We were induced on Monday, November 8th at 41 weeks pregnant. Our doctor had concerns for several weeks that Luke was going to be a "bigger" baby based on ultrasounds we had as well as measurements they were taking at our bi-weekly and eventual weekly appointments. So, we headed into the hospital at 8:30 that Monday morning, ready for our lives to be forever changed! I'll never forget the moment that we got to the hospital. We were both excited, anxious, nervous, scared...you name it! When we got to the maternity floor, my parents were already there, waiting for us to arrive. I gave my mom a hug and immediately started crying. I was SO glad that they were there with us throughout the day. Once we got to our room, they started me on IV fluids and pitocin (the medicine that induces labor). After a couple of hours, I started to feel the contractions, but it was more tightening in my stomach than pain. At about 12:30, our OB doctor came and broke my water to help me progress. Within minutes of my water breaking, the contractions became a lot more intense. After a couple of hours, I requested the epidural which really helped me to stay more relaxed and focused.
Around 4:30, I remember asking my mom what it would feel like when I felt like I needed to push. I was having a lot of pressure, so I talked to the nurse. She waited a little while to check me again, but when she did, I was fully dilated and effaced. Oh boy! Here we go! We started doing "practice" pushes. After 3 sets of pushes, Luke's heart rate started to drop and wasn't recovering. They put me on oxygen and had me lay on my left side. Thankfully, he recovered within a couple of minutes. We waited about 20 minutes before starting to push again. At that time, about 5:30, our OB doctor came to be there for the remainder of the delivery. I remember pushing, and pushing, and pushing. Then, all of a sudden, there was a lot of scrambling to get the room set up in preparation for his arrival. The last few pushes, it definitely took all that I had. The umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck and Luke ended up being a bigger baby like projected. He did end up getting his shoulder stuck behind my pubic bone. Thank God for a wonderful doctor and nursing staff, he was safe and sound in my arms with just one more push! At 6:16pm, he was here!
I remember that moment when they laid him on my stomach. Steve and I were both in tears and overwhelmed with joy! They took him over to the baby warmer to make sure his breathing was okay and that there was no damage to his shoulder during delivery. Hearing his first cry was music to our ears! All we kept hearing the nurses say was how beautiful he was and comment on his "rock star" hair. The nurses continued to monitor him for about 15 minutes before I was able to hold him. My parents, Steve's parents and my older brother, Anthony, were all able to come in and take turns holding him and admire the wonderful blessing just added to our family!
Between the adrenaline rush and just wanting to stare at our beautiful baby boy, neither Steve or I slept much that first night. Now, here we are, 3 weeks later! We have been doing very well and adjusting more and more every day to being parents. He has changed SO much in three weeks and it has been so much fun to watch him develop. Here's a few milestones:
- He is already too long for newborn clothes...maybe he'll be tall like daddy! :)
- He has recently discovered his hands and loves waving them in front of his face while he's awake.
- He rolled from his stomach to his back for the first time at 1 week, 2 days old at his first doctor's appointment. He does this frequently now when we do tummy time with him at home.
We'll post more pictures soon! :)
