Since i was induced, my birth story begins at about 38 weeks. I go for my weekly visit and get checked. At 38 weeks i'm about 1 cm dilated and 60-70% effaced. For those of you who knows me, you know i'm a VERY impatient person so this news helped perk me up and made me realize that the end was in sight. The midwife who works at my dr's office mentioned that i could be induced if i wanted to, since i was progressing that way anyways. She knew Ryan had his brothers wedding just days after my due date and this was something that worried me. I told her i would think about it and let her know the next week, actually having it offered made the whole situation a lot more...real. A week passes and its dr time again. Unfortunately, no more progress had been made despite the contractions i had been happening. They were just Braxton Hicks and weren't at all regular, but dang it I was big and pregnant and ready. My midwife once again asked if i wanted to be induced. Not at all pressuring me, just giving me the option. Still nervous, i decided to think about it and call the office that week if i decided to schedule.
I went home that evening to talk to Ryan about it. One thing really making me nervous was the NST i had to have after my 38 week appointment. Baby had a very high heart rate at my 38 week appointment and while the NST showed nothing but a perfectly healthy baby, being induced made me worry that I'd be putting him in the danger zone unnecessarily. I also worried that if something WAS wrong with me, keeping him inside me could harm him. (Looking back, this was a silly thought. The dr's would have rushed me over to the hospital if they felt the need to get him out. He was safe in my womb, where he belonged). After discussing things with Ryan, we decided that due to the stress i would feel if i went into labor on Ryan's brother's wedding day wasn't worth it. I called the next day to schedule my induction and set the date for 11-7-11. Sounded like a good day to me.
The weekend before Jayme was born me and Ryan did the last minute things we needed to like clean the house. We also treated ourselves to a VERY nice steak dinner at Ruths Chris. AMAZING. That weekend went by way to fast. I grew more and more nervous as the hours passed and reality set in. Before i knew it, it was 5am Monday morning and my alarm was going off. I had to wake up, get ready, and go have a baby.
We checked into labor and delivery a little before 6am. I remember walking through the parking lot, looking at Ryan, and saying "I'm not ready for this". Alas, i checked in and pushed forward. They started an IV, which of course made me turn white as a ghost and halfway pass out. After this i called my mom to see what time she would be there. She told me around 8 or 9. I told her to hurry up lol. I was nervous and while Ryan was a great help, i just wanted my mommy! At 8 AM the dr came in to break my water and they started my pitocin. Up to this point i had been having contractions that i couldn't feel. There was no turning back after this, Dr. Gingrich told me that I would be having a baby within 24 hours one way or the other.
The butterflies settled as the contractions set in. I sat on a birthing ball to get things going (and let me tell you, it worked). The dr told me I could have an epidural at any point since my water was broken and i wasn't going home. I labored from 8 am until about 1 pm or so and then decided it was time for the epidural. I was having contractions that i was REALLY having to concentrate through, but i wasn't to the point that i couldn't sit still. About an hour later the epidural was in and i could no longer feel anything. At all. Sweet relief. I decided to use this time to try and nap before the real work began. I was about 5 cm when i got the epidural so i was halfway there. At about 4:45 PM they had me try a few practice pushes since I was at a 10 and 100% effaced. My labor nurse said i was doing great and so we kept pushing along......for 2 hours. 2 long and exhausting hours. At this point the dr came in to discuss other options. She had my give her a few good pushes through my next contraction to see what kind of progress i had made. The baby was still pretty high so she thought if i layed on my side and labored for another hour, it may help him descend enough for delivery.
One hour later i was back to pushing. I pushed through one more contraction and the dr decided this baby wasn't going to come, even with help. She said it was time for a c-section. This wasn't exactly something i was excited about. I always dreamed of that moment when they would lay my sweet new baby on my chest. However, i trusted that my dr knew best so i was prepped for surgery. I waited for an operating room to open up...and waited and waited and waited. Finally Ryan was getting suited up and i was being wheeled down.
Once in the operating room they got me nice and numb and got started. They brought Ryan in and i just remember laying there, teeth chattering, anxiously awaiting the sweetest sound I knew i'd ever hear. About 10 minutes later, at 9:43 PM James Roland Brauer entered this world. His cry was the most precious noise i have ever heard, and both me and Ryan cried. All i wanted was to see my sweet boy. They cleaned him up and swaddled him, then handed him to Daddy. Ryan sat back down on the stool by my head and I was able to get my eyes on my perfect baby boy before they swept him off to the nursery to be evaluated by a pediatrician. They got me all sewed up and wheeled me down to recovery. Once in recovery i asked for my baby over and over. I some how managed to get my hands on my iPhone and sent Ryan a text for him to send me a picture. They finally brought him into me, something i barely remember from all the pain meds. I do remember being in love. Me, Ryan and James enjoyed some time with all the grandparents before getting some alone time, just the three of us. While in recovery James was able to nurse and snuggle, one of the sweetest moments i've ever experience.
Its hard to believe this was 3 months ago. My sweet little baby is still just as sweet, but not so little. He's becoming very social like his mommy, and he is one curious little boy. I have never experienced a love like this and my heart over runs with love each and every day.
This made me cry! I was SO anxious for you and Ryan gave such great updates and I felt terrible for not being there! I love you all! Xoxo
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