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@arden: I don't even think they have the stuff to induce at my birth center. Maybe pitocin, but not in an IV, and I'm pretty sure I'd have to go to the hospital if any medical induction was necessary.

I'm still trying to use mind over matter, but apparently my mind isn't concentrated enough, or it's just not possible, lol. I'm trying to convince my uterus muscles to start contracting, but no dice, lol. I'm hoping the evening primrose oil will work!

@arden: I won't do castor oil. I had a friend do that once and all it did was give her diarrhea, lol. But, I'm doing the evening primrose oil and red raspberry leaf tea. DH is happy to do his part of it, too, lol.

Did I miss any births while I've been out of commission??

I'll try to catch up with everyone soon, but wanted to just get the birth story out before mommy-brain makes me forget what happened, haha.

So, I started feeling what I thought could be contractions on my way to work on Monday. They were mild and not very often, plus located more in my bowels/back area, so I didn't really know. I started asking advice on HB, of course, and eventually called my OB. The nurse on call asked a bunch of questions, but didn't really think I was in labor since the contractions weren't intense enough, plus I hadn't been timing them long enough. She told me to time them for an hour and maybe give them a call back.

I started timing them around 1:30 (I think), but around 2:00, I was thinking they might be intense enough that if I waited, I wouldn't be able to drive myself home. They definitely were making me catch my breath, although I could still talk through them, so I wasn't sure. I told my coworkers I wasn't feeling well and hoped I wouldn't be back, haha, and left. On the way home, I called Hubs and told him I thought he needed to come home if he could (he's the moron that carpooled that morning).

I got home and got some stuff together in case this was it and then at 3:00, started timing the contractions again. Hubs was able to get his carpoolers to go home early, so he headed home. At 4:00, my contractions were roughly every 4.5 minutes, lasting a minute, and that had been going on for an hour, so I called my OB again and spoke to a different nurse who said "Time to go to the hospital! I'll let them know you're on your way!"

Hubs and I packed the rest of our stuff and headed out. Arrived at the hospital around 5:00 and got checked out in triage. I was about 3-4 cm dilated at this point. We called our parents just to give people the heads up, but told them not to come until after the baby was here. I wanted my mom, but she's been sick, so she couldn't come.

Not sure about the timing of the rest of this stuff, but we moved into a room, got my platelets checked out, and I hoped in the jacuzzi. At this point, the contractions were definitely painful and, while the tub was nice, hard to ignore. My platelets came back and they had dropped to 50,000, meaning I couldn't get an epidural. They offered me something in my IV to "take the edge off" so I had that, but it really didn't help all that much. Just made me a little woozy. I was also checked again to see how far along I was and was about 7-8 cm dilated (I think... can't remember).

I was probably in the tub for about 3 hours and gotten the drugs twice (once when I found out I couldn't get an epidural, and then two hours later). I got out of the tub and into bed and the contractions were getting really painful and I started to get the urge to push.

I think around 1:00 a.m. is when the doctor came in and the pushing got going. By this point, any drugs I had had definitely worn off. Not going to lie, labor is friggin painful. I pushed for about an hour, had an episotomy (sp?) and my husband apparently almost fainted, haha. But maybe like three pushes later, he was out!!!

Then they delivered the placenta and did whatever they normally do and stitched me up. While they were doing all that, Xander was placed on my chest where he got to hang out for at least an hour, and we had our first nursing session.

I think the biggest surprise for me (besides how hard natural labor is) was how AWESOME my husband was. He really came through and was so amazing being supportive. He helped hold my legs and everything while I was pushing. And when the baby was being born, he was holding my hand and telling me he loved me. He seemed so excited! And later when we were finally going to bed, he gave me and the baby kisses. He's sooooooo good with the baby and so patient - way better than I am!

This was a lot longer than I meant it to be, but wanted to get everything out while I still remember it - I'll probably want to read this all again if/when I have baby #2 (not anytime soon!!!!).

@Adira: Congratulations again! He's beautiful! I'm so sorry you ended up with an episiotomy, but I'm so glad you got that precious golden hour together and that everything turned out well. He's seriously precious.

