41 weeks later, my birth story!

(I don’t know how to not be wordy when telling this story, so here we go lol)

I was 40 w + 6 d and I had been having contractions all day. They weren’t painful or regular, so I didn’t think anything of it. I had an appointment the next day to start discussing induction.

We were at my parents’ house and sitting out on the back patio with them when I felt two painful contractions in a row. I said I was going to go to the bathroom and make sure it wasn’t just the need to poop lol. I went to the bathroom and was getting ready to pull my pants up when I noticed something trickling out. I was thinking, could this be my water?! A second later, a small gush hit the floor. I KNEW it wasn’t pee!

I waddled/ran to the back door, swung it open crying, and yelled “MY WATER BROKE!!” My parents and husband jumped up and were just as excited with me! We headed to the hospital and I could feel the contractions getting stronger. We got to the hospital at around 8:00 PM (my water broke at 7:45), they tested to make sure it was amniotic fluid and the little swab turned blue right away. I was dilated to 2 cm and 70% effaced and before I knew it, we were in a room!

My plan was to do it naturally and at the most, use pain medications through the IV. I knew contractions were going to be painful, but HOLY cow. They were excruciating. Not only did they hurt, but they made me extremely nauseous and very overheated. I labored in the tub for a little while and eventually decided I needed the epidural.

Let me tell you, I was EXTREMELY set on not getting an epidural. The idea of being numb was terrifying to me. I had been laboring for 6 hours and was only to 4 cm. After I got the epidural (which didn’t bother me going in) I was a new person. I got itchy and I had the shakes, but the pain and nausea were totally gone. I ended up sleeping for two hours!

I was dilated to a 6 at around 4:30 AM. At 6:00 AM, I was at a 7. Baby was face up, so they got me in a position to help him flip. I started feeling contractions and pressure like I had to poop. Within 40 minutes, he flipped to face down. I started feeling nauseous again and couldn’t hold it in. For the first time in my whole pregnancy, I threw up. It only took 41 weeks! Then, the nurse checked me, and said “Do you want the good news?” with a smile on her face. “You’re complete! He’s ready to come out!” I started crying!! I couldn’t believe the moment was finally here!

While we were doing practice pushes, she said she could see his head. The doctor came in and was getting her stuff ready. At 7:04 AM I started to push. The doctor started laughing and said “I can’t believe how easy he is coming out! You are doing incredible!” By 7:12 AM, he was in my arms. 12 hours of labor and 8 minutes of pushing!

No matter what anyone tells you, you really can’t prepare for the moment when you see your baby for the first time. It was unlike anything I have ever felt before. I will never forget how soft and warm he felt and how much love I felt pouring out of me. It is a truly indescribable feeling.

I ended up with two tears, but recovery has been going well!

41 weeks later...

Benjamin Walter (named after my husband and my dad)

August 20, 2018

7:12 AM

7 lbs 14 oz

20 inches