I had my 38 week appointment on Monday March 25. I was dilated 3 cm and 70% effaced. My OB offered to strip my membranes, but I told him I would wait it out. Cut to Thursday and I think my water broke. I go into the OB and find out really I just peed my pants for the first time ever. So NOT what I wanted to hear. Offered to strip my membranes again and I agreed. I didn't really think anything would happen since it didn't do anything for me when they did it when I was in labor with Charles.
I woke up around 3am on Friday March 29th to some contractions. They were getting a little stronger so I decided to hit the bath to make sure it was the real deal. They didn't go away and were now getting closer together. Joe called L&D and the charge nurse said to come in when we were ready. I wanted Charles to sleep a little longer so Joe and I had some breakfast and then gave Charlie a bottle. I finished packing Charlies bag so he could go to Jessica's house for a few days.
I got to the hospital around 9:30am and was at 3.5cm and 75% effaced. The nurse wasn't officially admitting us yet because they wanted to see how I progressed and L&D was full. I must have walked the hallway for 2 hours straight. I was really frustrated and afraid they were going to send me home. I had a birth photographer all lined up and didn't want to call her so that we would all just be staring at each other! We didn't even get the suitcase out of the car yet. We wanted both our moms to be here for the water birth but were unsure to call them yet. Joes mom was up north 3 hours away at the cabin, so we didn't want to have her come home for nothing.
Around 12 my OB ran into us in the hallway and said "You don't look like you are in labor"....UMMM OK! I FEEL like I am lol. He then said that we wouldn't be able to do a water birth like I had planned because I hadn't done a Hepatitis C blood test yet. He was unaware about the test until I went in and felt really bad. I honestly didn't care at that point. I just wanted to be admitted and find out if I was having a boy or girl. As long as I could still go natural and med free I was happy.
FINALLY at 2:30 I was admitted. I was so happy I hugged my nurse. Joe went to the car to get our things and I started laboring in the tub. My contractions were about 2 minutes a part by this time and it felt so good to get in the water. We called our Moms to let them know this was the real deal. Joe's mom left the cabin and my mom was going to go to Good Friday mass at church.
Things really progressed after I was admitted. Around 5pm the nurse checked me and I was at 5cm 100% effaced and 0 station. I got on the birthing ball and had Joe do acupressure on my back. Our birth photographer Stef got there about 5:15pm and started taking pictures. That was around the time I felt like I had to push. Joe panicked and called my mom and told her to hurry up ( she was at our house letting Stella out and picking up last minute things we had forgotten). Luckily we only live 10 minutes away from the hospital. He also called his mom who was still 20 minutes away. I guess she was speeding at that point.
I started to do some aromatherapy to relax which helped quite a bit. I was sick of the birthing ball and just wanted to lay in the bed. I was so uncomfortable from the pressure on my cervix. Standing up hurt so bad I thought the baby was going to fall out. My nurse Kathy checked me again and I was at 8cm 0 station. She called my OB to get here for delivery right as my mom walked in. It was about 5:40pm.
Things stalled for a bit and all I could think about was pushing. My OB and Joe's mom arrived at the same time 5:55pm. He asked if he could break my water and said it should dilate me the rest of the way. I said do whatever you need to lol. After a few contractions he checked me and I was complete. Kathy set up the mirror so I could see the birth.It was 6:10pm and Dr. Ashford gave me the go ahead to push on my next contraction. I did and I heard Joe say I can see hair! Kathy grabbed my hand and put it down so I could feel the babies head. When I felt it I decided I didn't want to have it go back inside me and pushed with all my energy. I head everyone gasp.The baby slid right out and Dr. Ashford caught the baby with one hand because he had turned away. That's how quick it happened. I looked down to see what it was right as Joe said "It's a boy"!!!! I was so ecstatic. Graham Leo Cincoski was born at 6:12pm weighing 6 pounds 6 ounces. He was 20 inches long and had a full head of hair.
I had a few visitors that night, but best of all was having my close friends from my MN Mommy group come. I met them all when I was pregnant with Charles and it was so special for all of them to be there.
