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Before my memory fails me and I get busy taking care of house and kids again I want to take the time to write just how Jake made his way into this world.
Well after days of waiting my due date, Feb 20th finally came...and went. It was very hard to keep seeing the days pass by and no labor yet. At 41 weeks I had an appointment with Mary, my midwife. I was 2 cm, 80% effaced and Jake was at +1. This was all good news but when would my contractions finally kick into gear? She made an appointment for me to have an ultrasound on Friday, March 2nd. I kept thinking I do not want to go to this appointment. I thought for sure I would have him before that. Well Thursday was pretty uneventful so I figured I’d be going to my ultrasound in the morning.
We drove to Camp Hill for the u/s. Jake looked great. He was very active, taking breaths and his heart rate was great. My fluid levels, cord blood, placenta all looked great. So we left and went to lunch. Chris and I rarely get out alone so it was nice to share that meal. We got home and Chris left for work.
Later that evening my in-laws came over for dinner. I was exhausted. It was the first day in awhile that I hadn’t found time to nap. The kids are always busy and excited to see Papaw and Grandma so the evening was pretty busy. I was having contractions but nothing I hadn’t seen already in this pregnancy.
Chris got home from work around 8:30 after spending 6 hours on the road. We were both tired. We went into the bedroom to talk and no sooner than we sat down his phone rang. It was Peach Bottom and they needed him to come into work from 12 til 7. The river was dirty from all the rain and the system needed constant attention. Now he usually is on call for the weekends but has never been assigned a shift like that. He said okay and hung up. I did not want him to go. He had already had a long day and been on the road for so long. It would be another hour drive to the power plant. I didn’t think he’d be alert enough to drive. There also is no cell phone service around the plant and it would be hard for me to reach him. Not to mention the delay in getting a hold of him, him waiting for a replacement and the drive home. Not a good situation for an overdue pregnant woman. He insisted he should go so I left him to get some rest while I played a few games with the kids and then put them in bed at 10:00, later than usual.
Shortly after that Chris came out and said he decided not to go in. This news wasn’t accepted well and he felt badly but I felt much better. He was told to come in at 7am. I jokingly told him I’d have the baby for him so he wouldn’t need to feel guilty and then he wouldn’t have to work the next morning either.
We both sat on the sofa and I quickly fell asleep.
Around 11:30 I was awakened by a pop. It was such a strong feeling that I thought I heard it. Nothing had happened and it puzzled me. Chris told me I should go to bed but I wanted to wait for him. I fell back to sleep.
At midnight we both went to bed.
I was awakened by a strong contraction. I couldn’t see the clock so I hit Chris and asked what time it was....12:18.
I fell back to sleep.
Another contraction woke me up. I bumped him again... What time is it? 12:28. I immediately dozed back off.
Another contraction soon followed. This time I got up. It was 12:41 and they were feeling pretty strong. I went to the bathroom where I found a little blood. More contractions followed. I realized okay these aren’t going to go away so I decided to watch the clock a few minutes and then call my midwife. I went to lay down and Chris sat on the edge of the bed. 12:55, 1:03, 1:07. Okay give me the phone. I was ready to call. I debated on whether to call Jen or wait til after Mary got there. I decided to call.
Chris and I set into motion to get ready for baby.
Chris stripped our bed and put on the plastic cover, older sheets, and pads. I was laying out needed supplies for the delivery. We went into the kitchen and were putting things away. When I had a contraction I would just lean on whatever I was near and breathe through it and then keep on moving. I sorted some laundry and got a load started. I had a contraction while at the washer and put both my hands onto it and just began to thank God. I knew these contractions were finally going to bring my Jake into the world. Everytime I got a contraction after that I would say to myself thank you Jesus.
I remembered that I didn’t have a picture of my gigantic stomach so I posed for a picture in between contractions. I had to lean on the wall for one while Chris remembered how to use the zoom. Then we continued straightening up.
The contractions were about every 3 minutes by this point and I felt a mild desire to push and that scared me because Mary was not there yet. So I laid down in bed around 2:15. In about 5 minutes Mary arrived. She listened to the baby’s heartbeat and checked my blood pressure. She then arranged her supplies. In the meantime Jen arrived with orange juice and donuts for the morning.
Then Mary checked me....I was 10 cm. I couldn’t believe it. How did that happen so quickly? My water hadn’t broke so I decided to get up and walk around and see what happened. We went into the kitchen and were talking. Jen stood at the table folding clothes. I tried to help but the contractions were coming to quickly. I had to hold onto the counter.
The house was quiet and dim. The kids were fast asleep in their beds. Just how I had hoped it would happen.
Chris and I went to the bathroom so that I could pee and I still felt mildly pushy but not the overwhelming strong desire that I was used to. I gave a few small pulsating pushes to see what would happen ... he was right there.
I decided to lay down and give a push just to see....as soon as I did my water broke and his head was ready to come out.
I pushed harder with Jake than with any other to get that head out. We would soon find out why. Then the shoulders. They were a very tight fit as was the rest of him. Jen held him as he came out and she laid him on my stomach. All of this happened in about 3 minutes...I was told. I was to busy to pay attention to time or anything else for that matter.
Everything happened perfectly and I needed no stitches...praise God!
I was very sore though.
Everyone knew he would be a big boy but we were all in disbelief to see he was 11 pounds even and 22 ½ inches long. That’s why I felt like I was delivering a train.
He was born at 3:33 am.
I got up to take a shower and Jen changed to bedding. When I got out, around 4am my parents were there to see us. I got back in bed and Jake did not need any help in the breastfeeding department. He was ravenous.
I felt like everything was a dream. It went so perfectly and quickly. I was just awestruck by the whole experience and how awesome it was to be home in my own bed. My in-laws arrived around 6:20 and Mary and Jen went home to get some rest themselves.
Emma was the first one to wake up. About 6:30. Absolutely priceless. Her jaw dropped to the floor as she saw me and Jake in the bed. Her sleepy eyes and rooster hair and that big smile!
Then Elizabeth woke up very confused at the sight of Papaw and Grandma. Then Derek. He looked into my room and said,"You mean I missed it." Next was Sam and minutes later Joey. They were all shocked. It was the coolest thing to have them wander into my room one by one and see their surprise to see their baby brother had arrived in the night. It was incredible and it was all Gods plan. I couldn’t have planned the details any better. And yes, Chris got to stay home that morning!
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