After two and a half weeks of false labor, 4 half-doses of castor oil, a great many tears, and 20 hours of labor (10 of those HARD), we have a baby to show for it! Our third son, Benjamin Mark Dyer:
Born August 25, 2010
10:26 a.m.
7 lbs, 8 oz
20.5 inches
Don’t you love those baby bottoms?
About the birth: Some births are harder than others, and for no discernible reason. Maybe it was because he was late, or because this was a VBAC, or just because I’m getting older, but this birth pushed me to the very edge of my sanity. I was stunned that it hurt this much, having done it three times before and never experienced it quite this way. Maybe I’m just weaker than I used to be?
I prefer to keep things as unmedicated as possible, not just in childbirth, but in day-to-day life. It’s just how I’m built. But for this baby, I asked for help. I got a shot of something (Nubane?) when I just couldn’t take it anymore, but the pain did NOT ease off. The nurse said it was too late for it to work much, and couldn’t give me anything else because the baby was too close to being born for it to be safe for him. So I’m not sure if this counts as medicated birth or not. I certainly got no relief!
The baby never descended properly, for some reason. One time the nurse would check me, and he’d be at 0, then he’d float back up to -2. He really did not want to leave me! I suspect the umbilical cord wrapped around his shoulder may have been pulling him back, but I’m just a mom. I don’t even know if that’s possible. I know very little about these things. I nearly gave up when pushing time came and I heard the doctor say, “You’ve got a long way to push, Mama.” The nurse told me to wait and let my body do some more of the work for me, because he was still at -1!
Well, undescended baby or not, I was hurting so bad I had to push. I knew I’d give up or pass out if I had to endure one more contraction passively. So push I did, and 12 minutes later (yes, I am SUPER!), I had a son.
My other labors hurt, but this one was actually traumatic for me. I’m still having trouble thinking about it. Once it was over, though, I praised God just as loudly for this one as I did for the others! My praise after a baby is born always makes me think of the shouting in Heaven when a sinner is born again! Imagine that chorus! I’ve got nothing on the angels, of course, but I know that exultation, as any new mama does.
A woman giving birth has pain because her time has come;
but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish
because of her joy that a child is born into the world.
~John 16:21
All Cleaned Up
His siblings are wild about him. I’m blessed with unselfish children who don’t get jealous easily. Even his 20 month-old sister is handling it well.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Congratulations! What a sweetie! I love the second picture…he’s exhausted from coming into this world! It’s a lot of work for you both. It’s a good tired, though…Enjoy!
Twitter: tracysuz
August 29, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Congratulations to you and your husband on your wonderful new blessing. All your children look so sweet together. Get some rest, you’ve just completed the most amazing job on earth, bringing this child into this world, and you now you have the task and joy of raising him. Even with all the pain considered, what a privilege it is to get to carry a child and have that bond for the rest of our lives. I have prayers going up for you.
Warm Hugs….Tracy
Twitter: AFthfulJrney
August 29, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Congratulations! What a beautiful family! Enjoy every second!
YAAAAY! Congrats! I know that was hard work, but look what you got out of the deal… a gorgeous son and a nice story to tell at his wedding about how he never wanted to show. I’m so happy for you!!! God Bless you guys!
he’s so cute!! Congrats!!
Congratulations! He looks very cuddly.
I’ve found that my pain at labor always depends on the quality of nurse I get. But I’ve always had the nubane (1/2 a dose) when I get to that last couple of hours – I like to joke that we do live in the 21st century after all. It always makes me hang my tongue out and say oh yeah, that is, until the last hour, when it can’t hide the pain anymore. Of course I’ve always had the petocin, too and those contractions are different than natural contractions.
Here’s hopin’ he’s a sleeper!
Look at that beautiful Greer nose. If you wanted me to ever have a baby, you should NOT have posted this, lol. I don’t like pain. I’m kidding, of course.
Well, you know, most of my labors were easier! I think the induced one was the easiest, so you really can’t tell until you get there how it’s gonna go. I think next time I’m gonna get the epidural. I’ve done it every other way: completely natural, pitocin w/out pain meds, c-section, no induction but with pain relief. Might as well try it the easy way, just once!
Twitter: mommymomentblog
August 29, 2010 at 11:47 pm
Congratulations! Glad he is a content baby and that the other children are adjusting well!
(hugs)
btw, I had an epidural after about 30 hours of labor with my first – it did not make it easy for me. – I was on the table for a c-section but had her naturally! I hope if you have one next time it will be good for you!
Blessings
30 hours! Jody, I don’t think I’d have made it that long, epidural or not. You’re a tough cookie. Glad you finally got her out, sweetie! :0)
Twitter: dddiva
August 30, 2010 at 11:36 am
He’s gorgeous, congratulations. I wanted to thank you for the comment and for reading our blog- and for pointing out my own mis-wordings.
I did answer in the comments, if you are interested-
http://www.myloonyverse.com/2010/08/whats-new-in-bloggy-world-of-giveaways.html
Awwww!!! Sooooo precious! I wish I can hold him too. And yes, you’re not just super, you’re fabulous! Congratulations sis. Benjamin is definitely a joy to behold! {{{hugs}}}
Oh what a gift! Enjoy these little baby moments, he’s precious!
Twitter: thxmailcarrier
September 5, 2010 at 1:14 am
A tad belated, but congratulations!! Welcome to the world, Benjamin!
I have to say, I cringed throughout most of your post because I’m just not one of those people who thought labor was this beautiful, wonderful time. How can anything that causes a level of pain that I never thought possible be considered magical? Although, that may have had to do with the fact that my babies weighed in at almost 10.5 lbs and barely under 10 lbs… so I really just don’t think my 5’4″ frame was built for it. We’re not going to have any more, but I’m totally with you that I think I might give the epidural a shot. It sure does sound like the way to go!
I hope everyone has continued to love your new addition and that you are getting a little rest. Being SUPER deserves a little time to relax now and again!