Warning: This will most likely be a long post. If you aren't into hearing about births, this might not be the post for you!
So, Carter's birth day is really a birth journey. It didn't all happen in one day. I went to work on Wednesday feeling a little different than I had before. The last few weeks my Braxton Hicks contactions had been more frequent, but wouldn't ever stay regular (frustrating to say the least). But that Wednesday morning, something just felt different. I kept working trying to avoid some of the pain, but then went home for lunch. Contractions were about 2-4 min. apart, so I went back to work to finish the day. Right when I got back, they started getting more painful so I left again! For the next 2 hours they stayed pretty consistent. I started getting excited thinking, "this is it" and called Matt to come home. Of course, right when he came home they slowed down and basically stopped. So, we decided to take Yoshi for a walk and I complained and whined the whole time that this kid would never come out! About an hour later, I was sitting on the couch, still complaining when I felt a little trickle. Embarrassed, I told Matt, "I think I just peed my pants...oops." But, 5 min. later and a huge gush on the floor, it was confirmed my water had broke! I called the doctor and waited at home until my contractions worsened.
Around 1:30am we headed to the hospital. I was only dilated to 1 cm, but they admitted me and I started the "work" of labor. I was handling the pain pretty well, but my contractions continued to last longer and longer. Around 4:30am, my contractions were coming every 1-3 min. and lasting 2 1/2 minutes long! I opted for a little Fentanyl and kept on going. I started getting really bad back labor and had another dose of Fentanyl an hour later when I had progressed to 3 cm. The doctor then realized Carter was facing head up, which was causing my horrible back pain. Though not originally planned, I decided to get an epidural around 6:30am when I wasn't getting any break in between contractions and my doctor knew I needed to relax in order for him to turn himself around.
Then the waiting game began. I stopped progressing for a few hours and had to have Pitocin started as I switched positions every 30 min. to get him to flip. Unfortunately, once they started the pitocin his heartrate dropped quickly. In a matter of 30 seconds, his heartrate dropped down to 97, I had oxygen placed on my face and about 7 nurses came running in to flip me on my stomach, stop the pitocin and insert a scalp electrode onto his poor little head. By far, the scariest moment of my life. Being a nurse isn't always fun when you're a patient, you know more than you should in those moments. As I lay there holding Matt's hand, trying to hold back the tears, the worst scenarios started running through my head. Luckily, he recovered quickly and I was back to waiting about 20 min. later.
The pitocin was restarted (at a slower rate) and I finally started to dilate. I went from 5 to 7 cm in 10 min, then 7 to 9.5 cm in about an hour. Finally around 5:45pm on Thursday I was able to start pushing! The first 2 hours were pretty intense, but little progress was made. The pitocin was bumped up again and after 3 full hours of pushing (24 hours after my water broke), Carter Thomas Vance entered into this world with both of his hands pushed up against his cheeks (hence 3 hours of pushing and a lot of pain - the epidural had basically worn off by then!).
He was absolutely beautiful, screamed so loud and immediately lifted his head up to look at the world. Matt and I were instantly in love. His stats were: 8lbs. 6 oz, 21 1/2 inches long, 14 in. head circumference, blue eyes, huge feet and lots of dark hair. In a word - perfect!
We have only been home 1 day but just love every moment with him. He is cuddly and likes to yawn, eat and poop. Life couldn't be any better and we feel so blessed.
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As I spend each day with him, I am reminded by how quickly my maternity leave is passing by. I am dreading going back to work. I love my job, I love what I do, but I can't stand the thought of missing each little smile. Somehow, I know I'll make it work, thousands of working moms do. In the meantime, I will savor each little smile, coo, burp, giggle and cry.
Mom multi-tasking with Carter in the bjorn. I LOVE the bjorn!
His robot jammies.
Sound asleep after a walk.
Such a happy baby!!! I love this picture.
Dad and Carter getting ready for a walk.
Carter's 1 month birthday. I think he got a little tired of me taking pictures all day. 
Carter all cozied up in his sleep gown. Matt hates these things...he said no son of his should ever wear a dress! (I still put them on at night and yes, Matt still complains!)
