The pitocin had started by 7:00 and my contractions started at 7:01! They were hard, strong and fast.
The day progressed....I continued contracting and dilating right on schedule. I ended up with an epidural around 2 in the afternoon (and, four years later, I still regret that epidural!!).
Around 3 o'clock my day shift nurse said she was convinced you would come while she was still working that day. She left for the day around 7:30.....
I was fully dilated with consistent contractions around 8:00 pm.
I started pushing around 8:30. Payton's head crowned around 9:15....Chad was able to see his head full of hair. I was still pushing at 9:30. My epidural had been decreased because I HATED it and hated that I couldn't feel my legs. I was still pushing at 10:30. My wonderful doctor was continually in my room by this point. She was amazing...a huge support for me and encouraged with each push, each gasp, each break for air. My doctor, my nurse and Chad helped me continue pushing about every 3 - 5 minutes. Payton's heart rate was starting to drop with contractions....this was not good news. At 11:30 I was still pushing...and my doctor informed me that she really couldn't let me go any longer. I begged her to let me continue....and, she did. I pushed for about 20 more minutes. My epidural had basically worn off and I was exhausted after pushing for so long. Unfortunately, he failed to progress further and we continued to see the decelerations on the monitor.
It was time for plan B...a cesarean. It wasn't an emergency but they moved quickly.
My fabulous doctor grabbed a quick snack (cheerios I think....I just remember seeing her eating them while flying in and out of my room!). My mom (and maybe Chad's mom??) came in to give well wishes. My fabulous doctor discussed the reality of that c-section with me....and the fact that my future deliveries would also have to be via c-section. I cried....a lot. Great. Big. Tears. This was not what I wanted....but, I had a sweet little boy who had to get into this world...and obviously, I trusted my doctor and knew that she was right. I had already been pushing for sooooooooooooo long.
Chad changed into his solid white OR suit and accompanied me into the OR. My friend Gene was called in to help...and, I'm sure she was thrilled to be called in at midnight!! The original epidural was changed to a block.....and they started the procedure. The pressure was intense. INTENSE. I was so tired and the drugs were so powerful that I was talking like a crazy woman...but, I still felt the pressure.
I'll spare you all the fancy details....but, Payton didn't want to come out with me pushing...and he was still stubborn with the c-section. It took a lot a work to get that little guy out.
Payton finally arrived at 12:23 AM.
Tears of joy! My first blessing had arrived.
It was a long night and a long 24 hours. The first 24 hours after his arrival were rough...and really a blur.
I can't believe that memory, forever in my mind, happened 4 short years ago. He is truly a blessing and worth every bit of hard work...blood, sweat, tears, stretch marks and a lovely low abdominal scar...it took to get him here. My healthy, beautiful stubborn baby boy has turned into a handsome, intelligent, spirited boy.
Getting you into the bed tonight was fairly similar to this night 4 years ago...you were the tired one after a long, exciting day...and you were pushing all my buttons...but, in the end, I won the battle and laid in your bed for an extra minute once I could tell you had fallen asleep...just to kiss your forehead one more time, rub your back on extra second and rub my fingers through your sun bleached light brown hair one extra time...it won't be long before I can't do this anymore...and I want to soak it up while I can....on last time as a little 3 year old for tomorrow you will be 4! I am learning to cherish all of the small things...I cherish you....every little part of you....especially the sweet boy you have become today.
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