Boy
7 lbs 9 oz
18 1/2 inches (though he was 20 1/4 in at his appointment 3 days later)
Born July 8th at 11:13 p.m.
Birth Story
Albert had a fever Saturday and Sunday. He slept most of the day on Sunday and went to bed early. I was working on getting the children ready for bed. We had just a few chapters left of Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, so we decided to finish it up. While reading, I started to have contractions. Now, I had been contracting for weeks, but they were always irregular and across the top of my belly. This time they were close enough for me to remember the last one (my first indicator to start timing them) and they were across the lower part of my belly. We finished reading and I tucked everyone in, then started marking the time. The first few were about 3 minutes apart. This was a bit alarming as my contractions usually are not closer than five minutes apart until it is time to push. Right when I started timing things, my friend texted me, encouraging Baby Duck to come soon. I called her and told her that I might actually be in labor, I was trying to evaluate the situation. I also called my midwife and our other friend who would be staying with the children. I told both ladies that I was not sure if it was the real thing (we had a "false alarm" with the last two pregnancy and were sent home from the hospital) but I wanted to give them a heads up before it was the middle of the night. This was all at about 9:15 p.m. I continued contracting every three minutes and washed the dishes and tidied up our house. I went to the bathroom to start getting ready and told Albert that I might actually be in labor. You see, we thought this little one would come during the previous week. So, Albert often asked me how I was feeling and if I thought labor was coming soon. I was starting to feel like labor may never come!
He got up and took some Ibuprofen for all of our well being. I called Amy and asked her to meet us at the hospital, told my midwife I thought I really was in labor and we were headed to the hospital, and asked Nancy if she would come over so we could leave. I finished packing my bag and we were off. I think it was about 9:45ish when we left the house. Along the drive, Jenny (my midwife) called to see if we were stranded on the side of the road and if she needed to come rescue me. I assured her that we were on our way and we be there in a couple of minutes. Jenny and Amy met us in the parking lot. It must have been about 10:25 p.m. Jenny walked us up and straight to a labor room.
After a few minutes of settling in, she checked me and I was 9.5 cm dilated and 100% effaced. I really was in labor! I quickly got out of the bed and sat on the ball for a little bit. I have to have a hep-lock since I am a VBAC. While sitting on the ball, during a contraction, the nurse put it in.
Labor progressed and after less than 10 minutes of pushing, Reed was born at 11:13 p.m. I was so relieved that our sweet baby boy was here! And that labor was over! My labor was about 2 hours and 45 minutes from first contraction to birth. It was crazy. I have had to ask Albert not to call it an easy labor, but a fast one! :)
Albert went home shortly after Reed's birth so that he could rest and try to get over his cold. The next day three of our littles had fevers. Reed and I snuggled at the hospital and visited with my family. Albert came up Monday evening for an hour or so. He and I were both falling asleep, so he went home to take care of our children and I promptly fell asleep. We were discharged on Tuesday and Reed finally got to meet the whole family.
Reed has been a sweet, sweet baby and seems to be very laid back. We are now enjoying having Albert's mom here. She has been a huge help with taking care of everyone and getting ready for a big road trip and move. I wish she could stay with us for about two weeks once we arrive in VA.
