Theo

Theodore James was born at 10:11pm on Saturday, September 4. He weighed 5 pounds and 5 ounces at birth and was 18 inches long. Theo is in perfect health and as beautiful as beautiful can be. He sleeps peacefully and is alert and curious when awake. He has his dad's facial expressions- the most amusing of which is how he furrows his brow when he sleeps, just like Dad. I read a quote today that said "The littlest birds make the sweetest song." This rings so true. His every little squeak, chirp, and even cry is a precious sound to me.

It all began at 4AM when I woke up having contractions every 2-3 minutes. They did not hurt and it was not uncommon for me to have Braxton-Hicks (false labor) contractions at night. However, these did not stop like the others eventually would. I started timing the contractions about 4:30 but didn't wake Wesley up yet. I just wasn't sure. Then at around 6AM they became stronger and started to actually hurt. Something clicked and I knew I was in labor. My first thought was to wake Wesley up. My second thought was how grateful I was that I would not have to be induced. I woke up Wesley and we called the doctor. She said that it sounded like labor and we should pack the bags (no, they weren't packed) and head on up to the hospital. Wesley got the bags packed while I kept counting contractions. I didn't labor at home for as long as I thought I would because the contractions were still coming 2-3 minutes apart, closer than normal for the first stage of labor.

We got to the hospital and were taken to an observation room where they watched my contractions to make sure I was in labor. They also watched Theo's heart rate so they could know if he was in any distress. He was never in distress at any point during they day. My OB said he did beautifully and was a strong baby.

Around 9AM we were moved to the birthing room. I walked from one room to the other without much difficulty. Our room was nice and spacious and had a great view from the window. Wesley and I both lamented that the window could not be opened and wished we could have had some fresh air that day. We set up camp and met our nurse. Cheryl was a blessing. She was experienced, patient, and calming. She was willing to sit and talk with us early on in the labor, willing to help coach and provide pain relief by pushing against my lower back later in delivery, and was generally just wonderful.

I had decided during the last couple of weeks of pregnancy to try for a natural birth. I told myself that if I just couldn't take the pain I would get an epidural. I met with the CRNA who would have done the epidural while I was still in the early stages of labor so that if I needed her later she would already have the information she needed. I never called her back. I gave birth with no epidural, no anesthesia, no drugs. And I survived.

I never thought I would be one to give birth naturally but more and more reasons kept popping up. Once labor started I somehow knew I would be able to do it. It wasn't some heroic choice or need to be "all woman" or anything like that. I just knew that I had the support and the inner strength to do it and that outweighed the risks of the epidural.

I labored for sixteen hours. Once I hit the second stage (of three) of labor the endorphines and adrenaline kicked in. It was like being drugged. I was aware of what was going on but also a little out of it. I knew I was in massive pain but it was Ok. It is amazing how my body knew what to do to take care of me and Theo during delivery. I have heard people say that but never really understood it until I experienced it.

Wesley was at my side the entire time, always ready to help me with whatever I needed. He helped me control my breathing. He held my hand. He spent hours providing pressure to my lower back which helped immensely. His favorite thing about the day (well, second favorite thing) was that I was so out of it during the second stage of labor that I let him listen to six hours of Phish. Six hours of one of my least favorite bands. That should tell you something. I'm glad it happened that way though. Wesley says that listening to Phish was really good for him during that time.

I moved around a lot during labor. I used the bed, the chair, and the giant tub to help me through the pain. Each had their place and each stopped doing the trick after a while.

Transition (the third stage of labor, right before pushing) is as painful as they make it seem. This was the only time when I wanted to give up but I knew I was close and that kept me going. That and being able to hang on Wesley's arm when the contractions hit. Ok, those two things and shaking the arm to the bed like I was trying to break it off. Ok, those three things and making bizarre growling noises until my mouth felt like a dried out sponge. Regardless, I made it through.

I pushed for 45 minutes- it felt like 10. The room went from being quiet and serene, very still, to a space of commotion and excitement. Everything seemed to get brighter. My little boy was born. Perfect. Everything was just perfect.