The week of my induction had finally arrived. I was nesting away by mopping and cleaning the baseboards. I had put the important things off; like setting up the nursery and packing the hospital bag. Afterall, I had until Friday. (Fact about me: For much anticipated events, I put preparation off until last minute so I think about it less; the more I think about it, the more anxious I get.)
Tuesday night we were getting ready for bed and I was looking forward to a day at the salon for a new haircut. I was crawling into bed and reminding my husband that we only had three days left as a childless couple. As I was just about to drift off to sleep I had to get up to use the bathroom, of course.
While on the toilet, my water broke. It scared me. I let out a gasp and Anthony said, "What's wrong?!"
"I think I felt my water break." I explain rather calmly. I definitely heard a pop, and I definitely felt the baby drop.
Anthony and I just stared at each other for the next couple of minutes thinking, "This is scary. Let's just go back to bed and pretend it never happened." Finally Anthony broke the silence..."Are you sure it was your water breaking?"
Climing back into bed, "I'm pretty sure, but I'm not having contractions. I guess we will find out in the morning."
Silence... This is when I thought about the fact that I had not prepared for going into labor naturally. There was no way that this could be happening!
I tried my hardest to fall back asleep.
Minutes later...
"Yeah it was my water. You pack the bag, I'm taking a shower."
Half-way through my shower the contractions started. I finished the shower, cut my toenails, put on some lotion, and spent 10 minutes trying to decide what in the world you wear to the birth of your baby.
Anthony had finished packing the bag and was now loading the car. I was cleaning the kitchen. I wanted everything to be perfect when we returned home. At this point the contractions were getting intense, and I finally realized that this was the real deal. I was in labor and the sooner we got to the hospital, the sooner I'd get an epidural. I was planning on a long night and day before I was able to hold my baby boy, so I made sure to have books and crossword puzzles to keep me occupied. We finally took off in the car around 1:30 am. I threaten Anthony with his life if he hit a bump or pothole.
We got to the hospital, checked in, etc. By 2:30 am I had dialated to 4cm. The nurse explained that the anesthesiologist was on his way and that there should be no problem getting an epidural even though my last Lovenox shot was given at 8:30 pm. The Anesthesiologist finally showed up around 4:00am. I was ecstatic. He took one look at my file and abrubtly said, "You can't have an epidural."
"WHAT???!!!"
"We have to wait at least 12 hours from you last shot of Lovenox. I can't give you an epidural until 8:00 am."
Drama ensues and around 4:30 am; I'm 6cm. Forty-five minutes later I'm at 8cm and they're setting the room up for delivery. I couldn't believe this was all happening! Around 6:00 am my body started pushing and I couldn't help it. Luckily, my doctor walked in. She had me pushing before she even took her coat or sunglasses off. Twenty-five minutes later, this beautiful blue being was crying on my stomach. Anthony had scissors shoved into his hand and cut the cord. I was so glad that it was over. Anthony did the fun stuff like putting a diaper on Liam and watching Liam get weighed and measured. I did my thing which included delivering the placenta and having stiches put in my who-ha.
Next my doctor picked up the yucky stuff in the plastic bag. It ripped and everything
went all over the floor. Awesome.
Liam was wrapped and put into my arms. His eyes were wide open and his lips were permanently pursed into a little cheerio as he tried to make sense of what was going on in his world. It was 7 am. At this point no one except me, Anthony, and the hospital staff knew that Liam had arrived and was nestled in my arms. It was so surreal and we wanted it to stay this way for a little while. Just our little perfect family. We let a couple hours pass and decided to let our family know. It took a while to convince my mother that her grandson was already here. From beginning to end labor and delivery was a little over six hours.
Those first few hours it seemed as though Liam was growing and changing right before my eyes! I kept saying every couple minutes that it was impossible for him to look any cuter, but alas. This growth trend continues. At 6 weeks he fit comfortably into 3 month clothes. And now, at 8 weeks, I will occasionally wake him up from a nap and be completely blown away by how totally different he looks!
I love being a mom. I could never have imagined that I would have such a perfect child. Anthony was made to be a father. From the very first second of Liam's life I have witnessed a special father-son bond. I love my boys!
Liam Grant Rodebush
Born March 3, 2010 6:37 am
8 pounds 5 ounces 21 inches
