add me to baby boom!!!

[Deleted]

Ar.lo Christopher born this morning (November 21st here in UK) at 5:50am. 8 lbs 7oz. Don't know length yet as they'll do that in the next few days.

Birth Story:

Had a home birth again (first was home birth in Canada, second was UK hospital water birth). Yesterday afternoon at my OB appointment the baby was very low and I was 2-3cm dilated. They set an induction slot for a week later. I was determined not to have to use it!

Took a verbena induction cocktail (used it with all my other births) around 5pm and started having strong contractions pretty close together. They slowed down around 8pm and I took another cocktail.

More contractions but I could feel it wasn't time. Got chatting with my sister online until about 11:30pm and then went to bed. Dozed a bit but was still having contractions that were getting harder to manage lying down. Around 1 am started timing them. Got DH up.

They were pretty intense but I was worried about calling the midwives too soon. Around 2:30am DH called the hospital to send the midwives. First one arrived at 3am and gave me a check. 5-6cm. Woo hoo! I was in real labor after two weeks of prodomal.

We had called a friend to come and sleep on the couch as back up in case one of the boys woke up (have a 5 year old and 22 month old) or we needed to go to the hospital. Unfortunately the younger one woke up just after the first midwife arrived and was a hot mess for most of my labor. Maybe because he has the runs from DH using butt cream instead of toothpaste....

It was a very relaxed labor for the most part. Chatted to the midwives in between contractions. DH was up and down the stairs helping our friend sooth DS2. My contractions were pretty spaced out in the end and I kept wondering if things were not going to progress. But they did!

I really wanted to slow down my pushing phase this time and I did but, man, it was incredibly painful. When the MWs were looking through their notes after they said my pushing phase was 13 minutes. Felt like eternity. That is when I lost my cool a bit and was holding onto DH's arm and digging in with my fingers. Also started saying I can't do it as they were telling me not to push and to pant.

End result though is awesome! Love our little boy and for the first time: no sutures!!!! First degree and some grazes. Already noticing how much easier it is to sit than it was with my other two.

DS1 was woken up at 7:30am and came in to meet his new little brother. Super adorable and he is really excited. DH made bacon and eggs and DS1 brought me up a breakfast sandwich (see photo). Feel really good, baby is latching well and nursing a lot and we are so excited to have our third baby!!!

[whiskeyandwine]

Awww! I love the name. He is perfect and so tiny! Cograts!

[pennylane]

Congratulations! He's precious!

[achi]

Congrats, he's a cutie!

[nmosrob]

What a cutie! Congratulations!

[Deleted]

Congratulations!!!! You should bottle and sell that cocktail, IMO

[626]

He's so adorable. Congratulations!

[MrsAggie]

Congrats! I'm curious about this cocktail now.

[sunshine239]

Congrats he is so beautiful and you are so blessed to have 3 sons!

[Deleted]

Nov 21, 2014 9:14:19 GMT -5 MrsAggie said:

Congrats! I'm curious about this cocktail now.

Apparently very common in Germany. Google verbena labor cocktail. Very low dose of castor oil in it. I've never had any diarrhea from it.

[rachelgreen]

Congrats!! He is adorable!

[tacocat]

Congrats!!

[Deleted]

Congrats! He's adorable. Glad to hear things went well for you.

[luv2rn4fun]

Congratulations! Your son is adorable! Happy to hear that your cocktail worked and your labor went smoothly!

[bluelikejazz]

Congratulations!

[cheeseandcrackers]

so cute! congrats!

[estrellita]

Congrats!

[fayeelle]

Congrats!!!

[azurely]

Congratulations! He is adorable!

[bk1]

Congratulations!!

[blushing]

Congrats @bandwife! I have been watching to see if you had a boy or girl. Your gut feelings were right!

[Deleted]

Thanks blushing ! Fantastic NHS experience, the midwives were great and so relaxed. And thorough. Cleaned everything up and were out the door two hours after birth.

Both boys have been very loving with Ar.lo and he is getting loads of attention. DS2 is also getting as many cuddles as possible.

[blushing]

That's so good to hear. I do love the NHS. I don't think the British people always appreciate how lucky they are. Glad that your boys love their little brother. 3 boys! I am worried about the teenage years and the appetite of 2 boys and a sporty husband. I keep threatening that we are going to become a bread and butter household and serve it with every meal. Feeding 3 teenage boys should be fun, lol. (And I have threatened to glue down the toilet seat)