a birth story

 The night before you were born (March 7th) I finally packed my bag.

I was a little nervous. Wouldn't you be too? If you knew you were about to become the mother of 2, I would argue that you would be just as jittery as I was.

We tried to sleep as much as possible, knowing that sleep would only be a HUGE luxury in the many months to come! After tossing and turning, checking and re-checking that I had everything for your arrival, the 9:00 am phone call from labor & delivery came.

 At 10:00 they checked us into our room and started getting all set up.

10:30 am- started me on pitocin

10:35 am- Grandma & Grandpa Nelson came

10:40 am- Daddy & Grandpa Nelson gave me a blessing

10:40-11:45- contractions 3 minutes apart...not fun

11:45- I got an epidural!

Then, I figured this would take awhile, since inductions historically do. When I checked in at 10:00, I was 80% effaced, and dilated a 3. So, I sent your dad to go rent a movie or 2, get a snack, etc. thinking we would be here, waiting, all day.

At 12:30, the nurse came in to give me a catheter and checked me again.

She asked if my other little boy had come fast.

Well, sort of. I mean, I was induced 3 weeks early, so my body was not ready at all, and I had him within 16 hours. I guess that could qualify as fast?

 In the hour since getting the epidural, I had become fully dilated and you were ready to come out!  So, while the nurse was calling Dr. Ponder, I called your dad...who was standing in line at the cafeteria, hot dog and fries in hand, had already paid, handed the food to someone, and ran back to the room.

Dr. Ponder came in at 1:00, I started pushing, and at 1:15, you were born!

 I'm not sure what it was, either you were really really excited to meet us, or I was really really done being pregnant. Either way, you came pretty quick.

Best labor & delivery ever :)



Ready, or Not!

This week has been a crazy one! We went in for our weekly visit on Tuesday, and were surprised to find that I had high blood pressure. It wasn't going down much, so after our appointment, our Doctor sent me down to labor and delivery to be monitored. She explained to us that high blood pressure is one of the signs of preeclampsia, which affects the liver and kidneys-- and at this point in the pregnancy, the only real cure is delivery. (This statement completely freaked Ryan out-- Especially when Dr. Ponder said that after a few hours if I still had high blood pressure, they would induce me immediately. He had the deer-in-the-headlights look for the next few hours!) Camden has a great heartbeat and moves a ton, so no concern there! After a few hours, my blood pressure went down enough that they felt comfortable sending me home...but not without a lovely 24-hour urine catch. So much fun-- If there is protein in the urine, that is sign #2 of preeclampsia.

After 24-hours, I went back in to get another blood pressure check and turn in my test. My blood pressure was lower, but not low enough that they weren't concerned. They needed my urine and blood test results to decide what to do, so they sent me on my way :)

Yesterday they called and there is indeed a high amount of protein in my urine, so induction it is! They told me to "take it easy" for the weekend and depending on the status of things-- I will either be induced this coming week or the beginning of the next week! Crazy! It turns out that despite my earlier thoughts of my child hating me and making it his life's goal to inflict pain, (with the 4 months of puking, the 3 week long larengitis/croup, acid reflux, etc.)-- he may have actually listened when I told him that he was going to come early! he he he

With the news that we have 2-3 weeks less than we thought...our lives have gone into crazy mode! Luckily my parents have been in town and have lent a HUGE helping hand, and Ryan's family is close by! The nursey is almost complete...the baby is getting ready...now we just have to work on getting mom and dad ready...I'm not sure that will ever happen, but Ready or Not--he's coming!