Jacob was born on Aug 1st at 0706 weighing 7lb 13oz and 21in long. Much like I expected, everything about his story is different than both Curtis and Judah. This is a birth story, so if things like that make you squemish, skip ahead to the cute pictures instead :)
At 37 weeks, I began having contractions, consistent contractions that I timed almost every day. They would last for a few hours and then just stop. This happened with Judah as well, so naturally, I just expected that within a few days, I would probably go into labor and we would get to meet Jacob. 38 weeks rolled around and no labor. I had officially been pregnant longer with Jacob than either of my other children. The contractions continued and I was just barely dilated. 39 weeks rolled around and no labor. I officially did not have a wimpy white boy and was thankful that I'd made it to 39 weeks. I stopped timing contractions because I really thought I was probably gonna go to my due date or over at this point so I didn't even think about the contractions much, they were just a part of my day at that point. 39 weeks and 1 day I had contractions on and off all day. Judah ran a fever so I didn't get my grocery shopping done like I always do on Mondays, so after dinner, Isaac did bath and bed time with the boys and I went grocery shopping. I had a few contractions walking around Ingles, but didn't think much about it. Then I had a few more at home before bed, but again, didn't think much about it. Judah woke up at 10ish with his fever back up. Isaac gave him some medicine and rocked with him a while. He had just gotten in bed when I had one pretty strong contractions. I got up to go to the bathroom and as soon as I stood up, my water broke up. I wasn't 100% sure that's what it was because it wasn't the dramatic gush of fluid that you see in movies but as I was going to the bathroom I told Isaac we may need to get ready for the hospital. I used the bathroom, started to go back to bed, and then quickly realized that, yes, my water had broken and went back to the bathroom. Side note: my fear since Curtis' birth has been my water breaking at home because after my water broke, it was a very short amount of time before I was fully dilated and ready to push, and the same with Judah, I only had one more contraction and was ready to push. So we quickly got going at this point. I texted and called my good friend Ashley, who came to stay with the boys. We texted dad, but for some reason, didn't tell him my water broke so he was waiting till we actually went to the hospital before coming. Once I realized that, I quickly corrected it that yes, my water broke, Jacob is coming and they needed to get on the road. We also texted my best friend, Brenna, who immediately got in the car and drove down to hang out with us at the hospital for the night. On the short drive to the hospital I had 1 or 2 more contractions and definitely felt them, unlike the last 2 babies since most of my contractions with them were with my water still intact. Triage confirmed everything and I was admitted. They checked me to see how much I was dilated and at that point it was only 2 cm. I was very discouraged because my contractions were very painful, coming 2-3 mins apart and I was told I could not have an epidural till I was 4cm dilated. Brenna arrived at some point during this time and Isaac went home because Judah woke up and couldn't understand why Ashley was there. So with Isaac home, several IV attempts were made. And by several, I think they stuck me 4 times, with my contractions very strong and close together. Brenna texted Isaac and told him he needed to get back because I was in so much pain and we honestly thought I was much further along, but I was still only dilated at 2cm after that. But once fluids started running and after a dose of stadol, I was doing much better. The contractions spread out a little and I was able to rest just a bit. In another hour or 2 I dilated to 5cm and was very ready for my epidural. The anesthesiologist got there around 0400. Isaac and Brenna were not allowed in the room during this time so I leaned on the nurse heavily as I am not good with needles. She was a wonderful nurse during this time as the epidural proved difficult to get placed. Three attempts were made. By the third attempt, they had to give me O2 to prevent me from passing out but that helped me relax a little and he was finally able to place it. Between inserting the catheters and the Lidocaine injections, I think I was stuck about 10 times in the spine. It was not a fun time at all and if he hadn't gotten it that last time, I probably would have opted for the natural birth but thankfully, he got it placed. It did not take long to take effect and by the time it took, I was 9 cm. But thankfully, I was allowed to rest for a little while and we all took a little nap at this point. The nurse checked me again about 0600 and I was still 9cm. Since it seemed the epidural slowed down my labor, they started a very low dose of pitocin to get me through that last little cm and get me ready to push. By about 0645, I was ready to push. The doctor came in. They got me in position and about 4 contractions later, Jacob made his appearance in the world. This was so very different than both the boys. He was born fairly quickly and face down. I feel like I barely pushed and that he came out so easily. Curtis and Judah both were hours of pushing and face up so it was much more difficult with them. They immediately put him on my belly, I got to do skin to skin with him and he latched on within the first hour and nursed very well. As far as labor experiences go, this was my easiest, which I am so thankful for. I had been nervous about it, actually dreading labor and everything that comes with it and after it. But God met me in my dread and guided me through, showing me that he was in control and could easily work everything out. And now, we are a family of 5 with the sweet little boys. More will come in a few days on how this first week at home has been, but for now, we are good, exhausted, but good and very happy to have Jacob finally here with our little family.
I am so thankful for everyone involved the night Jacob was born. God had a perfect plan of how it was suppose to go. He put us here in Lincolnton with a friend who, being 9 months pregnant herself, was willing to come at anytime to stay with the boys. If not for Ashley, I might have had to drive to the hospital myself while Isaac waited for mom and dad. Brenna gave up a night of sleep and drove an hour and a half to be with us, support us and help us through the night. She held my hand during contractions and horrible IV attempts while Isaac was comforting our sick child. She entertained us with stories and brought me breakfast after Jacob was born. I am so thankful for such a good friends. And Mom and Dad drove 2 hours in the middle of the night to wake up at 0630 with 2 little boys so Isaac could be with me at the hospital. I am so thankful for all their help and their love for our little boys. I know it's a cliche, but we are so incredibly blessed and I am very thankful for how God orchestrated everything so perfectly.
Here's a few of my favorite pictures from our time in the hospital:
The boys have been so excited to meet Jacob and could not wait to come to the hospital. Both wanted so badly to hold him and still do. They were so cute with him!
Mom and dad came down to stay a few days and brought the boys to the hospital to meet Jacob
My sweet little one, I love that face
This man I love, such an amazing man, and a wonderful dad. Everytime I see him with our boys, I fall more and more in love with him.
Jonathan, Melissa and the girls came down to meet Jacob. Sadly, I didn't get a picture of Melissa who is the baby whisperer, but I did get cute pictures of the girls. They were excited to meet their new cousin.
I rarely have pictures of me with the kids, but I was excited to get this one. This was right before going home, very excited to not be in the hospital anymore.
He is not a fan of being changed, but quiets down as soon as he's wrapped back up and swaddled.
