My due date was December 23, 2011. That day had come and gone and I had no signs that I’d be going into labor soon. My water had not broken and I hadn’t had any contractions. At that point I was 2 cm dilated, 80% effaced. My OB doctor gave me the choice of waiting the labor out or of induction. I chose induction, I just couldn’t wait to meet my baby boy! I asked for December 27, 2011 but that day was full of scheduled inductions so December 28, 2011 it was.
In the days leading up to the induction, we celebrated Christmas, my parents came into town, my mom made me walk and walk and walk, bounce on a ball and eat pineapple. Still all was content inside my belly. On the morning of December 28, 2011, Marvin and I woke up around 4:45AM, both took showers, got ready and headed out the door to the Birthing Center. We were to check in at 6:00AM.
We were told to go down to Room 305. As we entered the room, a wave of emotion came across us both as we realized that in a matter of a few hours, we’d be holding our sweet baby boy. We unpacked some of our things and I was told to switch into a hospital gown. Shortly after, our labor nurse, Grace, tried to put an IV in my right arm but couldn’t find a vein. After much pain and struggle, she tried my left arm and found the vein. Another nurse came and drew my blood for the Blood Bank. I joked around with the nurses saying that I hoped labor didn’t hurt as much as the IV hurt, but they told me to come talk to them after my labor.
At 7:05AM, the Pitocin started flowing into my IV. This got me so nervous and anxious as I knew that contractions, contractions that I had not felt before, would begin soon. My first contraction began at 7:15AM and I didn’t feel a thing. My OB doctor for the morning came in and told me I was 3cm dilated and then proceeded to break my water at 7:25AM. She gave me the choice of getting an epidural right away or waiting a bit. She did warn me that from the time I say I want it to the time it kicks in could be a good 45 minutes. I decided to wait until I actually felt my first contraction to ask for the epidural. And then it was a waiting game again. After an hour of so of contractions, I finally started to feel the pain or “cramping” in my stomach which is when I asked for the epidural. The contractions got more and more painful and I had to rely more and more on Marvin for relaxation and breathing exercises. He stood by my side, held my hand and cheered me on despite all the pain I was going through. He was the best support I could ever ask for at the moment. After 25 minutes or so of contractions, the anesthesiologist finally arrived and started to administer me the epidural. He said I had a bit of slight scoliosis which could cause the numbing to only go to one side of my body but we would see. At 9:30AM, the epidural was administered through my back and I was able to lay back down. In a matter of 15 minutes or so, my legs started to feel real heavy and then on up to my stomach. The “cramping” slowly but surely eased away and I was able to relax again. I could hardly feel a thing from my stomach down.
Then came the waiting game. Hour after hour would go by and the nurse would come and check my progress. At 10:00AM I was 7 cm dilated, at 11:30AM I was 9 cm dilated, at 12:30PM I was 9.5 cm dilated and at 2:10PM I was 10 cm dilated. During this time, Marvin and I got to spend some quality time together, the last time together as a party of two.
Then I was told to push, push, push. Because of the epidural, I couldn’t feel my own contractions, so the nurse had to tell me when the contractions were coming so that I could push with the contractions. We went through waves of big and small contractions for about an hour and a half. Pushing was probably the most exhausting part of the day. It wasn’t painful at all, just took a lot of energy. In the movies, it always seems like a few pushes and the baby is born… I honestly didn’t realize that it could take HOURS. Finally, I was at the point where I was ready for the last few BIG PUSHES! But the OB doctor was with another patient who was delivering so I was told to hold off on the pushing until the doctor arrived. Once the doctor arrived, I gave it a few more good pushes, and HE WAS HERE!
