Katie thought it would be fun for me to tell my birth story, since we don't get to see all of the family on a regular basis. So here it is:
Thursday May 28, 2009
I arrived at work at 6:30 AM and my contractions began at 7:00. They were 5 minutes apart all day at work, but I was able to function through them. By 3:00 came- my shift was over and my contractions were stronger and closer together. Now it was much harder to fake a smile, and pretend nothing was happening in front of my patients. The fun part was, I was down to having only one patient at the end of my shift, and she was a mom of 4- so we were able to "talk baby." But I was still very happy to be going home. So one of my friends at work offered to bring me home instead of taking the bus home. Ahh- great idea. So as we are walking to her car, my contractions were about 1 1/2 minutes apart. She said, "Are you sure you want to go home?? Should I just bring you over to Methodist instead?" Oh no- I needed to take a shower, my bag was fully packed, Ben wasn't home from work, he didn't have his bag packed. So I went home, had a bowl of cereal and sat on the exercise ball for a little while. Now my contractions were slowing down to 4-6 minutes apart, but still painful.
So every Thursday, Ben and I play co-ed softball in Cannon Falls. Stupid me thought, "of course we can still go to softball. I'm not playing, just keeping book. I'll be fine, I'll just breathe through my contractions. The car is packed so we'll go to the hospital when the game is done."
I'm an idot.
Ben doesn't even get his shoes on when we get to the ball fields, and WE NEEDED TO GO. I had two contractions when we arrived, and they sucked. This was not the place I wanted to be laboring. Too many people around and I wanted to go.
So instead of rushing to the hospital, we stop at his parent's house so Ben can shower and changed his clothes. He couldn't go fast enough. Then we make a stop at Subway so Ben can get supper. I'll tell you- the drive to Rochester was miserable. Every bump hurt, and my contractions were intense. I felt trapped in the car- all I wanted to do was stand up, and I couldn't.
We arrive at Methodist at 9:45PM, the resident checked me at 10:00 and I was dilated to 8cm. Ummm what? 8 cm!?!?! No way. (I was hoping for a 4 so I could be admitted. I really didn't want to be sent home.) So they asked if I wanted an epidural because I was so far along, it was now or never. I looked at Ben and said, "If I can labor to 8cm with no medication, I can totally finish it. I don't want this to slow down, I just want it to be over." So all-natural it was! They wheeled me in to the labor room, I started pushing at 10:40 and he was born at 11:00pm!! "It's a boy!!" they yelled. I couldn't believe it!! Ben was so right! He thought it was a boy the whole time, and I had no idea. I went back and forth between thinking it was a boy, then a girl. I didn't have a clue.
It took a while for them to finish working on me after he was delivered, so Ben got to hold Griff for nearly an hour after he was born. He was wide awake. What a blessing this little boy is. I just kept saying, "I can't believe it. I just had a baby. He's here. I can't believe it!" What a wierd feeling. Undescribable.
Now he's nearly 5 weeks old and runs my life. I love him more than I can explain and am so grateful for him. Life is good.
4 comments:
What a stoy! You were so lucky you didn't give birth in the car. Danny came very fast and 5 or 6 days late. We called the hospital to say we were on the way. Ken Johnson was on duty and heard the call so when we came thru town, he escorted us in the cop car up to the hospital. For those who don't know Ken, he is Bekki's grandma Haggstrom' brother. He knew I was over because we had been to a party at the lake just days before with friends. Ken is married to my classmate from Wastedo and CFHS. She also sang at our wedding. She also sang a song in Swedish at Ellwood's funeral. Her name is Margaret Swenson Johnson. Danny came one and a half hours after my first contraction. When I was pregnant it was a very hot summer and I sat outside with my feet in a bucket of cold water and loved to eat root beer floats. I found out not too long ago that Danny does't care for them. I think I ate too many!!!!! Bekki, you have a beautiful baby and he looks just like you! Big Ben looks sooo proud. I only call him big Ben because we have a little Ben. I saw our little Ben today and I can't believe how tall he has gotten. Best wishes to two and happy Fathers Day to Ben!!!! Love, Margene
oooh- Griffin is so cute- and you added a picture of my cute little neice also. Wow you are a trooper- that story was something else. I had to read it a few times because I would get going and reading so fast to keep up with the pace of what was going on that I would miss things. fun to hear about exciting birth stories- mine: schedule c-section, go in, do it. very exciting stuff.
What an exciting story!!! I was like Kelly...I was reading faster just to keep up!! Next time go to the hospital..go earlier!! Loved all the pictures of Griffin and all the dads..so glad you put in a picture of our little Annabelle!! Love you, Great Auntie Martha
Wow, Bekki. You are brave to not go to the hospital right away! I'm glad you didn't have him in the car. I labored at home with Amelia for awhile and when I got to the hospital, I too hoped I was at least 4 cm so I could stay. I was at 7-8 cm! But, unlike you, I got my epidural immediately!
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