Journal Entry For Tyler - The Birth

July 1st 2007 - You’re Here!!!!

Your dad, Grandma Freeland, and myself went to Jackson Hospital on Tuesday June 26th at 6:00 pm to begin the induction process. They hooked me up to an IV, a monitor for my contractions, a monitor for your heart beat, and a blood pressure monitor. Every time I had to go the bathroom, I had to unhook everything and hang the cords around my neck and carry the IV pack to the restroom with me. Your dad kept saying that this is not natural, and I kept saying that God allowed these wonderful doctors invent things to help aid the process.

The doctor came by at 6:00 am the next morning on the 27th and saw that I had dilated 2 centimeters and he broke my water. After the doctor broke my water the contractions came fast and strong. I don’t remember how long I endured the contractions, but your dad said we went on for about three hours before the pain medication arrived. I was going to try this all natural, but the induction takes you into stage two of labor and my body did not have time to adjust to the pain so I had to give in. I would ask the nurse to please tell me that I am at three centimeters each time she came in so we could go ahead and order the epidural.

The pain was rough. I was thinking during the contractions that either you would be an only child or that we would be adopting our next child b/c I couldn’t see going through that pain again. You must know that your dad is not afraid to cry, and as I have said before he hates to see me hurting. During the contractions, your dad was doing all he could to be strong and not cry, but it hurt him so bad to see me in pain (Another reason why I love your dad so much) so you can only imagine that the pain was pretty intense. Once I got the epidural, all was well and I never felt another contraction.

Between 9:00 am and 12:30 pm I dilated from 3 centimeters to 10 which was extremely fast. They called Dr. Ashurst and he came in and we pushed for about 30 minutes I guess. I had to look at the monitor so I would know when to push b/c I was still not feeling a thing. Before I knew it you were here. Your dad was crying and I was crying, and it really was extremely exhilarating. Suddenly, I had forgot all the pain, 9 months of pregnancy, extreme heartburn, nausea, doctors appointments, waddling, and contractions. Everything I went through was worth it. I would do it all over again for you. It was an indescribable feeling of joy. You had finally arrived and you were beautiful. You were 8 lb 3oz and 21 inches long.

Our first night home was rough. You definitely didn’t like sleeping in the pack and play in our room. I don’t think your dad and I got two hours sleep, and the next morning we had to take you to the Doctor to have your jaundice levels checked. We were exhausted! After the doctor’s appointment, we realized that you liked sleeping in your car seat so we decided that you would sleep in your baby papasan chair since it had the same sort of incline. You did well, and we were able to get more sleep. Before the end of the week we had you in your bed in your room.

You didn’t sleep to well in your room at first. Your dad and I tried to do as recommended and have you sleep on your back or side to prevent SIDs, but I eventually gave in and let you sleep on your stomach due to a lack of sleep. I slept in your room for about two weeks. I was so nervous about leaving you alone even though I could hear you in my room without the use of a monitor and the monitor sounded an alarm if you stopped breathing for 20 seconds.