Conley's Birth Story

Finally our little boy has arrived!  He was due on August 3rd, but apparently that date did not suit him very well.  Nolan was a day earlier than his due date so I fully expected with this being my second pregnancy that I would go early.  I kept feeling more pressure and contractions, so I was sure that we would have a July baby.

On my August 3rd doctor appointment, I was 3cm dilated and about 50% effaced.  My doctor asked me what I wanted to do, and I decided that we would see how the weekend goes and then come in for an appointment.  On Tuesday, we had an 11am appointment where I was 4cm dilated and the same in effacement.

Now if you know me I'm not one for being induced.  However, I felt with this being my 2nd child and with the progression I had already made that maybe this little boy needed a gentle nudge.  Plus this gal was over being pregnant!

We scheduled to be induced the next day, August 8th at 7am.  We waited awhile before we started the Pitocin due to the fact that the hospital has strict rules when it comes to monitoring.  Can I just say next time I am seriously thinking about having my next child (if we have more) at a birthing center.  I'm so over hospitals just wanting to tie you in a bed so it's convenient "for them."  As my husband said, this was our most expensive item all year long so we should be able to get what we wanted instead of the other way around.  Anyhow, that's a story for a different post--my rants about hospitals!  And trust me I have a long, long list after this visit.

Yes don't I look thrilled to be hooked up to their machines?

At around 9:30am, we got the show on the road.  I was already having contractions before they started the Pitocin, but once being on the medicine my contractions actually slowed.  It was really weird to see the number go up but my contractions going down.

My doctor came in around 1pm to do the cervical check.  I was at 6cm and fully effaced!  I was so excited because with Nolan it took me almost a whole day to go from 2cm to 6cm.  She then decided to break my water.  I have heard that this hurts, but I am assuming since I was so far along that is why it did not.  It's crazy to think with Nolan my water broke at 2cm and this time it wouldn't even break!

Just like last time with Nolan, I was going to try to do a natural child birth.  At a certain point during labor while I was standing, Conley's heartbeat was really high so the nurse made me lie down in the bed.  Let me tell you I could not do natural child birth in a bed...I have to be standing because laying down makes them so much worse.  I laid down this time on my side for about 30 minutes to help the little guy's heartbeat, and then stood back up.  His heartbeat was steady and didn't go any higher.  The contractions this go around seemed to linger longer than when I had Nolan.  Nolan's seemed to be much higher but quick and over with whereas this was a gradual contraction which kind of made it worse because you just wanted to be over.

At around 3:15, I was having very strong contractions and lots of pressure...almost feeling the need to push.  The nurse checked me and said I was at 7cm.  Then at around 3:45pm I told my husband, I really have the urge to push thinking in my head there was no way I was at 10cm already in 45 minutes.  He got the nurse, and SURPRISE I was at 10cm and it was go time!  Last time with Nolan I pushed for 2 hours because his station was so high.  The nurse actually called the doctor early because when I pushed he was going very low but then going back up.  She was afraid because I was going natural that I wouldn't be able to stop and this baby would be hopping out before the doctor would make it.  When the doctor arrived, I only did 2 sets of pushing and our little boy was born. 

This time I pushed for only 30 minutes instead of 2 hours and a total 7 hours of labor instead of 26 hours which was definitely a blessing!

Conley was born on 8/8/12 at 4:22pm at 8 lbs, 2 oz and 20.5 in length.  (Side note: Nolan was 7 lbs, 11 oz 21.25 in length)

We are adjusting to our new life so you probably won't see me commenting as much on your lovely blogs but I'm still trying to read along.

Conley is beautiful boy, and we are so happy to add him to our family.  Nolan is adjusting pretty well to his role as big brother and always saying, "Baby" and "Cry"and even saying "Conley."  I can't wait until these boys get to play together!