After a week of trying anything to go into labor (walking, pressure points, bounce house) Austin was finally born December 20, 2011 at 8:55 am. Monday night at 10:40 my water broke (luckily I was in the bathroom at the time.) Jake and I finished packing our bag, told my mom we were leaving and went out the door. I made it one step out the door and had another gush of water. I had to go back in and change. This is the last belly shot before leaving for the hospital.
We got to the hospital and got all checked in. I was disappointed to learn I was still just 1 cm dilated (after all the walking). My contractions were just starting when we got there so they just let me go without pitocin. I was progressing pretty fast and with Brooke I went from a 5-10 in one hour so I decided that at 4-5cm that was enough pain for me. I didn't want to miss out on the chance for an epidural. I got my epidural at 4:00am and was still going fast. I thought I would probably have the baby by 6 or 6:30. They had my start pushing around then to see if that would help bring the baby down more. He didn't like that much and his heart rate started to drop so they had me stop and lay on my side with oxygen while they waited for the doctor. A half hour later the doctor came and discovered Austin was face up instead of face down. She wanted to see if we could flip him so they helped me onto my knees and arms and I was there for the next half hour...waiting for the doctor to come back. They flipped me back over about 8:00 and we started pushing again. The nurse wasn't sure if the baby turned or not. I kept pushing and pushing...he was stubborn. I had to stop pushing and wait again because they didn't know what doctor was going to deliver the baby. My doctor was supposed to be on her way so they were waiting for her but she wasn't fast enough. The on call doctor came in and delivered my face up baby. (They are much harder to push out that way.) Jake had to sit down for a minute after delivery. He doesn't do well with blood.
I was shocked when they pulled this big baby from me! Kaylee and Brooke were 6lbs 10oz and 6 lbs 11oz. Austin was 8lbs 3oz and 20.5 inches! I though he'd be bigger than the girls, but not that much bigger! I actually gained less weight with this pregnancy too...
He gave a good cry right away and was perfect and healthy!
Later that day the girls and my mom came to visit. They looked at him and kept saying "he's so cute."
They both held him long enough for a picture...
and then they were done with him. They were much more interested in looking out the big window and eating a snack.
My mom and I did a little photo shoot before she left.
Our Christmas baby!
It was so nice to have my mom here! She raked our leaves, watched the kids, made lots of good food for dinner and the freezer. Thanks mom! I couldn't have done it without you!
