This (really long) blog post is mainly for journaling purposes, so it contains details that may not be pleasant for others to read. Please feel free to just skip to the bottom of the post for pictures of little Hudson - it's the best part, obviously!
Friday, July 22:
I went to my appointment and got checked. I was 3cm dilated, 80% effaced, and the baby was in the -1 position. We set an appointment for next week (Friday, July 29th - my due date), but the midwife (Deborah) was certain that I would not make it. I went home excited with the possibility that our little guy would come soon during the week (I was thinking Tuesday or Wednesday....little did I know). I stayed home for most of the day - cleaned the house, went for a mile walk, and the pool to relax. Later that night, Logan and I went to watch Harry Potter at the IMAX with two couples from our ward. No contractions. No discomfort.
Saturday, July 23:
Logan and I slept in. Logan worked for a few hours. I went for another walk - almost 2 miles on my own. It felt really good! (Note: I definitely recommend walking to pregnant women trying to induce labor naturally, especially those close to their due date or overdue). That afternoon, Logan went to get a new phone (since he lost his previous one at the Harry Potter movie on Friday night - this turned out to be a smart move). We also went to our ward potluck dinner and I ate way too much. Later that night, I had discomfort in my abdomen that felt like menstrual cramps. I didn't think anything of it. I just thought it was from eating too much. Logan and I watched a movie and then we went to bed. I was still feeling the cramps, but was able to sleep surprisingly well.
Sunday, July 24:
I woke up around 8:30 a.m. and ran to the bathroom because my bladder was so full plus it felt like I was about to have a bowel movement (TMI, sorry). That is when I had the "bloody show" - I figured at this point the baby was going to come in a few days or so because I wasn't feeling any strong contractions or discomfort. Logan and I had breakfast. I ate some toast and juice. After breakfast around 9ish, I began to feel those cramps again. They didn't hurt that bad; it was just uncomfortable. At this point, Logan and I were still planning to go to church at 12:30 p.m. Logan was prepared to teach a lesson for church too. Around 10 a.m. my cramps kept coming regularly, so I decided to start timing them with Logan's contraction timer app that he downloaded on his phone. Sure enough, the contractions were about 5-7 minutes apart and lasted about 30 seconds each. I told Logan he should call about not being able to teach in church because we weren't going to make it. I decided that since I wasn't in too much pain I would take a shower and get ready for the day. I ended up taking a nice warm bath while Logan timed my contractions. It felt good to be in the warm bath tub and my contractions weren't as strong, but as soon as I got out of the tub I could barely get my clothes on because contractions were coming strong and fast. I told Logan to get in touch with the midwife on call for the day.
I talked to the midwife (Jessie - who I had not met yet, but was suppose to meet at my next appointment) on call. Jessie asked me how far apart my contractions were and for how long. She also asked me if the baby was moving. I told her I hadn't been feeling the baby move since after breakfast which was a few hours ago. She said to get in a side-lying position and if the baby did not move to come to the hospital immediately, but she also said that I was welcome to come to the hospital when I felt like it. So, I tried the side-lying position and did feel the baby move but the contractions were hurting and I could not talk through them. I told Logan to get everything ready because we needed to get to the hospital. He got our bags ready, the car packed, gave me a wonderful blessing, and we were off to the hospital.
I had really strong contractions on the car ride to the hospital. It was probably the longest drive of my life (Note: The hospital is only 25 minutes away). It was so uncomfortable having to sit through the contractions and I did NOT like them; it especially annoyed me when Logan took the wrong turn on the way to the hospital. I wanted to get there and have them check me. At this point, we had not called anyone to let them know I was in labor - I did not want to call everyone and then end up being sent home from the hospital.
We got to the hospital around 12:30p.m. and checked in at the front desk. They kept asking if I needed a wheelchair, but I told them no. I did not want to be sitting during contractions. We were sent to another window where we had to answer all these questions about insurance, pediatrician, etc (even though we already pre-registered). It was so annoying because I was in pain, could not relax during contractions, and had to answer questions at the same time.
I was finally able to get checked into a room. I changed into a hospital gown and waited for the nurse to come. The nurse (Angie) arrived and started asking me questions that I could barely answer because of the contractions. Jessie (my midwife) came in next and said: "Hey! I'm Jessie. I'm suppose to be meeting you on Friday at your appointment!" With a slight smile on my face, I said: "I don't think I'm going to make it to the Friday appointment." Jessie then checked my cervix - her eyes got really big and she said: "Girl, you are definitely not going to make the Friday appointment and you are not going home either. You are 9cm dilated, 100% effaced, and the baby is super low!" Logan and I were shocked! I did not think I was that far dilated nor did I think I could make it that far without any pain medication. Logan immediately called our parents (good thing he replaced his phone). He called my mom first since she was going to drive down once we got to the hospital. My parents just happened to be in Richmond, VA helping my sister move into her new apartment (about 3 hours away, but unfortunately my mom didn't make it for Hudson's debut since he came so quickly).
