Nathan's BIRTH-day, Part I

I don't think I'll be able to capture this day in words, but I will try.

As I mentioned earlier, we found out Nathan was going to be big from his last ultrasound and we decided to schedule an induction five days prior to his actual due date. We were supposed to arrive at the hospital at 6:30 am. At 5:15 I hopped out of bed ready to go--this was the day I was finally going to meet my sweet boy that I already loved so much.

While I was in the shower, Stacy came in to tell me the hospital called and they had no beds available because they had an influx of women come in overnight to deliver. They would try to discharge some patients and call us back at 10:00 and give us an update. I was devastated and my pregnancy hormones caused me to lose all composure (which my husband politely suggested I regain). I finished my shower and took myself downstairs, laid down and put a cold pack on my eyes, in part to ease the puffiness from crying and in part to hide from my husband the fact that I was still crying.

Anyway, I pulled myself together, got fixed up and decided that I was going to go to the mall to buy myself a new lipstick to cheer myself up. Thankfully, the hospital called back before I realized the mall was not open at 7 am, because that probably would have sent me over the edge. They had a room ready and we could come on in!!!

We arrived at the hospital at 7:45, checked in and they started the Pitocin at 8:45. 15 minutes after that, the contractions started. We were on our way. After a few minutes my contractions were getting stronger and were about 2 minutes apart and Stacy and I got up to walk the halls to help things along. Here's how that went:

I was walking around in a hot pink robe, my husband at my side rolling the IV pole. He rolled it over my foot a few times, so I made up some story about how I would like to hang on to it so I could have it as a brace when I contracted. My husband knows nearly everyone in Tuscaloosa, so walking around the halls was a great opportunity for him to be able to stop and chat with folks and catch up on things. And it really didn't seem to bother anyone that my contractions were just booming away, so I felt good that I wasn't putting anybody out.

I have to pause to mention that I pick on Stacy a lot, but he knows how much I truly love him. He was so strong and encouraging through the whole process. I was so proud of the way he handled everything about labor and delivery. He was a total pro.

Around 10 am, the contractions were about 30-45 seconds apart and pretty intense. As my mother says, you have to be classy in everything you do, including childbirth, so I made sure to be very calm when I asked for the epidural.

I felt waaaaaaayy better afterwards. Can you tell?

This next part may be too much information, but you are reading a post about childbirth so I don't know what you expected. For some reason I was really worried about peeing on myself so I kept asking the nurse when she was going to insert the catheter. She said she had 2 hours from the time of the epidural to do it, so at noon I reminded her again and when she went to do it she checked me and I was at 10 cm and ready to push. WHA??? Of course we had no idea how short or long labor was going to be, but this caught us really off guard.

Each new step in the delivery process brought on a whole new rush of emotion, because with each step, obviously, we were getting closer to having our CHILD. I think I burst out crying when she told me I was ready to push. I'll have to watch the birth video to see (by the way, the video will NOT be posted. You're welcome.)

I pushed for about an hour when Nurse Lindsay called the doctor in and said it was time. I think I pushed for about two more contractions and then whoosh! I heard a baby crying! The only way I think I can explain the way I felt at the moment I heard my son crying is to say that it must be what heaven feels like. It was the most profound, moving experience I have ever had.

On September 23, at 1:22 p.m., Nathan Harrison McCants was born. He was the most beautiful baby and weighed 8 lbs 7 ozs and was 21.5 inches long.

Here he is!!