I can't believe it's almost been a year since little Henry was born. We are preparing for his birthday on Thursday, so there's lots of excitement around here. The twins love helping and love a birthday party. We want to make Henry's day very special. We are planning to take him to lunch at his favorite Mexican restuarant. Well, OUR favorite Mexican restaurant. Daddy took the day off to spend with Henry. I have to do a little as I can for the party, due to all the little ones running around here! We decided to do a small, immediate family party for Henry. We just did a big party for the twins, and we really wanted something simple for Henry's 1st. Maybe next year we'll do a bigger party, I don't know. The twins are having a smaller, simpler party next year (at a bouncy place we think), so I guess we can just rotate years.
Anyway, here's Henry's birth story- a full year after I promised it! Haha!
Dustin and I got up very, very early on February 14th last year. We had to be at the hospital around 6:45 am or 7 for our scheduled induction. I must say, it was very weird driving to the hospital knowing we were on the way to have our baby THAT day. With the twins I was in the hospital ahead of time, plus we weren't sure exactly what day they were going to be born...so it was definitely NOT scheduled. The kids must have known something was up, because they got up at 5 am to see us off. Poor Boo-Boo (my mom) is all I can say. We left her with two screaming kids, up at 5 am. I think she was hoping for some sleep that morning before they got up. Leaving the twins was by far the hardest part of the whole process. I worried and fretted over it from the moment I found out I was pregnant. We had never been away from each other. I knew I wouldn't see them for 2 days, and it was hard. We decided not to have them come to the hospital because it would be hard for them to see me in the hospital, and also have to leave me there. We wanted them to meet the new baby at home. We arrived at the hospital right around 7, and it was still weird walking in with our bags. I insisted on walking from the parking lot and not being dropped off, for whatever reason. I will say I really was active during the pregnancy and felt great. I even had to run a few times while pregnant-thanks to Emilynn!!!
After waiting a few minutes, our favorite nurse and friend, Shawn, came to get us. She had our room ready and got started settling us in. We actually had her for the twins' delivery, and planned to have her for Henry's delivery as well. It's nice when things work out like that and you can arrange those things!!! It was a comfort to me to have someone we knew with me. I just felt more comfortable and at peace. I will say that since I knew exactly what to expect....I was at peace. Some people say just the opposite, they prefer NOT knowing what is coming during delivery! I am one who likes to know.
We got IVs going and my doctor (whom we also love) came by to break my water. It was a bit difficult (apparently due to Henry being so big), but my water broke and the pitocin began to induce labor. The funny thing was when Shawn first hooked me up to all the monitors, she said, "are you okay?" I was like, "yeah, why?" Apparently I was having steady contractions every 2 minutes and didn't even know it! That gave me hope we'd have a baby real soon! I was already dilated about 3cm. It was only an hour or so before my contractions were really intense, so Shawn decided to go ahead and get me on the epidural list. I have to say, I would not attempt to deliver without one. That's just me. I know some people like going au natural. I am not one of those people. As my doctor says, "They don't give out merit badges for natural childbirth." I agree and it made it so much more of an enjoyable experience. I had to have an epidural with the twins in case we had to do an emergency C-section, so I knew what to expect. The anesthesiologist apparently had a C-section for 9:30, so she came to squeeze me in before that, about 9:20. We were afraid if we waited till after, it might be too late. Well, a word of advice- don't get an epidural from an anesthesiologist in a hurry. Seriously, looking back it wasn't the best idea to rush that woman. She did the epidural, and it was quite painful. I did not remember my previous one being painful at all. I remember thinking to myself, thank goodness I never have to go through that again.
Well, the epidural only worked on one side. I was in a lot of pain on my right side, which they had me lay on. My dad and Dustin were both trying to make small talk and distract me I guess, but finally they just left me alone. I had my eyes shut and had gripped the bed rail. My contractions were back to back with no lag time for relief. My nurse called for the anesthesiologist, who came to give me a "booster." She came in with a huge needle and I think my dad and Dustin both were a little freaked by that. I didn't care, I just wanted relief. I will also mention that after she left, the above mentioned HUGE needle was on the floor of my room! Eeek! My dad got some gloves and threw it in the sharps container. It's funny what you remember, isn't it?
The booster did not help my pain in any way. At which point, Shawn cut off the pitocin and said, "We aren't doing this until you're comfortable." Thank goodness! Well, you should never say never because in comes the anesthesiologist and she declared we'd have to re-do the epidural. Well, the second one was done and it did not hurt at all going in. It was just like I remembered from my first delivery, and it worked! I was so happy and could get some rest. My doctor came by to check on me, and it was probably around 11:30 at this point. Coming from a very competetive family, I had decided I wanted to beat my first two delivery times this time. Henry would need to be born by 12:52 (Carson's birth time) to accomplish that. I know-that is nuts!!! Hahaha...It was a goal to work towards. It was not meant to be anyway, due to the delays. It was 12:45 pm or so before I was finally 10 cm dilated and ready to push. My dad was kicked out at this point! Henry was very big, and he was not coming very easily. I pushed for a while with the nurse, which I had not done the first time, obviously. Then my doctor arrived and it really wasn't long at all before Henry made his grand entrance into the world. He was born at 1:50 pm weighing in at a whopping 8 lb. 12 oz. I have to say, it was an amazing experience. I got to experience so many things I didn't with the twins. First of all, it was a quiet delivery, without an audience of 11! It was just me, Dustin, the nurse, and doctor. The baby nurse joined us at the end. I got to have Henry placed on my belly, which didn't happen with the twins since I had to deliver the second baby. I had looked forward to that moment for a while, I wanted that experience. After he was born, the doctor, nurse, Dustin, Henry, and I were just in the room chatting and it was nice. They all loved his name and of course he was darling with a head of black hair (that's since turned blonde!). My dad and sister got to come back and see us. It was a very calm, peaceful experience compared to the twin delivery. I must say, I was in no pain and really enjoyed the experience. We didn't even have to send Henry to the nursery for his evaluation, they graciously let us keep him to visit with everyone for hours. It was very nice.
My dad got to hang out with us before the delivery, my sister had gotten the coveted "bracelet" the first time with the twins to get to come back and see us. She gave that honor to my dad this go round. I was so glad to have them both with me and know I had them in the waiting room for support. I can't wait to go with my Dad in May for my sister's delivery and be there for her. It's a tradition now!
So, that is Henry's birth story. It's not dramatic, but it's just how things went that Valentine's Day, one year ago. I wouldn't change a thing about it! The overall hospital stay was so calm, quiet, and enjoyable. I sent Dustin home on Wednesday, the day after the birth, to check on my babies! I was missing them big time, but enjoying the down time and rest.
More tomorrow......where did we get the name Henry from????
No comments:
Post a Comment