Labor and the past few days...

My labor was fast, for a first time mom. I came into the hospital 5 cm dilated at 0800 on February 20th. At 0845 the doctor broke my water and two hours later I was 9 cm dilated. The contractions were painful and extremely close together. I had intended on going as long as I could without medication and 9cm was indeed my limit. The urge to push was overwhelming and I knew I was not ready to push, so I asked for pain medication. An hour after receiving the medication I was fully dilated and effaced and ready to push. The pushing process was an hour and a half long and for the most part was what I imagined it would be. However, a little over an hour into it I began to feel my nails in my legs. (I could feel hands before and was able to move my legs but something as small as a finger nail I did not feel.) The mediation was wearing off. I said I wanted to go natural. What in the world was I thinking?

My contractions were right on top of each other (literally) and very intense. Wilson’s heart rate was starting to drop and the doctor told me that we needed to get him out and asked if I was okay with using the vacuum. I asked to try one more time before using it. Unfortunately, I was unable to get him out on my own. The doctor attached the vacuum and with one push my little boy entered the world. I was in so much pain and unable to breathe well so they gave me an oxygen mask. The O2 helped me a great deal and I wanted desperately to hold my baby. The nurses cleaned Wilson up and checked all his reflexes. Everything looked fine with the exception of his color (he was pale white) so they took him to the nursery to get some oxygen. I was able to get one quick look before the whisked him away. After the doctor completed repairing me, and I was more stable, Chris went to the nursery to be with Will. One hour later Chris came back and told me that they wanted to keep him on O2 for 2 hours and then wean him off. I wanted see him so bad but they insisted that I eat and shower and by then he should be ready to come back. The nurse that assisted in the delivery went and checked on him and said he looked fine. But, 3 hours later I was still without my child. Finally, I insisted to go to the nursery. It broke my heart to see him in the incubator.

His little heal was hooked up to a monitor that monitored his O2 counts. Ideally, you want counts in the 90-100 range. The monitor was reading 93 and he was no longer on O2 but we were still unable to hold him (because the nurse was a freak). After a shift change I requested to try and nurse and the nurse happily obliged. We had a very hard time getting Will to latch on but being next to me was all he needed because his O2 counts never wavered. By this point, our son was 5 hours old and still with no name. I apologize for worrying everyone and not calling but Will was my number one concern and I wanted desperately to spend time with him and name him before we called everyone. I never imagined it would be as long as it was. Even though Wilson was looking well we were still unable to take him to my room until the Pediatrician cleared him. So, we waited and waited and waited. At 7:45 pm she appeared and gave the all clear for Will to get bathed and go to my room. FINALLY!! We headed back to the room and held our son and tried to find a name that fit. Our original top two names (Grant and Scott) didn’t seem to fit him. He was either Wilson or Hudson. We settled on Wilson but needed some more time before we were ready to commit. The next day we deliberated some more and finally (just before he was 24 hours old) we decided he was indeed Wilson Vaught.


We have now been home 3 days and he is changing so much. His little face is filling out more and I think he is starting to look more like me. His eyes are still blue and hair is blond. He is super strong and the dogs (especially Buckeye) adore him.

Yesterday we went back to the hospital for an appointment to weigh him and get some help with breast feeding. Will has already gained an ounce and with some help is latching on well. I have been able to pump and my mom and Chris are helping with some feedings. He likes his pacifier too which is very nice. I don’t want him to have it in his mouth all the time but I do want him to find comfort in it.

Last night I gave him a sponge bath (his first at home). Today, he is busy sleeping on Grandma and lounging on the couch. Sleeping has been pretty good. Friday night was terrible (he was up almost every hour). I think it was because Will had some gas because after I gave him some Mylican (sp?) he calmed down and slept well. Last night he slept in four hour intervals. Let's hope that continues.

I have uploaded some more pictures to the album so feel free to check them out.

Chris is working diligently on the basement and I have to say it looks amazing!!! I will take some picture tonight and post them soon.