Birthing Story NUMERO 2

My main goal throughout this pregnancy (other than staying healthy for baby boy) was to stay pregnant as long as I could since I HAD to finish student teaching. A lot of people didn't think I would make it, but as the weeks went by I knew I would make it all the way. I finished student teaching with just one week left of pregnancy and feeling as ready as ever.  Maybe it was wishful thinking to believe that the day I finished work would be the day I delivered. NOTHING HAPPENED. So my due date came and left just like that...

On June 24th, I woke up as Cori was getting ready for work and noticed that I was having gentle "cramps". I jokingly told him that "today might be the day" and that he should keep his phone on him at work incase I went into labor. I fell back asleep. Because I was past my due date, I had to go to the hospital every two days to be monitored. I was due to get monitored that day so I left Cai with my mom and headed to the hospital alone. I did the 1/2 hr monitoring as usual and the nurse mentioned that I was having small contractions but they were sporadic and not strong. She checked me and said I was dilated 1cm and sent me on my way (expecting to see me again in two days for my next monitoring sesh). I arrived back home at around 1pm. My mom had just put Cai down for a nap and I sat down next to her while we watched Scandal together and she folded laundry..Isn't she so wonderful?! Almost immediately I started having stronger "cramps". They were hurting pretty bad and my mom excitedly got a piece of paper and started documenting them. They were so random!

Starting time: 1:34pm
16 minutes
11 minutes
7 minutes
14 minutes
6 minutes
10 minutes
8 minutes
8 minutes
12 minutes
7 minutes
7 minutes


Mind you, during this time I decided to pack my hospital bag and Cai's over night bag. Don't ask me why I waited so long...I wait till the last minute for EVERYTHING. Mid way through these contractions, I had called Cori to tell him that I was having contractions but not to worry as they were not consistent and not TOO bad. He nonchalantly came home an hour early and thank God he did, because by the time he came home I knew I needed to get to the hospital ASAP.

We packed up the car (everyone was taking their sweet time) and we headed to a friend's house to drop off Cai. It felt like the contractions were getting worse and worse by the second. By the time we got to the hospital 4:50pm it felt like I was in full blown labor. I had to stop twice between the parking lot and the entrance of the hospital to lean on Cori through them. I was checked upon arrival and I was a whooping 3 cm!! They asked if I wanted an epidural and the answer was YESSSSSSSS.

Cori and I had made a bet that I would/wouldn't get the epidural. I was wanting to attempt a water birth and was toying around with the idea of doing a natural birth. Cori was supportive yet pretty sure I wouldn't be able to so like anything we disagree on, we made a bet of $100. Thinking back, betting on money that is already yours is stupid. Next time I need to bet on something I'll actually win.

The nurse poked  me 3 times trying to draw blood and finally called the doctor to do it, she got it on the first try. I was told the blood would go to the lab and they would know in 30 minutes whether I was able to get the epidural or not. I have no idea what they were testing but I was praying to God that those 30 minutes would go by quick. My contractions were literally happening every 20 seconds by this point. I would stand and lean on Cori during each of the contractions and he would count down the seconds for me. Like clockwork, they happened EVERY 20 seconds. I didn't have enough time to compose myself, to breathe, to think, to get over the pain, it was plain and simple the most horrible experience ever.

To make a long story short and to spare you from the drama (my mom and Cori can testify to how intense the next hour was)....I ended up having a precipitous labor. For those of you who don't know (I sure didn't), a precipitous labor is when a woman goes from full labor to birth in less than three hours. In my case, I showed up to the hospital at 4:50pm at 3cm dilated and gave birth 1 hour and 1/2 later. Needless to say despite my screams and constant pleading, there was no time for the epidural. There was no time for anything other than prepare ourselves to meet our little one sooner than we expected. I will say one thing about this birthing experience....I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I have never experienced something so incredibly painful and exhausting in my life. Cori and my mom kept telling me how proud they were of me, and to be honest I didn't feel proud, I felt defeated. It was a feeling I could never even begin to explain or describe. All I know is that I NEVER EVER want to experience a labor like that again. Apparently, the likelihood of it happening again is high so I need to tell my doctor about it for my next pregnancy so I don't give birth at home or in a car. All I know is the minute I have my first contraction next time I will be in the hospital demanding an epidural. Look at me talking about a "next time"already.....Ya, we will see about that ;)

Cori was my saving grace this labor. I honestly couldn't have made it through without him. Our experience was so different this time around (in comparison to Cai's birth). I really had to rely on him to keep me sane and focused enough to know that despite feeling like I was, I wasn't going to actually die (slightly, just slightly kidding).

Phenix Alexander weighed 8lbs 1oz and came out like a champ. It was love at first sight. Almost immediately my mom noticed he had dimples. I love love love dimples! Oh the little things that make me smile and forget the pain and suffering. His precious little face dents made it all worth it. We are officially a family of four now (five including Lincoln), and I couldn't be more proud and happy. Just when you think your heart couldn't possibly handle loving someone else as much as you love your husband and son, another little man makes his debut and your heart automatically doubles in size. Just. Like. That.

My mom stayed with us for a month, followed by two weeks with my mother in law. They were both so much help and made the transition between being a mom of one to two so much easier. The healing process for Phenix was a lot harder than it was for Cai but I am finally starting to feel like myself again ( a month later) and I totally think I got this :) Thank you to all of you that prayed for us and sent us well wishes and congratulations on the new addition to the Bemis family. We appreciate you all and hope to one day introduce you to our handsome little dimpled faced boy.

Fun fact...I was born August 24th, Cai was born March 24th, and Phenix was born June 24th. Neato huh?