Lucas is here!

MrsJRD23 · December 2012

Lucas Vaughn arrived Tuesday Dec 4th at 12:57 AM at 39 weeks 1 day. He was 8 lb 10 oz, 21 inches long with a full head of black hair! I seriously think he is the cutest baby ever....but I may be biased.

My labor was not "typical". Had been having pre labor contractions for about 5 days prior, nothing regular but happy to know my body was progressing. Sunday night they picked up but still nothing super regular but definitely more intense.

Went to work on Monday. I'm a physical therapist in a hospital so I'm on my feet all day long, seeing patients, LOTS of walking. Started having more contractions but still able to work...though sometimes having a contraction while in the middle of talking or walking down the hall was fun. Manageable just annoying - was having mostly pains in my back. At lunch, went and talked to my manager about taking me off the schedule for the rest of the week as I knew I would probably have the baby in a few days and it was just getting harder. Finished up my afternoon patients and then headed to my OB's office for my weekly appointment.

DH was able to join me for this appointment. Contractions picked up a bit while at the office. Had a growth u/s where they estimated him to be ~9 lbs. Then my doctor came in, took one look at me and said, "are you laboring?" He checked me and I was 5 cm dilated and 100% effaced. Sent me right over to L&D. Got checked in, ordered dinner in case I had to get a epidural and couldn't eat but got nauseous after a few bites and opted to get in the jacuzzi tub to help with the increasing contractions. While in there, the pain got intense and I opted to get the epidural since I was exhausted from no sleep the night before, and working all day, I worried that by the time I finally got to 10 cm which I figured was hours away, I'd be too tired to push. Got the epidural and they immediately checked me and I was at 10 cm!

Rested for a bit since my water hadn't broken yet and started to push about 45 minutes later - less than 3 hours after checking in not thinking I was even in labor. LOL. had to have my water broken and pushed for about 2 hours - his head was pretty large and not engaging in my pelvis. At this point, my epidural STOPPED WORKING. and could feel everything and my contractions were non ending, just continuous. They got the anestheiologist came in to start a new one - yeah that was fun. Had to sit up to the edge of the bed and hold completely still while having constant contractions and trying not to push. pushed a little longer after the epidural kicked in but he still would not budge.

Finally the OB and I talked and she told me that it was unlikely he would descend on his own due to his size. I reluctantly agreed to a csection and at 12:57 AM on 12/4 Lucas was born! He's perfect and the OB said during the section that his position in the uterus made it impossible to descend into the birth canal and he had too large a head to fit. So the csection was the only option in the end.

I was sad I couldn't hold him right away but he's here and healthy and that's all that matters. We are so in love with him.

Wishing all you other December mamas a healthy and happy baby soon!