Part 2

When we arrived at the hospital for the second time, we were put back in the same exam room. The routine went pretty much the same as the first time, back on the monitors and this time when I was examined I was just about 2 centimeters! After all this time I had barely increased a centimeter. The contractions were 3 minutes apart though and the baby was at 0 stage. They wanted me to go home again! I couldn't believe it and started crying. I was so uncomfortable. I hadn't slept or ate and was exhausted. Just when they convinced me to at least go walk around the hospital and try to drink something (once you are admitted you can't eat or drink), I got sick again. That is when they said I wasn't going anywhere and finally admitted me. My nurse in L&D was great! They hooked me up to an IV to get some fluids in me and then gave me some medicine to help me sleep through the contractions. They broke my water then too, hoping to move things along. I fell asleep for almost 2 hours, but when I woke up the contractions were even more painful! Plus I was so groggy and kept passing out between them, I didn't have the energy to talk or do anything between them. I was trying to get Chris' attention, but could barely speak, so I just shook the rail on my bed, lol. Getting to 4 centimeters was the longest part. I don't really remember anything. I know my mom and Chris were in the room with me.

Around midnight things got a lot better! I think I was finally at least at 4 centimeters then and I had slept some. At this point this is when they gave me an epidural. Can you say HEAVEN! My mom said I did a 180. I wasn't nervous at all about getting it done and the doctor who did it was awesome, it wasn't bad at all. Plus the relief was instantaneous. Now I could communicate and was alert. We still had a ways to go, but after 4 centimeters you dilate about 1 centimeter an hour. They gave me pitocin to help me along the way. At some point during this time my blood pressure dropped and the baby's heartrate dropped. They put an internal monitor on the baby and worked on getting my blood pressure up. I think it was only a few minutes and we were both fine, but I know it worried my mom. Me? I didn't realize what was happening. Around 2:30am they told me it would probably be another hour till I was fully dilated and that it would take an hour or so to push. So I called my dad to let him know. The estimate was pretty right on, it took about an hour and 40 minutes for me to be fully dilated. They told me when I feel pressure below to let them know. By this time they checked me out and the baby was at -2 stage and it was time to push! From there it all happened really quickly! They had to yell to Dr. Lieberman to get in there quickly, she almost didn't make it. I only pushed for about 15 minutes. They almost weren't ready for my little guy, it is a boy!

I never heard such a wonderful sound as his little cry. Chris cut the umbilical cord and then they handed him to me. He was beautiful! All slimy and wet, but so adorable. He weighed in at 8 lbs (although the scale actually said 7 15.5) and 21 inches. He scored a 9 on his tests and then I was able to attempt to breastfeed. All of the grandparents were in the waiting room and came in to meet him. At this point we didn't have a name. Although as soon as I saw him I knew he was Luke. He was a strong masculine name, just perfect for our little guy. But Chris and I hadn't agreed on anything yet and hadn't a chance to discuss it. So it wasn't until later that morning that we decided on the phone his name and began sharing it with all of our family and friends.

Here are a few early pictures of Luke William: