The long story...

Hello everyone! Ron the III's mom here! It's been a rough week but well worth it! Our baby boy is finally here! I will tell you more of the story in case you wanted to know. The whole 28 hours of it!

My contractions started around 7:00 a.m. but Ron and I weren't sure that they were real. They were about 12 minutes apart so I was waiting for them to get closer but they didn't. In fact, they stopped around 1:15 p.m. I was upset because I thought it was possibly time but it wasn't. So, Ron and I decided to go to the store and get some groceries. We then went to Ron's parents' house for a few and then came back home. I finally planted my flowers in the back to make my tropical paradise. Ron noticed that I was upset and was trying to cheer me up. Once I was content with it not happening that day, my contractions picked up again! This time it was the real thing! I still didn't know it was real but everything was pointing in the right direction. I was having the Braxton Hicks contractions as well as cramping in the abdomen area and they were coming about every 10 minutes. Ron and I decided to take a walk for a bit to get things going again, maybe even faster this time. We walked for almost a half hour and I had to stop a few times. Although I was excited, the pain kept coming and I was wanting it to be over. When we got back to the house, I decided to try to get a few things done because we weren't sure if this would be the night. I finished packing my bag and doing a few things around the house. I think Ron definitely had the "nesting" instinct going on because he had been cleaning the whole day! I kept asking Ron if I should call the doctor because I wasn't sure what to do. Finally, around 10 p.m., I called the on-call doctor and explained everything. She told me that I should head to the hospital and get checked out because she wasn't for sure. I told Ron this and he said that we could go if I wanted and said he was going to take a shower. Little did I know that he was just playing with me....

Almost three hours later, we finally made it out of the house. Ron had taken his shower, packed his bag, checked his e-mail and cleaned a bit more. He also made me take a shower as he thought it would help. I fell for all of this even though I was in pain. We went to the Emergency Room, they put me in a wheelchair (thank goodness!) and got right up to the 3rd floor. As soon as we were in the triage room, the nurse asked me if it was my first child and I replied, "Yes." She then saw the smile on my face and said that I probably wasn't that far along. I then started getting a little perturbed while changing into the standard gown and tight girdle thing. I turned in my urine specimen and then laid down for the results. The nurse checked me and told us that I was actually 5 centimeters. I looked at Ron and saw the smile on his face. We knew it was time then!

They transported me to my room and I got my first IV. The nurse asked if I wanted the epidural and I responded with an emphatic "Yes!" They had to check my platelet count first and then they would page the anesthesiologist. The nurse came back in my room a few minutes later and said that everything was fine and the doctor was on his way. Unfortunately, Ron couldn't give me my anesthesia but there were plenty of times during those contractions where I wanted him to. Finally, the doctor came and I was prepped. It was really helpful having Ron there because he explained everything to me and helped to keep me relaxed. I felt totally comfortable because he was there. Once the doctor finished, I laid down and rested for awhile.

Off and on, the nurses would come back in to check me. I was at 6 cm before I went to sleep around 2 a.m. Between the hours of 2 and 6 a.m., I guess the baby had some late decels according to the nurse (if you want more info., you will need to talk to Ron!). They had me change sides, sped up my IV to get more fluids, and lastly, had me put on an oxygen mask. The oxygen mask worked as the baby's heartbeat stayed the same after a contraction. From what I understand, after I had a contraction, the baby's heartbeat would decelerate but they weren't sure what. Thank goodness we were able to find the solution. Otherwise, I might have had a c-section which I didn't want. When I woke up for good around 6 a.m., I was 9 cm. The nurses had a shift change then and the next one came to check. She said that I was 9 cm. as the last one had but that part of my cervix was totally effaced so she was waiting for that. My regular doctor was scheduled to be in around 7 a.m. so we were also waiting for her too. My water still had not broken and it looked like she was going to have to do it. Unfortunately, my doctor had two cases once she came in so I was waiting for her to come in to break my water. This didn't happen until about 8:30 a.m. Luckily, I had the epidural so I wasn't in pain for that 2 1/2 hours while I was waiting. Once she broke it, the nurse had me push a couple of times but noticed that it would be easier if I let my body push the baby's head rather than me do the work. She wanted me to save what energy I had left for the big pushes ahead.

Finally, around 9:50 a.m., I was given the OK sign and we started. I pushed until around 11 a.m. which was when she finally called the doctor to tell her to come up. Since my regular doctor was busy in surgery, her partner came up and helped to deliver the baby. I think I pushed a total of 2 times before the baby was out! That was the easiest part for sure!! Unfortunately, I did have an episiotomy and now also have to recover from that. I really don't know if I needed one, but I think that doctor usually does it to all her patients :(

The rest of the story is history! Ron has some of it on tape (I wouldn't let him tape the real graphic parts though!). He got to cut the cord and then went over to the baby warmer and saw him get measured and the first time he opened his eyes. It was really neat that Ron taped it since I wasn't able to see.

SO, there's the story. It was a lot longer than anticipated but totally worth it. I must give a shoutout to my husband Ron though. He was incredibly strong through the whole process. I could NOT have done it without him. He was so supportive and was there at my every need. And now, after little Ron was born, is an amazing dad. I must admit that I was very nervous being someone's mother, but seeing Ron and how comfortable and great he is with him, helps me to be more confident. I know I make fun of him most of the time about what he does and does not do :) but I could not imagine having a child with anyone else. I don't think I changed a single diaper on Sunday! We have almost been married a year now and already have a child. I hope little Ron knows how much we already love him. If not, he will soon! I think I might cry now as I'm writing!

Well, that's it for now. I will get more pics up soon!