If you had ever asked me, "Would you consider a home birth?" I would have said, "No!" It's just not my style. I like things controlled and safe and planned, every medical apparatus within arm's reach. Plus, you can't get an epidural at home, and as I've always joked, "You wouldn't have a tooth pulled without Novocaine." Aaahhh...the best laid plans of mice and men.
So how did it all begin? I went to bed Thursday night at midnight, so I guess that actually makes it Friday morning. I had been having contractions all day. They were strong and slightly uncomfortable but nothing I hadn't been dealing with for weeks already. Certainly nothing to excite any notice. I woke suddenly at 1:30 to a gush of water. What should I do? I'd been sleeping on the leather couch (thank goodness it's leather!) for weeks now. Trey was upstairs sound asleep. I tried calling to him as loudly as I dared at that hour but to no avail. Without knowing what else to do, I waddled as fast as I could to the bathroom to try to contain the water. I then hobbled upstairs to wake Trey who flew into action. We had so many things to do before we left for the hospital. I still had a couple of random items that needed to make their way into my hospital bag. I needed to get dressed with dry pants. We needed to call our babysitter for Addison and a ride to the hospital, but most importantly, we needed to call the hospital to find out what they wanted us to do. Trey spoke with them for a few minutes while I braced myself against the bed. The contractions had started in earnest, coming every 2-3 minutes. They were very painful although I was able to talk and breathe through them. I spoke with the midwife and she asked how I was coping. I said fine for now but that I would definitely be wanting something for the pain...famous last words. Trey continued making calls and I hobbled downstairs to wait for our ride and babysitter. Within minutes of making it downstairs the contractions were no longer bearable. I braced myself against the side table in the living room unable to breathe through the pain. By the time my dear friend Tammy, Addison's designated babysitter, had arrived, she knew we were fast approaching the point of no return. As an ER nurse herself, she could see it in my face and hear it in my voice. I was starting to feel the urge to push with each contraction. The crazy part? My water had only broken about 35 minutes before. She asked me if I thought we needed an ambulance, and I said yes. Thank goodness I did because while Trey was on the phone with the ambulance, I started to get really scared. The pain was unbearable and I knew I was about to have the baby right there. Tammy kept telling me not to push while Trey told the paramedics they had to get to our house IMMEDIATELY. As soon as they walked through the door, they asked me if I wanted gas and air. It's a 50% oxygen, 50% nitrous oxide combination used in the UK to provide pain relief for laboring moms. And let me tell you, it is amazing. It makes you feel kind of buzzed and high and made the pain completely bearable. I immediately stopped screaming and was silent (Tom Cruise would have been very proud). The paramedic then instructed me to push, and two pushes later, me on all fours, out came Davis! He had a strong, lusty cry and looked just like his big brother. They wrapped him in a space blanket to keep him warm and transported the three of us to the hospital via the ambulance. I was attended to by the midwife and Davis by the pediatrician. We were both found to be just fine, and after a shower and some tea and toast (what else would you expect?), we were permitted to take advantage of their 6-hour discharge option. After all, Davis had already been born at home. I had little desire to spend the night in the hospital along with 3 or 4 other women in my room and their crying infants. Trey got a cab, and we were home by 11am that morning.
So how are we doing now? Davis is doing amazingly well. He is a very good nurser -- much faster than his big brother was. He gulps his milk and within 5 minutes is completely full. His cheeks are already starting to fill out, and he's started sleeping 3 hours stretches at night. In between he seems like a fairly laid back baby just soaking in his surroundings seemingly unfazed by his noisy big brother (who will be 2 tomorrow!). Addison didn't take much notice of Davis at first. Now he wants to give him kisses. He is having a little bit of a hard time handling all the new changes, and we would really appreciate your prayers for him right now. He just got over the ear infection of last week and still has residual congestion. I think his 2 year old molars are coming in because he's been gnawing on his hands a little bit. On top of that we have guests in our house (my mom and dad) and a new baby. It's a lot for one little boy to handle and has prompted some emotional outbursts and difficulty with obedience. We are working with him and praying for him knowing that this is a period of adjustment for all of us. I am doing well physically. Although I'm tired, with such an easier labor and delivery than Addison, I am amazed at the difference in how I feel. Things had gotten so hard at the end of the pregnancy that by contrast I feel energized and stronger.
