A Birth Story

He finally has arrived!!!!  This pregnancy reminded me a lot of my first, maybe because it is my last. The anticipation of meeting our sweet boy was killing me at the end.  I want to thank Jason and the kids for being so understanding and loving the past few weeks as we waited for him to arrive.  At 35 weeks I went for my regular OB check up and was 3cm dilated and 80% effaced.  We thought for sure he would arrive any day, but just in case, my doctor set up an induction date of June 12, still a week earlier than I was due.  None of us thought I would make it that far.  Baby had other plans.  Needless to say I was getting more irritable as the days turned to weeks and he still hadn't arrived.

The night before induction is always scary for me.  I usually spend most the night when I should be sleeping worrying about the pain that will come with child birth.  I also spend that time trying to talk myself into an epidural.  I never can though.  I guess the pain isn't as scary as the needle to me.  Weird, I know!  The morning of June 12 Jason and woke up at 5:30 and got ready for our last few hours of pregnancy,  EVER!  The upside to induction is that I was able to do my hair, and make up.  Every time my water has broken on it's own it's when I look like something from a horror movie.  Thankfully that wasn't the case this day, especially because my dear friend Britney was going to be in the delivery room doing our birth story pictures.

We arrived at the hospital at 7 am, checked in, changed into those extremely embarrassing gowns and faced the dreaded IV.  Did I mention I really hate needles?!  I some how survived the IV, of course not without breaking into sweats and needing my hubby to fan me with a Manila folder.  My mom arrived, which I was so happy about.  She missed Molly's (my little sister) last baby being born and since this was her last chance to be there for the birth of one her grandchildren, I'm glad she made it.   We met my labor and delivery nurse, who was just amazing.  She was on an episode of Sister Wives, check it out, season one episode four.  Anyway, she was amazing.  We have had the best nurses here at American Fork Hosptial.  I was her only patient that morning so she was with us pretty much the whole time.  She, Jason, Britney, Mom and I all chatted away while we waited for the doctor to come break my water.  Truth be told I was losing my never the longer we waited, I almost told everyone lets go home and just wait for him to come on his own.  I don't think Jason would have let me leave though.  Finally at 9am my doctor showed up checked me and broke my water.  There was no going back now.  You are totally committed at that point.

This labor really wasn't that bad.  Mostly just felt like a lot of pressure till the very end where the pain is so bad it's all you can think about.  It helped that my nurse helped convince me to take some pain meds before it was too late.  The meds relaxed me so much that it was hard to keep my eyes open even though I consciously was aware of everything being said around me.  Jason came over and thought I had passed out. The only down side to the pain meds I chose is that they only last for 30 minutes and after a certain point you can't have them anymore.  Thankfully little man made is arrival shortly after they wore off.

I want to say again how much I loved my nurse.  Before they broke my water I filled her in that my babies tend to come quick and that it is really painful to wait for the doctor once I have to push.  She told me that I didn't have to wait, she could deliver the baby if she had to.  I heard angels singing at this news.  I don't know if she thought she would actually have to deliver our baby or not, but that is what she ended up doing.

At 10:26 am Maxwell Oliver Woodward flew into this world.  I'm not joking when I say that either.  Two pushes and he was completely out.  She said he came out so quick he almost crashed into my heels. My doctor arrived about a minute after he was born.  I am always amazed at how fast I go from feeling like I want to die to feeling like a million bucks and so overwhelmingly happy.  The minute I see my baby's face and hear them cry all that pain and misery are gone.  There is nothing but love and joy.

Maxwell was born at 10:26 am weighing 6lbs 11oz and was 18 1/2" long.  He has a head of blonde hair and blue eyes.  Apparently the Woodward coloring is strong in our boys' genes.  To say I am completely in love with him would be an understatement.  I couldn't picture our family without him now.  We are so happy to have him here and will be even happier when he and I go home tomorrow morning.  I love being waited on, but I miss my family and all their craziness.

My beautiful friend Britney, who took our pictures, sent me a couple for a sneak peek and I would love to share them with you.  A big huge thank you to her for being there, especially when you factor in that she too is pregnant and only a few weeks away from her own delivery.  Love you Britney.

Thank you all for your love and well wishes!!!!