@Arden: I think I HAD to get the episiotomy, because Xander's head is huge! His head is 38 cm circumference. I guess the average is 34!!! Though it was when I got the episiotomy that my husband couldn't handle it anymore, haha. I guess there was a LOT of blood (platelets man...).

@Adira: what a great birth story! So glad your adorable baby boy is here and your husband has been a trooper. Congrats!!!

@adira: Thanks for sharing your story! He's so cute! So funny of all the days, baby comes when your hubby carpooled, lol. Epidurals are over rated...at least you don't know what you missed with it, haha.

So glad to hear your hubby is doing so well with it, too. I know you were worried. Men just need solid proof, lol.

@katiew92081: haha, as soon as it was all done, I just said to my husband "Next time, as SOON as I get pregnant, we're finding out what we need to do to make sure I can have an epidural!" I'm proud of myself for having done it naturally, but I don't want to do it again, haha!

@katiew92081: haha, it's just always been our plan to have two and semi-close in age, so even though this labor was hard (or at least harder than I was expecting - my mom says I jinxed myself by not taking any childbirthing classes). We'll see though, haha. It hasn't been a week yet - I could always change my mind!

@katiew92081: Yeah, they said pushing for only an hour with the first baby is actually really quick, so I am glad that's true! I'm not sure I couldn't handled it for much longer than that, haha. Apparently everything progressed really nicely during my labor so it was actually really smooth even though I thought it sucked, haha. Just glad it's over and the baby made it into the world safely!

OMG @adira, he is soooooo precious. What a sweetie!!! Thanks for sharing your birth story!!

BTW, ladies I finally went and got waxed last night. It didn't hurt any more then it did pre-pregnancy. I did apologize to the lady for it being so bad, and she was like It is ok, you can't see down there. So that made me feel better for coming to her such a mess and I made sure to leave her a really good tip! I told her I did wait a couple extra weeks, cause I figure this way it should last me through delivery.

@Adira: Wow! Great birth story! Seems like overall it went pretty quickly! Xander is precious mama! Congrats again!

I'm still preggers, despite all the check-ins I've been getting from friends and family now. I know it's all out of good thoughts and excitement. I went for a looong walk today and wore myself out. Super exhausted, but thinking the walk is helping baby girl drop a bit more. DH has a concert tomorrow night (it was a cancelled show from October that got re-scheduled) so anytime starting Sunday I will be happy if baby girl makes her appearance! I'm so tired, but having the hardest time getting rest. Hope everyone else is hanging in there!

@Smurfette: Breastfeeding is definitely harder than I thought it would be, but my milk has come in and I seem to have plenty. My problem is getting Xander to latch correctly and then actually feed for long enough. I don't think he's getting enough of the fatty hind milk, and he won't take both breasts during a feeding. I'm worried he's not eating enough! We have a pediatrician appointment tomorrow though, so I guess we'll find out then if he's gaining any weight or not.

And I really hope your baby has a normal sized head! That will make it easier getting her out! And I'm impressed you got a wax! Glad it didn't hurt anymore than normal!

@shopaholic: They say walking is a great way to drop the baby and even induce labor, so good for you for getting out and being active! I barely wanted to walk to the bathroom or my car during my last few weeks, haha.

@shopaholic: walking is good. I know that I need to do it more but I just get so tired these days. I just cleaned our bathroom and needed to take a break. I am planning on walking around Target later, taking my time so I get in some more walking today.
@Adira: You have an appointment with the doctor on a Sunday? Impressive. Glad that you have plenty of milk. Hopefully he figures out the latch soon enough.

@Adira: Still here and still pregnant, much to everyone's surprise (including my own). Been busy packing, moving, organizing and the likes since we obtained the house Wednesday. More moving, packing, and possibly painting - not by me! - today.

I just got back from Target and my legs are sore now. How am I suppose to walk this baby out? But I did buy her Easter basket and goodies! Now if this guy would get our door finished, I want a nap!

I walked the mile and a half loop at the park last night with DH, I think I'm going to do it every night until something happens! The best part is that I slept really well afterwards...

@Arden: Wow, good for you!!

@Smurfette: Must be the different motions! I'm impressed you're still going to the gym...

@Arden: oh yeah. I have right on the inside of my thigh near my girly parts and another on my back. Hate them! I hope they go away.