Austin had a very strong and loud cry as he came out and this made us both so proud. The nurses cleaned him off a bit and immediately brought him up to my body to hold. I was overwhelmed by the love I felt in the moment. This was the little person in my body for 40 weeks and 5 days, and he was finally outside. He was absolutely perfect. Marvin got the honor of cutting the umbilical cord just as we planned. He had an Apgar score of 9 / 9, weighed a healthy 7 lbs. 5 oz. and was 20.5 inches tall. He did have a minor cone head from the pushing but people tell me that I will go down. And the nurses couldn’t stop commenting about how hairy our little man was, which I’m told he’ll shed a lot of that hair as well. 😉
We were told to move to Room 317 that evening as that was our postpartum room. After a long nap, I got up for the first time around 7PM. I headed to the bathroom and suddenly felt very lightheaded. I remember telling my nurse that I was lightheaded and before I knew it, I had blacked out for a good few seconds all while standing. When I regained consciousness, all I saw was my nurse and Marvin holding on to me as well as a wave of 3 other nurses rushing to the room. Apparently, my nurse said this was pretty normal except she hadn’t seen anyone black out but stay standing like I did. Thank goodness I didn’t fall to the ground or anything worse. After that scare, I was put in a wheelchair and wheeled over to our new room.
The next few days in the hospital were a whirlwind and went by way too fast. It was a mixture of sleeping, feeding, recovering, learning to be new parents, and getting to know our little guy. We were now a family of three and wouldn’t change a thing about it. My parents came to visit us. Nancy and John came to visit and brought us Chinese food. When our night nurse came in, she saw that we had Chinese food and said that she loves seeing what the fortunes in fortune cookies say. My fortune cookie ended up saying “There are big changes ahead for you,” and that really couldn’t have been more spot on!
My labor honestly couldn’t have gone more smoothly. My first contractions began at 7:15AM and he was born at 4:39PM that day, most the time was spent waiting for my cervix to dilate and pushing only took approximately 2 hours. The epidural was a life saver and if I had the choice to redo anything, I probably would have asked for it earlier. But now I can truly say that I know what a contraction does feel like and that the pain was worth it. As my OB doctor said before he left, this isn’t the end… it is just the beginning of the hard part. 🙂
Awwww! I almost got a little teary reading this. I’m so happy for you and Marvin!
Confession: I totally had to look up “apgar score” and “pitocin.” Also, I didn’t know that blacking out was common after giving birth… lots to learn!
Aww what a precious little family you guys are! I’m so happy that his birth went so smoothly for you! 🙂 Congratulations, Sandy!
congratulations!!!! enjoy your sweet little baby and all these precious newborn moments xox
Awwwww, what a great story hunnie!!!
Congrats again:)
Beautiful experience. Congratulations again!
I didn’t realize how big your belly got at the end! So glad u had a smooth delivery. You’re the best looking postpartum mom I’ve seen – no lie. (:
Welcome to the world sweet baby Austin!!!!! <3
so beautiful, Sandy! thank you so much for sharing! lotsa love to you all!
Congratulations and welcome to motherhood!
congrats! welcome austin! good photo-taking, marv! <3
Gah so exciting to read this!!! It makes me so excited for our little one to get here! Congratulations again to your beautiful family!
So glad Austin has arrived, & that the process went smoothly. You look GORGEOUS – lucky, lucky lady.
The part about your epidural possibly not working because you have a bit of scoliosis freaked me out & made me think of something that’s never occurred to me before. I had spinal fusion surgery for my scoliosis a few years ago, & after reading this, I Googled how pregnancy usually works after this procedure. Seems like more women with spinal fusion have lots of pain & require C-sections. ACKKKK!
What a sweet story, Sandy! (Minus the blacking out part, ee!) & whoa, you do NOT look like you just gave birth in those photos! You look so good! Haha. All of the photos are incredibly sweet. So proud of you! 🙂
so beautiful!!! i was nervous to read it ’cause birthing freaks me out so much (not that it’s happening anytime soon!) – but wow, this is so beautiful and exciting!!!! love it, friend!!!
Sounds like you had an amazing labor! So happy for you!
Thanks for sharing the birth story! =)
I definitely would have asked for the epideral sooner as well… by the time I got it I was so unbelievably sick and shaky! Then I had to have a second one because I still felt the pain down one side. I actually ended up having to have a c-section because my boy was stuck…the medicine to do that was wonderful. Felt nothing!
Glad to see your happy family of three!
So glad things went smoothly! Even though the walking didn’t work get Austin out early, perhaps it helped for the smooth delivery. So happy for you both and also impressed you are still blogging 🙂 Get lots of rest and can’t wait to see you!
What an amazing story! Yours was a lot easier than mine, that’s for sure. Sounds like a breeze!!
Congratulations again. He’s so precious!
