Birth story

While daddy is on baby duty, i am finally going to update you on the birth of our lil man.

On Thursday, October 2, we went in for our growth scan ultrasound. Because of my gestational diabetes, they were worried he might be too big. The next day, I got a call from my doc, and they say that the ultrasound read that he was only 5lbs 8oz. She said that basically my uterus was tired and wasn't allowing him to grow and that we needed to get him out ASAP and wanted to induce me that day. So, I went to my other doc appointment, called Tim and the other barage of people involved to tell them the startling news.

We got to L&D around 3:30p, checked in and started the exam. By 7p, I was in my labor suite, getting my pill to soften my cervix. Because I was only 37 weeks along, and he hadn't dropped into my pelvis yet, we had to start from beyond 0. So, we got the magical lil pill started, which started contractions. Actually, it just softened my cervix so that he would drop into the birth canal.

Then, the docs put this catheter type tube in my cervix that had a donut sized balloon inside and blew it up and hung it off my bed. They said that when it fell out, I would be dilated to 3 cm. Within the hour, the balloon fell out. They checked me again an hour later and my cervix had gone back to being a zero! So they put the balloon in again, and I felt it was going to fall out, and when she tugged, it did. I was finally on my way. Four hours later, I was still sitting at 4 cm. The anesthesiologist came in and did a allergy prick test just to make sure I was in fact NOT allergic to bupivicaine. While he did the test, we sat and watched part of Dodgeball. Shortly after he left, my parents finally came.

We sat around watching TV for about two hours waiting for words from the doctors on how I was progressing. Around 930p there was no new news, but my contractions were getting long and strong. So, because I wasn't progressing, my parents left for the night. We'd told them we'd call if anything changed. The next 12 hours or so that passed were spent catching Zz's, getting checked for progress every 4 hours, and being turned from one side to the other to get him more adequate oxygen. Another anesthesiologist came in around mid afternoon and started the epidural. The contractions were getting wicked bad, but I just kept breathing through them. After about a half hour, there was very little to no pain, which made me very happy. They also started the pitocin right around the same time. I had this amazing clicker button where if I pressed it, every 15 minutes it would add an extra shot into my epidural. It came in quite handy since I had to lay on my side because the baby wasn't moving as much as they would've liked. Finally, I was starting to make progress. About four hours after my epidural, I was finally progressed to 6 cm! Then on to 10! My mom had stayed with Tim and I most of the day, getting snacks, running around, and keeping me entertained. Finally around 1030, while we were sitting at 10, they told us that we'd be pushing within the hour, that they wanted him to drop naturally, and not force him down. So, my mom gave my dad a call and told him that it was time. We waited til my dad got there. He finally arrived at 1115p. After hunting down docs and nurses and getting everything set up, at 1130 we were ready to push. I was bright and numb at this point and wanted to get the show on the road.

Tim and a nurse held my legs as I started to push. I pushed three times in a row, took a break to be put on oxygen and wait for the next contraction and started again. After three sets of three for pushing, on the 4th push the doctor yelled "we're having a baby!" I looked at Tim and he was crying. Next thing I know, I hear the bright cheers and the sound of our baby crying. It was amazing. Mostly because I didn't feel a thing the entire time. At 1145p he was born. Tim was able to cut the umbilical cord and as soon as he did, David started peeing on everyone in the room, sans Tim and I. They rushed him off and got him cleaned up and checked out. He was a hefty 7lbs, 6oz and 18 and a half inches long. I only needed two stitches, which was amazing, especially considering how quickly he came out. While he was getting cleaned, Tim went and told my parents the good news. After he was cleaned up and checked, they finally brought him over to me. I sobbed like a school girl on christmas day. It was the best moment of my LIFE. After I was taken care of and had him in my arms, we brought my parents in. They both cried. It was amazing to see that moment with them, especially my dad. (David is named after him, after all).

He's here!

After many grueling days, weeks and months, our precious baby boy is here!

I will be posting details of the labor and delivery during my next "sleep shift" (unless Dad adds something before then).

But, he is 7lbs 6oz, 18.5 inches long. He was born Saturday, October 4 2008 at 1145p. I was in labor 27 hours from 0cm to 10cm. It only took 15 minutes of pushing. He is absolutly perfect, with blonde hair and dark blue eyes.

His name is

David Gary Harshbarger Transue

No, he is not hyphenated, Harshbarger will be his second middle name.

Again, will post details later. Must get sleep, this lil man takes a lot out of us!