And Now for the Rest of the Story

I know some people are curious about what exactly happened that caused Wade to make his entrance almost a whole month early.

Friday I noticed some cramping and just thought it was Braxton Hicks contractions.

Saturday I woke up about 4 a.m. and felt more cramping that was stronger. Then I got up to use the bathroom and noticed some spotting, so I called the after hours number for the doctor, and they told me to go to Labor and Delivery at the hospital to examined.

We spent about six hours at the hospital while they observed me. They gave me some medication to stop the contractions, and checked to see if I was dilated. My cervix was still closed and the contractions slowed a bit, so they sent me home thinking it was false labor and that it would stop completely. Especially since it was still a month before my due date.

The contractions came back that evening at home, and continued into the night. Although I did sleep quite a bit because I was just so tired.

I got up Sunday morning with more contractions. I started keeping track of how far apart they were and how long they lasted. By the time we finished lunch they were consistently 4 minutes apart and lasting about 45 seconds. They were also really starting to hurt. I knew it had to be more than Braxton Hicks.

I called Labor and Delivery, and they told me I could come in and get checked again if it would make me feel better. So we threw the suitcase in the car just in case and headed out around 2 p.m., taking David with us, because we assumed I’d be sent home again.

They put me in a birthing room instead of an exam room on Sunday. I guess they took me more seriously this time. After putting me on the monitor for about 30 minutes the Charge Nurse came in to do an exam around 3:30. The monitor did pick up the contractions, and they were stronger and longer than the day before. She did a pelvic exam and to my surprise and everyone else’s I was 90 percent effaced and dilated 2 cm.

The nurse told me to take a warm bath to try and relax, and went to talk to my doctor who happened to be the on-call doctor that day. She came back a few minutes later and told me Dr. R. said to plan on having a baby that night! On Mother’s Day of all days! So we got on our cell phones quickly made arrangements for David’s care overnight.

When the Dr. examined me about an hour later I was dilated to 3 centimeters. He said he was pretty sure I was in active labor, but wanted observe a little longer just to be sure. He didn’t want to deliver Wade early if it wasn’t necessary. He came back at 6:30 and checked me again. By then I was at four centimeters and the contractions were only 2 or 3 minutes apart. And boy did they hurt by then. I was really longing for an epidural at that point.

Then things started to happen really quickly. Almost as soon as the Dr. said he was going to notify the OR several nurses came in and prepped me for surgery. It must have been about 7:30 when they took me down to the OR. Once they got the anesthesia in my back I felt better than I had all day. Oh, sweet relief!

By 8:12 p.m. Wade was out. I think I was back in recovery by 9 o’ clock and in my room with Wade by 10.

We were worried about complications because Wade was a month early, but he’s 19 inches and weighs 6 lbs. 1 oz. which is plenty big enough, and his lungs are functioning fine. In fact the nurse in the OR said she’d never seen a baby pink up so fast. He’s been pretty quiet so far. Not very fussy and sleeping a lot. I’m sure that will change the minute we bring him home.

He’s so small and perfect since he didn’t get squished during labor. He looks like a little doll. Oh, and he has red hair. Thanks Mom!

I’m recovering well with out much pain at all. I’m just really tired and groggy which explains why this post may be a little disjointed. I got to take a shower today which really helped.

David comes tonight to meet Wade for the first time.

We should be in the hospital until Wednesday morning.

I hope to have some more pictures and video up soon.

Thanks to all of you for your warm wishes and prayers!