Time has flown by since I last posted, which was January 23rd. That day was my husband's 25th birthday, and three days before I went into labor. It seems like forever ago and, looking at my last belly picture, I can't believe I was pregnant. But I was, and now I have the most gorgeous and precious little boy.
Here is Roman's birth story:
I had not had anything that I could call contractions before they started around 11:30 pm on the 24th. I had been so paranoid that when the time came, that I would have no idea what a contraction felt like, but when these started I knew they were the real deal. I began timing them for an hour, like our hospital handout said. I stayed in bed and Facebooked with my mom to let her know what was going on, but I didn't tell my husband quiet yet. I didn't want to give a false alarm in case the contractions went away. An hour went by and the contractions got closer together. I wasn't supposed to call L&D until they were ten minutes apart and I'd been having them for an hour. After about 45 minutes of contractions I went downstairs and said to my husband, "Now don't freak out, but I've been having contractions and will be calling L&D soon!" He got so excited...and maybe a little panicky. We went back to our bedroom and waited until the hour had passed.
I called L&D, they told me that I should wait until they were 3-5 minutes apart, and in the meantime try to relax and take a shower. Eventually contractions ranged from 3 minutes apart to 8 minutes apart, and this lasted for awhile. I called L&D again and they said I could come in to get checked if I wanted, but to know that I might get sent home if I hadn't progressed enough. So we were off! Athena and Hades (our dogs) were put in the kennel, and David, my mother-in-law, and I grabbed our bags and got into the car. By the time we got there it was 2:30 am on the 25th. I was admitted into a room and hooked up to monitors. Lucky for me, the pregnant woman in the room next to me was screaming her head off. And swearing. And maybe throwing things, we weren't sure but it sounded like it. Awesome. Exactly what I needed to hear when I was extremely freaked out about this whole labor thing. The nurse said that they wanted me to be monitored for an hour, and then they would detach me and I could walk the halls for another hour if I wanted. Time passed, contractions got stronger, got weaker...but didn't really go away.
The two hours passed. I was checked again but I was stalled at nearly 3cm. Bummer. I was going to get sent home. This was actually a good thing, because my OB wasn't on call yet, so had I gone into labor, and different OB would have delivered. Plus, my friend Sascha (who was in my sorority in college) worked in L&D and she didn't get to work until 6 am. Earlier in the week, she had written Roman an eviction notice, letting him know her work schedule so he could time his arrival for when she was working and could help deliver. L&D was extremely busy that day (12 babies ended up being delivered on the 25th), so we sat around awhile before getting discharged. This worked out to our advantage, because both my OB and Sascha came to work. We sat and talked with them for awhile, my OB asked if I wanted an Ambien to help me sleep at home. I said, "Yes please!" I knew I would have trouble sleeping out of excitement and nervousness. Finally we were discharged. OB gave us instructions on when to call or come in next. Sascha gave me my sleepy-time drugs and discharged us. They both gave not-to-subtle hints on when we *should* come in, so that they both would be working again and ensure that they would be there for delivery.
I don't really remember getting home, because I had to take the Ambien before I left the hospital and it kicked in right away. It was wonderful. Contractions kept up all day, but didn't get worse. I was stuck in beginning labor for ever. Or at least it felt that way. My mom decided to drive up after work, since my contractions weren't stopping and we wanted her there in case the baby came. FINALLY, towards the evening contractions started getting worse. So David and I walked and walked the house until the point where the contractions started to make me cry. Another phone call to L&D and they said we should come in. Yay! So the four of us (both moms and the two of us) drove once again to the hospital. I was hoping that they didn't turn us away this time, because these contractions were really hurting.
It was close to midnight (I think) when we got to L&D, Sascha was there but about to get off work. She was bummed that she might miss the delivery. She joked that I should try to hold off until at least 6 when she had to come back in. We were admitted back into a room, thankfully without a screaming neighbor. I was hooked up to the monitors again and said I would be checked in an hour. David tried to sleep in the uncomfortable chairs, but I couldn't. I kept watching the printout, seeing how strong my contractions were. One very, very long hour passed with awful contractions and I was checked. 5cm! I could stay! Oh thank goodness. I was asked if I wanted an epidural and I said yes. Originally I had planned to go without, but after spending a day with contractions and being in so much pain at only a 5, I decided that an epi was the best choice for me. I will never regret my decision to get one. The doctor came in to do the epi and I was so nervous! It hurt a little going in, but after that it was amazing! I don't think I really slept after that.
Sascha came to work and was very excited that I hadn't given birth yet. It was fantastic to have her as my nurse, she is wonderful and so good at her job. After being checked again, I was at 9cm! Yay! I don't remember what time this was. At some point I heard the *pop* of my bag of waters, it was so weird because I couldn't feel anything because of the epi. OB was called in and we got ready to get down to business. I think I pushed for under an hour. It was totally not what I expected. I even joked that it was nothing like what you would see on a movie. David was wonderful throughout the entire thing, poor guy! He had to witness everything :)
At 9:26 am on January 26th, 2012, my handsome little man was born! The cord was wrapped around his neck, but OB was so good that it took her a second to get it off. Roman was placed immediately on my chest and I started bawling. I don't think I have ever been so happy in my life. He was perfect! I was in awe that this squirming beautiful baby had only moments ago been in my tummy. It really is the most amazing feeling in the world.
