My entire pregnancy Benjamin was measuring "big"...meaning the size of my belly didn't correspond to the projected due date based on my cycle. I had no health issues, the pregnancy was progressing normally, and according to my ultrasounds he wasn't fat, just long. Even so, my OB was predicting a baby as much as 2 lbs bigger than Alexander! But I knew my body and this baby just didn't feel that much bigger. In fact, I had a hypothesis that this baby wasn't bigger but older. Arthur and I had a running bet that I would go into labor either March 7th or 8th. And I told anyone who asked that I thought I would have this baby before my doctor's predicted due date of March 15th. A bit of an unwise approach, I began to think, as I entered into the last few weeks of my pregnancy. What if I DIDN'T have him before the 15th? Or even worse, what if I went past the 15th!? Would I have a 10 lb baby!? So of course, like any woman in her last month of pregnancy...I tried to stop obsessing about when it would happen and just go about my life. Which is why that afternoon I decided to head out alone to run an errand about 30 mins away from home.
About 10 minutes after I left the house I had my first labor contraction. I looked at the clock, 4:29 PM, but didn't turn around. I thought it could have been a strong Braxton-Hicks. But 10 minutes later I had another one. And another one 10 minutes later, this time stronger. I decided at that point that I should probably head home. The contractions kept coming and I kept an eye on the clock...10 minutes apart each time. And then I called Arthur. I think I said something along the lines of "I'm about 90% sure I've started labor contractions so you might want to get Xander some dinner in case we have to leave tonight." As you can imagine, Arthur was NOT very pleased with me for driving around while having contractions!
When I got home we sat down to dinner with Xander. Arthur made our traditional Sunday night pizza but I wasn't feeling like eating much so I had a piece of peanut butter toast. I figured if I was going into labor it would be wise to have something in me for energy. As with my first labor, I was concerned about getting to the hospital too soon. But the contractions started to ramp up quickly and I knew that it was probably time. Arthur gave Xander a quick bath, put him to bed, and called our friend Laila to spend the night with Xander. I was bent over the car, breathing through a contraction when she arrived and I was so grateful to see her because I knew I wouldn't have to worry about Xander any more!
 |
| Saying goodnight to Xander as we were about to leave for the hospital. Don't let that smile fool you...I was having contractions during this picture! |
As we headed to the hospital I remember asking Arthur between contractions, "Do you think we're going too soon?" I was terrified they'd turn me away for some reason. Arthur just laughed at me. I guess it was obvious to him that we were definitely NOT too soon. When we arrived Arthur wheeled me up to the natural birth floor, the same floor we had Alexander only 19 month prior! It was comforting to be in a familiar environment this time. Much to my relief, I was admitted around 8:30 PM. It took about 30 minutes for us to get into our room and the contractions were INTENSE while I waited.
We finally got into our room around 9 PM and let our midwife know that I wanted to labor and possibly give birth in the tub. I tried the tub with Xander's labor but only stayed in for about 30 minutes. But I really wanted to try to have a water birth this time...for many reasons. So Arthur ran the bath for me and I got in. Oh man, the hot water felt amazing. The room was quiet and dark and our midwife basically stayed out of the way. I got the impression that she felt like we knew what we were doing. She was around if we needed her but otherwise she was really in the background. I really liked that!
I can't say enough about how wonderful it was this time to labor in the water. It felt safe, and because it was so big there was only really one side where people could reach me. About 45 minutes after getting in the water I felt the urge to push. Arthur alerted the midwife who, true to form, quietly and calmly showed up with 2 other midwives. While giving birth in the water is allowed at the hospital there are a few precautions that must be taken and only a certain midwives that feel comfortable with this type of birth. But I feel like they trusted me to know what to do...and I trusted them too.
 |
| View from our 7th floor room. If it was day you would be able to see the fjord in the distance. |
 |
| Our room and tub shortly after Benjamin was born |
After 7 loooooooong minutes of pushing he was here! I was shocked that it went that fast, to be honest. They laid him on my chest and he was perfect. And he was loud! He came out with a voice and an opinion! Although he was born 9 days earlier than his predicted due date, he was only 1.5 hours earlier than the due date I had predicted! And although he was born quickly, at least he waiting until we got to the hospital!
At this point, we were just in bliss that he was finally here. I was quickly rinsed off and wrapped in warm, clean clothes and then crawled into bed with my little newborn. Arthur laid in bed with us and we marveled at our perfect son.
 |
| Benjamin Terry Stautzenberger born March 6 Stavanger, Norway 3.99 kg ~ 51 cm |
What a beautiful story! I might have teared up :)
ReplyDelete