There is so much that was different about my second pregnancy with Beau as compared to my first pregnancy with Chloe, and the onset of labor proved to follow the same pattern of being different.
You can read about Chloe's birth story here.
I was 39 weeks and 4 days when I went into labor with Beau. I really didn't know if he would be early or come late like his sister did. But when I woke up that morning I wasn't feeling well at all and was attributing that to the misfortune of likely having caught the stomach bug Kyle had suffered through a few days earlier, rather than my body trying to kick into gear to give birth. Already feeling like a whale and barely able to tend to myself, much less to a toddler who doesn't understand that mommy doesn't feel well, I called my mother in law and asked if she would come over and help me with Chloe. It wasn't long after she arrived that I got to feeling really sick and after a couple calls to the nurse, it was decided the best thing to do was to go to Labor and Delivery at the hospital so they could monitor me and make sure that I didn't dehydrate.
On the way to the hospital, I got a text from my dear friend Diana. She told me that she had been praying that morning for me, Beau and for his delivery. I told her how I was feeling and that we were headed to the hospital. She encouraged me and reminded me that God always goes before us. At that moment I was in humbled at how God works and how he moves others to pray on our behalf when we feel to weak or don't realize that we need to do so ourselves. He truly does care and will get involved in our lives if we allow Him to.
I was only at the hospital a few hours. They determined that I was not in labor and that I had most likely contracted the stomach bug my husband had previously. They put me on fluids and made sure that I was able to self hydrate before leaving. The doctor gave me a prescription for Zofran and then sent us on our way. I was feeling a lot better, very tired, but better. I spent the afternoon resting at my mother in law's house. I was also convinced that I would not be having a baby that day (technically I was right about that).
That evening we put Chloe down for bed. Kyle went to study for his PE exam and I went to the bedroom to watch t.v. before bed. As I was laying down, I started to have pains again similar to what I had experienced earlier in the day. At first I didn't think much of it, until they kept coming and became harder to ignore. So I did what any logical person would do. I googled what labor pains might feel like (with Chloe my water broke and I only felt a few contractions before receiving my epidural) and then I downloaded an app to track the pains I was having. I also got up and walked around to see if they would go away. The first two contractions were irregular in timing. But then the next few fell into sync at every 4-5 minutes apart. About this time, Kyle came into the bedroom and I told that I thought I might be having real contractions. Then the next one hit stronger than all the others before and all question as to whether I was in labor or not was removed. We called my mother in law to stay with Chloe and headed back to the hospital. The drive to the hospital seemed like the longest 20 minutes of my life.
The labor and delivery nurses were busy with delivering another baby and from what I overheard, there was an emergency situation going on. So Kyle and I paced around the hall as walking seemed to help me cope with the contractions a little better. A nurse finally returned to us and said they were getting a room for us and asked if I wanted an epidural to which I replied, "As soon as possible." The anesthesiologist on duty was involved in the emergency situation so another had to be called in. She arrived as I was being wheeled to my room. When she walked in, I may have told her that I loved her. The relief came immediately and when Kyle came back in, he said I was like a different person. I was comfortable but the hours seemed to barely tick by. I tried the best that I could to get some sleep, and I think I may have dozed off for about 30 minutes or so shortly after 3 AM. Around 4:40 AM the nurse came back and said it was go time. With Chloe, I only pushed for 30 minutes, so I was quite curious as to how fast Beau would arrive. Turns out he was ready to join us, as I only had to push through two contractions and he was out. I had been in labor for about eight hours total.
He was placed on my chest and it was as if a deep reservoir in my heart, that I was previously unaware of, opened up and love rushed out. I had tears in my eyes as I took in the sight of him. I was so happy to finally meet this little boy who had been on my mind for the last nine months. I sang to him, nursed him, and held him for over an hour until he was taken to the nursery to get cleaned up. It's amazing how it's the nature of love to expand. Beau's arrival not only brought love for him, but it also made me love Kyle and Chloe more. I'm incredibly grateful for this little family that we have.
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