Expect the Unexpected. Lukes Arrival! Part1

You all know I was so done being pregnant. I was certain my new boy would come early. However, not 3 weeks early!

It started at 5:30 AM on March 27th. I had just used the bathroom and went back to bed. A few minutes later I thought, "Wow, my bladder is weaker than I thought." I was totally peeing my pants. Or so I thought. The minute I stood up, I knew this was different. My water broke. I stood in the bathroom with a million thoughts running through my mind. My bag isn't packed. Who should I call first? He's coming too early! I had so much planned for the coming week! There's still stuff that needs to get done! I think you get the picture.

I called John. He had just arrived at work when I phoned. I told him to come home fast. But not too fast for I didn't want him to die in a car accident and leave me alone with three boys. Worry much?

My mom was up next. The first thing I said to her was, "What's it like when your water breaks?" I KNEW this was what had happened but I was still in shock and somewhat in denial, even as liquid dripped down my legs.

As luck would have it, my sister, Hilary, was in Logan. She had come the day before with one of her friends and they stayed in a hotel that night. My mom called her and they came right over so John and I could head to the hospital. Such a blessing!

We arrived at the hospital around 7 AM. It was quite obvious my water broke. I had a sudden gush walking into the hospital. "John, it won't stop! I can't make it stop! Crap." I started to laugh. I was laughing all the way to my delivery room. I'm sure the nurses thought I was a basket case.

And, then, we waited. And waited some more. I was bored. I tried reading but after realizing I had gone over the same paragraph multiple times, I gave up. The monitor was showing contractions coming 2-5 minutes apart. I was feeling them but wasn't in any pain.

Finally, around noon, things started picking up. Contractions were getting uncomfortable. An hour later I was starting to wish for pain relief. Why, again, did I choose to do this natural?! Oh, yeah. Recovery. So much faster! I had to keep reminding myself of this.

At 2 PM I wanted him out. They called in a nurse to help me with my breathing. I had been doing well on my own until that point but, somehow, I lost focus and started to hyperventilate.  And the weirdest thing happened. My arms went numb. My hands looked like someone who had severe arthritis. It freaked me out and I still have no idea why it happened. John was on one side, the nurse on the other. Both rubbing my arms and hands and reassuring me I was doing good. My doctor finally arrived, I pushed four times and my baby boy entered the world at 2:30 pm. He weighed 7 lbs 6 oz and was 19 inches long.

John, cutting the cord.

First time with mom

Getting cleaned up

More of the story to come....