Asher James Birth Story (crestedlady)

crestedlady · June 2014

Short version...Asher was born at 5:36 p.m. June 15 weighing 7 pounds, 9 ounces and measuring 19 inches. Perfect Fathers Day "surprise."

Long version...woke up around 7:00 yesterday to take care of Cole and noticed what I initially thought were gas pains around 7:20. I think I may have had a bit of labor denial going on because even though the "gas pains" were coming in pretty regular cycles, I didn't tell my husband (who went to help a friend with his new boat) and didn't start really trying to time anything until 11 or so when my lower back and hips got into the action. About that time my parents called to let me know that they would like to head our way for Fathers Day after all, so I encouraged them to come...partially to make sure they would be there to watch our son if necessary.

Around 1:30 or so, my parents and husband had both gotten to the house; I told my husband that we might need to go to the hospital, and called the doctor's on call nurse. Since I was having cramps (i.e. contractions) every 5-6 minutes, she told us to head in to the hospital to get checked out. I told my parents the plan and we were off.

After stopping at Arby's for something to eat, we went to the hospital and got checked in. They took us back, and when the nurse checked me, I was already 6 cm dilated - total craziness. I had no idea since the pain I was having was very manageable at that point - by the time I was 6 cm last time, I was in major pain. Anyway, we got the epidural in the works, and by the time they were able to administer it, the contractions were much worse. I started having tremors and my teeth started to chatter - I thought to myself that I might be getting close to delivering, but didn't mention anything to the nurse since she was tracking down the on call doctor.

When she came in again, she checked me and found out I was complete and that the baby was at 2 station. She upped the epidural, which made a big difference, and about half an hour later the doctor was there and I began to push. About 4-5 contractions later, Asher was born at 5:36, 7 pounds 9 ounces, and 19 inches long. He did great, but we didn't get to spend that much time with him before he had to be taken up to the nursery for monitoring (he wasn't breathing quite right since he swallowed some amniotic fluid). Thankfully, by the time I was ready to move to my ante partum room, he was doing much better and got to come hang out with us after warming up a bit more after his bath. All in all, it was a very smooth and quick delivery.