Last Thursday I woke up feeling like superwoman, which is pretty amazing because Madeline had what I was sure was the swine flu (but wasn't) on Tuesday night and I was up all night with her heaving and my worrying that everyone was going to get sick and we were going to bring home a brand new baby and expose him or her to the bubonic plague (or something similiar). So, Wednesday the 9th would have been a bad day to have a baby because I felt like hud, but Thursday dawned bright and welcoming. The perfect day to have a baby.
Except that no matter how much willpower I put into it, I could not get the contractions in my body to cooperate. I was definitely having them, but they weren't regular. And they didn't hurt enough.
My friend Sabrina came over to offer moral support and to be there in case I went into labor. So while our children napped, I left Sabrina at my house and went for a walk. Up lots of hills. For a long time. And it worked. My contractions were coming every 3 minutes by the time I was done walking. Matt rushed home from work to take me to the hospital. Here is a picture of me on my way to the hospital, ready to conquer the world:
What should have been apparent to me, but wasn't, is that if I was still smiling when I went to the hospital, it was clearly not time to go to the hospital, independent of how regular my contraction were and weren't. I got to the triage and they kept me there for three hours, determining whether or not I was in strong enough labor to stay. I was so defeated. My dream had been to waltz into the hospital and give birth twenty minutes later. We almost went home, but didn't because I am really into the health care debate and I was sure that they would charge my insurance twice if I left and came back, so we opted to be admitted into a room. And almost immediately after that happened, the real labor began.
And it hurt, but I was still doing pretty good, because I had woken up that morning with all the stars aligned in my favor and I was going to be strong, dang't.
Here is me on the bouncy ball, still smiling:
But then, it got really bad. And by the time I realized that I was absolutely crazy for opting for a natural birth, it was too late. I was shocked and amazed at the intensity of the pain. You amazing women that promote natural childbirth, I don't know whether to sing your praises more or be mad at you for that experience. Nor do I know what I will do next child around. I will probably jump on the natural birth bandwagon once I forget what it actually feels like...
But it was ALL worth it because we got this on 9/11/09 at 12:38 a.m. Introducing Spencer Fielding McConkie, our third.
And we are so grateful that Matthew has a brother, because there is far too much of this at our house:
18 comments:
Hurray!!!!!! Welcome to little Spencer. He is darling. What's this about a bouncy ball? -- a completely new idea for me. Congrats on the natural childbirth. You'll have to agree that you feel much better AFTER the baby is born than when you get "help" from drugs. I'm proud of you and both Dad & I are thrilled with this #3 for you and #18 for us. (9 boys and 9 girls!) You evened the score.
Congratulations Shelley--he's a cutie! You're a brave soul for going al naturale! :)
congratulations!!!
you had a baby naturally! You can do ANYTHING!
Yay! He is beautiful, and I love the name. So glad to hear that things went so well...I mean, of course the pain is killer (and I don't think those of us who have done it naturally ever really forget), but that you and he are so healthy and happy. How marvelous.
Congratulations!!!! Funny thing is that your story is very similar to my third. My contractions are every 3 minutes, but not hard enough. . . I hear you on the natural childbirth. We'll see if that ever happens again! My theory is that enduring 2 hours of intense pain is different than 16 hours. I though labor was supposed to get faster with each baby.
He's beautiful and you look great! Congrats! I'd love to talk when you a minute. Good luck with your transition to three!
So many comments...
Congratulations!!! He is beautiful. So glad he's here.
I can't believe how happy you look in labor (both at home and on the ball), and how you look like you are only 7 months pregnant at full term.
So glad to have another boy!
And lastly, love the name. Now it just might look like we are copying you because we have heavily considered the same middle name.
Congrats McConkies! Spencer is darling!
I always love your story telling, Shelley, and so thank you for the entertaining recap!
Oh, I wish I was there to hold him and hear all the details in person :)
I love you and wish you a quick recovery -
Keep the pictures coming!
Yeah! Finally a picture!
He is adorable.
Hooray, hooray, hooray!!
Congrats for both having such a cutie, and for braving the natural!
"You amazing women that promote natural childbirth, I don't know whether to sing your praises more or be mad at you for that experience." I love this.
I am so excited for you guys -- congratulations!!! And I agree with the rest of the crew here, you look absolutely amazing.
He's absolutely beautiful! And so are you by the way... smiling and glowing in all your pictures.
SO SO happy for you, and can't wait to make my way out there someday to meet the little one--
Love you!
I am missing you all already! Spencer is truly an adorable, sweet baby and Maddy and Matthew are so entertaining, brilliant and darling and you and Matt are great company and examples. Thanks for letting me come! Please post frequent pictures because little Spencer will change every day. Love, Mom
Happy Birthday! I wanted to call you today, but couldn't find your phone number. Will you email me with your info. nataliewpaceatgmaildotcom. Hope that makes sense. Otherwise you can leave it in the comment section of my blog because it's password protected.
Hope it was a great day!
Love,
Natalie
I just got home from teaching and it's 10:16, and I realized that on the East coast it's 12:16 and September 23 and I've already missed the day, but since I'm in the true state of Utah and you were born in the true state of Utah, it's really 10:16, oh wait, 10:17, no matter what time blogger records as this posting. So I'd like to take this moment to say:
Happy, happy birthday Shelley dear.
Happy days will come to you all year.
If I had a wish then it would be
A happy, happy birthday to you from me.
Missing you in Utah at 10:19.
so beautiful! Congratulations guys!
Yay for another McConkie! Spencer is adorable! I can't wait to meet him in person!
Shelley, you look SO good for being 9 months pregnant, I can't believe it! I'm jealous.
Natural is SO painful...but you will forget and probably do it again. :) I think I am going to. Congrats from Mark and Elisa.
I'm so happy that Spencer is here safe and sound. I can't believe you went natural. Brave. I wish that we lived closer so I could do more then just post a comment on your blog. It seems like not much considering that your celebrating the birth of a precious child. Congratulations to everyone. And Happy Belated Birthday cousin dear.
Post a Comment