After a fun Saturday night, (the 17th,) of going to a street fair, eating blizzards and tater tots, and watching Pocahontas on the couch with Joe, I started to get some bigger contractions than I was having before, and they started coming closer together...though they still weren't hurting a lot, just making me uncomfortable. We called my mom just to give her a heads up of what was going on, so that if we called at 3:00 in the morning, she would be ready to go! We went to bed that night hoping it was going to happen soon...we woke up Sunday morning pretty disappointed :( We went to church like normal, and the contractions just kept coming, though they were no longer regular. After church we went on a loooong walk to the stadium, and then we went up and down the stairs a few times, just to see if that would help! While walking the stairs my mom called to say that she just had the feeling that she needed to come right then. I didn't think I was in labor or would be for at least another day, so I was worried that she would come and use all her time off of work just waiting for the baby to come! She assured me that she really just felt prompted to come...so we told her to do it! After returning home from our walk, we played a nice game of monopoly, and then went on another walk! By then the contractions were stronger, still not hurting, but not regular at all! My mom got here around 6 and we ate dinner and then played a game of Monopoly with her. (Joe LOVES monopoly...so we play it a lot) After that my contractions were coming about every 7-10 minutes apart. We cleaned up the kitchen really quick, and then I sent Joe to bed, so that he could get some rest in case I wasn't in labor and he needed to go to school the next day. By this point it was about 11 at night, and I was tired...but my contractions were coming 5-6 minutes apart. Mom and I went on a walk, just to see what it would do...by the end of the walk my contractions were 3-5 minutes apart...and getting a little bit stronger, though I still wasn't experiencing the excruciating pain of labor. In fact, I wasn't in a ton of pain at all...just really, really uncomfortable.
After we returned home...Mom suggested that maybe it was time to go to the hospital. I really didn't want to go to the hospital because my contractions weren't very strong. And I didn't want to be sent home. We sat on the couch talking and resting till about 1:00, and then decided to just go to bed, and see where I was in the morning. I went and woke Joe up, and told him. He in turn told me that he really felt like we needed to go to the hospital. We prayed about it together, and then separately. While praying, I knew I wasn't in labor, but I kept feeling like there was something else, and we needed to go to the hospital. We went and woke mom up, and got everything loaded into the car. After everything was loaded, Joe gave me a blessing. In the blessing I was promised that I would be able to make the right decisions concerning our baby, and that I would be given strength and peace throughout this journey. I then continued to be confused about going to the hospital or not, and changed my mind about 5 times before my mom and Joe finally convinced me that being sent home from the hospital is not a big deal. So off to the hospital we went!
We got to the hospital around 1:30, and we were put in an exam room. The nurse checked me and said I was dilated to a 2, and 85% effaced. She then hooked me up to the monitor for contractions and they baby's heartbeat, and took my vitals. She asked me what my plan for pain management was, and I told her I wanted to go as natural as possible, though I was willing to do whatever was best for me and the baby. After taking my vitals, she told me there was something she didn't like and was going to check a few more things. After checking my vitals once more, "well you aren't in labor, but you have really, really high blood pressure, and that is a problem." My heart just dropped. I don't think I have ever been so afraid in my life. She also told me that my labor plan would be changing and I needed to be flexible. I agreed to do whatever it takes to keep my baby safe. She called the Dr. and then admitted me into the hospital! I was really excited for that part. At least I wasn't going to be sent home!
After being admitted, we moved to a different room. They started an I.V. and then a lab guy came to get some blood work, to check into the high blood pressure. The entire time I was terrified as to whether or not the baby was ok. I kept praying that everything would work out and that my baby would be ok. Even though I was so scared I felt assured that Heavenly Father was taking care of us. The blood work came back, and it turns out I had preclampsia, (pregnancy induced high blood pressure) The scary thing about preclampsia is that both mom and baby have high risk of stroke and seizures. I was baffled, because we had just been at the Dr.s office Saturday morning, and my blood pressure was great! It had been my whole pregnancy. When I realized that I had developed that in less than two days, my heart dropped again, but this time in gratitude. I was so grateful that we had listened to the prompting to come to the hospital when we did. With as fast as it developed, who knew what could have happened if we had waited? I was also really glad that my mom listened to the prompting to come when she did!
