Originally Posted by romasposa

Hey ladies! We're doing great and wanted to share some photos and a short video we made this morning at around 4 am. Will share my birth story probably tomorrow. Had some hiccups along the "natural" path, but Dominic is here safe, sound and sweeter than anything we've ever seen.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j1...c/IMG_1920.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j1...c/IMG_1866.jpg

Sep062008-VID00044.flv - Video - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers!

Betsy- SMACK!! Love you, girl!! You did a great job!

Originally Posted by romasposa

Friday morning around 3 am I woke up according to my teetee schedule and felt some contractions. Nothing big, but made it uncomfortable enough that I wanted to sleep on the sofa sitting up. Woke up again at 6 am and went teetee again. This time there was red blood when I wiped. I had been having what I think to be my bloody show since Wednesday before. When I saw the red blood, I called L&D to see if I should come in and be monitored. They concurred and DH and I went up to the hospital around 7:15.
Admitted to triage and was monitored there for a few hours. Dilated from a 2 on Tuesday to a 3 on arrival. After two hours of getting stronger and more regular contractions I was dilated to a 4. Doctor decided to admit me.
Got our L&D room and called the press to let them know. They all came scrambling! We were doing pretty good until the contractions migrated to my upper legs. (????) Weird, I know. Everytime I would get a contraction it would KILL my upper legs and DH would have to massage my legs through the whole thing. This drove me crazy. Then the nausea started and I threw up 3 times, once in the waiting room when we were walking out to "greet our entorauge". What a great way to say thanks for coming.
Shortly after that, I reconsidered my choice for an epi. I kept struggling with myself about whether or not I should get it. The choice was pretty apparant. We were only dilated to a 6 and the pain was getting closer and closer and tougher and tougher to stay on top of. I just wanted to rest and "enjoy" the delivery experience- I no longer wanted to "conquer" it.
Called for an epi and just as the decision was made my water broke on its own. No doubt about it...you'll know. It was like a GALLON of water!! The nurse asked if I was sure about the epi as the water breaking means good things. My mind was already looking forward to no more pain. I was scared to get it, but even more scared if I didn't get it.
Got the epi and settled in. Had the shakes really badly for a while, they finally went away. Noticed that Dominic's HR would slow as the contractions were happening. Was told that was just from the pressure of being squeezed. Things progressed. I wasn't even aware of the time, I had to wear an oxygen mask due to his HR and take slow, deep breaths. I finally made it to an 8 and got to see my doctor. He was a little concerned about the HR and the fact that the contractions were slowing down so he wanted me to take pitocin. I didn't want to, but we came to a concensus that the lowest dosage wouldn't counteract the epi. Reluctantly I got a 2 of pitocin. 2 out of 40. The 2 got things going but Dominic wasn't tolerating it. Stopped the pitocin and got ready to push. Doctor let me push for an hour before Dominic's HR would REALLY slow down. I could tell he was concerned. He gave me the option of a c-section or using the vacuum. I did not want a c-section so we opted to push with his assistance. The first contraction the vacuum popped off Dominic's head and I thought DH was going to have a heart attack! The second contraction I was determined to make the last one pushing. On the third push during the contraction Dominic slid out of me and the doctor got to work suctioning him. My DH almost passed out! He had to go sit down and put his head down. It was pretty surreal.
Dominic is doing great and has been breastfeeding like a madman. We are getting discharged today and will introduce him to his "big sister" later. Can't wait to see their reactions to one another.