DC Diaper Dispatch: My Birth Story

On Sunday, June 3rd I woke up feeling a little icky, but just attributed it to being 38 weeks and 3 days pregnant. Adam and I had plans to meet some visiting family members in the city for brunch. We were going to metro and walk, but since I was feeling weird I asked Adam to drive us in. On the way in to the city I felt a strange sensation in my stomach, but just thought maybe it was the start of an upset stomach. I got through brunch just fine and even felt okay. On our drive home, I noticed the feeling in my stomach again and called my mom. She told me that when she was in labor with my sister she thought it was just an upset stomach too. I decided to wait it out.

Adam and I were home by 1230/100. My belly was still being strange and I started to notice the discomfort was coming in waves. I told Adam if it got worse I would start timing them, but not to worry yet. He went on a run, came home, showered, and then even went back out for a haircut. Around 3:15 I was still getting waves of discomfort so decided I should start timing what I finally believed were probably contractions. They were averaging about 7 minutes apart. Adam and I kept timing them and noticed them getting closer and closer together. My labor plan was to stay at home until they were 3-4 minutes apart. At this point they were about 5-6. I decided to take a shower to relax and then cook some dinner since I knew I wouldn't be able to eat once I got to the hospital. Right as my water was starting to boil on the stove, WHAM! My water broke. I ran into the bathroom and it was just a mess. I cleaned up and came back out to the living room and told Adam we would probably need to leave soon. I called my mom and told her and then Adam and I packed up some remaining things, fed the cats, and all that fun stuff. The contractions were starting to come on strong. We left the house about 15 minutes later.

We arrived to the hospital a little after 630. My contractions were one on top of the other. As we were waiting to be checked in I was just in so much pain and kept losing more water. This baby was coming! After Adam pestered the desk a few times they finally called me back to triage. The nurse was asking all the standard check-in questions, but I could hardly answer because my contractions were one on top of the other. She finally decided to check me...I was 9cm dilated already! 9 freakin' cm! I could hardly believe it. At that point she realized I needed to get to labor and delivery ASAP.

As I was being wheeled into L&D all the nurses were asking, "Is that the woman that's already 9 cm!?" HA! We got to my room and I met my delivery nurse Brittany. I told her I wanted to go all natural and wanted no drugs/pain meds whatsoever. She asked me a few more questions, and started monitoring the baby between contractions. I kept begging her to let me push. Finally after about 15 minutes she gave me the green light. I started pushing with all my might with Brittany and Adam by my side. After about 60 minutes of pushing the doctor finally "suited up" for the grand finale. This was the worst, most tiring part. Pushing a baby out is hard work...especially when you feel every single thing! After a total of 80 minutes pushing, Carson Charles was born - 7lbs and perfect in every way. He was born less than 2 hours after our arrival to the hospital. We left the hospital about 36 hours later. :)

I don't think I could have asked for a more picture perfect delivery. I got everything I wanted out of it. A great experience, a totally natural/med-free birth, and the most perfect little human being in the world. Adam and I are simply overjoyed and so, so thankful for our lives. I've never been happier...I've also never been sleepier.

I hope to continue this blog to update everyone on our new life with Carson, but it might take a couple weeks until I'm back in the groove.