Ethan's Birth Story

On Friday, May 13^th, I woke up around 6:30 am and was excited that I had not gone into labor overnight. With my doctor out of town and family leaving town, we hoped to get through the weekend. I went back to sleep and at 8:30 am, something told me to get up and get out of bed. After 2 steps on the way to the bathroom, my water broke. Mike was in the shower as I burst through the door and told him the news. I waited a few minutes to make sure that it was actually my water that had broken and then called my mom while Mike called the doctor’s office. I took a shower, did my hair and makeup, and threw last minute items in my hospital bag, all while waddling around the house with a towel between my legs. The car ride brought my first few contractions, which were both exciting and not too painful (nothing compared to what was to come).

last belly picture. ready to go to the hospital.

We arrived at the hospital at 9:45 am and were immediately admitted. The hospital was busy and we got the very last labor and delivery room. At 10:25 am, I was dilated 4 cm and 90% effaced. Everything seemed ready to go and we all predicted a pretty fast labor. The nurse said that we were definitely going to have a baby today.

waiting for the epidural

Contractions were picking up quickly and at 12:00 noon, a nurse anesthetist came in to give me the epidural. I had to lie on my side, I couldn’t hold Mike’s hands, and I was absolutely terrified. She had a hard time finding the “space” and commented that I am a “very small lady.” After a bit of a struggle and a lot of tears, the epidural was in but relief never came. I knew immediately that nothing was happening and the nurses were telling me that it would take 15-30 minutes to kick in. Time passed slowly and contractions were coming faster and faster. The pain was horrible and Mike helped me through each contraction. Since we weren’t planning for a natural birth, we had not practiced breathing and relaxation techniques to help us through the contractions. Fear set in that I was maybe immune to epidurals or I would have to go through the terrible experience of an epidural again.

contractions close and very painful. they had to turn the machine so i couldn't see them coming.

At 1:45 pm, after almost 2 hours of very painful contractions, the anesthesiologist entered the room and re-did my epidural. I sat up, was curled over, holding Mike’s hands, and was completely calm. He easily placed the epidural, I felt instant relief, and was a much happier person.

At about 3 pm, I was 6 cm dilated and was started on Pitocin to speed up my contractions and further dilate my cervix. The next 6 hours were calm and while waiting to dilate, we spent time with family and friends.

waiting

still waiting

We met Dr. Manny, who would be delivering our baby and by 9:25 pm, I was dilated to 10 cm. FINALLY, after 13 hours, I was ready to push. We were so excited that we were going to meet our son soon…or so we thought.

time to push. there are a few pushing pictures but those are not going on the internet.

I began pushing at around 9:30 pm. After my first round of pushes, I was surprised at the difficulty of pushing. I could feel the pressure of contractions coming, but I didn’t feel like I was pushing “the right way.” I immediately was feeling frustrated and after each set of pushes, I felt defeated. I watched the minutes and hours pass on the clock; I pushed and pushed, and didn’t make much progress. Baby boy wasn’t able to get past my pelvic bone and he was facing up toward the ceiling. I was determined to have a vaginal birth and asked if I could continue pushing. I was told that as long as the baby’s heart rate stays stable and he doesn’t go into distress, I could continue. I have never wanted anything so badly in my life. With each sets of pushes, I knew that if I didn’t get him out, a c-section would be in my near future. I pushed on my back, I pushed on my side, and I pushed on my hands and knees…nothing. Finally, at around 12:30 am, after 3 exhausting hours of pushing, it was decided that a c-section was necessary for the safest delivery for baby and mommy. I cried. And cried. And cried. I felt like a failure and I was terrified of the surgery. Since we were not in an emergency situation, we needed to wait until an operating room was available and at 1:40 am, I was brought into the operating room.

last picture as a family of 2. scared, crying, and shaking.

21 minutes later, I heard the most beautiful noise my heart and ears have ever heard. I stared up at the look on Mike’s face as he watched our son taken from my body, and tears ran down my face. At 2:01 am, on Saturday, May 14^th, Ethan Michael entered the world.

big, beautiful boy

All of the doctors and nurses were talking about how big and long he was and about all of his blonde hair. I watched as he was cleaned and weighed and couldn’t believe it when I saw 9 pounds, 4 ounces on the scale. My eyes were swollen and exhausted from the pushing and the crying, and I remember saying “Does that say 9?”

Touching and seeing Ethan for the first time is a moment I will never forget. He was the most perfect and beautiful thing I had ever seen and I was completely overwhelmed with joy, relief, and love.

tears, tears, tears

our first family picture. i will never forget this moment for my entire life.

About 30 minutes later, we were wheeled back to the labor and delivery room, where we were given private, family bonding time. For about 45 minutes, we did skin-to-skin and tried breastfeeding, as Ethan latched right on and knew what to do. It was another incredible moment that I am so lucky that we had together as a family. I watched as Mike and the nurses gave Ethan his first bath. Adorable.

Finally around 4 am, I was brought into the room where we would stay for the next 4 nights. I was so hungry (you can’t eat when in labor and you can’t eat 24 hours after surgery) and exhausted, but couldn’t sleep. The events of the day kept playing in my mind as I watched the sun rise from my room.

Recovery from the c-section has been surprisingly easy. I was worried about the long recovery time but I was feeling about 80% after a week and 100% by 2 weeks. I had heard horror stories and I am glad to say that it really isn't that bad at all. I think having a 9 pound baby was going to hurt either way he came out! I ended up experiencing a bit of natural labor and an epidural, as well as labor with contractions and pushing and a c-section. What a well-rounded experience, huh?!

We was extremely happy with our stay at Missouri Baptist. The nurses and doctors were wonderful and we received excellent care. It was definitely the most amazing day (well, 2 days) of my life. Although it was not what I envisioned Ethan’s birth story to be, it is a beautiful story that ended with my perfect man in my arms. We are so thankful to God, our friends, family, and wonderful medical professionals to have helped us through this trying pregnancy. We are truly blessed.

***You can see more pictures on Mike's blog.***