LaurenEileen74: Anthony's Birth Story

Posted Tuesday, March 10, 2009 3:35 PM

"I couldn't believe the pain, but was so happy. This was labor! Everything I read about was finally happening to me -- it was amazing..."

The beginning

On August 9th, 2006, I was very pregnant with my son Anthony -- five days late to be exact. My husband was getting more and more nervous with each passing minute, and would answer the phone in a panic each time I called him during his work day. We lived about an hour from the hospital and he was convinced I'd be stranded at home when labor started with nobody near to bring me to the hospital.

That evening, one of my close friends, Lori, was over for her usual Wednesday night visit, and we decided to go for a nice walk because it was such a lovely summer evening. After the walk, Lori gave me a foot massage to maybe jump start labor -- we were trying everything in the book because we were so excited to meet our little boy! (And also, I was HUGE!)

A long labor

My husband and I went to sleep that night and all was well. Around 4 a.m., I awoke with a mild backache, and woke him up to let him know that maybe, just maybe, something was beginning to happen. Just to be safe, we climbed in the car and he drove me to my mother-in-law's house, (which was closer to the hospital), before he went off to work. In the car I was having mild contractions that intensified some as the ride continued. We were timing the contractions, and getting more and more excited as we realized that we were going to meet our son soon.

My husband went to work, and I sat with my mother-in-law for a few hours, timing contractions and calling friends and family. Everyone was so excited that the baby was on his way. When the contractions became really intense, I called my midwife Emily to ask when I should come to the hospital, and she said to wait another hour, then head on over. At this point I was in a lot of pain when the contractions would come, and had to put the phone down to concentrate on getting through them. I couldn't believe the pain, but was so happy. This was labor! Everything I read about was finally happening to me -- it was amazing! My mom-in-law called my husband and told him to leave work, (he's is a mailman and was out on his route when she called), and to get to the apartment as soon as possible.

My husband arrived around noon, and we headed out to the hospital...for the first time. That's right -- I was sent home from the hospital because I was only two centimeters dilated at the time. I couldn't believe the news -- I felt for sure I was at least six centimeters because the pain was so bad, and I had been in labor already for 10 hours! I was really upset and my husband had to calm me down -- he was wonderful throughout the whole experience. The car ride back to my MIL's was tough. I cried a couple of times and fought through each contraction. We stayed at my MIL's for an hour and then went back to the hospital to be admitted -- at this point I was three centimeters dilated and ready for my epidural.

Struggling through the pain

Before the epidural came, the contractions were so painful. Thank God for Nurse Judy -- she was so calming and used soothing words and mental images to get me through each one. I will be forever grateful to that kind woman. After the epidural (ouch), I felt a little nauseous, just in time for Lori to arrive to give me a massage. I couldn't feel much, but didn't feel too well, so she stayed for a little while, gave me and my husband hugs, and then left.

Getting closer...

Around 10 p.m., My husband asked for me to be checked out to see when the baby might be arriving, so we could tell the rest of our family when to come to the hospital. Emily said I was around six centimeters dilated and that the baby probably wouldn't arrive until around 3 a.m. We called the family and told everyone to come in the morning and that it was going to be a long night. They could all meet the baby then, and my husband and I could get some sleep before the birth. I was feeling much much better now that the epidural was in place and my nausea had passed. We decided to catch some Z's, but around 12:30 a.m., I started feeling the need to push. Daddy got Emily and sure enough, I was 10 centimeters and ready to go! I'll never forget when Emily announced, "Oh boy -- there's the head -- you're ready to push!"

I started pushing around 12:55 a.m., and delivered you at 1:35 a.m. I was told that most first time mothers push for two or three hours, but I wasn't having any of that -- I wanted the baby out! The pain was unlike anything I had ever experienced, but I think that motivated me even more. Emily and Nurse Katie were there with us and the room was dimly lit and very calming. I wouldn't have changed a thing about it. For the most-part I felt in control, and the few times I almost lost it, Emily was amazing at calming me down. My husband was a great coach too!

A family at last

The moment the baby arrived was one of the best moments of my life - I felt instant relief from the pain, and I started crying, saying, "There's my baby, there's my baby!!!" over and over again. Daddy cut the cord, and when they placed you on my belly, our bond was instant - I have never been so in love in my life. You were perfect and Daddy and I were so proud. Anthony James was born on August 11, 2006, weighing 7lbs., 6oz. He was 21" long.

That night, my husband and I got maybe three hours of sleep, but we didn't care. After 21 long hours of labor, our baby had arrived and we were the happiest new parents ever. I was awoken to breastfeed Anthony every two hours or so and he took right to it. I was so happy about that and felt like Mommy of the Year! In the morning, all sorts of visitors arrived. It was a wonderful day. After three days in the hospital, we finally brought Anthony home. With each passing day, we fall in love with him over and over again. His first smile brought me to tears. My husband loves singing to him, and it completely melts my heart. Even now, at three months, rolling over on his play-mat, I can't believe he's here and he's mine.

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