Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Birth Story & Pics :)

Here's my birth story:

So last night my friends gave me some of Dave's Insanity Sauce, which is the hottest hot sauce ever! I think it was that, among other things ;) that brought on my labor at 5:30am. I awoke to some contractions that were 5 minutes apart and painful, which is similar to what happened last Friday while I was getting ready for my appointment. I got my ipod out and listened to my relaxation scripts and timed the contractions, which were 5 minutes apart for an hour. At 6:30am I figured I better take a shower if I wanted one and Rob woke up to find out what was going on. I told him to get ready because I thought this was it. I also told him that he didn't have time for a shower. :) We went into the garage, I opened the car door to get in and our dog, Bailey, jumped right into the front seat to go with us! She would never normally that, so it was really funny to see her reaction to what was going on. We got on the road and arrived at the hospital at about 7:30am. They put me in a triage room to monitor me and my water broke at 7:50am. I was 4cm dilated and 80% effaced at this point. They sent me to a labor room and got me all set up. My mom and doula were there at this point and I was just sipping water and breathing through contractions, which were about 3-4 minutes apart. They got really intense really fast and by 10am or so I thought I might die. Really. I was so not strong, it was sad. I begged for the epidural...many times! My doula was SO amazing and kept redirecting me but by 10:30am we decided I would get checked again to give me some encouragement on how far along I was. I was only 5 1/2 cm...not exactly what I was looking for. That convinced me that I couldn't go on for another minute and demanded some drugs. They called in the anesthesiologists to come give me a consult. Then they had me go empty my bladder to help ease the contractions a little. As soon as I sat down, I felt like I needed to push but I was literally just checked and was only 5 1/2 cm. So I sat on the toilet for about an hour and breathed my baby down. The anesthesiologist gave me a consult in between killer contractions while I sat on the toilet and said that was a first for them, since I refused to get up. They were super busy so wouldn't be able to come back for about an hour or so, so my doula and I both knew I wouldn't be getting any drugs. I knew that the baby was coming down, which seemed impossible since I was not dilated enough; but I reached in and felt his head only an inch away from crowning. I never shared this with the nurse because my doula said the nurse would never let me stay on the toilet to push. A little after 11am, my nurse finally said I needed to come back to bed because she was having a hard time keeping his heart rate on the monitor, so I stood up and everyone saw that he was now crowning. They immediately called my OB to come ASAP so that he wouldn't miss the birth (he would've been upset). I labored on my knees while holding on with my arms to the top of the inclined bed. My OB got there quickly, and I pushed for about 20 more minutes in that position. He was born at 11:52am and was 8 lbs, 13 oz, and 20.5 inches long. I ended up with a 2nd degree tear, which is probably because he came so darn fast. I'm happy to say that I delivered with no drugs, which was my goal, but if my labor had been an hour longer than it was, that wouldn't have happened! The important thing is that he is here and he's healthy...and he's ours! :)

I'm also happy to say that he shares a birthday with his oldest sister, Makenna, who was stillborn 2 years ago today. I think it is very sweet that they were born on the same day. It is so surreal to stare at him and know that he just came out of my body and that he is finally here. It has been such a long journey and I am happy that I was able to share the stories of my children with so many people. The encouragement and prayers from everyone that has followed our story has been amazing and I am thankful for all of you. It is also amazing to watch Rob with our son...he is truly a natural and it is adorable. We feel SO blessed!

Here are some pics to enjoy. :)


Benjamin Samuel
Photobucket

After delivery

Photobucket

Rob & Ben
Rob & Ben

New Grandma, Ben & Me
Jen, Grandma & Ben

25 comments:

  1. You did great Jenell! You look wonderful, too! I've been checking in all day long. Benjamin is darling. I love that he shares this day with Makenna. It feels like things came full circle. So very beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am so incredibly overjoyed for you! I love the name Benjamin and it fits him perfectly. And what am amazing connection that he arrived on Makenna's birthday.
    Enjoy!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Happy tears, Happy tears

    I am so ecstatic for you and your family. It is so beautiful that he shares his birthday with his oldest sister. I want to say more but I am amazed that I am filled with so much emotion that I can barely see the screen right now. So I will just send lots of hugs and love to you, Rob, and Benjamin.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You so deserve all this happiness after all that you and your hubby have been through...enjoy your new baby boy :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. You don't know me but I came upon your blog through a friend and have been following your story since last Nov. I am overjoyed for you and wish you every happiness with your baby boy.

