was called and we were told that since my labors tend to be fast and it was only a week until my scheduled induction, we could stay and I could be induced then. We asked for a few minutes to discuss it.

I don’t know why, but I was actually terrified of being induced.  I thought it might jinx my fast labors or something.

Hubs and I actually debated leaving the hospital and going to catch a movie because the hospital was right by the “good” movie theater with the huge plushy seats where you can order things like spinach artichoke dip.  Since we’d missed dinner, that was sounding really good.

But since there was also the possibility that we’d choose to leave and I’d end up right back there later that night…or you know, giving birth on the side of the road, we decided to go ahead with the induction.

At about 9pm, I got put into a labor/delivery room. My doctor came in and asked if I wanted an epidural right away. I looked at her blankly and told her that it didn’t hurt yet.

She told me that if it were up to her, she’d meet her moms in the parking lot and give them an epidural right there because there’s no reason to have even a second too long of discomfort. Though I said I wanted an epidural this time around, I was a giant chicken when it came to needles. So, I waited.

She started the induction process…while my husband ate Arby’s takeout while I glared at him because I was freaking hungry, too. Four years later and I still sort of want to kick him for that.

I ended up getting an epidural shortly before 10pm, which kicked in very quickly… and made me less crabby about my lack of curly fries with cheese.

Hubs and I watched Grey’s Anatomy(a rerun from the night before) and discussed baby names during the commercial breaks. We had a few on our short list, but I’m a big believer in waiting until you are in labor to make the final decision(expectant moms, take note: husbands are more likely to agree to anything you say when you are in labor, so your vote counts for more this way).

Shortly before midnight, I told the doctor that I felt pressure. She looked and said “Whoa.  That’s because the head is RIGHT THERE. Ready to push?”

A few pushes and out popped our incredibly fuzzy little Cub: born shortly after midnight on May 24.

And 36 hours later, we were home with our new family of 5.

An easy labor and delivery for my easy-going, charming, smiley, eyelashes-to-die-for, youngest child.  The past four years have flown by.

baby pics

Baby Cub

Big Boy Cub

Comments

  2. Oh he really is the sweetest looking thing. Congratulations on making it through the baby years. You did it Momma! Have a slice of birthday cake just for that.

    And enjoy enjoy enjoy your Cub.

  4. So adorable! Look at all that hair when he came out! Those eyes, now…I could melt right in them! How do you ever say no to your boys with them being as adorable as they are? So, so cute!

  17. Happy Birthday to your youngest. My husband is the 23rd and my son the 29th. May babies are awesome.
    Also, does your middle son still chew his shirt? Or was that just pre-new-baby-in-the-house anxiety? My son (now 10!) does. All of his tshirts have bite marks around the necks!! It kind of drives me bonkers.

  20. I LOVE birth stories.  And women who have given birth naturally. And women who want epidurals.
    Heck, I just love babies being born.

    My cousin’s wife popped out (easy for me to say) all three of hers in the backseat of their car…that’s how fast her labors were. She never could make it to the hospital in time.

    Their first son they named Michael after the EMT who delivered him – right under a sign outside the restaurant parking lot where they’d pulled in that read “24-Hour Delivery.”

    True story. And I love it. Naturally.

    XO

  21. I love hearing birth stories…and I cannot believe he is four!  I feel like I started reading your blog when he was just a baby!

    He is such a cutie and I hope that he has an amazing birthday!!!

  22. I enjoy hearing about birth stories and just shared some yesterday with some other Mommies. This one is as unique as ours 🙂
    I do love his eyelashes. Why do males get thick dark ones?!

  25. Oh I love birth stories. And this one sounded exceptionally laid back — if that’s possible with labors and deliveries. Happy Birthday to him and you.  He is an adorable Big Boy. 🙂

  26. Oh those eyes in that last picture! Just melt my heart- he is going to be a heart breaker.

    And yea for an easy delivery! Hope he has a wonderful birthday

  32. Aww that is one adorable head of baby hair!

    But really, all I can focus on right now is curly fries with cheese. 

  36. So, so sweet!
    And I know you don’t want anymore babies, but holy fast births 🙂
    Happy Birthday (belated now) to your little Cub!

  37. I love birth stories – what a great one. (I especially like how calmly you talk about Grey’s) Question: Why did they induce you when you were already dilating?

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