The very proud, and very attentive daddy. Aren't they cute???

Warning: Birth story details to follow!

We did end up going in to be induced, but since I had really not wanted to have pitocin, the midwives agreed to just break my water when I came in, and see how it went. They said they would give me until noon to have things start happening, and if nothing happened by then, they would have to start pitocin.

Jenda (my midwife) had a funeral in Lincoln in the morning, so she came in at about 8:15 and broke my water, then headed for Lincoln, with Marilyn on call, just in case something came up. Anthony and I started walking the halls in hopes to move things along. I was already having some contractions before they ever did anything, but I have been having those for several weeks, so it really didn't seem like anything special. Also, I was still 80% effaced, and 3 cm dilated when I went in, so that was also a plus.

We walked for a while, then went back to the room and I got a little bit of a nap in between contractions. They were beginning to pick up some in intensity, but nothing really hard at that point. At noon I was having regular contractions, and they decided that it was definitely enough to not start a pitocin drip. Around 1:00 the contractions started becoming uncomfortable, and at 1:30 when Jenda got there, it was time to get down to business. The contractions were very strong at that point, and I was getting sick with each one, and started thinking, "I don't think I can do this without some pain meds." I had read in one of our books though, that the feeling of "I can't do this" is a signpost that you are almost done. Jenda checked me then, and I was 100% effaced, and 7 cm dilated.

Jenda and our wonderful nurse, Jen, were absolutely amazing at helping me to feel comfortable. We had a bit of a problem with the rooms when we first checked in, so at that point we needed to move to one of the rooms with the jacuzzi tubs. That was less than pleasant at that time, but I only ended up having one contraction on the way, and I walked/ran there myself. When we got to the "Princess Suite" as nurse Jen called it, they monitored the baby again for a few contractions to make sure he was doing well, then let me get in the tub.

The tub was AMAZING. It was so great for pain management. I don't know what I would have done without it. I was in the tub for just a couple minutes before I started feeling the urge to push. I don't know for sure how long it was, but it didn't feel long at all. She checked me again and I was at 10 cm, and ready to go. We moved back out to the bed (Methodist hospital doesn't do water births) and started to push. It really surprised me that once I got the pushing contractions, it wasn't nearly as uncomfortable, and actually felt good to push. I also was surprised that when Tucker crowned it only burned a little bit, but nothing like I thought it would be. He was crowned for 20 minutes, and didn't go anywhere, so they had to do an epesiotomy, then he was out on the next push after that.

After they got me all stitched up they put us in the tub together and we just relaxed. Tucker LOVED it! He was so cute as he snuggled down and splashed in the water.


We got home from the hospital on Sunday afternoon, and Tucker has settled in nicely. He is eating REALLY well, and sleeping in nice chunks so that mama and daddy have a chance to get some rest. He has been a super happy baby, and really only fusses when he is hungry or needs to be changed.

Ok, sorry this has taken so long! I will post more pictures soon.