Since being taken off work October 26th with pre-term contractions, I was basically seeing the doctor every other day. I was prescribed procardia to help slow the contractions down because we wanted Levi to make it to at least 37 weeks where he would be considered "full-term". The meds were doing their job because with each visit my contractions were milder and my cervix was not passed 3 cm dilated.
On Monday, November 9th, I made my way to the doctor's appointment. It was always 8:30 am because its the best chance of getting him. They put me on the baby monitor like they had done the last 3-4 visits. The baby was moving fine and my contractions were not doing anything to my cervix. Last they checked, I was at 3 cm. I had my to-do list of things I wanted to accomplish after the appointment.
This time, he checked my cervix and I was a solid 4 cm and 90% effaced. He told me I was headed toward the hospital. I waited for Noah to get to the hospital too before I headed to Labor & Delivery. It was around 11:00 am.
I changed into my gown and I was filled with nerves and excitement! I couldn't believe it was finally the day! I made it 37 weeks and 4 days. The longest of my other pregnancies. Ava came right on 37 weeks and Lily made it to 37 weeks and 2 days.
A few hours went by and my contractions weren't bad at all. The doctor came in to check my cervix and then I was given my epidural, my water was broken and pitocin was added to my line. I knew right away the epidural wasn't doing much for my right side of the body. I was told it could take a few extra minutes for my other half to get numb. The nurse had me positioned in two-three different ways to advance the baby's position and get everything moving.
By 5:00 I had skipped lunch and dinner and my only options were popsicles and ice chips. Yum, yum!
Ava and Lily came to the hospital with Noah's mom after school. They were so excited to be meeting their little brother. It was 5:30. Numbness is wearing off completely by this point, but I'm able to still smile and talk through them.
(this is my last happy face for a while)
Around 6:30 I could feel the contractions strongly and I was now unable to talk through them at 2 minutes apart. I was barely able to call the nurse and she has the anesthesiologist come check my epi line. It looked fine to him so he pumped me up with some stronger meds. (P.S. make sure a student does not learn on you). They would work for about 30 minutes and then nothing. I was in tears and breathing heavily at this point. The nurse checked my cervix and I had dilated from 5 to 7 cm in hour.
I could not take the pain. You see, with Ava and Lily I didn't feel any pain. So this sharp pain every 2 minutes and major pressure was NOT fun. I was getting scared I may have to do this without meds and that freaked me out.
The nurse said they would come in to replace my epidural. That was at 7:00 pm and I was at 8 cm dilated.
The anesthesiologist was quick with it. Suddenly I had stopped shivering and crying uncontrollably and the doctor appeared.
He checked me at 7:30 and it was go-time! Thank the Lord the epidural kicked in just in time. Delivery was easy after that. I made it through three more contractions and 9 pushes before baby Levi arrived!
Levi Everett Cruzan was brought into this world at 7:57 pm weighing 7 lbs., 7 oz. and 20.5 inches long. He didn't cry at all coming out. He opened his eyes right away and was taking his new world in. He was perfect in every way.
The girls, my sister, and my mother in law made their way from the waiting room back to our room. The look on the girls' faces was priceless. My sister has a video of them meeting their brother for the first time! It was too sweet.
Our new family of five! We are in love!
I am pretty much a walking mombie but loving this new dynamic. Noah has been great with the girls and helping in so many ways. Friends and family have stopped by and meals have been delivered.
I am overwhelmed by it all and could not feel more blessed and loved.
