Anyways, here is the story of Robert's birth. On Friday, March 8, Ryan and I went to the hospital at 11pm for my induction. By the time we got all the paperwork done and they hooked me up to the IVs it was 1:15am on the 9th when they started the Pitocin. I was started with 2mm in my IV drip. Not sure what the mm is for, then every 30 minutes it was increased by 2mm. The max amount you can have of Pit is 32mm. Well, I got to 28mm and didn't really feel a thing so my doctor decided to take me off the IVs so I could eat and walk around for an hour. After the hour we would try something new. During that hour, Ryan and I went to the cafe where I got some fruit, a smoothie, and some trail mix. I wasn't really wanting to eat anything but knew I needed to have some calories for the work I had ahead of me.
At 11:55 we started our second attempt at getting him to come out, and for this they gelled my cervix. Within a couple of minutes I was feeling contractions but was forced to lay down for an hour in order to ensure it would continue to work. So at 12:55 I was up and ready to walk around. Ryan and I walked the halls and moved around our room for 2 hours. I was thinking for sure we were making progress, however when I was check I had only progressed 1/2 cm. I was now at 4cm and 80% effaced. Due to this, the doctor decided to put me back on Pit. Once again I was started at 2mm in my IV drip. At around 5pm my doctor came in and we discussed breaking my water. I was very nervous and wasn't sure that I wanted to do this but also knew that something needed to be done. Ryan helped me make this decision and we went ahead and broke his water sac. Once this happened, things progressed VERY quickly!! Not only was my water broken but I was still on Pit so I couldn't really move around and my contractions were something I have never felt before. I had such a hard time catching my breath and staying focused because the pain was so intense. My goal was to go natural with no epidural, however my pain became to much for me to handle so I got an epidural. This helped me calm down but it didn't take all the pain away. I still had back labor and could feel my legs, unlike many women who tell me they have lost complete feeling. After breaking my water I progressed to 8cm in about an hour and half. During that time was when I got the epidural. From approximately 8:00pm to 3:00am Sunday morning, I was in transition. During this time I would try to sleep because I couldn't get out of the bed due to the epidural. At three they had me sit up in the bed to help move his head down to station 3 in order to reduce the pushing time. Finally at 4:00am I felt so much pressure, and wanted to push. I pushed with my nurse Kristin (she was amazing!! reminded me of my best friend kristin) from 4-6, at 6 the doctor came in. During all this pushing I would feel powerful and then the next minute I would just want them to get him out any way possible.
Ryan was wonderful, he held one of my legs during the whole experience and wiped my head with a cool cloth between contractions. When I would look at him he would try to smile but I could see it in his eyes that he felt helpless. The love I have for that man seemed to grow by 100% that morning. Anyways, the baby's head slowly emerged and then finally he was born. I felt such relief and peace when they placed him into my arms. I remember looking at my husband with the tears flowing down his face and just smiling at each other. Robert had to be taken away quickly because he had had his first BM in utero or during delivery (Im not sure which one) and they needed to get it all sucked out so he would cry. Once he was crying, he was placed back onto my chest.
Robert was then taken awhile later for all his measurements. He ended up weighing 9 pounds 3 ounces and was 22 inches long. My big, little man! :) The nurses said, do you have a name yet, I just looked at Ryan and said I think we should go with Robert. He is stubborn and wants thing done on his schedule just like his grandpa. So our son is named after his two grandpas. Robert was my fathers name. A wonderful man that taught me what it means to love, be a parent, work hard, and dream big. Kelly is Ryan's dad. Another wonderful man that shaped my husband into the strong, caring, smart, and funny man he is today. I can only hope that many of the traits of his grandpas will be present in his life.
I thought I was ready for the feelings I would have for him, but there truly is no greater love you have for your child! I love you Baby Robert!
Honoring your dad, is a wonderful thing. I am sure he is looking down with pride! Good for you!
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