Let's back track a little bit. My due date was the 31st of January so basically the whole pregnancy Ryan and I were just hoping he would make it home from his deployment in time. Thankfully, he got home on the 24th, which was a Tuesday and I was still (39 weeks) pregnant. My hope was to get through the weekend. I really wanted Dominick to get some one on one time with his dad and for Ryan to be able to adjust some to being back home. I had my 39 week appointment on the 26th. At this point I had still not been checked and requested not to be once again. I had another appointment the following Tuesday which was my due date so they agreed they'd let me wait it out. My dr did do a quick ultrasound on the 26th just to make sure I had enough fluid and that baby looked to be okay. He was still head down and I did have enough fluid so she sent me on my way.
The 31st came and I had my appointment. I requested once again not to be checked and she said she would let me go until Friday, but I had to come back Friday and be checked and she'd also strip my membranes this day. We had a birthday party on Saturday and my parents were also coming into town on that Saturday so I was hoping if nothing else we could get through the weekend. She said she scheduled me to be induced on Tuesday the 7th and wouldn't allow me to go over my due date.That Friday I went in and I was already 3 cm dilated. She stripped my membranes and said I left there between 4-5 cm dilated and she'd most likely see me over the weekend sine she was the doc on call.
Saturday we went to the birthday party and my parents got into town right after. It was nice to have them here and to know that we wouldn't need to rush Dom around in addition to try to get to the hospital also. We quickly ran to Costco and then we got dinner together. Still no signs of going into labor and I was still feeling pretty good. Sunday was the Super Bowl. My dad wasn't feeling too great and I was feeling hopeless that my body would not go into labor on it's own. I went and got a pedicure hoping that the pressure points and massage would make me go into labor, but still nothing. I was having light contractions, but nothing consistent so chalked them up to Braxton Hicks. I did tell Ryan that he really needed to pack his bags in case they became something more. We went to bed hopeful that Monday would be the day.
On Monday I was still pregnant with no signs of labor. I knew I was going to be induced the following morning so I called to see what time I needed to be there. They said 7:30 and later called to see if I could come at 5:00 AM instead since the person scheduled at that time ended up delivering already. We took Dominick on a walk and to play at the bmx park on his scooter. Right next to the park is a few basketball courts so we were doing races with him. I even raced him and ran while doing it. I fully contribute this to me going into labor (hahaha). That whole day I had light bleeding off and on, but still figured I'd be getting induced in the morning. At dinner that night we all made predictions as to his weight and the time he was going to be born.
Around 8 PM I started feeling what I thought might be contractions. I decided to take a quick shower, which ended up being longer than I anticipated because it just felt so good and the contractions kept coming. I knew it was going to be sometime soon and was hoping I wouldn't need the induction. The contractions were about 8-9 minutes apart and continued this way. We took one last picture as a family of 3 and then put Dom to bed. Around 10 we all went to bed knowing that no matter what we'd have a baby the next day. My contractions were still about 8-9 minutes apart at this point and lasting around a minute each. I woke up around 12:45 to use the bathroom and then I laid back down. I was still contracting, but was able to breathe through them even though they were getting stronger. Around 1 I got up to get a drink of water and to walk around thinking that might help. I transitioned from 7-8 minutes to 5-6 minutes and then when I went and laid back down again they started to come every 2-3 minutes (around 1:42). I had to wake up Ryan and told him we needed to get to the hospital. He sat up and then in a sleepy daze laid back down for a minute. I told him he HAD to get up and get moving because we didn't have long. We both brushed our teeth and he put the bags in the car. We were out the door in about 10-15 minutes. My mom woke up as we were leaving and I was trying to walk out the door and had two more contractions. My mom asked if I waited too long and I said I thought I had. The car ride was the absolute worst. I don't really remember the car ride with Dominick being that bad, but then again I was NOT nearly as far long as I was this time. It's only a 15 minute drive, but it seemed like an eternity. I think this was the most unbearable part of the whole experience.
My goal this whole time was to not get an epidural and to try to get to the hospital around 8 cm. We had called the birthing center to let them know that we were coming so they'd be ready for us. When we got there they asked me to change into my gown and for a urine sample. I couldn't give them a urine sample, but I did tell her that I thought I had to go #2. She said that instead she wanted to check me. I was 8 cm and the baby's head was RIGHT there which is why I felt like I had to use the restroom. They were trying to get all my information and check me in, but I had such a hard time even talking through the contractions. I barely even moaned or anything, but was very quiet and just breathed through each of them while laying very still. I still couldn't believe I was already 8 cm and labored at home for so long. I figured I would maybe be 6 or 7 cm so hearing I was 8 was music to my ears. She asked if I wanted an epidural and I had said yes. They got my lab and blood work done and we were just waiting on the anesthesiologist. He FINALLY came and it seemed like he was taking his sweet, sweet time, but really he did a great job. I LOVED my epidural this time. I could still feel the pressure and when I needed to push, but I was not in any pain. I told him he was my hero once he had it in. The moment it went in I thought I was going to be able to get some rest, but the baby was in distress. Every contraction his heart rate would go down so they were constantly turning me onto my side and then back again. They couldn't keep a constant monitor on his heart rate so they actually screwed something into the top of his head to monitor him.
Very soon after the epidural was in the dr came in and said it was time to push. The baby was sunny side up so the pushing took quite awhile. I felt like I kept pushing and pushing and pushing and there was very little progress. The dr told me that I would only get a couple more pushes and then they'd have to use the vacuum to help him because he was under distress and he really needed to come. Two more contractions and he was finally here. We heard his beautiful cry and they placed him on my chest. He screamed and screamed and they finally wrapped him in some towels to wipe him off. They delayed the cord clamp and Ryan was able to cut the cord. He was SO alert and looking all over taking in the world when they took him to do his measurements and vitals. The first thing Ryan and I said to each other was that he looked EXACTLY like Dominick. We just couldn't believe their similarities.
Ryan texted my mom and dad to let them know he was born and that we were hoping they'd bring Dominick. They got around and took him shopping to get Malachi a lovey before coming to the hospital. When they finally got there Dominick was beyond excited. He was very concerned as to why I was in the hospital bed, but was very interested in the baby. At one point he grabbed his cheeks and said "you're so cute!" He kept showing him his new bear and was very proud. He told the nurses he was a big brother now. We gave Dominick his big brother gift and was very excited for all of his new goodies. Ryan and my parents went to have lunch while I rested. After their visit they went home for the afternoon and came back that night. Dominick had on a sweatshirt, but had on a big brother shirt underneath. He asked if he could hold Malachi and he said yes. Then he said, "can I take off my sweatshirt so you can see my big brother shirt?" It was by far the CUTEST thing ever.
We only ended up staying in the hospital that one night and then getting to leave the following day around 11:30. It was a quick labor, a not so quick delivery and a quick stay. The whole experience was a great one and I'm so thankful and feel so blessed to be able to be this sweet boy's momma. I don't know how I got to be so lucky to have two beautiful boys, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Malachi Ryan Boutwell
February 7, 2017
5:31 AM
8 lbs 5 oz and 23 in long
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