Brennan's Birth Story

The time has come! :)

After my appointment on April 30th I was determined to get things started. I was having some mild contractions, but I really thought nothing would start. I finally went to sleep at 10pm, thinking I would just have to wait. At 2am on May 1st I was awoken by some good contractions. I made sure they were gonna stick with me and woke Josh up after 6 good ones in a short 30 minute time span. I was worried that since I was 4cm already we wouldn't make it to the hospital in time. I was also worried that I wouldn't have time to get antibiotics for the Group B Strep I tested positive for so we went right to the hospital without waiting around.

I was hooked up to an IV of fluids and penicillin and they explained it would be best for Brennan if I was able to get 2 full courses of penicillin (to be given every 4 hours) before my water broke. So... instead of walking I decided to relax as much as possible and let me veins suck in the goodness. This of course meant I would endure an extra long labor, but I didn't want to risk Brennan being sick. My contractions slowed a bit from every 3 minutes to every 7 minutes. I got to 7cm and stayed there for quite some time... remember I was doing this on purpose. I got some rest, Brennan got some rest... Josh got some rest AND finished most of his book haha :)

Once the 2nd IV bag was done they came in and broke my water for me and I was up and about. It didn't take long for my contractions to speed back up to every 3 minutes. A couple hours into this I asked them to check me out of curiosity. I felt some pain, but I wasn't feeling the urge to push... I didn't want to wait until it was too late, though... doctors tend to take forever when you're yelling "I HAVE TO PUSH!!" haha. I couldn't believe I was at 9cm and still up and around, feeling fine. It was only a matter of time. I knew what was next... the worst part. I can honestly say I was NOT looking forward to it at all. That last cm is pure torture. Everything before and after that is fine, but that one stinkin' centimeter is hell on earth. I will say the birthing ball came in handy during that time. As did a pillow to cry into haha :P

FINALLY I was in push mode. I had them all come in, had a few contractions on the bed that were absolutely excruciating. I could feel him coming down with every contraction, but going right back up... it was frustrating. I finally got to start pushing and they told me "he doesn't look like he has much hair" to which I replied "well then that old wives tale about heartburn is a bunch of BS"... then they figured out what was wrong. Apparently the whole reason everything was moving so slowly and why Brennan looked hairless was because my amniotic sac was an uber-awesome one that refused to tear. The doc tore it for me and BLAM it was like he flew out hahaha. I swear... it was hilarious... one push for the head, one for the rest. At 1:28pm EST Brennan Gabriel had officially arrived. After almost 12 hours of pretty easy-going labor. He was 7lbs 14ozs and 20.5" long.

I got Brennan placed on me right away and he looked at me and gurgled a little, cried a little, and showed off his fancy hair... and then peed on me :) Awwwww... hahaha... he was perfect. My delivery was perfect too. The doctor said I had the delivery every woman should pray to have. I had no tears or stitches, placenta detached right away... no roids (yes this is all very detailed, but it's my record so I care not). I honestly feel great, like I didn't even give birth. I am amazed at how normal everything feels. I'm already back to taking our evening walks at my old pace. I am definitely an even bigger advocate for natural childbirth now. God is good. I know I will be fine for our trip to Spain and all the rigamarole leading up to it.