The promptings were subtle, but unmistakable. "Where's the baby?" When all of the kids were present. Playing in the back yard as a family, and thinking, "Someone is missing." We knew without a doubt that someone else was still waiting to come to our family It took five or six months of hoping to find out that another member of our family was on his or her way. We were ecstatic! We found out right around Christmas time, what a great Christmas present!!!
I knew before I got pregnant that, while I totally believe in it, if I could help it, I didn't want to have another natural childbirth. I didn't feel emotionally set to be able to go through it again. If I was going to have another child, I couldn't plan on having him or her naturally. So, I spend much of my pregnancy worrying about the delivery. I worried about the risks of having an epidural, and then I worried about my labor going too fast and not being able to get an epidural. I just worried...
As it turns out, there was no need to worry. Things went like clockwork. On labor day, my labor started around noon, after having contracted on and off the previous day with no progression, I knew this time it was different. We promptly called the midwife, and headed to the hospital. On the way there, I cried out, "We're not going to make it!" Doug panicked, thinking I meant, this baby is going to be delivered before we get there! Actually I mean, "We're not going to make it for the epidural!" But I was wrong.
Polly, the midwife, met us at the hospital, we spent a few minutes in triage, and then were sent onto a room. I calmed down considerably when I learned I was only at a two, and when I calmed down, the pain subsided as well. Nevertheless, they got me an epidural, and it was heaven. Really. I couldn't believe labor could be so calm. I didn't want to read or watch tv while something so amazing and spiritual was happening to my body. So I just waited, and waited, and waited.
I had the epidural around 2:30 or so. The baby hadn't descended enough yet, so they couldn't break my water yet. Around 8 or 8:30 I was able to start pushing. One push and I felt so terrible, pukey, thinking, "I'll never be able to do this, ever." Turns out, my blood pressure dropped dangerously, causing me to almost pass out, and the baby's heart rate to drop dangerously as well. Coincidentally,with his training in medical malpractice law, he knew the dangers of how low the baby's heart rate dropped, and it also caused Doug to nearly pass out in the corner too. That part is funny now! The hospital team was able to stabilize all of us quickly. They turned off the epidural, gave me oxygen, and something in my iv, and everyone's blood pressure came back up. They decided to wait and let the baby descend on his own, so around 9:20, our sweet little Ethan was born.
It truly was love at first sight. I couldn't believe when they put him in my arms, how much I loved him. I felt an instant connection to this beautiful, brown eyed boy. It was such a sweet and special time to be with him and Doug in the hospital together. It was a beautiful experience to introduce the other kids to our newest addition. Our family felt whole, and complete. We are so blessed!!!
