little victories: Devin's birth story

I know, I know, it's been a ridiculous amount of time since I've posted a blog! Since October we have welcomed little Devin Lee Elliott to our family! He was born December 31st 2010 (just 6 hrs shy of the new year!) He was 7 lbs and 3 oz of sheer cuteness! I could not have asked for and easier labor and delivery (thanks to my dear friends at Parkland) Btw....having a baby where you work, is an interesting experience. We showed up at 6 am for my induction (James, and My sis in law Tina were with me) and I was able to choose who I wanted my nurse to be. I chose my friend Lauren, who by the way is not only a fantastic nurse, but she is also HILARIOUS. I wanted a light hearted, non-stressful environment, and that's exactly what it was. After 5 attempts to start my IV from 3 different nurses, they were finally successful. Darn my bad veins!! Dr. Smith came in to check my cervix, which was a "loose 3" and then gave the orders to start my pitocin. I had been contracting off and on for about 3 weeks prior to this, so I was not surprised I was already dialated. If it wasn't for Devin being so high up in my belly, I probably would have gone into labor all on my own! But being an L&D nurse, I like that I felt more in control with the induction. We started the Pitocin around 8 am, and three hours later, I wasnt hurting too terribly with the contractions, and was only dialated to a 4. At this point Lauren suggested we have a resident break my water to get things going. I agreed, but insisted on getting my epidural first. I know how a lot of women feel about medications during labor, but in my defense I know I would not have been able to handle active labor without it, and this was MY plan. Also I see this everyday, and am constantly reasurred that I made the right choice when I take care of a laboring patient who has planned to go the natural route. More power to you ladies, but I for one do NOT want to experience that. (KUDOS to both of my sister in laws, Tina and Christine, who both had their babies without help from medication.) Now that I've gotten way off track, back the Devin's birth story....SO around 11 I sat up for the epidural, as soon as I laid back down I got extremely nauseaus (thanks to my sudden drop in blood pressure due to the epidural) and once that was under control, My water broke all on it's own! I think my exact words to Lauren were " Either I just peed on myself or my water broke". Looks like I got the epidural just in time, bc My labor really picked up after that. I no longer needed the pitocin, and was contracting all on my own. From that point on things went smoothly. Dr. Smith came back to check on me at 5 pm and I was ready to push (still feeling nothing at this point). I pushed a total of three times, and Devin was here! he came out crying and pink (just like we like our babies to be) and was the sweetest thing I've seen since his big brother was born :) I am SO greatful Devin got here safely, and the easy labor was definately a bonus. I was even able to have my good friend Whitney in to help with the delivery. It was a wonderful experience, and if and when we decide to have another, I would definitely do it again at Parkland. thanks for reading, although this is more for me so I can look back and remember Devin's birth. I will update soon about how things are going with work while raising not one, but TWO precious boys.

Let's get this party started!

(in my labor gown from my dear friends Catherine and Christina at work)