I really want to write about how the delivery went, and don’t.

Okay, I’ll keep it short!

We can do a picture story.  There are not many, though, as I’m the primary photographer in the household. 

Brock and I got the call at 4:45am – our induction was a ‘go’, please be at the hospital by 7:05am.  We arrived, were shown to our room, asked to change into a gown and got into bed.  The nurse started asking a billion history questions, and Brock and I were dizzy with excitement.

***Edit***
For those of you comedians that got this far – Yes, MustangSally was right – We had a Ronan interruption that has lasted all day.  That will be tomorrow’s blog.  Continue!
 

Then my doctor came in, talked a little bit about our expectations for the day, checked and said I was 1-2 cm dilated, and broke my water at 8:30am.  It was all of a sudden VERY REAL!  We were completely ready.

We started the lowest dose of Pitocin around 9 am.  My contractions really heavily started to pick up.  They increase the dose every half an hour.  At 9:30, the contractions were strong enough that I needed full support through every one – counter pressure, breathing, changing positions, etc.  It didn’t take me long to realize that pitocin contractions were nothing like the ones I’d been experiencing for the last several months.  They didn’t come and go in waves, they just come and get stronger, then get stronger, then get STRONGER.  There was no rest.  Around 11:30, 3 hours from my first check, the nurse said I was 3 cm dilated.  I was so disappointed, and in so much pain, I asked if it were possible for me to get an epidural yet, and the nurse called the anesthesiologist immediately.  She turned OFF the pitocin because my contractions were so strong, and even though it only took him around 15 minutes to get to my room, it felt like a year.

It then took him about 10 minutes to place the epidural, and another half an hour for all of the medicine to kick in and start working right.  I got to the point where I couldn’t feel the contractions except at the very PEAK of them, and it was wonderful.  The nurse never turned the pitocin back on.  From here on out, all the contractions were my own.

(Brock ALSO feels much better after my epidural.  He couldn’t stand seeing me in so much pain.)

The nurse checked me again at noon, and said that I was a good 5 cm dilated.  The epidural had helped relax me and allow things to progress.  A few friends stopped by on their lunch breaks, and I realized how fast the day was going.  At 1:00pm, the nurse checked again and said I was 7 cm.  We were shocked at how fast things were going!  We started talking about what would happen when I was ready to push, and who would be in the room.  The nurse said we would probably have a baby before 7pm that night.

About an hour later, Brock’s mom and brother showed up.  My contractions were still very strong and regular, and the nurse asked if I would mind if the doctor came in to check me again.  Jane and Brady moved off to the side out of the way, and she checked – pronouncing me 9 and a half centimeters dilated!  Dr P. said she was going to go check on a few patients and come back in about an hour to see how we progressed. 

Fifteen minutes later, the nurse asked if I’d mind if she checked again, and she said I was 10 and complete.  She asked me if I wanted to try a test push to see how effective my pushing would be and give the doctor an idea of how long she had before she needed to come for delivery.  We talked, prepped, and pushed one time.  Without saying anything, she got up and left the room.

Less than 3 minutes later, five or six people started walking in and getting tables, trays and warmers set up.  I assumed that meant I had adequately pushed!

Dr P. came back in and asked if SHE could see me do a test push, and we did.  She laughed, stood up, gowned up and said, “Are you ready to have this baby?”

At this point, I hadn’t been watching anything at all, just pushing by instinct.  They brought me a mirror and showed me that I could already see his head when I was pushing.  As soon as I had the mirror, they said the effectiveness of my pushing doubled – I had something that I was working for!

Less than 30 minutes later, and less than 10 contractions later, I delivered my son.  I still cry when I see pictures, I still hardly believe my memories, and I still can’t believe I get to be the mother of such an amazing little boy.

Ronan Kenneth Allender was born at 2:59pm on February 23rd, 2009.  He was 21 inches long, 7lbs and 4oz of quiet perfection.  From the moment I saw his face, the very moment, I loved him more than I ever knew was possible… and it grows every second he’s alive. 

I don’t know who decided that I was lucky enough to deserve this gift, but I am thankful for it with every fiber of my being, and I will be so for the rest of my life

My angel:

Daddy and his amazing boy:

Some of my favorite pics so far: