It was Wednesday, November 8th when the contractions started. I was driving to pick up Ben from work and Benson from my Mom. I had started my maternity leave shortly before and used this day to clean, do laundry and set up the bassinet. I had also gotten my flu shot and dTap shot that day. When we got home the contractions were starting to get more regular. First they were 20 minutes apart, slightly uncomfortable. They stayed that way until 7 or 8 at night. They were about 8 minutes apart and starting to feel painful. I tried to relax and watch some TV but they were consistently staying 8 minutes apart. I decided to text my mom and let her know the time may be coming. I gave a call to my OB and he told me to stay home until they were 2 to 4 minutes apart. So, we knew it would be a long night ahead of us.
We put Benson to bed and Ben and I went to bed, but their was no sleeping for me. About midnight I decided to get in the tub. I tried to relax and breath through the pain, which had become more painful but tolerable because it only last about 40 seconds. Still 8 minutes apart. I had one very painful contraction that came at 5 minutes and I had a feeling that I needed to get out and pack our bags! It was urgent! I felt like a baby because they still weren't 2 to 4 minutes apart. Well, as soon as I woke up Ben, they were INTENSE! I stopped timing but I'd guess 2 minutes apart, as I was packing, and texting my mom. I told my mom it was time! She told us not to wait, she was on her way to come get Benson.
We left and rushed to the hospital, Ben tried to joke, I don't even remember the joke but I yelled at him. I was not having it with this intense pain! It was 12:45 and I texted Ben's parents and told then we were on our way. We got the hospital which has been under construction for some time. We got to the check in desk the security guard told us the elevator was broken and smiled and said you'll have to take the stairs to 4. He laughed. I gave him a shake of my head and probably one of my signature glares. The other guy said he was joking and showed us to a different elevator. As we walked pass the guy told the security guard, "that mom wants to kill you." Now, I can laugh at that. At the time, I did want to stab him.
We got to a room, contractions much more painful and coming what seemed like seconds apart. They quickly got me checked in, sent for all the nurses and Dr's they needed. It suddenly became very chaotic in there. Th nurse checked me and said I was 8cm dialated. I got the IV put in during a contraction. She kept telling me to relax! Sometime my water ruptured and my body was screaming to push! The nurse kept telling me don't push, don't push! So, I'm shaking, sweating, writhing in pain, while being poked and prodded and I NEEDED to push! The Dr came to do the epidural. I felt so bad for him, I was shaking and stiff at the same time. Ben was holding me and my mom came, i could see the worry in her eyes and I was in too much pain to acknowledge her or anyone. I couldn't open my eyes or my mouth. My hands were stiff in an awkward position.
Right after the epidural, Dr. Pennington got me in position and told me to push at the next contraction, no time to let the epidural kick in. It came quickly and I pushed! I felt the tear but I kept pushing as I screamed! I pushed even harder and felt the relief of baby being pulled out! I was in so much shock, I just stared at him! I was in disbelief that he was already here! The day before we had just hit 37 weeks. 1 and a half pushes and he was here. He cried and peed, there was no question that he was a boy now. 1:45am. 6lbs exactly and 17 inches long. I had barely been at the hospital for an hour and he was, so perfect!
He came so fast that he did swallow a ton of fluid, we had trouble nursing and he spit up mucus, he had his tummy emptied and I could tell he was doing much better. Our lactation consultant was amazing and taught us so much. Since he was so tiny we had to treat him like a premie. I had to pump and feed him breast milk through a syringe. Luckily because of pumping so soon, before I left the hospital I already some milk to store.
The best part of our stay was when Benson got to meet his little brother. He came into the room and we asked him where baby was, like usual he pointed to my tummy. I let him climb on my lap and I told him that the baby was not there anymore, he came out! And Ben picked up Declan and instantly Benson reached for him, held him and pethis head! I teared up seeing the love that radiated from him! It was a perfect moment!
Declan Lee Carter
6lbs 17 inches
