It has been almost 3 weeks since Behrend was born, so I should record his birth story before I forget it! Behrend came into the world much quicker than his brother Graham. I am starting to think a baby's birth predicts what kind of child he/she will be. My oldest son Graham's birth took 24 hours from the time my water broke until he was born and that includes 3 hours of pushing! And, Graham is definitely my strong willed child who is very stubborn with a temper....kind of like me and my Mom said my labor was not fun (back labor-ouch!). While both boys births involved my water breaking on its own accord, Behrend came into the world much quicker and easier.
I had a doctor's appointment on July 31st and my doctor said she did not think I'd have the baby that week, and she was going on vacation so she did not want me to have the baby during the next week. Then I went to my parents house then when I got home I did not feel very well. Kind of tired and off kilter so I skipped our family walk (which I pretty much did the entire time I was on strict then lighter bedrest). I went to bed and left a sink full of dishes plus a dishwasher full of dishes to be put away (not my norm, so I should have known something was up!). Then at 10:50 p.m. I was just asleep and my water broke! Immediately I was up and moving around while Matthew was falling asleep!
I told Matthew I was going downstairs to call Rebecca and maybe my Mom. I called Rebecca and we talked then she said to give her a call if I felt stronger contractions otherwise she'd get some sleep. So I went to the bathroom, unloaded then loaded the dishwasher and the whole time I felt pressure. LOTS and LOTS of pressure. So, I went back upstairs to wake up Matthew who is super hard to get awake once he's fallen asleep. I said "You need to come sleep down on the couch in case we need to leave quickly." I then called Rebecca back and we finally decided she should pack a bag and come over then I notified my parents and my Mom was on her way.
By the time everyone arrived I was feeling tons more pressure and pretty sure I was having contractions. I did not feel lots of pain, just the pressure. So I was unsure what to do. My doctor had suggested I get up to the hospital to get checked since I felt so much pressure. She had just delivered another baby at Mercy and said she was going home to get some sleep. My Mom spoke up and said that I needed to get to the hospital. She could tell baby #2 was quickly coming.
So, I get out to the car....and no Matthew. In the meantime I climbed into the backseat and sat on my knees while holding onto the headrest. Matthew finally comes out to the car after searching for things in the house and he did not know I had put his phone in my purse. We sped to the hospital and at one point Matthew asked me if he should run a red light. "YES!" was my loud answer. Upon arrival at Mercy we pulled into the ER to find only one parking spot available and then it was into the wheelchair and up to the labor and delivery floor while Rebecca carried my huge birth (exercise) ball. We were quite a sight to see!
Immediately I was checked in and had the same nurse (Megan!) who delivered Graham! (I also made sure to put in the same earrings I wore my Graham was born for good luck.) This was shortly after midnight and I remember asking Rebecca why we choose to give birth. Ha! She told me she says that with each labor and she's done this four times. At one point the pressure was so intense that I wondered about getting an epidural, but the nurse told me I was fully dilated and affaced, so I just needed to breath through some more contractions so the baby's head came down the birth canal more. So I sat on the big ball while Becca held my hand and Matthew rubbed my back. After about an hour I felt intense pressure and decided I was ready to push. AND.....eight minutes later Behrend was born!
The cord was wrapped around his neck so I had to stop pushing at one point so the doctor could push him back in and unwrap the cord from his neck. He was a bit purple so after Matthew quickly cut the umbilical cord Behrend was rushed to the warmer to have his lungs sucked out. Then he started to cry and all was well.
I definitely appreciated having a shorter birth story to tell and was glad to have pushed for 8 minutes instead of 3 hours. Matthew was awesome as usual (once he woke up!) and Becca was a great doula! I am trying to encourage her to get her certification. She definitely stays calm during intense moments. And, my parents were great at watching Graham while I was in the hospital. So far, Behrend is a great baby and we love him lots. (Especially Graham when he tried to lay his heavy head on top of Behrend to give him kisses.)
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