My mother's day baby (long)

Oliver Aiden was due April 27 but we were finally induced late Saturday night (May 7). Our induction was scheduled for 7:30 am but due to overcrowding, we didn't actually get in until 11:00 pm. Pitocin was started but because a lab tech decided to draw my blood immediately after, LOs heart rate dropped and we had to stop for a while and I was given oxygen to bring his heart rate back to normal. 

About 2 hours later, we started again and I immediately began feeling regular contractions. My body responded really well to the Pitocin. By 4 am, I was having strong enough contractions that I could no longer sleep through them. By 10 am, they were much stronger and painful, but my day shift nurse allowed me to  get out of bed and move around the room to ease the pain. This helped for quite a bit. I spent the next several hours standing, swaying and breathing through each contraction. I was asked if I wanted anything for pain but I declined, wanted to wait as long as I could. 

By 2 pm, the contractions were unbearable, coming less than 2 minutes apart and lasting from 30 to 60 seconds. DH would stand behind me and hold me each time one came so I could still stand and breath without falling. I was becoming exhausted though and knew I would need some rest in order to push the baby out. The nurse examined me quickly between contractions since it hurt much worse when I was laying down. I was dilated to 7 cm. I received the epidural shortly after and finally found some relief, although it took a while to fully work. I could still feel my legs and move them a little but it numbed me enough to not feel the contractions. At this point, my mom, mil and sister stopped by and I felt comfortable enough to let them visit a little. DH and I decided that we wanted my sister to stay for the birth despite our previous reservations about allowing anyone else in. 

It ended up being really great that my sister stayed. She was incredibly supportive and comforting not just for me but for DH too. She has never had a child so she was simple supportive without making DH feel like he didn't know what he was doing.

My epidural began to wear off a few hours later and after an examination, I was completely dilated  so the nurse wanted me to start pushing. We started a little after 5 pm. My sister and DH held my legs so I could push more effectively. The epidural was no longer masking the pain so I could feel each contraction as I pushed. I was in a ton of pain but everyone kept telling me how great I was doing and offering encouragement. I think at one point, I said I didn't think I could keep going. My nurse quickly told me that he was almost here and to just keep trying because she knew the doctor would want to perform a c-section if I slowed down, and she knew I could have him on my own. She was right though, even though I felt like I had used all my strength.

The doctor finally came in and everything happened so quickly. I suddenly felt a ton of pressure and could feel LOs head. My Doctor informed me that she need to perform a small episiotomy, which I had no problem with at that point. I felt nothing because of all the pressure but as soon as she performed it, LO's head came right out with the next push. The next thing I knew I was shaking uncontrollably, in tears, and holding my 8lb 15 oz baby. It was surreal and such a relief. He was born at 7:36 pm on Mother's Day, after a little over 2 hours of pushing. 

I am so thankful that he is healthy. I am recovering well and just enjoying discovering how to be a mom.