    ReplyDelete
  6. We don't know each other, but I have been following your blogs for over a year now. I am reading this at work, in tears, literally overwhelmed with joy for your, Rob, and your whole family. You deserve this happiness, this joy, on this day as well. Even without knowing you, I can tell that little Ben is equally lucky to have such parents. Congratulations, mazel tov, all the joy and happiness in the world to you and your new bundle.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jenell - I am sitting here in tears, so, so happy for you. Congrats to you, Rob, and beautiful Benjamin!
    Love from Edna...

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jenell, Ben is just adorable and you look great! What a great birth story and I really couldn't be happier for you!
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congratulations! Your son is so beautiful. What a tremendous blessing to have him here safe and sound.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Congratulations Jen and Rob on the birth of your son. Merry Christmas and a most joyous New Year as your journey continues with the addition of your new son Benjamin Samuel. Peace be with you. God Bless.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am overwhelmed! I don't even know what to say, except that I am so overjoyed for you guys. =)

    ReplyDelete
  12. He is beautiful and you are an inspiration! Happy belated birthday to Makenna and Ben!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Congrats!! I have been following your blog for a while now (I lost my baby girl in Feb. '08) and I know how wonderful it is to hold a living baby after a loss (I had another baby girl in April '09). Bittersweet. I have happy tears in my eyes just seeing your pictures. I have been praying for you. Enjoy your baby boy. His name is perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  14. CONGRATULATIONS!!! Reading your birth story and looking at your gleaming faces brought tears to my eyes. Great job with your labor, it sounds like you ended up being stronger than you thought you could be. In more ways than one.

    Enjoy that little guy!! Many happy days to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh, Jenell-- he is so beautiful! You look fabulous! I realized last night after posting that it was Makenna's birthday as well (Jordyn's is on Friday, and I knew your dates are near meaningful dates for me). I think that is perfect, too! Enjoy him!!

    Krista
    Mom to l/c Kat & Aric and Angels Jordyn & Jackson

    ReplyDelete
  16. So happy for you all! COngratulations again on your beautiful boy :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Congrats! He's beautiful! How very special that he shares a birthday with his big sister.
    What a wonderful birth story!

    ReplyDelete
  18. You don't know me, but I learned about your blog through the grapevine.. I am sort of acquantences with one of your husband's sisters... anyway, I love your story, well the little bit of it that I have read so far.. especially that your baby was born on his sister's birthday. well, THAT was planned by God, wasn't it?? Anyway, I am a photographer and fellow mommy (actually, i've had some heartache as a mommy, too) - anyway, i would love to take some newborn photos of your precious gift in the next few days if you get a chance to sneak over to my home studio. i would like to do this as a gift to you simply because "there is great camaraderie in suffering" and i feel a connection with you just because of that... ANYWAY, check out my blog (www.lynaesthoughts.blogspot.com) and my photography website (www.lynaecondit.printroom.com) if you are interested... do you live in paradise?? my number is 876-8963 -Lynae

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh my goodness, I heard from the March 09 board that you had a healthy full term baby boy and I am so excited for you! How blessed he is to have you and Rob for parents. I wish you nothing but the best and he is so beautiful!! Congrats!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Congratulations you have a beautiful baby and I am so happy for you. Happy Birthday Makenna and Benjamin! God Bless

    ReplyDelete
  21. Truly so overjoyed for you. What an amazing gift from God. I love that your first and your youngest share the same birthday. It is always joy alongside sorrow...

    love and prayers,
    ebe

    ReplyDelete
  22. Benjamin is very handsome and I am so happy for you. Enjoy this time, there is nothing like it..
    I hope you make the time to keep posting regularly so we can hear how you are doing!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Jenell,
    I have only been following your blog for a couple of weeks now, but your story has touched me deeply and I have been checking back each day looking for good news. I FOUND IT!!!! I'm soooooo happy for you and your family. I can't believe he was born on Makenna's birthday. What an amazing gift! You are such a strong woman and an inspiration - I have found myself thinking of you at random points during the day and I feel a surge of strength knowing that you have persevered through all of your heartache. You will be the BEST parents to Benjamin, you are all so lucky. Congrats!!!! - Hillary, from BBC.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Jenny!!! I can't even describe how happy I am for you and Rob!! I am crying happy tears for as I type! It was so wonderful to hear your voice and Baby Benjamin's tonight!! I love you all so much and can't wait for the day when I get to meet him! Tell him Auntie Amy loves him soooo super much! I will certainly continue to stalk your blog to see more pictures!!! Love you all!!!

    Amy

    ReplyDelete
  25. I am just speechless! You have been through so much. You are an inspiration! Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete