Monkey See, Monkey Do

…doctor decided she would like to induce me sometime between July 14th and the 20th. Set to schedule the induction on July 10th’s appointment. Xander had a different plan…

Tuesday July 8, 2008 12:20am - Felt like a cork pop and then urge to pee. Ran to the bathroom. Sat down, told Ben I thought my water had broke, and very little fluid came out.

Strange…I had read, saw and heard that when your water broke there was a constant release of fluid. Both my mom and sister had told me stories of them on the pot forever when theirs broke.

12:30am - Nothing more - but have to pee a lot. Ben’s online looking for clues. Was it my water breaking or just the mucus plug. We don’t know. Call the hospital - they say if I release enough fluid to soak a pad that my water has broken and I need to come in. Sit and watch Weeds - waiting for more fluid. No pain - no contractions…

1:30am - Weeds is over. Pad is practically dry. Nothing new is going on so we decided to head to bed - both of us have to work in the morning. Lay down, baby’s kicking, but I can’t seem to get comfortable. Cramps have begun, but really not too painful, just like period cramps. We are up and Ben is again online looking for more clues - still don’t know what’s going on. No back pain - don’t think it’s true labor - all signs point to false labor. I’ll wait it out.

2:00am - still not sure. Broke water? Lost mucus plug? Ben’s still online looking for answers. I am still cramping - it’s getting a little worse, about 30-45 seconds every two to three minutes - but I am walking and talking - it seems to be helping - all signs still pointing to false labor.

3:00am - Nothing has really changed. Still cramping, still walking, still talking, Ben is still online. Ben thinks I should take a shower and get around - just in case. I take a shower - still cramping - but I make it out do my hair. Continue walking around the house working though the cramps…

3:30am - Ben found something online that said I should eat. He’s making me breakfast - scrambled eggs and half an English muffin. I try to eat but the cramps are getting worse and I’m really not hungry. I think we should start really thinking about getting this checked out.

3:45am - Ben is now getting into a shower - he’s helped me get dressed and is working to get everything ready for us to head to the hospital. Good thing I packed my bag a few weeks ago! Too bad we haven’t put the car seat in the car though. But since I still think it’s not time, I’m not that worried, but beginning to feel some pain. Don’t think I can wait much longer.

4:10am - everything is loaded in the car - we are heading out the driveway - but I left my phone downstairs. Ben has to go back in the house and get it. Now we are off. Still having cramping - now lasts about 45-70 seconds every minute and a half or so - but no back pain…I sure hope it’s the real thing…I’m ready to meet this baby!

4:20am - checking into the hospital. They had been waiting for us - wondering why we hadn’t come in yet. Told them I wasn’t sure my water had broke. Signing here, initialling there, yes I would like drugs please - pain has increased - or is it the excitement making it feel more intense - time to get into a room and get some tests going to find out if baby is on it’s way.

4:40am - my water did break. IV is finally in, and I am dilated to NINE. “Are you serious??!!” Looks like I am not going to get drugs after all…but they call him in to start working on the epidural for me. The pain is really starting to kick in now. Looks like baby is on it’s way! I tell Ben to start calling people.

Contractions suck! The fact that I can feel it coming before it hits is not a good thing. Gives me just enough time to get tense and stress about the pain about to come. And they tell me not to move while they try to get the epidural in - ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!

Epidural doesn’t take - something about my back and the position they have me in - won’t let it go in correctly - may try another position in a few. But they give me a shot until then.

Time to push. Baby is definitely coming - and this hurts! Pain meds have not kicked in yet and doesn’t look like they will.

5:41am - Baby’s out. IT’S A BOY!!!

What happened to the braxton hicks to prepare me for the contractions - didn’t feel anything like contractions until tonight. What happened to the gush of gallons of fluid when my water broke? What happened to the 12-24 hour labor most first time moms have? So much for all the reading I did to “prepare” for this!

But I’m glad it’s over, and I have the most perfect baby boy in my arms. Now the fun has begun!

That was my story just days after he was born. Three years later there is so much more to be told. He’s growing up so fast, I can’t believe it was just three years ago today…Happy Birthday to my little big man!