Thomas arrived on Sunday, December 18, 2011 at 10:33pm... one week late. All throughout the day I was having cramps, but like with Jack, I thought I was just gassy and didn't think anything of it. Jack and I went grocery shopping, did laundry and usual Sunday chores. I took a nice two hour nap in the afternoon and when I woke up I felt a little more uncomfortable, but I was farting a lot, so again, I didn't think much of it. Things changed around 5pm and I called my parents to let them know that I MIGHT be going into to labor BUT I wasn't having consistent or painful contractions so I wasn't convinced. I continued timing the contractions which were about 5 to 7 minutes apart but they only lasted 15-20 seconds. My parents came over around 6:30 to check on us. I was still getting the contractions but they weren't getting any closer together or any longer. Within about 30 minutes they started to get painful, each one was a little worse than the last. Sharon and Rick came over to get for the night as it was pretty clear that this baby was coming. When they left I cried... a lot because I've never spent more than just a night away from Jack and I knew that I wouldn't be back home with him for a few days... it just broke my heart.
Around 8:45 I called my midwife to let her know that I was in labor but I'd be staying home until I felt I couldn't any longer, even though she insisted that I go to the hospital right then because second babies come much quicker. Around 8:50 I called her back to let her know I'd be heading to the hospital. Each contraction was now significantly worse than the last. In the car on the way to the hospital I said to Josh that if they tell me I'm only 5cm I'm definitely getting an epidural because the pain was pretty close to unbearable.
We arrived at the hospital emergency entrance at 9:15. By the time we got upstairs and settled into the room I was having trouble keeping my ladylike composure. They checked me, I'm guessing it was around 9:30, and I was 5-6cms. I cried a little because that was really discouraging to hear. Once the nurse left the room I whispered to my mother that I wanted an epidural. She's not a fan of them so I knew that she'd talk me out of one, which she did, and which I'm thankful for. I was told over and over by my mother and other nurses that second babies come much quicker and this would all be over soon. I didn't believe them and thought that they were telling me this to keep me as calm as possible. I was checked again around 10pm, I was only 6cm. I was laying on my right side. I was instructed to turn to my left side, I did. I was checked again and was 8cm. I told them I NEEDED to push, the nurse said NO. I told them that I was trying NOT to push, but my body decided otherwise. The nurse was unable to locate the midwife at that point and I tried my hardest to not push, but it felt like my body took matters into its own hands. The midwife finally arrive and I immediately began pushing as hard as I could. It took only a few pushes and 15ish minutes and I was holding Thomas in my arms (10:33pm).
This was nothing like the labor with Jack. There was no back labor and nothing anyone could do to help me. It was all in the front... it felt like I had pants on that were 100 sizes too small. Each contraction was significantly worse than the last. This was because I was from 6cm to holding my baby in 33 MINUTES, where it took me more than 3 HOURS to do that with Jack. I guess they were right when they said the second baby comes much faster!
As painful as this was, the recovery was much easier. I can't say painless, but much less painful than with Jack's delivery.
I LOVE being a mom of two beautiful boys. I couldn't ask for anything more. Well, I could ask for more sleep, but who am I kidding.
**I'm not proof reading this so if there's something that seems off, please let me know :)**