I have never been so in love. Even two months later, I still stare at him and wonder how I possibly could have helped to make such an amazing tiny human.
Here is Roman's birth story:
I had not had anything that I could call contractions before they started around 11:30 pm on the 24th. I had been so paranoid that when the time came, that I would have no idea what a contraction felt like, but when these started I knew they were the real deal. I began timing them for an hour, like our hospital handout said. I stayed in bed and Facebooked with my mom to let her know what was going on, but I didn't tell my husband quiet yet. I didn't want to give a false alarm in case the contractions went away. An hour went by and the contractions got closer together. I wasn't supposed to call L&D until they were ten minutes apart and I'd been having them for an hour. After about 45 minutes of contractions I went downstairs and said to my husband, "Now don't freak out, but I've been having contractions and will be calling L&D soon!" He got so excited...and maybe a little panicky. We went back to our bedroom and waited until the hour had passed.
 |
| Waiting for the hour to pass, courtesy of my MIL. I look AWFUL. |
The two hours passed. I was checked again but I was stalled at nearly 3cm. Bummer. I was going to get sent home. This was actually a good thing, because my OB wasn't on call yet, so had I gone into labor, and different OB would have delivered. Plus, my friend Sascha (who was in my sorority in college) worked in L&D and she didn't get to work until 6 am. Earlier in the week, she had written Roman an eviction notice, letting him know her work schedule so he could time his arrival for when she was working and could help deliver. L&D was extremely busy that day (12 babies ended up being delivered on the 25th), so we sat around awhile before getting discharged. This worked out to our advantage, because both my OB and Sascha came to work. We sat and talked with them for awhile, my OB asked if I wanted an Ambien to help me sleep at home. I said, "Yes please!" I knew I would have trouble sleeping out of excitement and nervousness. Finally we were discharged. OB gave us instructions on when to call or come in next. Sascha gave me my sleepy-time drugs and discharged us. They both gave not-to-subtle hints on when we *should* come in, so that they both would be working again and ensure that they would be there for delivery.
I don't really remember getting home, because I had to take the Ambien before I left the hospital and it kicked in right away. It was wonderful. Contractions kept up all day, but didn't get worse. I was stuck in beginning labor for ever. Or at least it felt that way. My mom decided to drive up after work, since my contractions weren't stopping and we wanted her there in case the baby came. FINALLY, towards the evening contractions started getting worse. So David and I walked and walked the house until the point where the contractions started to make me cry. Another phone call to L&D and they said we should come in. Yay! So the four of us (both moms and the two of us) drove once again to the hospital. I was hoping that they didn't turn us away this time, because these contractions were really hurting.
It was close to midnight (I think) when we got to L&D, Sascha was there but about to get off work. She was bummed that she might miss the delivery. She joked that I should try to hold off until at least 6 when she had to come back in. We were admitted back into a room, thankfully without a screaming neighbor. I was hooked up to the monitors again and said I would be checked in an hour. David tried to sleep in the uncomfortable chairs, but I couldn't. I kept watching the printout, seeing how strong my contractions were. One very, very long hour passed with awful contractions and I was checked. 5cm! I could stay! Oh thank goodness. I was asked if I wanted an epidural and I said yes. Originally I had planned to go without, but after spending a day with contractions and being in so much pain at only a 5, I decided that an epi was the best choice for me. I will never regret my decision to get one. The doctor came in to do the epi and I was so nervous! It hurt a little going in, but after that it was amazing! I don't think I really slept after that.
Sascha came to work and was very excited that I hadn't given birth yet. It was fantastic to have her as my nurse, she is wonderful and so good at her job. After being checked again, I was at 9cm! Yay! I don't remember what time this was. At some point I heard the *pop* of my bag of waters, it was so weird because I couldn't feel anything because of the epi. OB was called in and we got ready to get down to business. I think I pushed for under an hour. It was totally not what I expected. I even joked that it was nothing like what you would see on a movie. David was wonderful throughout the entire thing, poor guy! He had to witness everything :)
At 9:26 am on January 26th, 2012, my handsome little man was born! The cord was wrapped around his neck, but OB was so good that it took her a second to get it off. Roman was placed immediately on my chest and I started bawling. I don't think I have ever been so happy in my life. He was perfect! I was in awe that this squirming beautiful baby had only moments ago been in my tummy. It really is the most amazing feeling in the world.
Roman Gar
7 lbs 2 oz - 19 in
I have never been so in love. Even two months later, I still stare at him and wonder how I possibly could have helped to make such an amazing tiny human.
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