It's a boy! russell Allen arrived July 27th at 3:54 AM. Approx. 4 hours after we arrived at the hospital. The timing could not have been more perfect.

Labor began almost 24 hours previously though. I woke up about 3AM on the 26th with my first contraction. Tried to go back to sleep and did off and on until about 5AM. I gave up at that point and got up to watch movies and sit on my birthing ball (a life saver by the way). I had an OB appointment already scheduled for later that day. So I was excited to go in and get checked to see if I was making progress. I spent the morning playing with KL and waiting for contractions that continued to come off and on but they were very manageable so it didn't interfere with KL's and my normal morning routine. I went for my appointment at 11 and even brought my suitcase with me in case my doctor sent me straight to the hospital. Alas, it was not meant to be. I was only 1 cm dilated but I was 50% effaced. So my doctor advised me to go home, rest, walk when I felt like it and he said he might see me later that night or in the morning.

KL and I headed home after a quick stop at Chick Fil A. . . conveniently locate right across from hospital/doctors office. ahem. We got home and proceeded to take naps. My contractions actually started to peter out and I was getting discouraged. In hind sight it was a good thing because it allowed me to sleep for 2 hours, which I desperately needed to do!

James got home about 4. We ate supper, played with KL, watched netflix and then decided to go for a walk. This got the contractions going again! Big time! They were still very manageable but I could tell stuff was happening! :) We walked for about an hour and a half. When we got home I showered and James got KL ready for bed. I made sure all my ducks were in a row for leaving for the hospital and spent some more time with KL before putting her to bed. The last time I would put her to bed with just her to think about and not another child needing attention.

 On our walk my contraction got as close as 5 mins apart and were lasting a good 45 seconds. I had been texting a friend off an on all day about my progress and after telling her this she suggested she come over and walk with me again after KL was in bed to keep things moving. I said sure. . so about 9PM she arrived and I sent James to bed to get some sleep if he could and we walked a good hour and a half. My contractions really ramped up at htis point and got about 4 mins apart lasting a min or more by the end of the walk.  I was still not ready to go to the hospital. . . more psychologically than anything. I was terrified of getting there and stalling like I did with KL. But I could not deny the contractions were getting stronger and stronger. I couldn't talk through them anymore and by the end of our walk I was having to stop and lean on something during each contraction. R (my friend), who has had 4 babies naturally herself, strongly suggested we go on to the hospital and at least have them check my progress. I agreed. We got back to the house and I woke up James. R said she would stay with KL until our other friend arrived to stay until KL's grandmother got there. . all in the event we ended up staying at the hospital. Well we did!

We arrived at the hospital at midnight and found out I was 5 cm and 80% effaced! Contractions were getting so tough at this point and I was trying so hard to focus on the progress I was making and not on the fear the this baby was posterior positioned as well. I was feeling a lot of lower back pain so I really had no clue if the baby was positioned correctly or not. When I finally got in my room and was finally off the monitor and free to move around I got right on my birthing ball. Oh my word, this helped SO MUCH! I stayed on it almost the entire time except to get checked or go to the bathroom. James pulled up a rocking chair and sat behind me and rubbed my back through each contraction. He was such a calming influence over me. . nothing rattled him.

 The next time the nurse checked me I was 7 cm. Progress! but I was still so distrustlful that this was all happening like it was supposed to. With KL I got all the way to 9 cm and then stalled for hours. So all the nurse's and James' encouraging words about how well I was doing fell on deaf ears. I wasn't going to believe anyone until I was holding this baby in my arms!

Back on the ball. . I came so close to asking for drugs at htis point. Oh so close. I was wishing for the nice warm birthing tub that I had with KL. I would have gotten in the shower except it hurt too much to move! Another hour or so and the nurse asked if  I was feeling any pressure. . and I was like "uh . . yeah. . a lot." She said she wanted to check me again so she could give the doctor enough time to get there in case I was about to need to push. At this point she said she could not even feel cervix anymore just a bulging bag of waters. I was adamant that my water not be broken by anyone. So the pressure began and I was told my  doctor was on his way.

By the time the doctor got there all they were waiting for was my water to break. The doctor mentioned once that I really needed my water broken but after I refused he let it go. I finally felt the urge to actually push. . a scary feeling by the way if you've never felt it. After about 2-3 pushes my water finally broke on its own. about 2 more pushes and Russell was OUT!  Ah such relief! I was shocked and over joyed to hear his cry and see the head full of dark hair. Wow. I could not believe it was OVER! At one point during the worst moments of the labor I am pretty sure I swore (at least silently) that I would NEVER put myself through this again. LOL But, when I saw Russell's sweet face I knew it was all worth it. :) Russell arrived almost exactly 4 hours after checking into the hospital. Perfect timing.

Recovery time was so quick compared to last time. I could walk on my own within an hour or two and took a shower by myself a few hours later. It was an amazing feeling to feel so good after giving birth. With KL it took forever for the epidural to wear off and even longer for me to be back to normal because of all the hemorrhaging.

So yes, I got my natural, completely drug free birth. It was the hardest thing I have ever done and also the  most incredible feeling to have DONE it. I give all the glory to God. . truly for it wasn't in my own strength that I did anything. I am so thankful for a safe delivery and a healthy baby. . . I am also so thankful for a loving and supportive husband who has taken such good care of all of us.

So, then there were four. . . .


Let the adventures begin. (hopefully to be seen on this blog.)