The last three weeks have been amazing. Who knew having a baby took up so much of your life? Sorry it took so long to post the story of Matthew's arrival, but here goes...
On Monday, June 14th, we had an appointment with our OB. Matthew was doing great. The plan was to induce on Friday, but Susan couldn’t decide if we should instead just wait for Matthew to tell us he was ready. After much discussion we decided to go ahead with the planned induction, pending the results of the sonogram scheduled for Thursday, June 17th. We made it through the rest of the week without much trouble (except for the home telephone/internet-but that’s another story). We were very excited on Thursday. We had a sonogram scheduled, and were to report to the hospital on Thursday evening to begin the induction. The sonogram went fine, and Matthew measured at 7 pounds 10 ounces. We both thought the sonographer measured him a little small. After leaving the appointment, Susan decided Matthew needed more clothes (he doesn’t- see the earlier blog posting. Thursday early evening Susan and I went for our last meal together before becoming parents. Susan decided on Mexican food to get things started. Well, evidently it worked. On the way to the hospital, we stopped to see her dad (who is in rehabilitation after breaking his pelvis). While there, Susan felt a contraction! It was time to go! We arrived at the hospital shortly before 9:00 p.m. (we had to make sure we beat the other couple our doctor scheduled for induction that evening as well).
Susan was excited (and had no idea what she was in for!).
So, we walked up to the check-in desk and David announced, "We'd like to have a baby"! (David soon realized the process was a little more involved than that). After check-in, we were taken to our room for Susan to relax.
Susan was hooked up to the fetal monitor at 10:00 p.m., and immediately showed she was having contractions every 5-7 minutes. She was 2 centimeters and 80% at the time and was given Cirvidil to loosen up the cervix. She was unable to sleep all night due to the discomfort from contractions, but refused any pain medications. (David make it through the night with no pain meds as well.) The next morning we were scheduled to go to labor and delivery at 7:00 a.m., but were pushed back to 8:00 a.m. because they were so busy.
At 8:15 a.m., Dr. Hagood stopped by to see how Susan was doing. Susan was 3-4 centimeters and 90% effaced. Dr. Hagood told us we would go to labor and delivery, but would hold off on pitocin since Susan was having contractions every 1-2 minutes. So, off to labor and delivery we went!
Susan was in pain from the contractions and concerned that she would progress too quickly to be given an epidural.
Fortunately for her, once we got situated in L&D Room 9 our wonderful nurse Jennifer contacted the anesthesiologist for the epidural. David waited outside while the procedure was performed, and once it was completed Susan was a new woman! She still felt the contractions but they were no longer painful.
Susan thinks "epidurals are great! Everyone should have one!"
After the epidural Susan was able to relax. Many of our family and friends were in the waiting room and were able to visit with us. Dr. Hagood came back to check on Susan a little later and she had progressed to 7 centimeters! Dr. Hagood broke Susan’s water and told us she would be back to check on us a little before lunch, and that everything was going great. To help Susan relax we played some Yanni (over and over and over). To ensure the entire experience was documented, David took pictures of everything (we won't bore you with those). Susan tried to sleep, but couldn’t. We were both excited and couldn’t wait for Matthew to arrive.
Dr. Hagood was supposed to check on us before lunch, but was very busy and was not able to come back until 1:45 p.m. She told us she had two other patients in labor, and was about to perform a C-section on a woman with twins. She checked Susan’s progress, and to our surprise she was 10 centimeters and +3 (meaning his head was almost out). Dr. Hagood told Susan to lie still in bed, not to sneeze or laugh, and not to practice pushing! As soon as she finished the C-section on the other patient she would be back and it would be time to deliver Matthew. David alerted all the waiting family and friends, and the countdown was on! Dr. Hagood came back at 2:45 p.m. and we were ready to go. Susan did amazing while pushing and every minute was one closer to Matthew’s arrival. Susan enjoyed the epidural so much she was able to laugh between pushes.
After 40 minutes of pushing, Matthew arrived at 3:36 p.m. He weighed 7 pounds 7 ounces. He was 20 inches long with a 13 inch chest and (not surprisingly) his head was 14 inches (90% percentile). Matthew was beautiful and doing great! Susan and David were able to bond with him in the delivery room and Susan even tried breastfeeding.
(Before cleaning)
(After cleaning- much improved!!)
While David, Susan and Matthew were getting to know each other, our family and friends in the waiting room were getting very anxious and anything but patient. In fact, they had to be restrained by hospital security.)
After a little time together, Matthew was ready to meet the rest of his family and friends!
After a little time in L&D with family and friends, we were taken up to our room. We stayed in the hospital until Sunday at noon, and the entire stay flew by. We were lucky to be visited by many of our family and friends and enjoyed sharing Matthew's birth with everyone. Neither Susan nor David got much sleep during the hospitalization (a sign of things to come).
We are also helped by the wonderful newborn nursing staff, who took great care of Matthew and helped Susan with breastfeeding. We recommend Presbyterian Dallas to anyone having a baby!
Here are a few pictures of us while in the hospital:
Matthew getting burped.
Daddy and Matthew taking it easy on Sunday morning.
Matthew enjoying his fancy hospital bassinet and doggie swaddling blanket.
Mommy checking out her new baby.
Finally, on Sunday morning we were ready to go home. As you might expect, Susan picked out the perfect outfit for Matthew to come home in (but it was a little big).
Matthew's first time in his new bed.
After coming home, we were visited by even more of our family and friends. Since Matthew is so cute, everyone wants to hold and love him, and nobody feels like they have enough time with him (we understand- we feel the same way!)
Caroline was really excited to meet Matthew and enjoyed holding him.
As you saw on the earlier posts, Matthew has a lot of clothes. One outfit matches his Mommy!
So, that's the story of Matthew's arrival. Stay tuned for updates of his first three weeks home.
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