We’re home…

As you read in Seth’s previous post baby Drew was born early Sunday morning. His much anticipated arrival came without much issue. We arrived at the hospital at nearly 5 am and he was born 2 short hours later at 7:02 AM.

When we arrived at the hospital I was dilated to a 5 so the nurses admitted me. They broke my water and then I was at a 7 so they quickly rushed the anesthesiologist into the room to give me my epidural since the pain of the contractions was getting fairly strong. Who would have guessed the epidural would be more painful and difficult than the delivery (for both Seth and me)?

The anesthesiologist started by numbing the spot on my back where he would insert the catheter — which was far more painful than I recall in the past. Seth was holding my hands as I hunched over in required position. Then he inserted the catheter and began injecting the test medicine. If the medicine causes ringing in the ears and dizziness then they have it inserted into a blood vessel and it needs to be redone. The ringing and dizziness began and I got the shakes. He quickly removed it and started on another spot. I looked up to grab Seth’s hands and realized the nurse was holding my hands.

I searched the room for Seth and I couldn’t find him. Then I noticed him collapsing on the couch/bed behind me. The head nurse quickly ran to his aid. She checked to make sure he was OK and then went and got him some juice. I don’t think I have ever seen Seth turn so white in my life.

After the whole event was over Seth said as he saw the doc grabbing for the thick catheter (I believe on the second time around) that he was going to insert into my back and he got lightheaded and started sweating. He took off his sweater and began looking for a trash can to throw-up in. He started really getting woozy and decided the bed was the best option before he collapsed. He felt incredibly bad for leaving my side but I think it is kind of cute and it gives us all something funny to joke about.

It ended up taking the anesthesiologist SIX tries to get the catheter in the right spot. My back is very tender and bruised with six injection holes up my spine — not fun to say the least. Once the epidural was in place the nurse checked me and I was complete and ready for delivery.

The doctor had gone home for breakfast so they ran to call her back and told me not to push till she arrived. Once she got back it required a very small push and baby Drew was out. This was my quickest delivery by several hours. The epidural never had time to fully kick-in so I wasn’t very numb. By afternoon I was feeling great and ready to go home. Of course, I had to stay 24 hours but I came home around noon the next day.

Last night was Drew’s first night home and he did alright. He has his days and nights mixed up so we were up hanging out till about 3 am but then he slept without interruption till 9 am. I can’t complain about that. It is a little difficult to juggle five kids, lack of sleep, and house work so I have a feeling I will be pretty exhausted for a few weeks. I suppose that is to be expected.

Since this is our last baby I want to enjoy every moment with him that I can. He is very sweet and smells so yummy! 🙂 Below are a couple more photos of him before we left the hospital and while we were home. Enjoy!

And don’t be offended if I don’t post for a little while…I will probably be sleeping instead.

I finally got a little brother!!