So much has happened since my last post! Creighton has arrived! What an experience! We are so thankful and happy to announce his arrive on December 14, 1009 at 2:47 pm. Creighton weighed 6 pounds and 13 ounces and measured 19.5 inches! He weighs a bit more now (7 pounds and 8.5 ounces) and is laying on my chest as I type at a funny angle so that he can stay there!
Creighton right after he was born!
This pregnancy was not an easy one emotionally for me, but I would do it again in a heartbeat! I am so thankful for all of the support I experienced from friends and family. My doctor, Russ, was an amazing support- through all of my visits and phone calls, he was always so patient and encouraging with me. I am very thankful that we went through this process with him.
So, the delivery... I went into labor on my own (which I was really excited about!) and made good progress. I tried to get admitted to the hospital around 8:30 pm, but they told me I needed to wait until I wasn't laughing as I walked through the exam room doors to get my progress checked. Apparently, you are not supposed to be able to talk through the contractions- which everyone, including Russ, told me, but for some reason I didn't really believe that the pain would get so bad that I wouldn't want to talk. After I was home for a few more hours, low and behold the pain did get that bad! We went back up around 3:15 am and I had made great progress, so Dr. Day made me so happy and told me that I could stay and did I want an epidural! YOU BET! I mean, I must have looked like such a dork- I was smiling at EVERYONE I walked past on the way to get settled in my labor room...I think I even told a few random nurses how excited I was that I got to stay and wasn't sent home...
I got settled in my room and very quickly had an epidural, which helped me to rest some which was important since I had decided to stay up the night before finishing a quilt for Creighton until 2:30 am, then did not nap on Sunday afternoon b/c I was too excited about my consistent contractions!
Russ came to check on me early in the morning, sometime after 7 and checked my progress. Then it was just a waiting game while I made progress. I ended up stalling out at 6 cm and so I got some pitossin (sp?) to help me along and things really kicked into gear once I had that medicine. Creighton was in the correct position, except his head was facing up, so Russ had to turn his head to face down. Creighton was not too thrilled about this, and kept trying to turn his face back up. This meant I was in a bit of pain while Russ tried to get him to turn, but eventually Creighton did turn! Russ left to take care of his other duties and soon after he left, we realized that my epidural had somehow come out! (I was wondering why I was feeling more pain...) After some tense discussion about whether or not it could be reconnected, the anesthesiologist let me know that they could take the first epidural out and insert a new one, if I could roll on my side. Let me tell you- I was HAPPY to roll on my side...even though it hurt a lot b/c I was at the point of being ready to push, and being on my side I wasn't supposed to be pushing. Thankfully they were able to get me hooked up again. Since it would take about 20 minutes to feel the effects of the epidural, the nurse asked me if I wanted to push through the contractions or just wait...THAT was an easy answer- of course push! So, since I could feel everything, I made some great progress during that pushing phase, and I think it helped to speed up my delivery time (YAY!)
During the active labor/pushing phase I was surprised that I really pulled into myself and didn't want to talk a bunch or hear much else other than the nurse counting for me and telling me to breathe and Brian, My mom and Erin telling me that I was doing a good job! Verbal encouragement has always gone a long way for me- so anytime they told me good push, I was ready to do it again! During this stage, Dr. Allen stopped by to say hi and check on our progress. Dr. Allen is the doc who was able to see all the problems with John and helped us look at all the information and know what was going on and who also did our ultrasound to check Creighton for his health during this pregnancy, so it was pretty cool that he would take the time to come by and visit us. He was encouraging. It was funny, when the doctors would stop by, I really felt like I needed to put my A game on and push with everything I had so that they would know I had been working really hard...hi, I was definitely a teacher pleaser growing up...
So, continued with more pushing and more breathing and more pushing then...
Before I knew it, Russ and Dr. Larson were suiting up in these funny looking blue jump suits and pull on cloth knee high boots. This meant Creighton was about to be born! I was so excited! And, while I wasn't in a ton of pain, I could tell that I was going to be sore later! (Thank you re-inserted epidural!)
I pushed a few more times and pretty soon we heard a little cry, I saw Brian cut the cord and then I had baby Creighton on my chest! HOW AMAZING! I teared up a little bit, but I was more in awe that Creighton was actually here! I got to cuddle him a bit before they took him to the warmer to get him all cleaned off, etc. Brian went with him (right next to my bed) while Dr. Larson and Dr. Fothergill (Russ) got me taken care of. Brian watched a bit of the stitching and he is convinced that Dr. Larson would be really good at fishing as she was able to tie knots in her stitching very quickly!
Creighton at 1 week old!
Nothing compared to finally holding Creighton in my arms and the massive feelings of love and thanksgiving that Brian and I felt! We are SO thankful he is here- and quite aware that God is the one who brought us through this whole process!
Christmas Day!