Congrats, again, Sandy! It was interesting to read your birth story. Thanks for sharing! 😉
Aww, Sandy! What a perfect & easy birth you had! Austin is adorable. I’m so happy for you that things went so well. Sounds like my labor/birth w/Brookelyn. Easy peasy! That’s awesome. Lucky little man, Austin is to have a great set of parents. Good luck!! xoxo
wow wow WOW! What a journey!! and you have quite the adorable little nugget! hehe. Thanks for sharing these photos with everyone!!
<3Amanda
feast.fashion.faves
Facebook
Tweet Me!
Awww what a precious birth story! Made me tear up a little 🙂
Glad you had a smooth labor and that Marv was by your side to keep you calm and relaxed!
xoxo
Jenna
Congratulations. He is so so so handsome!!! Babies are the best thing in the whole wife work. And he will bring more love an joy into your lives and home more then you could have ever imagine before. Way to go!! I am sorry you were over due but it sounds like a smooth ride of labor. How long did you actually push for? Ohhh and I would like to share with you that my IV indeed did hurt more then any other part of my labor. The nurse blew a vein and there was blood EVERYWHERE. hahaha so I can totally relate with you. Congratulations again, he is so handsome!!! Asian babies really are freaking cute… Call me bias but they just are ahahha. Ohhh and Ekemona didn’t loose any hair neither did I nor my husband. Eke lost his because he had to wear a helmet for 6 weeks he lost it only where the helmet placed pressure. So I bet A will keeps his!!!
you are one lucky girl!!! so glad you blogged about it, i didn’t with my first, and it’s all so hazey now, I blogged about Stone.. and am so happy I did. 13 months later, I can go back and reread what I wrote and feel the emotions, it’s like I’m in the room again =) It’s the only piece of advice I give all my friends who become new moms.
CONGRATS!!!!!! He’s gorgeous!
xoxoxo
Awe I loved this! Im glad yours went very well! Your baby boy is such a cutie & I love Asian food!!! Awesome fortune cookie too haha! What a cute fam! Congrats!!!
Congratulations again!!! How amazing – thank you for sharing the whole experience. Love to all three of you. xo
this is so beautiful. congratulations on austin.
aw loved your birth story! congratulations!! hope parenthood is treating you well 🙂
Congratulations to you two again! I am so glad the entire process went smoothly for you and your little man came into the world safe and sound!
What a beautiful story, I love it! Congrats on your new little guy, I am sure you are loving every second. He is beautiful!
Wow, what a wonderful story! So happy for you! He is precious, just perfect! The three of you are such a gorgeous family! Congratulations again, sweet friend! xxx
Congratulations!!! He is beautiful!
I loved reading this!! Glad things went so smoothly!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! 🙂
♡ from © tanvii.com
Oh my goodness, he’s precious! Congrats again, sweetie. 🙂
great story! i’m glad everything went so smoothly for you and Marvin. congrats on your new baby bundle!
I’m so glad it all went well for you Sandy.. And here’s your newbie! What a cutie. What a great present for your New Year. And now, the fun part! lol. Honestly, I have never seen a lady before, during and after her labour looking this GOOD! Wow. Congrats again to you both!
I love reading his birth story! Felt like I was right there with you, cheering you on and meeting the little guy for the first time 🙂 Congrats again!!
aw, congratulations. You are such a beautiful mama – pregnant, in labor, and all….such happiness I wish for you & your fam. <3
I am so glad that your labor went so smoothly! What a cute little guy. I’m happy for you guys — Congrats! 🙂
http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88
Oh Sandy…my heart melts…seriously adorable…thank you for sharing your story….one of these days I will have a story of my own, thank you for inspiring!
Shana
Oh Sandy…my heart melts…seriously adorable…thank you for sharing your story….one of these days I will have a story of my own, thank you for inspiring!
Shana
Congrats Sandy! What a beautiful baby boy! I love the name Austin. Great choice 🙂 I’m so happy for you and Marvin. God bless your little baby and keep him healthy and safe!
I normally don’t think newborns are very cute- but Austin is so adorable! Congratulations to you both. Prayers and best wishes for your family!
So thrilled it went so smoothly. Adore so many of these shots… of the three of you together, of him sleeping next to you, the first moment you saw that handsome boy. Enjoy it all!
