As I'm sitting here on Sunday night, I cannot believe my baby is already here. I'm relieved that he is healthy, labor went "smooth", and I don't have to deal with inductions, high blood pressures, and bed rest ever again (though now, of course, I dream of bed rest). So here is a short birth story, as told by a still sleepy-eyed mommy:
Tuesday night, I was awakened by severe stomach pains, followed by my entire g.i. system exploding out of my body (t.m.i., I know). In retrospect, this was probably the early labor signs of my body "making room," or the bug triggered early labor, hard to say. I was up until 4:30, then felt great when I awoke for the day. Saw my doctor, said I was 1.5 cm dilated and we'd go ahead with next Tuesdays induction. Bummed, but whatever. Blood pressure high, baby's head still high, but my cervix was ripening (gross, but part of the process).
That night, Wednesday, I was awoken at 4:30 am again, totally soaked. My water had broke and the game was on. Don't wanna go into it, but let's say one pregnancy-inducing old wives tale worked for us. When I woke Dave up, he thought I was teasing him. Ha! 38 weeks and joking about breaking water, now that would be mean! There was a bit of scrambling, followed by me trying to go back to sleep. Of course, who can sleep when they are in labor? Maybe some, but not me. Dave was flying around the house in a fit of adrenaline, I had started contracting and was breathing calmly through them, but we felt that time wasn't on our side. So we called the in-laws and, an hour later, they arrived. Syl went to bed late and we knew she'd be sleeping in.
We decided Dave would wait for Syl to wake up and the in-laws would drive me out. By the time we got there, I was gushing water and contracting every 6 minutes. I apparently got the last available room, the beautiful corner suite! Its funny to sit on a bed in labor while morning commuters are stuck in terrible traffic waiting to get to work.
Upon being checked, I was only 2 cm. But since my water had broke, there was no going back. They started me on oxytocin and labor was in full effect.
Progress was slow, especially because everyone talks about 2nd deliveries tend to be half the time of first births. Mine were almost identical in time, but what can you do. He's here, and that's what is important.
By noon, I was contracting painfully every 3-4 minutes. I got the worst epidural ever, got checked, and was 4-5. At this point, I really felt it would be done by 2. But by 3, I was barely a 6. Its hard to not feel disappointed, though I don't know why. About an hour later, I suddenly felt extremely hot. I knew I had to shit, a common misconception while in labor. Its not shit, honey, its the human you're about to push out. The contractions looked like ocean waves, another disillusion I was having: my labor was no ocean ride. The nurse was hesitant to check me again, but when she did, I was over 9 cm. Hurray! But it was rush hour and the doctor wasn't there yet. I got nervous she wouldn't make it, but at 4:55, she showed up. Easton was born 15 minutes later.
I hate to say it, but this labor was extremely painful and difficult. I think the pushing was so fast cuz I couldn't handle the pain. Though there was joking between contractions, I meant business and this man needed to come out quick. His shoulders never turned, so he got stuck sideways. When the doctor goes silent, you know something is wrong. Upon some quick acting, we got him out ok. But wow, it hurt.
I stayed both nights in the hospital alone, leaving Dave to take care of Syl. Though this is how I wanted it to go down, it was hard to be there alone. Easton didn't sleep either night and I was so sore from the birth, it was difficult to do anything. After 4 days, I had a total of 13 hours of sleep. No good, but birth always leaves you with a "high" of elation and accomplishment, which is probably why moms forget and do it all over again. But I swear, this is it for us!
Easton was chosen about 15 minutes before we were discharged. Never, ever, ever go to the hospital without a name, or at least a list of names. Trust me, BIG mistake. We didn't get him snipped, which of course I'm happy about. I think Dave is still getting used to the decision, but all is done now. I just couldn't do it to such a little man, and his little privates. Regardless of what people say or think, it was our choice and none of anyones business. And its part of our contract with Satan.
When fed and swaddled, he is a happy baby thus far. We've been having latching issues, but when he's on, he eats well. When he feels frisky, and won't latch, he throws a terrible crying attack. And I mean ear splitting, chop your head off screaming. The cure? Give him a binky and wait it out. Then we pull the old bait-and-switch binky-for-boob. Whatever works, right?
I feel that once the nursing goes smoothly, he'll be an easy to please little man, but the day is still young...
Syl is dealing ok, she totally loves him. But has been throwing terrible tantrums and won't listen to us. I keep telling her its going to take everyone a while to get used to Easton being here, but in a few weeks, we won't remember life without him.
Until then, I'm enjoying the quiet moments of squeaks, yummy baby smells, and no back-talking.
I guess they are worth it. But man, have I told you how tired I am? It's hard to know what to do at 2 a.m. when your new baby won't latch, won't sleep, and won't stop screaming. I'm going to start examining my diet to rule out possible belly issues, but its hard to remember to eat these days, let alone have the brain capacity to rule things out. Luckily I don't have to operate any heavy machinery any time soon. Plus, with Dave off work, I have absolute nap powers. That, my friends, is the only thing keeping me going (except I've skipped them the past 2 days, which is why the 2 hour sleep stint of last night was lead by hours of total sobbing). 
My view these days is totally enveloped in the little man on the boob (as warned in the title). Most of you moms breastfed your babies, so I know you can sympathize. And I'm not complaining, because frankly, Easton nurses 10x quicker and 100x less painful than Sylvia at this point. He is still having issues with the side-lying position, a MUST for a sleeping mommy. But once he's on, he's secure for a relatively brief session. But as he is sleeping with us, he smells me all night and hence wants to nurse every hour/hour and a half. Finally, after draining both boobs last night, I made Dave take him away. They fell asleep on the couch and didn't return for a solid 4 hours!!! I had the longest dream I've had in months! It was lovely, though the dream involved me driving recklessly on an icy highway surrounded by snowy/icy lakes with the entire family in the car...yikes!
