My Baby Bump & Adventures: February 2015

Monday, March 31st: I started experiencing contractions that were 2-5 minutes apart, However, the intensity wasn't too strong. I ended up going to the hospital to get checked and I was 2cm's dilated, however the contraction monitors calculated my contractions at 1-2 minutes apart for over an hour, they classified me in early labor. They wanted to break my water at this time but I declined, I just knew he wasn't ready to come out. I ended up signing myself out of the hospital and going home. I was uncomfortable but the pain wasn't intense enough where I couldn't get sleep, so I kept resting and laboring.

Thursday, April 3rd: Earlier in day I literally took an 8 hour nap, despite my contractions. Now looking back, I knew that was because this would be the last sleep I would get before I started my actual laboring process to meet Baby Zakk. By 4pm, I was awake and was still having contractions and not the least bit tired. Little did I know, I was going to be up for the next 50+ hours. That afternoon and evening, I was laying in bed and had 63 contractions that were intense but it was nothing I couldn't focus myself out of, until 2:27am hit and then I KNEW this was it.

Friday, April 4th: It was almost 4am, and my contractions were getting more intense and closer together so I called my mom, who I begged to "hurry" and get to my house as if she was God and could relieve this pain; Mom's always make everything better though. I was keeling over and was so uncomfortable I just needed her next to me. She finally arrived which felt like hours, and was able to soothe me and get me into a calm place. My birthing coach, Tiffany, came over shortly after to help as well and all three of us labored together for hours at home. I was proud of myself for keeping my focus and not letting the contractions take over. Tiffany suggested walking, squatting, and different techniques on the yoga ball to help with contractions. My contractions were still 2-5 minutes apart but sometimes they even went up to 7 minutes so we decided to stay at the house till mid-afternoon. I just remember that every time I was done with a contraction, I would relax in that same position to get relief but the minute I would move or stand, another one would come on. I took many drink and bathroom breaks to keep me hydrated. Each bathroom break brought on another intense contraction, but I was welcoming of it and ready for them. After all the more intense and close together the contractions, the sooner I could meet my son. At least, so I thought.

We decided around 1pm that we should pack up and get to the hospital. I sat shot-gun in Tiffany's car, and my mom sat behind. David drove separate with the car seat and our bags. Once we got to the hospital, I was still having contractions but at this point I was managing them well. I went in to the registration area, and didn't accept the ride in the wheel chair because I wanted to walk myself up to my room. Once I was there I was greeted by the nurses and I was able to sit on my ball while I they read my contractions; I was officially in labor! WAHOO. I for sure thought Zakk would be coming soon... Hours pass and still, NO baby!

The contractions did get progressively stronger but the pain was consistent, it was almost like I was working out. I walked the halls of the L&D ward, did squats, showered, and meditated through all of the pain. I didn't cry once until the very end when they checked me for what they thought was my last time, but I was only 7cm. The nurses said my contractions were back to back. I was physically and mentally exhausted.

Saturday, April 5th: The head nurse came in around 1am and talked to me to let me know they wanted to put me on Pitocin. I was SO against it but I was also not progressing and my contractions were unbearable, where I was throwing up and in A LOT of pain - which is usually a sign of active labor. They for sure thought I was ready to push and I wasn't even close. My OB told me that he was going to either put me on Pitocin or get me in for a c-section, which I REALLY didn't want. I chose to go on Pitocin and they gave me epidural as well (which was painless might I add), so I could rest for pushing. By 8am that morning, I was dilating to almost at 8cm and at peace, waiting for the minutes I could push. By 11:50am, I was at 10cm and ready to push... 40 minutes later, our sweet baby boy arrived and my world at that moment had just begun. He latched right away while they stitched me up. It was a perfect moment for my new, little family that will be in my memory forever.

Zakkrey James Stern

DOB: 4/5/2014 at 12:35pm

8lbs. 12oz 21.5in

Here are the photos: