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Joseph

Here's the story of my beautiful baby boy Joseph. (Joey) I wrote this when he was one week old, and tomorrow he turns 2 months old. Everything about him is perfect. Randy and I had no idea how wonderful this could be! Thursday August 6, 1998 I was checked in to the hospital to be induced at 6:00 in the morning. When I got there I was hooked up to the fetal monitor. Luckily I got out of the enema! I had nightmares about that thing. My doctor came in and checked me at 7:00 a.m. He said that I was still dilated to 2 cm, and that I was 50% effaced. At 7:30 he broke my water, and I was hooked up to the Pitcin.

My water leaking was the yuckiest thing! I felt like I was wetting all over myself. Every time a contraction would come a warm gush of water would come out. Contractions started out at about 3 minutes apart and lasted about a minute each. Randy and I played cards, and I would just stop and breathe through the contractions.

At 9:30 my mom, Dawn (sister in law), and Charlie(little brother) came in, and surprisingly I liked having them there. My contractions started getting much harder as they arrived, and the nurse decided to check me again. I was at the end of 2 cm, and was 100% effaced. Everyone was disappointed that things weren't going faster.

Well, the contractions got hard, and Randy helped me breathe. I didn't do the lamaze breathing. I just found a rhythm that was right for me, and it helped a ton. Randy went to get me some ice chips, and I remember my mom holding my hand, and her hands were so warm. Randy's were like ice cubes and he couldn't warm them up for nothing!: ) My mom was telling me how proud of Randy she was, and it made me feel so wonderful. Between the contractions I was sleepy, but I felt good. The relief from the contraction was so relaxing. Time went by very fast for me during this time.

The contractions were hurting and the nurse checked me again around 11:00. I was at the beginning of 4cm, and so she called for the epidural. I went to the bathroom, and when I was done I had to sit on the side of the bed so I could get the epidural. My legs were dangling, and I was very cold. Randy stood in front of me and I had to bend down and lean into his belly. I loved being able to sit up. Bending down was okay, but the contractions were so hard, and it felt like my ribs were going to crush from me leaning over. It took quite awhile for the dr. to get everything ready. He was nice and perky. He let me know what was going on, and soon enough he was done.

I had to lay back down because my blood pressure was a little high. I was comfortable on my back, but they had me lay on my sides. While I was getting the needle put in Randy relaxed me so much during the contractions. He reminded me to breathe, and he didn't panic.

After I was laying back down mom, Dawn, and Charlie came back in. I felt so good. I had woken up. I was able to talk again and look around. My body felt great from sitting up, and I was exited that things were moving along. My contractions got harder and harder so the nurse had everyone leave so she could check me again. I was at 7cm. I got there in an hour. The nurse stood there beside me and told me really slowly that I was dilated to 7cm. She asked if I was ready to have this baby. This was the first time I got emotional. I hadn't been able to think of anything but the delivery, but then I realized that this baby was really going to come. My mom came back in, but I don't remember anything. I do remember the pain, and for some reason the epidural didn't work. It just didn't take. The nurse was trying to get more medicine, but things just went too quick from there. The nurse checked me about 30 minutes later and I was 10cm. I was ready!! She let everyone come in one more time to say good luck. My mom kissed me on the forehead, and after everyone left I was told to push.

Pushing was the best part of the whole delivery! (Minus the baby!) I was finally in control, and I knew the harder i pushed the sooner I would get to see my baby. I got to push twice, and the nurse told me to stop so she could get the doctor. Luckily my doctor was down stairs eating lunch so he got right up there. Having to NOT push was the worst part of the whole thing. It was terribly painful.

When he got in the room he checked me, and I guess I flinched because he realized that the epidural hadn't worked. He told me to go ahead and push----I was thrilled! Everyone was so supportive. Randy had one hand, and the student in the room had the other hand. I pushed 2 more times, and Randy said that he could see the head. Tears came to my eyes, and I gave it all I had, and I pushed one more time, and out he came. I felt this huge pressure off of my body. I felt like someone had let out all the air out of my body. It felt wonderful. I started crying. I felt so overwhelmed by all the love I felt for my husband, and for my baby. I heard the doctor say I had a boy. (we didn't know until then. We wanted it to be a surprise) I looked up, and the dr, was holding him, and I just reached out to touch him. All three of us were just crying.

While the doctor was doing my stitches Randy was running around with the baby, and watching the people clean our baby. He was so exited, and I was still crying from the whole thing being over. After they cleaned him up I got to breast feed him for the first time. He did it for a minute, but he had more screaming to do. He was born at 12:43 in the afternoon. It was the most perfect delivery! I couldn't have asked for anything easier or better. It was just perfect. Randy was so wonderful. Without him I don't think it would have gone so nicely. I have beautiful memories about the whole thing.

About an hour later Randy got to give his son his first bath. Joey loved having his hair washed! He still does!! He weighed 6 pounds 7 ounces, and was 19 and 1/4 inches long. Perfect! Just Perfect!