Around 3:00 the Dr. came in to discuss what was going on. He told me that if I still wanted to go natural he would start me on magnesium to drop the blood pressure, and pitocin to speed up my contractions. My mom, the Dr. and the nurse all informed me that magnesium was a nasty, nasty medicine and it would make me feel super yucky. The Dr. gave me my second option, which was to get an epidural. Epidurals normally make the blood pressure drop, and mom normally has to be given medicine to keep it up. So I just wouldn't be given that medicine. We opted for the epidural, and so the nurse went to go call the anesthesiologist. The Dr. then told me that he wanted to place in internal monitor to better track my contractions and the baby's heartbeat...what he failed to mention though was that he had to break my water to do it! So as they were getting ready, I had no idea, and though it was going to be an easy-peasy procedure. My mom realized I didn't have a clue as to what was happening said, "Cami he is about to break your water." I was really glad for the warning, because that HURT! After he broke my water I learned what REAL contractions felt like, and I was in tears big time. Around 4:30 the anesthesiologist came in to give me the epidural. I was so happy to see him walk in the room! Getting the epidural was actually kind of cool. I was really scared though because they told me I couldn't move...even if I got a contraction. I was really really worried about that and prayed continually that I would be given the strength to hold still, and I did! I guess I got a really bad contraction right as he was placing the needle, but I don't even remember feeling it!
After the epidural, things went really smooth and easy. My blood pressure dropped almost immediately and I wasn't hurting anymore which was a big plus! We all fell asleep for a few hours, and then woke up around 7:30. The nap was very much needed for all three of us, and when I woke up I was finally no longer terrified that something wrong was going to happen to my baby, and I was excited to see everything play out. For the rest of the day we watched movies, played some games (including monopoly) and took a few more naps. Around 12:30 the nurse came in to check me and said I was dilated to a 7. I wasn't even feeling anything! It was great! Around 1:00 we were watching "Singin in the Rain" and I sent Joe to go get some lunch, and the nurse came back while I was gone. She said "well, do you wanna have a baby now?" Of course I told her yes, but I wanted to wait for Joe. She asked me to start to try pushing, and I just couldn't do it quite yet. So we decided to wait a little while before trying again, though she decided to start setting everything up. By the time Joe came back, I really felt like it was time! So we tried again, and it worked! Wahoo! I pushed for a half hour, and they actually had to tell me to stop pushing so that the Dr. could get in there! The Dr. came in, saw what movie we were watching, which was now at the part of the movie where Gene Kelly was actually singin in the rain, and said "Wow, 'Singin in the Rain...' your baby is going to be born with class!" The Dr. barely had enough time after putting on his gown and gloves to catch the baby! Because I had a mirror I could see exactly when the baby was born. I watched as the Dr. suctioned his mouth and nose, but he still wasn't crying! I just watched saying "cry...cry...cry..." and finally, he cried! They then put my sweet little baby on my chest, and I couldn't even believe it. Here he was, after all that waiting, and puking, and crying, and waiting, he was here! In my arms! I realized how much I loved him, and what a miracle he was. He was so tiny and precious I just couldn't believe it. The Dr. told me everything had gone beautifully, and I only had first degree tearing! Hooray! He congratulated us and the left, he had not even been in there a full 10 minutes! The nurse then asked me if i wanted anything to eat. I was actually surprised because I thought it would be longer before they let me have food. She gave me a list of options for something to eat, and I picked chicken strips. Then she asked if I wanted anything to drink, and said I could have a milkshake...honestly I don't think anything has ever sounded so wonderful to eat as that vanilla milkshake did when she offered it. (and still even three weeks later, when anybody asks me what I want to eat, it is always a vanilla milkshake from the hospital...) It was probably the best meal I have ever had! ice chips are not a staple of life to live off of for 12 hours!
After a while we tried to get him to nurse, and he just wouldn't latch! The nurse checked him, and we realized the poor little guy was tongue-tied! We did get him to nurse a little though. I held him for about an hour and half before I finally let them take him away to weigh him, measure him, and give him a bath. I really didn't want to let him go. For those of you who thought we were naming him Mitchell, here is where this changed, every time I looked at him and tried to call him Mitchell, it just didn't fit. Luckily we had talked about the name Hudson about a week before the baby was born, so we had a backup! And he definitely looks like a Hudson.
