After having pretty consistent and painful Braxton Hick contractions and cramping since Thanksgiving day we decide to opt for a scheduled induction. I was only feeling okay about this because I was 3 cms and "effacing nicely" at my last doctor's appointment, but it was really weird to know the exact day your baby is going to be coming into this world. I tried my best to feel ready by Tuesday night, but preschool was delayed 2 hours due to inclemental weather and I didn't get all of Bailey's homeschool done. The other Mezgers treated me to dinner that night, while Luke drove carpool to soccer practice for us. I also tried to get some good sleep in that night, but I think my nerves got the best of me because I woke up at 2:30ish and never did go back to sleep.
A last picture of us as a family of 5
Ready or not, we show up at the hospital at 6:30 and get checked in. (We are ready!) Dr. Cowan comes to greet us at 8 am. They check me at 9:20 and I am at 4 cms, 50% effaced, and having contractions on my own every 12 minutes. I get an epidural, they break my water, and shortly after they start the Pitocin.
At 11:45 they check me again and I am still at 4 cms, 50% effaced, & baby is high. Contractions are every 2 minutes, but since I haven't progressed they up the Pitocin. I am very comfortable, get in short naps and enjoy the very weird feeling of being alone with Luke during a weekday. My mom who is at my house watching Blake and Blair jokingly asks if we have really snuck off to a Motel because the doctor & nurse both thought I would have delivered a baby by now.
At 2pm I am at 5cms, but baby is still high They insert an internal monitor to see the real intensity of contractions because I am progressing so slowly and up the Pitocin. At this point it is clear my labor is more of a turtle kind of race- slow & steady than a rabbit race. I also realize about now I am super thankful for my labor and delivery nurse Cyndi who is so patient and kind and sweet, which has not always been my labor experience.
At 3pm, they again up the Pitocin and check me. I am now at 6cm. By this point the epidural has worn off significantly to the point that I don't need any help turning over and getting checked is quite painful. I push the extra epidural button for first time and call in the anesthesiologist for another dose of epidural. All we can do is continue to wait. Contractions are still consistently at 2 min apart.
At 4pm I am at 8cms and contractions are more intense. The re-dose of the epidural is slowly taking effect- my legs feel heavy & tingly but contractions are still painful, but not intolerable. I am actually really thankful for how my epidural turned out and that I can feel the contractions (at a reduced rate).
At 4:07 they find and break an additional bag of fluid (the forebag) and baby almost immediately drops into birthing position. They ask if I feel pressure, which I do, so they call in Dr. Cowan.
At 4:25 they announce that I am 10 cms, +2, and we are ready to deliver!
At 4:32 Beau is born after two pushes! One push and the head is out and a second push for the body. This really amazes Luke with how quickly he comes compared to the others, especially Bailey where I pushed for 2-3 hours. He is 7lbs, 14 ozs & 20.5 inches long. He was very purple and didn't cry much, but quickly gets color.
*Thank you Luke for these notes*
This is right after birth.
This is right after birth.
Dr. Cowan with Beau.
Dr. Cowan has delivered 3 out of my 4 babies.
Our Beau Luke
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We love his name, which I think is pretty awesome considering we did not set out to use all B letters. No other boy name had a chance. I have no idea why Beau, but it was the boy choice of name back before we knew Blair was a girl. It was kinda fun because when we were at Trail West, which was right before finding out the gender of Blair one of the characters there was Bo Wingo. Beau means "handsome; admirer; sweetheart". It's pretty obvious why we chose his middle name, but I also love the meaning of the name Luke, which is "light" and goes well with the life verse we picked out for him:
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
Some pictures of visitors-
The Turkeydogs
Nana with her 7th grandbaby
The Risingers
Big Sis Bailey- she was very curious about Beau and wanted to look him over head to toe. She did not like the cord still attached at his belly button or that his feet look so cracked and wrinkly. She did a great job holding him!
Me with my first baby
Gigi with her 5th grandbaby
We missed some pictures of Emily & Zoe in here when they whisk him off for some bloodwork.
Big Brother Blake- this guy was in heaven and quite the proud big brother. He held Beau for a long time.
All the Mezger cousins.
Thanks Aunt Ali for bringing up your crew!
Big Sis Blair- she liked saying his name and giving kisses, but really wanted time with me, which I loved. I had been missing big hugs from this girl. She cried big tears for mommy when she left.
It has been a sweet time at the hospital and I am trying to soak up every second of it knowing this is my last. I forgot how many interruptions there at night (& daytime too), so I haven't gotten much sleep, but Beau has pretty much nursed and then gone back to sleep. He fussed a lot after the circumcision, but that is certainly understandable and we seem to be heading back in the direction of nursing and then sleeping. Breastfeeding is going great, which is huge! We will be heading home sometime tomorrow. More pictures to come!