We are so grateful to God for His goodness in entrusting us with our two beautiful little boys, Addison and Davis. Thank you for all your prayers and notes of love and support over the past few days and weeks. We can't wait to introduce you to our new little addition. I will be adding a photo album for Davis very shortly.
So how did it all begin? I went to bed Thursday night at midnight, so I guess that actually makes it Friday morning. I had been having contractions all day. They were strong and slightly uncomfortable but nothing I hadn't been dealing with for weeks already. Certainly nothing to excite any notice. I woke suddenly at 1:30 to a gush of water. What should I do? I'd been sleeping on the leather couch (thank goodness it's leather!) for weeks now. Trey was upstairs sound asleep. I tried calling to him as loudly as I dared at that hour but to no avail. Without knowing what else to do, I waddled as fast as I could to the bathroom to try to contain the water. I then hobbled upstairs to wake Trey who flew into action. We had so many things to do before we left for the hospital. I still had a couple of random items that needed to make their way into my hospital bag. I needed to get dressed with dry pants. We needed to call our babysitter for Addison and a ride to the hospital, but most importantly, we needed to call the hospital to find out what they wanted us to do. Trey spoke with them for a few minutes while I braced myself against the bed. The contractions had started in earnest, coming every 2-3 minutes. They were very painful although I was able to talk and breathe through them. I spoke with the midwife and she asked how I was coping. I said fine for now but that I would definitely be wanting something for the pain...famous last words. Trey continued making calls and I hobbled downstairs to wait for our ride and babysitter. Within minutes of making it downstairs the contractions were no longer bearable. I braced myself against the side table in the living room unable to breathe through the pain. By the time my dear friend Tammy, Addison's designated babysitter, had arrived, she knew we were fast approaching the point of no return. As an ER nurse herself, she could see it in my face and hear it in my voice. I was starting to feel the urge to push with each contraction. The crazy part? My water had only broken about 35 minutes before. She asked me if I thought we needed an ambulance, and I said yes. Thank goodness I did because while Trey was on the phone with the ambulance, I started to get really scared. The pain was unbearable and I knew I was about to have the baby right there. Tammy kept telling me not to push while Trey told the paramedics they had to get to our house IMMEDIATELY. As soon as they walked through the door, they asked me if I wanted gas and air. It's a 50% oxygen, 50% nitrous oxide combination used in the UK to provide pain relief for laboring moms. And let me tell you, it is amazing. It makes you feel kind of buzzed and high and made the pain completely bearable. I immediately stopped screaming and was silent (Tom Cruise would have been very proud). The paramedic then instructed me to push, and two pushes later, me on all fours, out came Davis! He had a strong, lusty cry and looked just like his big brother. They wrapped him in a space blanket to keep him warm and transported the three of us to the hospital via the ambulance. I was attended to by the midwife and Davis by the pediatrician. We were both found to be just fine, and after a shower and some tea and toast (what else would you expect?), we were permitted to take advantage of their 6-hour discharge option. After all, Davis had already been born at home. I had little desire to spend the night in the hospital along with 3 or 4 other women in my room and their crying infants. Trey got a cab, and we were home by 11am that morning.
So how are we doing now? Davis is doing amazingly well. He is a very good nurser -- much faster than his big brother was. He gulps his milk and within 5 minutes is completely full. His cheeks are already starting to fill out, and he's started sleeping 3 hours stretches at night. In between he seems like a fairly laid back baby just soaking in his surroundings seemingly unfazed by his noisy big brother (who will be 2 tomorrow!). Addison didn't take much notice of Davis at first. Now he wants to give him kisses. He is having a little bit of a hard time handling all the new changes, and we would really appreciate your prayers for him right now. He just got over the ear infection of last week and still has residual congestion. I think his 2 year old molars are coming in because he's been gnawing on his hands a little bit. On top of that we have guests in our house (my mom and dad) and a new baby. It's a lot for one little boy to handle and has prompted some emotional outbursts and difficulty with obedience. We are working with him and praying for him knowing that this is a period of adjustment for all of us. I am doing well physically. Although I'm tired, with such an easier labor and delivery than Addison, I am amazed at the difference in how I feel. Things had gotten so hard at the end of the pregnancy that by contrast I feel energized and stronger.
We are so grateful to God for His goodness in entrusting us with our two beautiful little boys, Addison and Davis. Thank you for all your prayers and notes of love and support over the past few days and weeks. We can't wait to introduce you to our new little addition. I will be adding a photo album for Davis very shortly.
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