My SD Photography blog will officially morph into my labor of love blog for the next few weeks. My son is almost two weeks old, and I have so much to share. Facebook simply doesn’t allow enough characters! I am still photographing when I can, but pretty much the only subject is my very sweet baby Dylan. I have been trying to take a few every day, so that when I look back at this time in a few months, I don’t have any regrets. But it is really really hard. I’m tired, he’s tired, when I’m not breastfeeding, pumping, eating or sleeping, I honestly don’t feel like being crafty and artistic. But with Cameron’s reminders that I’ll be really upset later if I don’t, I pull myself off the couch and make it happen. Next step is editing, and then I’ll get to those sinister birth announcements. THEN I’ll get some up here. In the meantime, I’d like to start March 1 at about 3:30 AM.
My alarm goes off because we are scheduled to be at Evergreen at five for my induction. My first contraction happens simultaneously with my alarm, and by the time we are at the hospital they are four minutes apart, and when I’m checked, I’m six cm dilated. Next thing I know labor is well upon us, and the nurse offers the tub which I jump at the chance. I labor in the tub for a few hours, and Cameron is by my side talking me through each and every contractions. I have to say I don’t think I would have made it through a single one without him there.
Cameron’s mom and Ellie arrive about this time, and it certainly took all three to get me through the next few hours. In my head I thought, “if I can just make it to transition without pain meds, I can make it the whole way.” Labor was getting more intense, with only about a minute to rest inbetween contractions. I asked the nurse if this was transistion, and when she said yes, I just knew I could do it.
When it came time to push, I certainly felt like my only job in the whole world was to make it through each contraction, one at a time. I couldn’t think about anything else. Without the guidance of our nurse, and the support of my team, I would have crumbled. We changed positions a few times before pushing to turn baby’s head, and then it was on. Apparently I pushed for over two hours, to me it kind of seemed like an eternity, and kind of like a single minute. It is amazing what our bodies can do. Cam had my left leg and Ellie had the right, and very quickly they were carrying my entire weight. I had no strength to hold up my legs, so they did it for me. They watched as baby’s head descended, and would tell me what a great job I was doing. My eyes were closed for most of this time as the outside world didn’t even exist for me. When I would open my eyes for a second, I’d notice the doctor wasn’t there, so I knew in the back of my head I wasn’t quite there yet. When the Dr. finally did arrive, it was go time. When she broke my water, she saw that it was dark, meaning the baby had a bowel movement into the water. Not good. She informed me a Neo-Natal team would be present for the birth incase there were any complications. I certainly couldn’t have imagined the gravity of the situation.
Many many pushes, lots of coaching, and a Dr.’s hard work resulted in Dylan O’Neill Hopkins’ birth at around 2 pm. Dad didn’t get a chance to cut the cord as the Dr. quickly handed the baby over to the NICU team. I was too weak to hold him, but the nurse brought him over so I could see his face and kiss him a few times. Next thing I knew the NICU team said they had to take him to the “nursery” and that Cameron could carry him over and stay with him, so he did. I still had to deliver the placenta, get stitched up, get a few “cocktails” on board via my IV, etc. Turns out there really isn’t a “nursery” at Evergreen, they just were trying to keep us calm.
Our story of the NICU coming next…
Thank you summer..!! i will show this to grandma also.
We love you very much…Hugs dj