Jacob's Birth Story
Very few people can actually say they went into labor on their due date. I was due Thanksgiving- November 28, 2013. I had NO signs of labor prior this day and was feeling very confident I was going to have to be induced to get this baby out. I woke up Thanksgiving with what felt like menstrual cramping and I came downstairs to our living room and slept on the couch that morning. I woke up about 9-10am and realized these "cramps" were not going away and continued to happen. I started to time them before saying anything to Dan and realized they were every 8-10 minutes apart. I started to get really excited, nervous, anxious- this could be it!!
After telling Dan I think I might be in early labor I called my mom to make sure I was timing my contractions right. We were supposed to be going to my parents house for Thanksgiving later that afternoon and I started to worry we would have to go the hospital instead. I called my Doctor before leaving for Thanksgiving dinner just to be sure I was in labor. She confirmed she thought I was in early labor (she had done a membrane sweep the day prior) but reassured me I should wait until my contractions were every 5 minutes apart before heading to the hospital- this could take hours/days. So off Dan and I went to Thanksgiving dinner....
During the evening my contractions became stronger and closer together. They HURT- so much so that I couldn't talk through them. Dinner was a wash----I couldn't enjoy anything or barely eat. I ended up spending half the evening in my parents bed just waiting out the contractions. I was verily confident we would be heading to the hospital that evening. Dan and I left my parents house around 9pm and came home gathered our things and headed up to the hospital after calling my Doctor.
I checked into triage- changed into a gown- monitors were hooked up to my belly- and the nurse checked me. I was completely effaced and only 1cm dilated. WHAT!!!??? I felt exhausted and disappointed. They gave me a couple ambien and sent me home to try and sleep. That night was AWFUL! Ambien definitely knocked me out but Dan said I was waking up every 5-10 minutes moaning in pain- He finally went and slept in our basement just to get some sleep. I woke up that morning in such pain, I actually puked in our bathroom sink- gross. I couldn't take it anymore- I woke Dan up and said we are going back to the hospital!! I didn't even call my Doctor- I didn't even care at that point.
Dan offered to drop me off at the entrance, but stubborn me, I had to walk. I had to stop 3 times walking into the hospital because of contractions so intense they took my breath away. We checked into triage again and everything from that point forward happened super fast. The nurses knew I was in the night before and immediately had me changed and checked me in about 3 minutes. I was 100% effaced and at a 8!! Nurses started rushing around frantically telling me I could have this baby in 20 minutes!! All I remember is they asked me if I wanted an epidural--ummm yes!! Next thing I know they are wheeling me down the hallway into the delivery room with Dan trying to grab our things rushing behind us.
I was lucky and had my epidural within 5 minutes. **Best thing ever!!** It was also the weirdest thing- I felt so relaxed, I couldn't even feel if I needed to pee or not. During that time Dan and I were able to relax- It for sure slowed down my labor- I even was able to take a nap! Then it came time to push- I only knew I needed to push because my nurse told me. I never felt another contraction. I pushed for 2 hours- pretty exhausting, but to be honest time FLEW! I was so proud of Dan during this time. He is normally very squeemish about anything medical and I seriously though he would need to sit on chair beside me while in labor just to prevent passing out. But he surprised me! He held my legs when I pushed, he encouraged me, he was so excited!
Towards the end of pushing the nurse said "look you can see his head!" Dan sure enough looked and said he had a full head of hair. My labor/delivery nurse and Doctor were so AWESOME--seriously. They encouraged me until the end- then he was here!! The hardest part was getting his head out and then rest of him just came. They laid him on my chest and I just looked at him in disbelief and cried. Dan cut the umbilical cord and off they took him to be cleaned, weighed, etc. I just sat there in such awe that I just had a BABY!!
after the epidural--relaxing watching some tv.
Hooked up to stuff to keep me hydrated and pitocin so I could feel the contractions to try and push at the end.
And this is what Dan did in between pushing....haha--on his phone.
Happy Daddy holding his son for the first time.
Jacob's luxurious sleeping setup in the hospital.
He is wonderful, beautiful, and our everything!
I'm not going to lie- this first week has been challenging. Lots of emotions going on, no sleep, feeling clueless at times, BUT I am so happy he is finally here.
Jacob Daniel Drwencke
11/29/2013
5:11pm
9lbs 2 oz, 21 inches
No I am not nursing here and yes I am wearing a shirt. :)
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