[szczepanski]

So I did it!!!! I'm still so proud of myself.....I made it through such discouraging pre-labor...only to find myself holding Nolan a mere 4 hours after getting to the hospital.

After all the contractions, walking, birthing ball, timing, whining.....I got to the hospital and was 3 cms and 80% effaced. And he was a +2.....the boy in my super low belly was NOT that low at all.......so we were sent to walk the halls where I had contraction on top of contraction. My DH was amazing at talking me through them and making sure I was hanging in there and encouraging me that I could get through it. He was so amazing!!!

After walking an hour, I was 4.5, 90% and he was -1, so I was admitted! And I sat in the triage for about 45 minutes laboring laying down in bed, contraction upon contraction - it was so horrible. Two babies were born so I had to wait my turn to get in a room! Plus this woman was laboring next to me was SO whiny about how she was in PAIN and wanted her EPI and she was 2 cms. So thankfully my L&D nurse got me out of there and it took about 15 minutes to get out of L&D and to the labor room because of the contractions I was having.

This is where it got super crazy - I got to my room, they started filling up the whirlpool tub and I had to have a heplock put in my arm (which was not expected, my BP was a little "high" - just high for me, not high in general so they wanted it in). The poor girl had to try and put it in between contractions. This took 45 minutes and I have a HUGE bruise on my arm from her attempts to do it. It was such a mess because she would find the vein, I'd have a contraction, etc. She finally got one in my hand and by this time I was feeling SO much pressure it was hard to get through the contractions.

So before getting in the tub, my midwife checked me again (bc of the pressure) and I was 5 cms, 100% and it was my waters bulging that was the cause of all the pressure. So I was so thankful to get in the tub for some relief. It was at this point where I stood in the middle of the room during a horrible contraction and said "I JUST CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE". And everyone rallied around me and said yes you can! So into the tub I went, the jets went on and two contractions later - which was about 3 minutes - I felt a little pop and said "I think my water just broke..." and my midwife told me to just relax with the next contraction and take the break that I deserved to have and enjoy the tub. Well, that contraction I felt this RUSH of energy into my pelvis, my water definitely broke and I immediately yelled "OMG I AM PUSHING AND I KNOW I AM NOT SUPPOSED TO BE!!!!" And just my midwife was there because the two L&D nurses went to check on another mommy to be because I was only 5 cms....so they came rushing back in. My midwife did great about getting me out of the tub and asked me if I could make it to the bed and I said "OMG I AM HAVING A BABY...." and somehow I made it the few steps to the bed, I got on my hands & knees, she checked me and said "You weren't kidding.....start pushing momma". And 4 contractions later, Nolan was passed up between my legs. I also ripped the IV that I labored SO friggin hard through to get into my hand during pushing. Haha. So total time from 5 cms and Nolan being born was 11 minutes!

I can't begin to describe how amazing the whole experience was. It is beyond the most empowering thing I have ever accomplished. I've had nurses stop in and tell me how amazing it was to hear the story and how awesome I am, etc. But really, I have to give most of the credit to my hubby because without him I wouldn't have been able to do it. For all of you who think you can't do it...if I can do it and go through went I went through - anyone can. There is nothing I have ever done in my life that makes me feel more powerful or amazing. I know it sounds cheesy, but it seriously was the best experience I have ever had in my life.

Nolan is absolutely perfect. He is a nursing all star and I'm just trying to keep up, haha. I can't even begin to describe what it feels like to be his mommy, I'm still recovering from the experience of birthing him.

Anyways, I figured I'd share some pictures. I have some amazing pictures of him actually being born...my DH watched the entire thing and took pictures for me so I could see. It's fascinating!!! (But these aren't "gross" like that I promise, hehe).

Me holding Nolan right after he came out and was passed through my legs - notice my wet hair from the tub, hahaha.


And me, looking every bit like I just had the craziest 24 hours of my life. I was surprised at how pink he came out looking since he was overdue - only his little hands and feet are extra wrinkly!



So there ya go - thank you guys so much for all the words of encouragement and listening to me whine when I was in early labor FOREVER and not making ANY progress it seemed. I suppose my active labor and delivery made up for it.

ETA - of course I forget to include a more unwrinkled photo of Nolan, haha.

[LisanAndy]

Wow, what a great story! You've gotten me excited for my natural birth now! He's completely adorable

[~*sierra*~]

Congratulations mama!!!!!!! Nolan is sooooooooo adorable!
i'm so happy for you! i'm glad you had such a supportive bunch of people with you too.

[Mars]

Great job mama!! I'm really proud of you! I enjoyed your story as well. Enjoy your sweet Nolan. He's adorable.

[midnight_starr]

Congrats again!!!! He is precious!!! You did an amazing job!!!

[*krista*]

He's gorgeous!!! WTG mama!! I can't believe you went from 5 to done in 11 minutes, that is amazing. I bet it surprised the heck out of everyone around you. Congratulations!

[*Anna*]

Congrats on your NCB!! Your son is sooo adorable!!!

[CandaceDianne]

Your story nearly brought tears to my eyes, that is so awesome!! Congrats mama!

[JediRach]

Good job Mama! He's beautiful!

[sara~b]

Now THAT is one AWESOME birth story and one perfect little boy to show for it! Welcome to the world Nolan and congrats Heather and Matt!

[freesiangel]

What an amazing birth story! Congrats again momma, your little guys is sooooo adorable!

[♥Ashley♥]

AWWWWWWWW!!!!!! Congratulations Heather!!! You did such an amazing job momma!!!!

Nolan is absolutely adorable!!!!!

[.Brandi.]

OMGosh, he is absolutely beautiful!!!! Congrats on you NCB. I hope I can have one with this baby!

[amazing_love]

Congratulations momma!! Sounds like you did an awesome job! What a great birth story! He's so adorable!!!

He is so handsome already! Congrats mama, you did a great job!

[Frozendesire]

awesome job momma and what a adorable little guy!!!

[ScottishBrit]

WOW, congrats!!! Thats a great birth!!! He looks so perfect!!!!!

[*Mrs.J.2011*]

Heather he is absolutely perfect!! You did such a great job!! Congrats again and welcome to the world Nolan!

[Chelnae6]

you did an awesome job girl! After that, if I was you, I wouldve just cried my heart out lol. Glad that Matt was sooo supportive. Nolan is perfect. He's one lucky baby!

[Trannyfromtheuk]

Congratulations again hun, He is perfect