Two short hours after delivery the epidural had worn off so the nurse said I could get up! She took me to the bathroom, where I had the best shower of my life, and then we got all ready to go to the mother/baby room.
Poor little Hudson still was having a hard time eating because of his tongue, and he had swallowed amniotic fluid so he kept choking and spitting up. He also wouldn't cry...at all! We tried waking him up and bothering him, but he just wouldn't cry! What a good little guy. That night the nurse kept him with her in the nursery to try and feed him and keep an eye on him so he didn't choke while Joe and I were sleeping. I kept waking up every half hour or so waiting for her to bring back my baby. She finally brought him back around 5:30, I was so happy to have him back with me again! around six I pulled him into my arms, and easily fell back asleep. Around 7:00 the Dr. came in and asked if I wanted to go home that day, and I told him no, because I was worried about Hudson not eating, and that he was choking so much. He told me I was smart and that he would see me tomorrow! The student doing her clinicals that day came in to take my vitals and Hudson's vitals. As soon as she put the blood cuff on his little arm he started screaming! The student nurse, turned and said "I'm so so sooo sorry!" I think she thought I was going to turn into a mama bear on her for making my baby cry, instead, Joe and I both started cheering! I think she was a bit confused that we were happy that our baby was crying, but we were just glad he was because he hadn't since a few minutes after he was born! While she was taking Hudson's vitals, I threw up my entire breakfast! Ahh! I was devastated! The throwing up was supposed to end right?!!!
After that we met Hudson's Dr. that we had chosen a few weeks before. Dr. Hopkins is Hudson's Dr, and I actually know his son, because his son is a music major. Dr. Hopkins clipped Hudson's tongue (brave little guy didn't even cry!) and then told us he wanted to see us in 4 days.
I spent the rest of the morning throwing up and trying to hold down anything I could. We were really glad that we decided to stay an extra day...around 2:00 I finally stopped throwing up, and was able to eat some lunch...mashed potatoes and a vanilla milkshake!!! Wahoo for milkshakes! That night we got lots of visitors including Joe's grandparents who brought me balloons! I was super excited about the balloons. We also got our steak and shrimp meal that night, and it was delicious! I really like the hospital food there, and next time we go out to eat, my vote is the hospital cafeteria!
Everything went smoothly from there and we were able to leave the hospital the next day right around noon. After we got home, Joe's mom and sister Anna came over to meet the baby. Anna's son William was so excited to be around the baby and just loved holding him!
That night I was terrified to go to bed, but we made it through the night...most of it was spent with my hand on Hudson's belly making sure he was breathing. I've been able to calm down about that since. I'm so grateful for all the help that I have recieved since Hudson was born, from my mom, my husband, my mother-in-law, and from numerous friends who come and visit and extend the offer of a helping hand whenever I need it.
I just feel so lucky and blessed to be the mommy of such a special little boy. These last three weeks have been so hard, but so wonderful. I can't believe the kind of love you get, and I already know that my life is changed forever. I love being a mommy, and I'm so excited to see how this beautiful baby is going to grow up. My mom was right, somehow I have been given special mommy powers to give him what he needs! I just love him so much! I am holding him as I type, and I keep looking at him, and I can't believe how perfect he is. I know that he is a special spirit sent from my Heavenly Father, and I just am amazed that Heavenly Father would trust me with someone so precious.
I am so grateful for the help and support of my Husband. He is such a great daddy, and so patient. He even wakes up in the middle of the night to change diapers and walk with Hudson when I am just too exhausted. He does this even though he has early morning class, and he works late most nights! I am so proud of him, and I am so, so grateful that our family is forever. These two men are my whole world, and I am so lucky to have both of them in my life!
This experience has really strengthened my testimony of the gospel. I know that my Savior lives. I know Heavenly Father loves me, and sends help, strength, and guidance to me when I need it. I know, without a doubt that families are forever, and I have never been more grateful for that knowledge as I am now.
So Happy!
Daddy holding Hudson for the first time
In awe at our baby
his going home outfit! He is so small that it was huge on him! He had a good two inches we could pull out at the waistline of his pants!
He is just perfect!
I love his eyes! And his daddy is quite handsome ;)
This is right after his first bath!
