Our handsome son Treg Jacob Ward was born at 7:45am this past Friday, Feb, 22nd at 38 weeks and 5 days! Some of you may remember my post about drinking red raspberry leaf tea and then having cramps on Thursday morning and going from closed cervix a week earlier to 1 cm and 75% effaced. Went to work Thursday and felt progressively worse when I got home. The contractions became stronger/more frequent, like someone was squeezing insides to death. Lost my mucus plug and had diarrhea. Called the dr. and she said head to the hospital. I was 4 cm and 90% effaced so they admitted me. It was all so surreal, especially since I thought he'd come late. Got my epidural, which provided much relief. In about 4 hour I had progressed to 8 cm and 100% effaced. Dr. started Pitocin since my contractions had slowed and broke my water. I felt pressure but not pain. Pushing was intense but I managed to get him out in a hour or so. He was 5 lbs 14 oz and 20 inches! Long and lanky like his daddy. 😂 The dr. and nurses said I rocked it. I have a second degree tear but it hasn't been too bad.

It is truly amazing what our bodies are capable of! As someone who is not the best with pain and had a fear of childbirth at one point, I want to encourage others that you can do it - believe in yourself and trust tour body to work as it's designed to. Our little guy is healthy and has passed all of his tests. Only concern is that his head measures small (4th percentile), so they're doing an ultrasound to make sure there's no infection or abnormalities. Hopefully the tech can come in a couple of hours since it's a Sunday, otherwise we'll go home tomorrow.

I never thought he'd be here so soon, but he's the best early present ever (my birthday is the 26th). 😍 Wishing the rest of the March crew smooth and healthy deliveries and healthy babies! 💙