Introducing...

Hudson Wade Jost

Born March 8, 2010

8:22 a.m.

8 lbs. 10 oz.

21 in.

The Birth Story 

Part I: The Good

Let me start off by saying that the births of both of my boys were absolutely amazing experiences that will forever be etched in my heart. 

I was induced with Hayden, but this time I wanted to do things a little differently. I really wanted a natural, unmedicated birth and have prayed about it for months. When my blood pressure started rising a couple of weeks ago I wasn't sure I was going to be able to do that. 

I had been having consistent, yet irregular contractions for weeks and been told that I was in prodromal labor or prolonged early labor. At my 39 week appointment last Thursday, I was 4 cm dilated, very uncomfortable, very swollen and not sure how much longer I was going to make it. I was exhausted.

I was scheduled for an induction today, my due date, if he did not decide to come sooner because we knew he was going to be big and my blood pressure was a concern. I was still determined to go into labor on my own though.

I kept reminding myself that God's timing is perfect and the time finally came on Monday morning at 5:30 a.m. I woke up and immediately knew that it was showtime! Since I had been having contractions for weeks, I could definitely tell the difference and knew that it was the real deal. I woke Garrett and my mom up (she has been staying with me for the last couple of weeks) and told them it was time. I took a shower and tried to shave my legs between contractions. By the time I got out of the shower the contractions were very intense and very close together. My mom helped me blow dry my hair while I tried to breathe. Garrett took a quick shower and we loaded everything in the car.

We live about 30 minutes from the hospital and my contractions were coming about every three minutes so that was not a fun car ride. We arrived at the hospital at 6:45 a.m. and they put me in a labor and delivery suite right away. I had a wonderful nurse that I had met before during the tour of the hospital and was actually hoping that she would be my nurse. It was my lucky day! 

Nurse Kimber checked me as soon as I got into my gown and I was already dilated to a 7! I couldn't believe it. Things started moving very quickly from that point on. They asked if I wanted an epidural and I said no and she was very supportive. I am so glad I had a nurse who was not only supportive of this decision, but very encouraging. I had hoped that my aunt who is a doula would be able to be there for the delivery, but she had shoulder surgery on Friday. Turns out, she would not have been able to make it here in time anyway.

I was signing all the paperwork between contractions while the nurse was helping me breathe. There were several nurses buzzing around getting everything ready. I really didn't expect things to happen so fast.

Kimber checked me again at 7:30 a.m. and I was 8 cm and +1 station. The contractions were coming very close together and I didn't really have a chance to even rest in between them, but I just tried to concentrate on breathing and I would count backwards helping me to make it through the peak of the contraction and focus on the end.

At 8:06 a.m. my doctor came in and broke my water. I was fully dilated and +2 station. He works on the floor right below labor & delivery so he went back downstairs. After he broke my water, the contractions were extremely painful. The next two contractions after my water broke I had the urge to push, but Kimber told me to wait. It is an uncontrollable urge and very hard to not push, but I listened as Kimber explained why I didn't want to push too soon.

The next contraction I could not stop the urge to push and Kimber told me she wasn't holding me back.I kept telling Garrett not to leave even though he was standing right beside me. I don't know where I thought he was going to go. He was trying to hold my leg, but I wanted his face close to mine so he was having a hard time doing both.  Dr. C had been called back upstairs, but there was a tech there ready to deliver if he didn't make it in time.  He came back in and Hudson was here after three pushes. 

He was beautiful and healthy and we were overwhelmed once again with love for this tiny little person. We really couldn't believe he weighed 8 lbs. 10 oz.! He does not look that big at all though because he is so long.

The birth experience was everything I had hoped for. It was a very different experience from the first time. I felt more in tune with what was happening and I was able to labor at the pace I was supposed to and not what was being forced. I felt great right afterwards and Hudson was very alert. I was able to breastfeed not long after he was born and he latched on like a champ and hasn't slowed down since!

I was moved to postpartum shortly after the delivery and things started going downhill from there, but that is for a separate post. That is not the part I want to remember.

More to come later including pics, but for now I must sleep while I can!