Elijah Daniel Is Finally Here!

So I'd been anticipating labor for a week and a half since I was having constant bouts of sporadic contractions. I had my midwife appointment to be checked and I was 90% effaced and 2cm dilated (39+6). My midwife said jokingly as she had checked me "Now I've been known to be called 'pitocin fingers' and have made several mom's go into labor!" My mom and I chuckled and said "Wouldn't THAT be nice?" as I was so over feeling huge & uncomfortable. Sure enough, that afternoon around 3:30 I started having contractions! I ended up laboring at home until 8:30, keeping a close eye on contractions. They were coming fairly oddly (but regular), like 4 mins, then 2, then 2, then 3... I called my midwife and she said to come up to the hospital. My husband rushed around tying up last minute loose-ends and we arrived at the hospital around 8:40. I was checked in and taken to triage where they checked my cervix again, where I was at 4cm and 100% effaced! They said "You're staying, girl!" My hubby and I were taken to our L&D; room where I met our nurse who was an absolute sweetheart and they administered my IV. But I have rolling veins and had to be poked 6 times before they had it placed!!! My parents and sister then arrived and my midwife soon after. I had my epidural administered and soon started to feel better, although I was still highly uncomfortable. My baby was nestled right up to the inner front curve of my pelvis and every time I contracted, I could feel the pain and pressure of that softball-sized portion. I labored on my back, on my side with a peanut ball, and on my hands and knees with the peanut ball supporting my upper half. That felt the best because it helped take the pressure off my pelvis. I had 3 bouts of vomiting throughout labor which was awful but it helped move him down the birth canal. Soon I was ready to push. And even though I wanted my son out, I was afraid to push. But I knew I had to. With my husband by my side, he helped support my head with every push and my mom and sister held each of my legs as I rested between contractions. I pushed for 1 hr 45 mins... the last several minutes were quite the rush as my mom, sister, and midwife were all saying "Push! Push! We can see his head, you're almost there honey!" Finally, at 5:45 a.m. on September 21st, 2017, his head emerged and my midwife pulled the rest of him out in one easy tug and placed him immediately on my chest. Even though I was absolutely EXHAUSTED beyond my limit, I still found the strength to hold Elijah as he cried his first breaths. I couldn't believe what I'd just accomplished and how relatively fast those 14 hours went by. He was so worth every single last worry, ache, pain, tear, and moan. Our Elijah was born a perfect 8.2# and 20" long ❤️

P.S. Yes I know he has bilateral Clubfeet, we are meeting with the specialist and starting treatment this week.