Ever since the beginning of this pregnancy, I knew things would be different. Not in an "ominous, spiritual" kind of way, but just a "this is my second pregnancy and I know it won't be the same as before" kind of way. So even when I printed off the same birth plan I used for Chase, I knew that it wouldn't go quite as smoothly as Chase's birth. I prepared my mind that I might need an epidural this time so I wouldn't be emotionally disappointed afterward if that's not what I really planned and wanted.
I really was ok letting Jake stay in my tummy as long as possible because I know how hard it is to have a newborn. Until about 2 weeks before my due date. Then I started to feel "done". It was hard to bend, walk (I carry my babies VERY low), lay down, get up, etc. And I was trying to get the house ready while taking care of a busy 18 month old. My mother in law was coming a week before my due date to get everything ready and Chad already had his time off scheduled. The rest of his family was coming August 4 so to say I felt a "little" pressured would be an understatement! My due date of August 2 came and went. The following day, Chad and I went to Dave's BBQ to get some spicy food. We also walked around the mall for a few hours and one of the janitors in the bathroom told me my "baby was coming very soon". (That's polite talk for "you are about to POP, girl") I also had some random people taking my picture at the carosel...I must have been large enough to be posted on the internet, apparently.
The following day was Saturday, August 4. I woke up and decided to get totally ready- cute hair, make up, outfit, the whole nine yards. (It's hard for large pregnant ladies to do things like this.) Chad's sister Marnie just flown in and his other sister Megan was to arrive some time in the afternoon. We all went swimming (well, since I had just spent all that time getting ready, I actually just sat at the side of the pool sweating abundantly) and everyone was having a good time. We came home and Chad and I decided to make a trip to Sprouts to get some castor oil. I really wanted this baby to come before Chad went to work and everyone had to go home. I knew I was going to need their help for the first few days after the baby came. So I was desperate and bought castor oil!
Around 2 pm I took 1 tablespoon and chased it down with OJ. Then an hour later, I did it again. I decided to take a little nap around 3 and woke up to period-like cramps. Crazy enough, I actually enjoyed these little cramps/contractions that came every 15 minutes or so. I was so ready to have the baby (mentally, emotionally, physically) that I welcomed the onset of labor. I read that castor oil could have the effects of bringing contractions but not opening your cervix so I felt like this could end any minute and that it wasn't "the real thing". Around 6 pm, I opened a contraction timer on the internet and timed my contractions. (This whole time, I was in my room while everyone was outside or in the family room) The contractions were about 2-3 minutes apart and lasted for 40 seconds. Since I still felt mentally good, I surfed the internet for 30 minutes or so. I still didn't think this was real labor, for some reason. I really didn't want to get to the hospital and have them say I was at a 2 or something disappointing like that. I took a shower at this point and started to have trouble standing every time a contraction came. I got out of the shower around 730, I think. I got on the exercise ball and had Chad massage my back. The contractions were coming fast and hard now, faster than I thought they would. I labored with Chase for 12 hours so I did not expect to have them so hard and fast after just a few hours. I told Chad we needed to call the doctor around 8. Well, we lasted till about 7:40 and he called. (Later the doctor said she heard me in the background and knew we needed to get to the hospital...NOW) Chad started throwing stuff in the car and he called his mom because she had just gone to drop Marnie off somewhere. I couldn't walk to the car without Chad and without stopping every few steps. I remember seeing a couple walking around the neighborhood when we went out to the car and they probably thought I was crazy or something...moaning and groaning during each contraction.
I finally made it to the car and Norma still wasn't here to watch Chase (he was asleep in bed). I yelled to Chad that he'll be fine and to just DRIVE. I had a few contractions in the car and it was horrible pain. I told him to drive slow, but also fast. (Poor husbands always get mixed signals) We drove away and passed Norma on the way over. I remember telling Chad that if I was only at a 2, I was going to get the epidural. Everything was happening so fast and strong. I wasn't expecting it. The car ride was awful and walking into the hospital wasn't any better. The sweet, but stupid receptionist actually thought I was going to sit down in her office and do paperwork at this point. I was shaking and struggling to stand in the hallway. The wheelchair came and wisked me into triage. I was checked and the nurse said I was at an 8! Holy smokes! I was happy, but in lots of pain. I started to close my eyes and try to get through each contraction. The rest of events in triage are a blur--I remember them asking questions, trying to start in IV, etc. I was then wisked away to L&D. I remember the lights were REALLY bright and I kept asking people to turn them down or off. (I had dim lighting when I gave birth to Chase and it really calmed me) Since we didn't have time to pass out our birth plan, they just ignored me. My IV fell out and they had to do another one on the other hand. She checked me again and I was still at an 8. I'll leave out the obscenities I yelled to Chad during this time and begged for the epidural. (I really think that having everything happen SO FAST and chaotic really threw me off my game and I couldn't get into the "birthing zone" that you need to be in to deliver a baby naturally so I wanted the drugs) Chad told me I had come too far and that the epidural wouldn't work in time. I had no sense of time or understanding of what he was telling me so I wanted the epidural anyway! I got the epidural and I remember feeling lots of pressure. I still felt every contraction but they started to slow down a little. I really wanted to be numb when I pushed because it really hurts to push!
About 5 or 10 minutes later (maybe it was even sooner, I really don't know) I told them I wanted to push. Let's just say the epidural DID NOT work in time. That's right- I felt everything. Luckily, I only pushed 3 times and he was born! (Side note: my doctor broke my water and everyone kept saying how much water was pouring all over the place! It released some pressure which felt good)The epidural was too late, but I was shaking so much as a result of the drugs. I really didn't like it. Jake was actually born with TONS of vernix- the cheesy looking stuff that covers their skin in the womb. He had a great cry and was super alert. His head was perfectly round- everyone kept commenting about it. He definitely wasn't in the birth canal for very long! He was born at 9:20 pm weighing 7 lbs 10 oz and 21 inches long. He was the perfect baby and I was so relieved he came! Unfortunately, my doctor started stitching me up, thinking that the epidural was working. Needless to say, I let her know that I needed a local anesthetic. I started to feel the effects of the epidural- shaking, numb legs, extreme fatigue, etc. When I gave birth to Chase, I felt AMAZING afterward. I helped give him a bath, was calling people, etc. This was foreign to me- having to lay in bed and just want to sleep after having a baby.
I had to wait a couple hours for the epidural to wear off and wait until the cafeteria was open to eat (I was famished!) my first meal after giving birth. All you ladies know, that first meal always tastes amazing! It was nice to get to our postpartum room and just have "us" time. I held Jake that night and while I did, I missed Chase. I couldn't believe that my heart had opened to let Jake in. I loved my two boys the same and I wanted them to be together with Mommy and Daddy. I can't really describe it, I just know that at that moment, I became a mother to two children and it felt so right.
Even though the recovery was long and hard, I am so glad that Jake came quickly and when our extended family was here. It was so nice to have them help with Chase and make meals for us. Thus far Jake has been a VERY vigorious eater, sometimes eating every hour and a half. It is tiring but I know that breastfeeding is very important to me. My milk dried up with Chase because he was a lazy eater and I didn't want to pump/feed him as often as I should have. Chase has been a little jealous of baby brother. He gets upset when I am feeding him and has tried to hit him a few times. I feel bad that he doesn't understand what is going on, but I know they will be great friends in time. :)
