Liam is here!

[hazel]

On Saturday morning, at 39+1 I had a doctor's appointment and was 3-4 cm dilated and 80% effaced. Due to possible size concerns, my doctor offered to strip my membranes to see if that would help get labor started. I agreed and went on my way the rest of Saturday, running errands and getting things done around the house. At 9 p.m. I started feeling like I was constipated, which is really rare for me. By 10 I started noticing some upper leg and back cramping. I started timing them and noticed it was 15, then 10, then 5 minutes apart. I decided I needed to really time these contractions just in case something was happening. My husband was already asleep so I let him know that we might be going to the hospital that night. I planned to take a bath and watch TV while timing contractions. Almost immediately they started coming in regular intervals of 3-5 minutes apart, increasing in length and intensity. I took a quick bath and started having to use breathing techniques during them and they were lasting at least a minute. After 11 I told me husband we'd be going to the hospital a lot sooner than I expected so I was going to start getting ready. It took me a long time to get ready because I had to stop between the contractions and go to the ground. By 11:45 my husband called the on-call doctor. She asked that we try to wait another hour before coming in (first time mom). At 12:15 or so my husband said we were going because he could tell the contractions were coming fast and intense.

We got to the hospital around 12:35 and I was 5.5-6 cm dilated. On the way there I decided I wanted an epidural because I couldn't imagine going at least 3 or 4 more hours with the pain. All of my contractions were in my back and legs so nothing too intense was registering on the monitor. I don't think it was quite obvious how intense everything was to anyone else but me. I got into the birth room around 1 and kept feeling such a pressure to push by 1:30. The nurse asked if I still wanted the epidural or if it depended how dilated I was. I told her if I was close then I didn't want it anymore since that was my original plan. Doctor came in at 1:40 and checked me. I was 10 cm so she said I could start pushing. My water still hadn't broken though so she did it for me. At least I think it was at this point and not later. This is the one detail I can't completely remember! All I know is that it felt so relieving. I pushed a bit after she left the room and she came back at 2:00 because it was getting close. During the time she was gone, I told myself I'd have the baby out by 2:30. We quickly told her we wanted my husband to announce the sex and cut the cord. I started pushing and he was sideways so she helped pull him out at the end (my husband told me that detail). He was born at 2:11 and my husband got to tell me it was a boy. Liam was 8 pounds, 14 ounces, and 19.5 inches long. I had some degree of tear and she stitched me up while I help Liam and took in how fast everything had gone!

My surprise baby was a big surprise! I was so convinced he was a girl the entire pregnancy. But then right away I couldn't imagine him being anything but a boy. We've been adjusting really well as a family of three. I am absolutely in love! 

ETA: Picture is sideways but don't have the energy to figure that out right now. And now deleted.  

[mx27]

congrats, hazel! he is adorable and i love his name (same name as my oldest son)!

[aprilsails]

Congratulations! I’m glad everything went quickly and smoothly for you! Liam is a cutie!

[G22]

Congrats!!

[Yankees21]

Congratulations!! He’s adorable!

[miamigirl]

Congrats! What a cutie!

[bk1]

Congratulations! Such a cutie.

[namasteak]

Congrats!

[zarapipe]

He is adorable! And what a great birth story. Thank you for sharing.

[pandorica]

Congratulations!!

[grover]

Congrats! My twin B is also a Liam

[latte]

Congratulations! I am glad it went well!

[woowoo]

CONGRATS! He's beautiful!

[farfalla2011]

Congratulations! He's adorable!!

[pinkalicious]

Congrats!

[oliviapope]

Congratulations, what a great labor/birth story!

[vlinder]

Congrats!!

[poppyseed]

Congratulations!!

[shjordon]

Congrats!

[dreamcrisp1]

Congrats!!

[scm1011]

Look at that sweet nugget!! Congrats <3

[hazel]

Thanks, everyone! We feel so grateful this little boy is in our lives!

[KellyEasterbrook]

Congratulations 🎉🍾🎊!!!

[moosie81]

Congratulations!!!!

[stellelinds25]

Congratulations!!

[woowoo]

hazel, how are you doing Momma?

[hazel]

woowoo - Really good! My husband and I feel really grateful because Liam seems like a fairly easy going baby to what we've heard or read. We keep hoping it stays this way. I'm a teacher and feel so lucky that my leave extends into the summer so I have extra time with him. Thanks for asking!

[pickel]

Congratulations!!