The "morning" of 3/19: After having to pee oh-so-many times during the night, 4am rolled around with me feeling sick and sore. I decided to take a very early morning bath to help, since I knew that the uncomfortable pee sensation wasn't going away soon. I soaked for about 40 minutes, still didn't feel great and watched Netflix (Parks and Rec!) instead of going back to bed.
It was about here that I was noticeably having inconsistent contractions. Of course I was hopeful, but not optimistic. When Matt got up for work, I told him about my almost steady contractions, but sent him to work anyway. He works so close, it wasn't a big issue.
Contractions continued to steady. 1min long, 10 apart by this point, closing in at 7am.
When Harrison woke up 15 minutes before his normal time declaring "Poopy!" I sighed and dragged myself upstairs.
Poopy was an understatement. I should have had Matt stay home for this one. Through contractions that were getting stronger, I changed the rare blowout and plopped Harrison in the tub. After a quick wash, I had to finish cleaning his bedroom (sheets, pjs, etc). Finally, after all this ridiculous (and gross) hullabaloo, we were able to get our morning started. The contractions were definitely even now, and I instructed Matt to come home.
Harrison watched his Curious George while I timed and breathed. Matt was running slow so I left him a message: "You should be home now"
Of course, he walked in the door right after. Between 8-9, they grew to 7 min apart. I decided to call the clinic and they said that's a good time to come in for a second baby. I kissed Harrison goodbye to leave him with Grandma and told him we were going to have a baby. He asked for more Curious George.
I thought this was going to go so fast. Harrison was only 6 hours of labor. Boy was I wrong!
I was monitored in the triage room (not admitted) for 4 hours. I was barely progressing. I was only at a 3.5 when I arrived, barely bigger than my previous doctors visit. 2 hours in: same.
My nurse, K, was fantastic though! He was very reassuring, even though I had a high chance of being sent home. I cried when he left the room at one point because I just wanted to have the baby and the contractions were strong enough to make me nervous about going home. At 39 weeks they were reluctant to do anything to move it along without me progressing more on my own. They also had two inductions that were hopeful to get in.
He suggested I take a walk to liven things up, and 40 min of that did enough of a trick to push me just past a 4! And contractions coming about 4 min apart now.
After all that waiting I was finally admitted into a birthing room. And because I was progressing and contractions were getting stronger, they agreed to break my water. This helped the contractions along nicely, though not having the same effect it had with Harrison. My mom was able to head over quickly and Megan came up after work.
We were able to get through Tangled, and I got my epidural sometime during Beauty and the Beast. I had been sitting on my birthing ball, a comfortable place to roll out contractions, but I just wanted to stand for a moment. Standing did something crazy and the pain in my contractions spiked so fast that I was calling the nurse in a few minutes for my epidural.
This time around, the epidural didn't numb me quite as much, I could still feel a lot of pressure, which was a good thing. When I was last checked around the epidural before K ended his shift, I was still only a 4-5. But I had fully effaced and baby's head was low. Still was hoping for better dilation. (At this point of writing, I had been up for 21 hours. All three of us were out after the nurse helped clean up the bedding area. Now it's about 4 in the morning).
Aladdin was up next.
I was numb, but comfortable. My new nurse was really nice, but a little more matter-of-fact. After Aladdin, I debated very briefly about popping in the LotR trilogy. But it was time for a cervical check. It had been a few hours since they had a look. I was surprised when she said I was about good to go! We just had to wait for the doctor to finish helping baby #1 next door. I was to be #2 of 4 tonight.
My dad came up to the hospital to wait, but didn't stay in the room too long. Megan stayed this time, but hid in the corner. Dr. W came in (different doctor than Harrison had) and while it was barely after 9:30, they said he'd be out by 10. I had pushed 2 hours with Harrison, and after nearly 15 hours of labor, I was hoping this time would be quick.
I started pushing just before 9:45 and Samuel Thomas was born at 9:51pm. He was out in less than ten minutes and it was awesome!
A small mop of dark hair, a bigger cry than his brother and he was on my chest, ready to meet his mommy and daddy and greet the world. He looks a bit like Harrison, same nose, but his head is smaller and and less squish faced.
Sammy weighed in at 7lbs 8oz and 20.25 in long. A wonderful healthy size. And barely smaller than Harrison's 7lb15oz. If Sammy had taken it all the way to 41 weeks like his bro, he probably would have been a big boy.
I'm so excited for him to meet the rest of his family, especially his fantastic older brother. I'm also hoping Harrison doesn't ask us to "take him back" once we bring Sam home.
I'm so tired, but he's so sweet laying on me. It's also time to feed him again, but he's being awfully sleepy. I thought he was waking up to eat, but as soon as he was on my chest he was out again. Sammy looks like he'll be a pro at breast feeding soon. Wish me luck balancing boob feeding and a toddler!
I'll add more pictures once we get our cameras home. These are just from my phone.
Now time for snuggles and rest.
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