| My sweet baby boy, it seems like only yesterday I gave birth to you. My contractions started at about 11 PM the night before. I had been have false contractions for weeks, but somehow this felt different. I sat at the dining room table timing them till I finally was able to sleep. 45 seconds long and about 5 minutes apart. I had trouble sleeping because I was so excited. The neighbors didn't know it, but they were my company that night. Your father was working nights, so I stayed up watching their party from across the street. I slept uneasy that night, and didn't really get much rest untill about 9 AM when I ran myself a nice warm bath and fell asleep for three hours. Your father had got home at about 5 AM, but I let him sleep so he would be able to drive me to the clinic. I chose to have you in Enid at the birthing clinc. My midwife was Cindy Bigheart. You were born with no drugs, no I.V.'s, nothing artificial. I used the Bradley Birthing method. At a few minutes before three in the after noon your father began waking up. I decided to use the bathroom because he always hogs it for at least an hour after he wakes up. Just as I sat down I had an intence contraction and my water suddenly burst. I woke your father up and made him start getting around. While he bathed I finished packing my bag and called my midwife. Your father must have thought that I was over excited when I tried to hurry him because he took his time. It wasn't till 4 PM when he finnally got dressed and called his work to say he wouldn't be coming in. The clinic was an hour away, and I was horrible. I cried the entire time, certain that I wouldn't be able to do it. I tried the possitions that we were taught, but its hard to move in a car going down the highway. I won't even begin about the railroad tracks we drove over! We finally arived at a little after five. Cindy checked me and said I was already an 8. For all the pain I was relieved to know that I was in transition and that the worst would be over soon. Cindy filled the whirlpool bath for me to soak in. After only thirty minutes of relaxing I had to push. Cindy moved me to the bed because she didn't feel comfortable with a pool bath since you were early. The pushing was hard work (that's why they call it labor, if it were easy it would be management) but it only hurts when you stop pushing. I got tired, and towards the end I was afraid that you would be too big to come out, your father was over ten pounds when he was born. I had Cindy guiding me and you father right next to me. At 6:15 PM you were born. My perfect, rosy little angel. You scored a 10 on your one minute Apgar, a first for Cindy. Your father and I stayed there till 3 AM. We ordered out for pizza, then napped with you till I had enough energy to take a shower. You were nine hour old when we left the clinic, something that most family was shocked at. In fact our first stop was the 24 hour Walmart where your father had to run in and buy wipes, we were so unprepared! The first days of your life I just sat on the couch holding and feeding you, your father cleaned the entire house for me (that will never happen again). We love you Evan, your father and me. We love all your smiles, your coos, your screams, and your poopy diapers. No matter what, you are loved. |
