Labor Day Tag...sort-of

We all love to share our war stories of Labor...and delivery. I found this post on a friend's blog and thought I would do the same.

How Long were your labors?
#1-5 hours
#2-3 hours
#3-good question? 6 hours? I am not sure. Pushing totaled 15 minutes for both babies...they were five minutes apart.
#5-4 hours?

With the last one I am not sure the time frame you can do the math click here for the story. I think they count labor as beginning when you are dilated to a four?! Or active labor begins.

Where and how did you deliver?
#1-I was induced 10 days past my due date at Walnut Creek Kaiser. No Epidural/stitches/tearing. Yes to pitocin.
#2-I was 6 days late and went in for a Non-Stress-Test. She stripped my membranes (OUCH!!!!) then sent me to L&D sure enough I was in labor and had no idea. No Epidural Yes to Pitocin, 1 stitch. Walnut Creek Kaiser
#3/4-I was induced at 37 weeks 6 days. Pretty boring they made me get an epidural and that is why I can't tell you how long my labor was. They wouldn't break my water since the OR wasn't available for delivery. So it was a labor of convenience. I did deliver with two hours of my water breaking. Oh and I walked in to the hospital dilated to a 4 and not in labor, my body is a little broken that way! In summary Pitocin, Yes, Epidural: weird but yes, stitches:no, they practically fell out they were so small!
#5 -I could say ditto to #1 I delivered at Walnut Creek Kaiser (like all my babies) I was induced I think 8 days late. Pitocin: yes, Epidural: No, Stitches: No!

Birth Stats:
#1 8lbs 5oz (they said she would be about 7-7.5 pounds, don't believe them they lie!...well sometimes!) 20"
#2 8 lbs 14oz 20"
#3 6lbs 12oz #4 6lbs 1oz (yes almost 13 pounds of baby..which led to...my fifth baby) both were 19"
#5 10lbs 5 oz 22" long. She was what I referred to as out "Tank" I feared she would get the nickname "Big Bertha" (no offense to any Berthas out there) She has turned into quite the little petite girl.

I re-read my post about Lauren's birth and I was quoted as:

"I don't want to do this again, I know you think it is because I am in pain but I am serious!" ~ April

I guess you do say things in when you are labor that you can't be held accountable for at a later date. As I am doing this again and I am already fearing the Labor and Delivery even though my track record would lead me to believe it will be an experience some will be jealous of.

A new little boy!

On my mom's side boys are few and far between. Logan is the only grandson surrounded by six count them 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6! That is until now. My older sister had her second child via scheduled c-section yesterday. I asked if only green babies were born on St. Patty's Day and my mom assured me he was very much pink. Here's the goods: Spencer Allen (still not sure how they are spelling Alan, Allan...) weighed in at 7 lbs 1 oz and was 19 1/2" tall! Mom and baby are doing well. Of course it is not right to make a post about a baby and not show him off so World, that's you, welcome Spencer!

Here's a story...

OK, here is how it went down! I went in to be induced on Thursday at 6:30am. They got me all hooked up and decided to check and see if I was progressing from two days before. The only thing progressing was our little one kept moving. The baby was mostly upside down but the head was off to the left of the exit sign! So they were going to wait to do anything. Two hours later our little one was head down in the right spot. So at 9:30 they started the pitocin. The baby still moved off center again and then back. It was quite the drama. Whoever heard of a baby being so active. Jeremy said for sure it's a boy. He won't stop and ask for directions. Contractions started getting consistent without much pain. I said my contractions were getting painful...I did lie a little bit. I know the ones that really hurt happen after the bag of waters is ruptured. At 1:20pm they broke my water. The doctor said "how's that epidural?" I told her I didn't have one and she was shocked. I was at 4cm and went immediately to 5cm wahoo. About 45 minutes later I was feeling pressure, they checked and I was at a 6 boo-hoo. Things were starting to hurt. I told the nurse I think I want an epidural. She said give it a half hour. About 25 minutes later I was feeling the need to push, I was at a nine, within 10 minutes I was pushing. After about 13 minutes of pushing, I gave birth. Here are a few conversations that happened during the hour and a half of pain.

April "I don't want to do this again, I know you think it is because I am in pain but I am serious!"
Jeremy "I'll tell you what if it is a girl you can name her whatever you want!"
note: We hadn't agreed on a girls name yet

April (through a contraction whispering to Jeremy) "Hawaii, Hawaii, Hawaii!" Once we are done having children Jeremy and I are taking a first class trip to Hawaii!

As I am pushing the head was out but I was in too much pain.
April "I'm done, I can't do this any more. It hurts too much"
Jeremy to himself "OK, you can stop, that's I'll help you off the table!"
All 5 staff members in the room "You can do it momma, you are almost there. You are doing great!"

OK so here is the important stuff. Jeremy was shocked to find out our little peanut was not a boy. It is a girl! She was born at 2:33pm on Thursday, May 17th, 8 years after Jeremy proposed to me. Here is what shocked me, my little peanut weighed 10lbs 5 oz. She was 22 inches long and her head was a whopping 14 3/4" around. If I can brag for a moment I did this with absolutely no pain medication, I don't tear, rip or need an episiotomy. I was very blessed.

So the name I chose was Lauren Grace. We have liked the name Lauren and it has been on our girl list for some time. We usually give all of our children a middle name after someone in our family. This one was a little different. When Grace came to mind it reminded me when we decided to have another baby. We both prayed about it, this was during a time when Jeremy's job was in question and we weren't sure if it was good timing. We received confirmation that it was time and we went for it. We know that because of the grace of our loving Heavenly Father we have been truly blessed. So this baby was given to us by grace. I don't want to forget the faith we showed, and knowing how much our Father in Heaven knows us, loves us, and wants us to depend on him. She is our little "big" blessing.

And as you have been patiently reading here our a few pictures as a reward!

Tamra and James watched Lauren's siblings and brought them to the hospital to meet her for the first time. Hannah wasn't so sure about everything, but she eventually made her way over to take a peek. Since we've been home all four kiddos have been very thrilled with our newest little girl. Grandma Bev and Teri Rossi were our other visitors.