I found out I was pregnant with our third child in early December 2011. I was definitely quite shocked that I was pregnant a mere 9 months after Noah was born. But the tell tale signs were there for me and I started experiencing symptoms that I had only ever felt two other times. My first pregnancy test gave me the slightest of pink lines, you could barely see it. I missed it myself. I took another test and lo and behold it turned up double pink lines. I immediately called Joel (I was in Pennsylvania visiting family) and informed Joel that he would be a father once again. He was beaming over the phone and was excited at the prospect of a new child.
I got the pregnancy confirmed and had my first appointment. My doctor did an ultrasound and could not find any gestational sac or signs of a pregnancy. She was alarmed since my blood work clearly showed that I was pregnant. I got ordered another test immediately and a high level ultrasound at the hospital. It was confirmed that I was in the very early stages of my pregnancy and things were ok. I went in two weeks later to see a heartbeat and a little baby.
My pregnancy consisted of the normal 14-16 weeks of nausea and tiredness. Followed by a few good weeks and then some major heartburn and body aches. My body handled this pregnancy the best. I was extremely healthy and had no issues whatsoever.
By 37 weeks I was ready to be done. I was experiencing a lot of pain in my pelvis and legs. I had to wear compression stockings in the middle of 100 degree heat because I had terrible debilitating charlie horses all through the night. I was 3 cm dilated and 50% effaced at my 37 week appointment. Jackson was still quite high up and not looking to move anytime soon. I was the same at my 38 week appointment. My doctor tried to strip my membranes (word to the wise...extremely painful and not successful at all). After the membrane sweep I had terrible cramping and a lot of spotting and losing of the mucus plug.
I thought I would be pregnant forever. However, my biggest fear was not having child care for the kids when I went into labor. So, we had family here starting in the very beginning of August. It was a huge blessing to have the help and added assurance that we would have the boys in great hands when the time came. Amy's time came and went and Kim was scheduled next to come. While she was here she found out that her brother was hospitalized across town. On Saturday morning we were taking her to the hospital for the last time before she returned home. My mom was scheduled to fly into Sacramento that evening and take over baby watch 2012. I was feeling wonderful that day. For the first time in weeks I had energy and had plans to clean and relax with the boys and prepare for Jackson's arrival.
Upon arriving at the hospital to drop Kim off, I decided to use the restroom because being 39 weeks pregnant I knew I would need to go before returning home. I walked out and felt something warn between my legs. I joked that my water broke must have broken. Kim urged me to go to the bathroom to confirm. Well, lo and behold it actually did. I had a huge gush of water break in the lobby of the hospital after I returned from the bathroom. Unfortunately it was not my delivering hospital and we would need to drive back across town, so I called Joel and informed him it was time. (side note: I wanted an exciting story and was excited my water broke in a semi exciting fashion and I got to page Joel that I was ready!!) Kim drove us across town. The nurses were quite skeptical that I actually broke my water, but upon seeing me waddle down the hall with a huge blanket between my legs, they had no doubt.
After successfully leaking huge puddles across the bathroom and my hospital room I was hooked up and ready to go. But I wasnt contracting regularly at all. I got excited that I would not need to be induced and I thought for sure I'd go into labor. Alas, the doctor gave me 6 hours to go into labor, then she would start pitocin. Six hours later I still was not contracting so it was onto induction. Luckily I had understanding nurses and they let me get my epidural before they started the pitocin. I learned that my body doesn't handle the numbing agent used in the placing of the epidural, so they needed to use a different stronger agent to get me numb. The epidural was successful, so successful that my right leg was totally gone! I then got to lay back, relax, and let nature and medicine take its course. Luckily for me, I know my body and know how I handle labor and was able to avoid extra cervical checks and intervention. So, I waited for the next 5 hours napping and checking the internet. Around 10 pm, well let me back up a moment. Around 10pm my mom called and asked how things were since she finally landed in Sacramento. I was feeling great and worried I would be in labor all night long. But not a few minutes after she got off the phone, I felt my body change. The nurse checked me and Jackson was still hight, but I was 8cm dilated.
The next few moments went by too quickly. My body started pushing Jackson down and I knew it was time. As I was breathing through the contractions, the anesthesiologist gave me a booster of meds. In those few moments I went from 8cm to complete and with a "test push" Jackson moved right into position. Our room went busy, the big light came down, the doc came in and three contractions later I had a brand new baby boy. It was actually that simple. The epidural worked great, I could feel the need to push and got him out quickly. Jackson Daniel was born at 10:59 pm on August 11th 2012. He weighed in at 8lbs 4oz. Unfortunately Jackson had some issues breathing. The respiratory nurse was called in to check on him. He was breathing really fast and had a lot of fluid in his mouth. They were able to stabilize him and I got my first moments with my new son. He immediately latched onto my breast and stayed there for the next two hours. He was a pro and knew what he wanted. Unfortunately at that time they determined his breathing was too heavy and he needed to head to the NICU. I was terrified, but also exhausted.
Jackson spent the next few days in the NICU being monitored. I had to leave the hospital on Monday, but I stayed until they kicked me out because I did not want to leave my son. Leaving your baby in the NICU is terrible. I cannot imagine the mommies that have to leave their babies in for extended periods of time and for serious conditions. I knew Jackson was healthy, we were just waiting for him to be let out. He came home on Tuesday morning!
I have been blessed with very easy deliveries and recoveries and for that I am thankful. We are beyond blessed to have our newest son in our home and growing with our family :)
