Long story short: we got to the hospital at 12:24a.m. Wednesday, December 7, 2022 after having hard contractions 2 minutes apart lasting more than 1.5 minutes for TWO whole hours. Luke was born at 3:03a.m.
I had been timing my contractions with the baby center app. I started at 10:00p.m. Jeremy was fast asleep next to me. I couldn't sleep because the contractions were so hard. I turned off our sound machine at midnight. He asked what's going on. I said, when should we go? Then told him about my contractions. He got dressed and called our friend Jessica Hendricks to come stay with the kids.
We made it to the hospital, this time knowing where to go and park. (We had a false alarm Friday night and had no idea where to go.) A nurse met us in the lobby of Mercy One Hospital. She wheeled me to the fifth floor and asked my update. She said with fifth babies they move a little faster so they want to be ready. I got to my room, changed into my gown and left a urine sample. My sweet nurse, Madeline checked me and I was at a 7! We asked for my epidural right away.
The nurse poked my left hand twice to start my iv because I tested positive for group b strep. No big deal. They just needed to give me the medicine to protect baby. The lab person came to get blood drawn and I told him good luck because it took them three tries to get my iv. He said his is a little easier because he can go to the veins higher on my arm.
The anesthesiologist came in and did my epidural. It took a good twenty minutes to get it and back laying down. I was in so much pain getting the epidural. These were the hardest contractions I have ever felt because I was already so far dilated. The epidural took the edge off my contractions, but I could still feel a lot. Maybe because I was already so far progressed and about ready to push. But man. I was still in pain, felt like I was going to throw up and an urge to pee. Both sensations that drive me crazy. Madeline gave me anti-nausea medicine which helped.
Dr. Holste broke my water and it was nothing. With more contractions more fluid came out and Luke would move more came out. My nurse put me on my right side for two contractions to help Luke drop. I told her I felt a ton of pressure. She said she'll be right back. Jeremy called her because my next contraction, he could tell I was in a lot of pain. I covered my face and my eyes were watering. Baby was coming.
My body was trying to push him out but they weren't ready so I felt like I was fighting it. Within a few minutes everyone was in our room and we were ready for baby to come. They laid me completely on my back, legs up in the air. The nurse would count to ten during a contraction and tell me to push. Two pushes and he was born. Dr. Holste maneuvered him so his shoulder wouldn't get stuck like Ryan's did. I heard her say, "oh good, his shoulders are through." They laid him on my belly and I heard that scream I had been waiting to hear for the last TWO years. Finally.
I cried because of the pain and it quickly changed to happy tears because he was finally here! I didn't tear. Thank goodness. I've torn with all my other deliveries and that's the worse part of the recovery for me. Jeremy cut the umbilical cord. They put him on my chest. I was shaking so bad. I asked Jeremy to take him because I wanted to stop shaking. Jeremy took him to get weighed and measured. 8lbs. 7oz. 20 inches long He is perfect. He nursed right away. I did pump for a second to help him get a better latch.
Luke was born in plenty of time for Jeremy to go home and make breakfast for the kids and take them to school.
We couldn't have visitors so Jeremy parked and we saw each other through the window so the big kids could "meet Luke."
We came home Thursday morning at 10:00a.m. I wanted to get home as soon as I could. Luke was doing great, I felt great but I wasn't sleeping well at all in the hospital. They left me alone after they did their checks for the first 24 hours. But the bed was not comfortable and I just really wanted to see my other kids. It is pure chaos at home with FIVE kids. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