I love reading your birth story Sandy! i am so happy for you and your husband. He is simply so perfect and he’s one lucky guy to have you as a mom. Enjoy it and they really grow up fast! so far he look just like daddy!
Congratulations!! Awwwww he’s precious!! Really lovely tuft of hair. Hope he doesn’t shed too much of that.
I’m glad it was a pretty smooth birth. Congratz, again!
So glad to have read this! And glad all is well
the perfect story! congratulations sandy, marvin and austin!
I’m sorry…did you even have a single drop of sweat?! you look absolutley beautiful during this whole thing!
and AUSTIN! what a little love….so so so cute! congrats friend!
Congratulations! The photo of your new family of 3 is adorable!
Soo…after the epidural it didn’t hurt???? Hmmm my mom spent 32 hours in labor when she had me with ZERO epidural. I personally think the ob was a cruel man and was cheap as he didn’t want to pay for an anesthesialogist to admin the process…as he didn’t recommend epidural… To this day my mom says there is nothing more painful than having kids…perfect example…8 yrs later did she have her 2nd kid… I am glad you are doing great, and Austin is TOO CUTE 😀
Yay! You did it! Were you so sore from pushing the next day? I did NOT expect that! But I guess it’s a full body workout 🙂 I hope things are going well – I think about you often!
So many congrats, Sandy!!
My gosh…what a beautiful story, Sandy! Thanks so much for sharing and now I have an idea what my first childbirth will be like (if and when). haha Congrats again and yay for Chinese food!
look at all of that hair! and the teeny hat! brings back so many memories. enjoy, it all goes by SO fast.
Congrats on your newest addition!! You look gorgeous in all of these pictures!
So many congratulations to you! What a beautiful new mommy you are.
Awh I got chills reading this, Sandy! So happy for you guys! What a beautiful family you make. Oh and how on earth did you look so gorgeous through it all? Seriously I’ve never seen such a thing! xoxo
Awe sandy! He is perfect! Congrats to you both!
Meet Virginia
Sandy, congratulations again to you and Marvin. Little Austin is adorable and I love the name.
Thanks for sharing Austin’s birth story. I was a little nervous to read it because some birth stories totally scare and freak me out. Sounds like you had it pretty easy but I am sure it wasn’t as easy as it sounds. I did take one thing from reading…get the epidural!!!
so happy for you sandy. and you still look gorgeous when about to deliver a baby, that takes some serious skill…so glad everything went okay, and he’s healthy and perfect!
Aww, he is darling! Congrats and may God bless you and your family 🙂
Congrats to you & Marvin. Austin will have the best parents ever!
It sounds like you had a great labor minus blacking out! and why the heck do you look so gorgeous through all of this? I’m jealous haha. He is so beautiful and has a head full of hair!
Finally getting to read through this. So happy your wrote it down. It will always bring back a rush of emotions for you. This is such a beautiful story 🙂
HOW PRECIOUS!! 🙂 He is beautiful. Love your adorable blog 🙂
XO
Erin
Congrats girl!! So happy for you 🙂 What a cutie!
Dearest sweet sandy, i am so sorry i am a little late in receiving this news! CONGRATZ to you and your beautiful family! I want to run over and give you a big bear hug!! He is such a cutie and handsome!! I hope you are resting well sweet friend. Please send a little cutie hug to your sweet baby! Lots of love to you and yours!
Oh Sandy, thank you for sharing Austin’s story with us! I’m glad things went so well–this is the start of such a wonderful new part of your life! (And if it makes you feel any better, I had a bit of a cone head when I was born too!)
Beginning of a hard part… that is amazing as well! 🙂 beautiful story sandy!
Congratulations mama!
Congratulations Sandy!!! Your baby boy is adorable and glad to hear it all went smooth!!
OMG what a happiness this is! Congrats!!! Wishing all the best to three of you!
congrats on your new baby boy, sandy!!!!!! he is so darling. 🙂 <3
Sandy~ Congratulations!! This is such a sweet story! Austin is adorable. *^_^*
i’m only catching up now, but sounds like you had a wonderful birth experience. with my first pregnancy, i blacked out, too, when i went to the bathroom. i just remember hearing the nurse screaming, “code red, code red, i need help here!” haha…but it was all good. your boy is beautiful. welcome to motherhood.
[oomph.]
Share the Love – Giveaway