Mason's Birthday

Mason arrived on April 27, 2009 at 2:05pm. Labor and delivery was a long process, which began on April 26, 2009 at 8am. Waters had broken, but contractions were not consistent. We ended up going to the hospital at 4pm to make sure that the baby was healthy. I was checked into the hospital and was told that the baby needed to be delivered within 24 hours of my water being broken. Because I was not laboring on my own, pitocin was administered to start contractions. My contractions began at 6pm and I labored until after midnight, with increasing pitocin being administered throughout. The last two hours that I labored, my contractions were one on top of the other with little to no break between. I was only 3 centimeters, but was contracting like I was in the final stage of labor. I chose to get an epidural sometime after midnight. I, along with Matt, my mom, my dad and Carrie (Doula) were able to get some "rest" the remainder of the night.

The next morning, I still had not dilated much and by 9:30 the decision was made to increase the pitocin to the highest level without needing a doctor's order (20ml). I dilated to 6 cm but could not seem to dilate more than that. The doctor allowed me to labor for 3 additional hours; however, after those 3 hours, I was still 6 cm. The doctor talked with us regarding the need for cesarean. With the given information that we had, we talked it over with our doula, then between Matt and myself and then another conversation with the doctor again. Matt and I agreed with the doctor's request for the cesarean.

Matt and I were prepped for surgery and wheeled off. I was surprised to see just how fast the doctors were. Mason was born no more than 10 minutes after I was wheeled into the surgery room. Matt watched the surgery and was there to hold my hand and make sure I was comforted. Once Mason was delivered and checked, Matt was able to cut the umbilical cord. I had to look around the curtain and watch from afar, but I was fortunate to be able to witness Matt cut the cord. Shortly after, they brought Mason for me to see. It was an overwhelmingly amazing moment to meet Mason with Matt. Truly indescribable and the most beautiful moment of my life.