Hudson's Birth Story

Disclaimer: I love reading birth stories and wanted to document Hudson's for our family, but feel free to just look at the pictures or skip this post if it's not your thing.

Every day for about a week leading up to Hudson's birth I was hoping he'd come. I was getting uncomfortable, more uncomfortable than I ever remember feeling with Chase's pregnancy, and definitely anxious. I wanted Hudson to come at a time that was convenient for us to arrange a sitter (mostly a grandparent or aunt or uncle) for Chase and I was worried that maybe he was getting too big. Also, for some reason that Ben really didn't understand and may not have been totally rational, I didn't want to be induced early. I was trying really hard to stay on top of cleaning and laundry so that whenever he came we would be ready. It was kind of exciting and nerve wracking to wake up every morning thinking "This could be the day!"

On January 23 we went to our 39 week doctor appointment. I'd progressed from 2 to almost 4 cm and was 80% effaced. The doctor stripped my membranes and said he wouldn't be surprised if the baby came in the next few days. He did an ultrasound to check on the baby and said everything looked good, and thank goodness, that Hudson's previously generously proportioned head was now measuring just about normal for gestational age! I was so hopeful that Hudson would come within the next day or so.

I woke up feeling pretty darn good the next morning- and was a little disappointed by it, hoping instead of labor! Ever hopeful that labor would start (I'd been having fairly regular and sometimes painful Braxton-Hicks contractions on and off for several weeks) I went about cleaning the bathroom and doing laundry. The roads were insanely icy due to freezing temperatures and some rainfall, so Ben decided to study from home so he'd be around and accessible should I need him. I'm so glad he did!

Around 12:15 I was feeding Chase and drinking a smoothie myself when I first felt a fairly strong, take-my-breath-away-painful, contraction. It only lasted about 30 seconds and I didn't have another one for a good 11 minutes. 11 minutes later another came after that. And for the next 2 hours they came every 6-20 minutes, which I knew wasn't regular enough to go to the hospital yet. I really didn't want to go only to be sent home. Suddenly, about 2:35 they switched to every 4-5 minutes, lasted a whole minute and I felt like I wanted to die every time one hit! We called my mom, who was able to leave work almost immediately and rush home to be with our Chase. We had the car packed up and pulled out of the driveway after quickly handing our sobbing boy off to her (who was disappointed he wasn't coming along for the ride!) A phone call from my mom about 5 minutes later assured us that Chase was just fine, when asked what would make him feel better he replied "Cookies!" so he was happily helping his Nana bake :) I felt better (emotionally) knowing he was happy, as the contractions were excruciating! 

We made it to the hospital and started getting checked in around 3:20. I was thrilled when the nurse told me I was dilated to a 5.5 and would definitely be staying to have a baby! The nurse, bless her heart, got my IV in on the first try! (It took 5 tries and finally the anesthesiologist to get it in with Chase- I have bad veins.) They started fluid going and around 4:00 pm I was getting the blessed epidural. I love epidurals! Unfortunately, it didn't work very well on my left side, so he had to add some extra medicine that made me extremely numb, but did get on top of the pain. Dr. Hall broke my water as soon as I was comfortable and told me that I was a 7.5 at this point. The anesthetist thought that the reason it didn't work at first was because I was just progressing so fast. They gave us a few forms to fill out and by the time we were finished and the nurse checked me again I was at a 10 and ready to have a baby! It all went so fast! 

Dr. Hall had Ben suit up and taught him the ropes of delivering a baby! So we had a short, 20 minute-ish delay while he explained to Ben all the different things to check for, how to tell the positioning of the baby (feeling sutures and fontanels) and a bunch of different things. Once they'd finished their lesson, it was time to push! Two pushes later our sweet Hudson was born at 5:43 pm! I love that moment when they lay that new baby right on me and let me just touch and admire him! It's so incredible to meet this little angel I've been feeling kick all day and night for months! Immediately, all the pain and nausea is 100% worth it!

I couldn't believe how fast everything went! From the time serious labor started to the actual delivery was just about 3 hours! And with Hudson's size, (8 lbs 9 oz) I'm glad the little guy came 6 days early! I am so grateful for a wonderful doctor, who worked with us as we lived in Dominica and Florida and had few other options for prenatal care, and who took such great care of us. I am grateful for a sweet labor and delivery nurse who was so competent and positive the whole time. That sweet lady kept saying things like "You are doing so great! I wish every patient was like this! You are awesome at this you are going so fast!" (like it's a talent-giving birth quickly :) I am especially grateful for my sweet husband taking care of me, speeding to the hospital while I grimaced through contractions and held my hands and rubbed my feet to help me through them, and for being there with me as we welcomed our sweet little son into the world! These little babes are such miracles. 

So there you have it- the beginning of Hudson's story! We sure love this little boy already and are so thrilled to have him in our home!