Xavier's Birth Story

On October 19, 2011, 2 days after my due date, I had my doctor appointment. My doctor checked me and told me I was 3cm dilated (I don't remember how much effaced). She then hooked me up to the fetal stress monitor and informed me that I was also contracting, which I couldn't feel at all. The monitor showed that Xavier's heart beat dropped with every contraction. This was cause for concern as it meant he was under stress, so she sent me to the hospital to be induced and monitored.

I went back home first to get Drake and my hospital bag. We arrived at the hospital around 11:00 am. I got all checked in and settled in my room and at noon the doctor came in and broke my water and put me on pitocin. The contractions were very painful, but I chose to go without any pain medication. Drake stood by my side the entire time I was in labor. Our families got there around 6:00 pm. Eventually my body was contracting enough on it's own that I was taken off the pitocin. Since I didn't have to be monitored anymore I went to take a bath to try to relax a little bit and ease the pain. I stayed in the water until it was cold.

When I got back to my room I was put back onto pitocin. They had me on it off and on for the remainder of my labor. I tried to sleep, but had little luck. At about 2:30 am I felt like I was ready to push. We called the doctor in, but when she checked me I was only at 9cm. She said it was almost 10 and she could stretch it. So I started pushing at about 2:35. At 2:55 am on October 20, Xavier arrived weighing 7 lbs 14 oz. I got to hold him right away and was so amazed to see such a little person in my arms-my little person! I ripped in the process, so I was being stitched up while Xavier was being cleaned. Drake and I got very little time to ourselves with our son before his visitors came in to see him. Everybody was very excited to see him. Here are just a few pictures.