We have a son!

We have a son!  Meet Caleb Andrew.

Caleb’s Birth Story  

At my 38 week appointment, my doctor told me that my body was showing signs of being close to labor and he wanted to do a procedure called “stripping the membranes” to jumpstart labor because he didn’t want me to go past 39 weeks.  He told me he wanted me to come in that Saturday.  Ethan had to work that Saturday, but once he got home we headed off to his mom’s house to drop off Julia during our appointment.  Then, we headed to the hospital.  The doctor had told me that once he did the procedure, he would send me home and hopefully labor would start soon.  Just in case we ended up having to stay at the hospital, we left Julia’s pack n play and diaper bag with Ethan’s mom. 

(me at 38 weeks)

5:00 p.m. Saturday night   When the doctor examined me at the hospital before he did the procedure, he said I was already dilated 4-5 cm!  So, after the procedure, they checked me into one of the labor and delivery rooms because they believed I would have the baby that night or the next day. 

(me in my labor and delivery room)

6:00 p.m. Saturday night   My contractions started getting stronger and more frequent (about 4 minutes apart) but did not hurt at that point.  They just felt like strong Braxton Hicks contractions. 

7:00 p.m. Saturday night   The doctor said I was 5-6 cm dilated.  He said he would break my water when I got to 7-8 cm.

10:00 p.m. Saturday night   Doctor broke my water because I was dilated 7-8 cm.  Nothing really happened for about 30 minutes (just the same contractions I had been feeling that didn’t hurt, they were just uncomfortable).  But around 10:30, the contractions started getting strong and painful. 

11:00 p.m. Saturday night   Doctor checked me again but I hadn’t made any progress (was still 7-8 cm).  I was a little discouraged since the contractions were so strong and frequent, yet I hadn’t made any progress.  The nurse said I might deliver between midnight and 2:00 a.m.

11:40 p.m. Saturday night   I was in a lot of pain from the frequent and strong contractions.  I felt like I couldn’t handle much more and I thought to myself, “usually women feel like this when they are in transition, but I don’t want to get my hopes up because maybe I’m still only 7-8 cm.”  Well, the doctor checked me and said I could start pushing!  I was a little surprised because I didn’t feel the urge to push.  But I was excited because that meant it would soon be over!  When I first started pushing, I didn’t really know what I was doing and wasn’t pushing very hard.  But, once Ethan and the doctor told me they could see his head, I got excited and VERY MOTIVATED to push hard and get him out.  J 

12:20 a.m. Sunday morning   After pushing for 40 minutes, Caleb Andrew was born.  They immediately laid him on my chest which was super special since I didn’t get to hold Julia when she was born (c-section).  Here are Caleb’s birth stats:

Weight: 7 lbs 7 oz

Length: 20 inches

Head: 34.9 cm 

Holding my son for the first time right after he was born!

Caleb Andrew

Happy to finally meet our son!

I was so thankful for the opportunity to do a VBAC.  My doctor was very committed to making it happen and had to stay past his shift to be with me.  He did a great job and I thank the Lord for giving the doctor the willingness to allow me a successful shot at a VBAC.