Week 38: Surprise!!

He arrived! 38 weeks and 2ish days into my pregnancy, my water broke!

I was home all morning working. I spoke with my doula by phone, and even asked her how I would know if my water was leaking. She suggested trying some exercises to see if I could nudge the baby a little to get the water flowing, if it was actually leaking. So, I made myself a late lunch at 3:30pm and went to watch some TV. I thought, "Oh--I'll do that one exercise real quick." So I got down on my hands and knees and arched and curved my back a few times. I stood up, sat down, leaned forward, picked up my sandwhich, and POP! My water broke. I barely made it to the bathroom! And then, I realized I'd left my cell on the table! So I waddled back out, grabbed my cell, waddled back to the bathroom and called Erik.

"I think--I THINK--my water broke."

I don't remember exactly what he said, but I do remember sensing his "soon-to-be-a-daddy" tension in his voice. He was already on his way home, so that worked out well. :)

True to my nature, I spent the next 2 hours cleaning up emails, straightening the house, and checking Facebook. Priorities, right? I wasn't contracting--just leaking. 

Around 6pm my Mom came, and we decided to head to the hospital, as I really didn't want to have bad contractions start in the car or something. So we arrived at the hospital at 6:30--3 hours after my broken water. They checked me and declared my water had broken (duh) and that I was dilated to 4. The contraction monitor indicated only "irritations" in the uterus. No contractions really yet. 

By 7:30 the contractions had picked up. I had a great birth team--my doula, Terri (www.coloradocaringdoulas.com), Erik, my Mom, and Kelly Little. Each one contributed immeasurably to my soundness of mind, determination and comfort! I went drug-free, and cursed my decision consistently during the later contractions.

I started really wanting to push around 10:30, I think, but I was only dilated to maybe an 8. By 11:30 I was at 9 and 3/4 cm. They let me push. :) And I pushed and pushed and pushed--until little Joshua Nelson Lindeen was born at 1:39am on April 22nd! 

One funny moment: I was pushing, and my Mom was holding one leg while Erik held the other. Kelly and Terri (my doula) were chatting on the couch, because there wasn't anything for them to do! My Mom jokingly said, "Hey, you two--some of us are working hard over here!" I finished my push and clearly said, "Don't you even TALK to me about working ...." I love that, somehow, in the midst of pushing out a child, I still had my sense of humor.

It's so hard being the mommy and hearing him, and knowing he's there but having to sit on the stupid bed and deliver the placenta! What cruelty! At least I knew Erik was with him and bonding in a way that is so necessary for the Daddy, who didn't get 9 months of closeness with the little guy.

 

We knew immediately that this was the end of the nickname "Bubba"--this baby is no Bubba! Instead we've settled into a few nicknames--I tend to call him Bugger while Erik calls him Little Dude and Pal. :)

What an incredible experience ... when my water broke, I just remember thinking, "Wow--there's no turning back. He's coming, and I have no idea what to expect ..." and yet my body knew exactly what to do. And I did it naturally! Whoohoo!!!

Meeting that little guy, holding him in my arms for the first time ... what a magical experience. This little person who I already knew so well ... there he was on my chest! Breathing, blinking, whimpering ... and of course hiccuping. :) Just like he had in the womb.

I LOVED the hospital. Didn't want to leave. In fact, I cried about leaving. I just relished the support, the nursery I could send him to, the sleep I got, the food I ate ...but, we had to come home sometime! 

My parents and sisters created a wonderful environment for us to come home to. My house was clean, candles were lit, food was prepared--it was wonderful! What a blessing!

Our friend Kelly was a great support--to not only me, but Erik too! We are so glad Joshua came before she left for Arizona the next day!!!

Joshua and Grandma! My Mom is a Grandma--Weird! I'm so glad she was there for the birth. She did great!!

  

Tara and Molly flew in to meet little Josh! I'm so glad they could come! It was great!

So that's the story! He's here ... I still can't believe it. I'm a mommy! Joshua's mommy! I'm tired and exhausted and overwhelmed and emotional ... but my prayers were answered. I have my little miracle--and he sure is cute!!