My little boy is here...

UncleBen · June 2011

My little boy arrived, via c-section, early Sunday morning (one week early)! My husband and I are exhausted and overjoyed all at the same time. He weighed in a 7 lbs 12 ounces and was 21" long. He's perfect in every way (even this funny little crease on his ear, haha) and scored a 10 on his APGAR. They tell me they never give 10's but I think they tell everyone that.

Quick birth story - it was a little dramatic and not at all what I expected. I was having contractions all Friday and Saturday but they were completely erratic. At about 1:45 Saturday night/Sunday a.m. my water broke. I was only dilated to a 4 when I arrived at the hospital (same as at my OB appointment the day before) but almost fully effaced. I got the epidural and was fully dilated/effaced by about 6 a.m. with crazy strong contractions and moving along fast. Let me just say that anyone who goes natural is a strong, strong woman! My epidural took away the pain and I was a much happier woman! Regardless, baby wasn't positioned right and his heartrate was dropping considerably unless I stayed on my stomach/all fours. Not the way I intented to give birth but we gave it a shot. I pushed for a hour and did not make any progress. The baby's head was 14 inches and the doc said that my pelvis was too small and he was getting very concerned because I wasn't feeling pressure in my "bum" but more in the front. That combined with the erratic heartbeat and he recommended the c-section. I didn't even question it because I just wanted him out safely. And that's what happened.

The last few days have been tough, stressful and beautiful all at the same time. I can't believe I am now a mom - about 3.5 years after we started trying. It's amazing.

A few things that I've learned -

1) I want a wipes warmer! I thought they were crazy dumb before but my little one gets the shivers like crazy when that wipe touches him.

2) I need more pacifiers. I had 3 brands - one is too big for him, one hits his nose in a funny way and the third is some cheap one from the hospital that he likes. I should have asked for more but I didn't.

3) I bought too many onesies and not enough shirts.

4) I thought the worrying would be over when he was born. Ha. He has a little lump on his head that no one mentioned to me....saw it when we got home today....and now I'm freaked out. I don't think I'll ever stop worrying again.

5) I have a lot to learn.

6) There is such a thing as love at first sight.

7) Last but not least, there are a lot of amazing women in this world and I've talked to so many of you via "posts" on this board. I don't know how I would have gotten through this without "you". Thank you.

I could go on and on....but I'll leave it at that for now!