Isaac's Birth Story

The Plan:

• I go into labor, call my sister to head to the hospital so she can be there for the birth. Call my parents to drive up to take care of Davis and our neighbor would watch Davis till we get there. Check in at the hospital, labor for a few hours (short labor) and have a precious baby!

The REAL story of Isaac's delivery:

• Monday, July 14th, I woke up feeling different and having a lot of cramping. I decided that I should go into the doctor and be checked to see if my dilation was progressing. At my 9am visit the doctor finds me just the same as the Thursday before: 3cm and 70% effaced. "See you on Thursday for your regular check up" was the general thought. I went home, feeling a little bit silly, still cramping, but not feeling terrible. Throughout the day I continuously second guessed myself as I wondered, could these cramps possibly be the real contractions?
• As the day progressed, they started to hurt, but I just drank a lot of fluids wondering if they would eventually go away. By the time Dan got home, I was having to stop what I was doing when the "cramps" would come on... still second guessing myself. I wanted to continue with our plan to go to the Monday night concert in the park.
• 6:00pm: We arrived at the concert in the park and I had to stop and stand or sit still each time a contraction happened! By this time, I didn't have a huge question in my mind, but I was thinking that after our fun family outing we could go home, get our stuff together and head to the hospital. I thought we'd have plenty of time.
• 7:30pm: We leave the concert, and go home to put Davis to bed. On the way home I started crying because I was really starting to hurt, but I wanted Davis put down so that he could just wake up to his Grandma and Gramps if ended up really being in labor.
• 8:00pm: Dan puts Davis to bed. I call Mom and Dad and give them the heads up to come on up! Then I am doubled over on the bed in tons of pain. Dan throws everything in our semi-packed bags and our wonderful neighbor arrives to stay until my parents arrive.
• 8:30pm: The race is on as I have really intense contractions that seem to be coming almost immediately after one another. I'm crying and experiencing the worst pain that I have ever had. All I can think about is if I am only 5cm, they better be able to give me an epidural quick because I am in SO much pain!!! Dan and I pray for a quick delivery.
• 8:50pm: We arrive at the hospital and thankfully meet a nurse going off duty outside who was able to get me a wheel chair and take me up while Dan parked the car. I do my best to not push and to check in at the desk.
• 8:55pm: Thankfully, they just look at me and only make me sign 2 papers before rushing me back to the room where in between contractions (was there really an "in between" at that point??) I get dressed in a hospital gown and the nurse checks me and tells the other nurse that I am "full". I ask what that means, and she says that I am fully dilated, they can feel the Isaac's head, and once my water breaks the baby will come really fast.
• 9:00pm: They encourage me not to push because the doctor was just on the way from her house. Well, I couldn't help but push and my water breaks! 3 full pushes later Isaac is about to be born. In walks the doctor in just enough time (literally) to catch him!
• 9:11pm Welcome Isaac Daniel!! Needless to say, we don't have quite as many pictures for Isaac in this delivery story, as we did for Davis... he does have quite an exciting story though! Dan really did get his "TV show" delivery!
• 9:45pm: Anne arrives after driving up from Birmingham. :)

Nurse Sarah took great care of us!

Isaac Daniel, just a few minutes old!

Proud Daddy!

My wonderful sister, Anne! We really wish she could have been there for the delivery, but I am really glad I didn't have to enjoy that pain for even one more minute!! Thank you Annie for quickly coming to our sides!!!

In the next couple days we'll post some pictures of Isaac's first visitors and Davis first meeting his little brother!