I was induced May 4th at 38+4 due to little guy supposedly having IUGR.

It went really well in hindsight, but during labor I could’ve sworn I was DYING. 😅

I arrived at the hospital at 9:00 p.m. Friday evening, and received my first dose of Cytotec by 10:00 p.m. and a second dose at 2/3 a.m. (timing could be off). I was contracting after the first dose, but I was really unable to feel any pain. Fast forward to 9:00 a.m. and the nurse had me up to bounce on a birthing ball and walk around the halls to progress dilation. I was only 2cm dilated at the time. By 11:00 a.m. I was 4 cm and at this point my contractions were horrid!! They started me on Pitocin then gave me Stadol to take the edge off the pain, but all it really did for me was make me feel loopy. I was still fighting through tremendously painful contractions!

My husband was a huge support through the pain. Thank you Lord for my wonderful husband. He helped me through each contraction. Holding me, stretching me, applying opposite pressure, etc. etc. You name it, he did it! All the while putting up with my mood swings and maintaining a positive vibe for me to feed off of. He helped me mentally, emotionally, and physically. Such a blessing. ❤️❤️❤️

Around 4 p.m. I had only progressed to 6cm, so I elected to receive an epidural and OH MY GOSH it was *amazing*. I was a completely different person after the epidural. Haha! My mother and MIL joined us in the room and we did my makeup, (yes... I wanted to be able to take pictures without looking like I’d been hit by a truck. FTM here and I felt like I needed this haha!) took some pictures, received more family, said some prayers, and the next time the nurse checked me (around 7/7:30 p.m.) I was fully dilated and effaced!!

Pushing was no joke. At one point, I pushed so intensely without taking a proper breath... well the lack of oxygen in my brain almost caused me to pass out. I faded out of reality for a minute. Didn’t know where I was or what I was doing. It was the scariest feeling. I was quickly put on oxygen after my episode (lack of technique on my part) and after about 5 contractions with three pushes each - I pushed out my healthy, handsome baby boy, John Micah.

The doctor placed John on my chest and right away he ceased crying when I spoke to him. He recognized my voice immediately. It was magical to say the least. Born at 8:50 p.m. on Cinco de Mayo, he weighed in at 6 lbs. 2 ounces. Pure perfection. My sweet baby boy. 😌❤️💚