Henry's Birth Story... 11/23/2009

Okay- where to start??? I guess Monday morning- I was one of those annoying people that call RIGHT ON THE DOT- 5 AM. (maybe even 4:59). L&D said to come up around 6:15 so we started getting around. Took a shower, did some last minute things around the house, waited for my mom to arrive and somehow ate breakfast (even though my stomach was in a giant knot!). When I was induced with Maeve we waited in registration for about a half hour so this time we thought we should get there a little earlier in order to get up to L&D by 6:15. haha- this time registration was dead! Not a person in there! I got registered and put in a room by 6... a nurse was in right away to hook up the IV and ask all those dumb questions (are you in an abusive situation? Do you have a problem with crack/coccaine?) Around 7 they started the pitocin. I was already having contractions 5-7 minutes apart, so the pitocin definitely added a little kick to them! Dr. P came in around 8 or so and broke my water and assured me I will NOT go home preggo! WAHOO! :) INSTANTLY- I mean the next contraction- after my water was broken, I was in some major pain. My contractions started coming consistently around 3-4 minutes apart. I labored in bed for about 2 hours- thinking "OMG this is going so fast!! I'm going to have this baby before noon!" The nurse came in to check on my progress and told me I had not changed A BIT!!! Even though my contractions were good and strong, I shot up in bed and said "WHAT????" She told me to get up and do some walking...

Ryan and I walked the halls of 4 North :) for about 45 minutes or so. I was in a ton of pain- each contraction I felt like I was going to fall into a pool of jello onto the floor. I could definitely feel a pick up in the intensity and frequency of the contractions. I thought we should head back to the room because I wasn't sure I could stay on my feet much longer- also, the screaming coming from one of the rooms was freaking me out!!!

Back in the room I decided to give the rocking chair a try. THIS is what got me through until I got the epidural. I kind of got into a trance just rocking through my contractions- they still hurt like crazy heck but the rocking seemed to help. The doc came back in around 1 and checked me- 5 cm! YEAH!! I had made enough progress to get an epidural! :) I requested one immediately- for 2 reasons: My first epidural with Maeve didn't work- and if that were to happen again I wanted enough time to be able to get another one. And 2, I remembered that when getting one with Maeve, the anestisiologist didn't actually get to my room for like an hour. This time, luck was on my side though :) The anest. got there within about 30-45 minutes AND the epi worked like a charm. I could've kissed that guy who put a catheter in my back! :) While I was getting the epi I started to get the shakes really bad. The nurse said it was because I was probably transitioning. After the epi was in place and I had some time to relax she checked me again- I was 7-8 cm. She told me that if I started to feel pressure I needed to let her know. NO JOKE- within 5 minutes of her leaving the room, I felt a huge urge to push. I told Ryan to get the nurse. She came back in, checked me, and said "You're ready to go! You have nothing left! Not even a lip of cervix!"

I started pushing around 4:30. It was hard. Really, really hard. Finally around 4:50 I had pushed the baby's head down enough that Dr. P was called in. I have to say- this was probably the worst pain I've ever felt- worse than with Maeve. The Dr. looked while I pushed and then said "Ashley- STOP pushing- do not push." I think I might have sworn. :) But next thing I knew Dr. P was pushing the baby's head back in- um... PAINFUL. I heard him say "nuchal cord x2" and since I watch baby shows religiously I knew that the cord was wrapped around his neck twice, and that's why he had to get the head back in- to unwrap the cord. SOMEHOW, by the grace of GOD I held off on pushing while he untangled the cord. Then I heard a snip and I gave one last huge push and out came Mr. Henry Ryan McKenney! He was born at 4:59 PM.

The doc put him on me right away, but he was blue and not breathing and super limp. I kept asking anyone and everyone if he was okay- a nurse swept in and grabbed him and shouted into the hallway to call pediatrics. I was in a full blown panic. It was probably a minute or so before he even made a whimper. FINALLY, things started to calm down a bit and Henry started making teeny tiny kitten-like noises. It was completely terrifying. Thankfully, everything was fine and I got to hold my bubba beans. He felt so tiny- even though he weighed 8.7 & 20.5 inches long! I couldn't believe it! Woooahhh baby! After getting stitches (UGH yes... another episiotomy- thankfully, the Dr. said this one wasn't as bad as my first one) and a stupid cath. (for some reason I couldn't pee after the birth) we got to move into post-partum.

I can't say enough wonderful and beautiful things about my little man. I am in love like I thought I couldn't be again. I wish I could snuggle him all day long. He is seriously the most amazing baby- he slept through his circumcision, his shots, all the blood pokes. Seriously- nothing phases this kid. And that's a good thing- because he's got one wild sissy to deal with! He's already had his nukies stolen out of his mouth, his arms stretched, his face poked at... he's such an angel. This is totally different for me since Maeve was quite the high maintenance baby!

We're home now- resting, getting to know Henry & spending time with Maeve. My parents offered to keep her for another night and as appealing as that sounded, I felt like she needed to be home. So here we are, all getting acquainted with each other :)

Thanks for all the thoughts & prayers! We're a family of FOUR!!!