Jackson is born!

Since the beginning of my pregnancy, I have been mapping out the "birthing plan." It just goes to show you that you shouldn't plan things. :) Very little of it went the way I had imagined, but it was perfect.

Last Thursday, I went in for my regular 38 week appointment. My platelets were still low (at 51), so I knew we'd be discussing that. What I didn't know was that in addition to my swelling, my blood pressure was way up. My midwife, Vivien, whom I adore, was very concerned. She said that if I had only one of those issues, they'd put me on bed rest and send me home until I went into labor...having all of those issues together "complicated things." My midwife called the perinatologist, and they decided that I should go into the hospital to get more tests run. They wanted to watch my blood pressure, potential protein in my urine, and platelet count. The bottom line was that if I "passed" those tests, I could go home to bed rest...If I "failed" them, they would induce labor.

I made it to the car and called Andrew before I freaked out...I was terrified to say the least, and I'm not sure how I drove all the way home. Andrew had everything ready to go before I even got home, and we left right away. Dad was working on a flight home, Mom was already on her way to the hospital, and Rachel was on her way home. We got to Eastside at about 5:15pm and they started making me pee in cups, getting blood tested, etc. My blood pressure was awful (I can't imagine why). It came down quite a bit within a couple of hours though b/c they made me lie in bed still.

The midwife on call at the hospital came in to talk with us. Basically, my platelets were stabilized, my blood pressure back under control, and Jackson's vitals were awesome. She was afraid that if we waited, those conditions would not reappear all together. That being the case, we all decided that inducing labor would be the safest scenario for both Jackson and me.

I had always wanted to avoid an induced labor. I'd read a lot about how painful it was and how it could lead to greater needs for epidurals, episiotomy, etc. So, here I was opting for an induced labor when I had so fervently been against them. Go figure. Thursday night was a long night for me. Despite having regular contractions, lots of back rubs, a visit and gifts from my good friend Jennifer, and no food, by 10am Friday, I had only dilated to 2cm. It was one of the most frustrating experiences of my life. Rachel, Mom, and Andrew took short naps between getting me through the night... Poor Rachel had to roll my iv fluids and cords to the bathroom with me every 10 minutes.

My midwife Vivien was very sympathetic. She said we'd stop the pitocin for an hour so I could eat breakfast and rest for bit. We started it back up again at 11am, however. While it worked a little bit better (the contractions were stronger and I dilated a few centimeters), I still hadn't made enough progress.

I was hungry and tired....and ready to be in active labor so Jackson would come. Every time I was checked, I was told to keep at it despite the lack of progress. I did have a great nurse who helped me get out of the bed and labor in a rocking chair, which I found much better. Not being able to get up and move around (with the exception of having to pee every 10 minutes) was very hard for me. The rocking chair was a fantastic compromise. :)

Vivien said she was going to let me labor until 4:00 and then break my water if the pitocin didn't get things going enough. That was at least something I could wrap my mind around...At 4pm, I went to the bathroom and got back in bed. At 4:03pm, my water broke spontaneously. What an answer to prayer! At 4:05pm, Vivien came in and was equally excited.

Active labor kicked in from there...contractions made pitocin seem just uncomfortable. I had great breathing coaches though between Andrew and Rachel. A couple of hours into the contractions, I did break down and ask for pain medication. Had I not gone so long before the active labor without food and good sleep, I might have been able to make it all the way through, but... The pain medication took the edge off and gave me a little rest. About an hour later though, it wore off. I had to be given blood pressure medication b/c the stress on my body was intense.

At 8cm, I had a really hard time NOT pushing. I think I was mostly feeling Jackson's descent into the birth canal, but my body really wanted to push him out. I needed to wait though so as not to hurt my cervix. Vivien had to help me out a little and get me ready to push...Everyone got into position. Rachel held a leg and counted pushes; Andrew coached me in my ear, got me ice chips, took them away, wiped off my sweat, and caught me at each collapse; Mom stood watching, encouraging me all the way; Dad stayed back, but offered moral support and helped encourage Andrew to keep on; Josh took position behind the curtain...he wanted to be there, but couldn't be so up close and personal.

An hour later - at 9:16pm on April 16th, 2010, (and after using a mirror I never though I wanted to use), I saw my sweet Jackson make his way into the world.

Weighing in at 6lbs, 15oz and 20 and 1/2 inches long, Jackson is absolutely perfect. I cannot describe the way it feels to be a part of bringing a life into the world. It's painful, but incredible. I know people say this a lot, but I didn't know I could love something so much...

I feel so blessed that things turned out the way they did. It wasn't according to my plan, but God took care of me and Jackson. Given all the potential problems that could have resulted from my blood pressure and low platelets, I am so grateful that I had my favorite midwife and that things turned out the way they did. I thanked her profusely and appreciated the team effort. I couldn't have asked for anything more!

I'll post pictures later since my card reader is misbehaving...