Angie and Jessie monitored the baby and saw that after each contraction the baby's heart rate would drop slightly so they decided to give me a hep-lock with a little bit of fluids because I was dehydrated which was why I was not feeling the baby move as often. I was a little hesitant because in my birth plan I specifically requested no epidural, medication, IV/hep-lock, etc., but after Jessie told me that this would be best for the baby - I definitely gave in!! After the hep-lock and fluids were administered, I was able to walk around and do what I wanted while keeping myself hydrated with fluids. I immediately wanted to get into the jacuzzi tub and labor in there for awhile. It felt SO good to be in the warm tub with the jets going. Logan massaged my back while I had very strong contractions. I kept telling Logan I couldn't do it anymore, and he was just so amazing to keep encouraging me! The pain was awful, but I can honestly say that staying calm and breathing during each contraction really helped me. Logan and I had been planning to do a natural birth (even before we got pregnant) and while I was skeptical of my ability to do so - Logan and I came up with a game plan a few months ago that if I asked for the epidural three times that meant I WANTED IT! Well, I never asked for it. Not once.
I labored in the tub for awhile and then I told Logan that I really felt like pushing. The nurse, Angie, came and checked me in the tub. By then, I was at 10cm dilated - she told me to have one more contraction in the tub and then I needed to get out. After a few more contractions, I got out of the tub and on to the bed. I was shaking, but wasn't cold at this point and in a lot of pain. I had a few more really strong, painful contractions on the bed and then I told Angie I was going to push. It felt REALLY good to push. After a few pushes, my midwife Jessie came in and said she was going to look and see where the baby was. Sure enough, he was super low and ready to come out. I asked them how long pushing would take for me because I heard it could be up to two hours for first time moms. They looked at each other and Angie said: "With the way you are progressing, I doubt it will take you that long!" I started pushing around 2ish. It was painful, but definitely do-able especially while I focused on breathing through each contraction. I tried pushing while kneeling, using a squatting bar, and then finally on my back. I was crying during the pushing and kept saying how much it hurt, but everyone (Logan, Jessie, Angie, and another nurse) just kept telling me I was doing awesome and that the baby would be there soon because they could see his hair and his head. Finally, the baby was starting to crown and I kept pushing but nothing. Pushing is a weird thing; you have to push long enough to get something going. Well, I certainly did not know that. I thought my little pushes were doing something, but not really. He was so close to coming out and Jessie finally said: "Abby, on this next contraction if you don't push all of his head out I will need to help him get out (meaning episiotomy)." Well, I certainly did NOT want that so on the next contraction I gave it everything I had and out came his head. Then, they told me to wait (I guess while I waited they positioned the baby's shoulders to come out) and then I pushed one more time and our sweet baby was born at 2:39 p.m. I only pushed for about 30 minutes!!
Hudson came out and we wanted his cord to be left on to finish pulsating, but Jessie said that the baby needed oxygen so we needed to cut the cord which Logan got to do! I got to hold my sweet baby for a few minutes then he got cleaned off/weighed while I delivered the placenta and got stitched (yes, I tore). Logan stayed with the baby while I was getting stitches. They had to get Dr. V (he works with the midwives at the practice I go to) to come in and stitch me up which took about 15 minutes - it definitely hurt a bit but I didn't care! My baby was here - all 7 pounds and 11 ounces of him, which is a shocker because the midwives kept saying my baby was going to be less than 7 pounds.
We are all doing great!! I am recovering really well - much better than anticipated! I actually got up out of my bed and walked to my new room an hour after giving birth. Hudson is doing well too, minus having a little congestion and breastfeeding difficulties.
I could not have imagined a more perfect labor, delivery, and recovery!!! It was all so worth it and amazing! It is an empowering and special feeling to know that I was able to give birth naturally. I can honestly say that it was the hardest thing I have ever done, but I also know I could not have done it alone. I know that Heavenly Father was watching over me the whole time. Logan was also THE best coach and support I could have ever asked for. I am so blessed to have had such a short labor (approximately 6 hours, only 2 hours in the hospital) and delivery (30 minutes of pushing). Everyone at the hospital was surprised at how fast Hudson came, especially because it was my first time. I am still in shock myself at how fast it happened and how well I handled the pain - it was tiring and overwhelming, but more importantly it was one of the most spiritual experiences I have ever had.
I can't even describe the feeling of seeing and holding my baby for the first time. The moment I became a mother was such a happy moment and it brought tears to my eyes (and Logan's). It is amazing and very empowering to know that the Lord has entrusted Logan and I with this beautiful little boy.
Hudson is the perfect addition to my life and to our family :) We could not be happier!
