He is finally here! We have been busy getting settled in at home but wanted to complete his baby blog with his birth story. Brayden Robert Heiser arrived 9 days early - March 29 at 8:16 pm. His weight was 8 pounds 4 ounces and length 21 inches long. Here is his story:
Wednesday night, March 28, I started having contractions on the way home from work. They were a continuous 10 minutes apart until we got home, then they went away. So we did laundry, I did dishes, and vacuumed, hoping they would start again in the night. After a great night sleep, I went to work (making sure our bags were packed) and at about 9:30 am I started having contractions again 10 minutes apart. The feeling was there that it was time! I put a call in to the nurse to tell her that my contractions were consistent and she said to wait until they were 5 minutes apart to go to the hospital. Around lunch time, they were still close to 10 minutes, so I went to Katch-a-Kup with a couple of my co-workers. The short walk and eating must have helped them along because they were 4-5 minutes apart while we were there. I must have had a concerned look on my face, because Jenn said 'Let's just take you up there!' So, they drove me to St. Luke's and I put a call in to the secretary at Lewis and Clark school to give Robby the message to come to the hospital because I had someone to drive me there. He called a few minutes later and said 'Are you sure this is it?? You don't sound like you are in labor!' I laughed and said I wasn't having a contraction at the time, but what am I supposed to sound like!? :) Once I got settled in a room, the nurse checked my cervix and said I was still only dilated to a 2. I couldn't help but be a bit disappointed because I hoped the contractions were progressing things along. After another hour she checked again, no progress, and then again at 3:00 she checked. She was doubtful that I would be admitted but called Dr. Hamburger to ask him. Robby also thought we would just be going home to labor more. My contractions were getting stronger and stronger and I couldn't bear the thought of leaving without having our baby! Dr. Hamburger said he wouldn't be able to sleep that night if he sent me home knowing that I might not make it back to the hospital to deliver later on, so he left the clinic to come break my water. We were going to have our baby!! I was so relieved and so was Robby.
Admitting called me from my observation room and got me all set and I began the walk to the labor and delivery room. It was finally sinking in that soon I would be holding Brayden in my arms for the first time instead of feeling him kicking me from my belly. Once they got me into bed, the nurse came in and gave me my ID bracelet, got my IV hooked up, and got the external monitors hooked up to check on the baby's heartbeat and my contractions. It was fun watching the contractions go across the monitor but it took a lot of concentration and breathing to get through them. Around 4:00 Dr. Hamburger showed up to break my water. I expected it to be painful but after he was finished I remember saying to him "That was it?" Things started moving right along after that and by 5:45 I was already dilated to a 6. The pain was becoming unbearable and waiting an hour for the anesthesiologist to administer the epidural was very hard! Robby helped me through the contractions and it seemed easiest to close my eyes and just breathe until they passed. The hardest part of the whole process was having to sit still in bed while the doctor administered the epidural because I was having a contraction. After the next 2 contractions passed, I barely felt them and could actually smile and talk to Robby. The nurse was so nice and helpful but her shift was ending soon. I was sad to hear that she wouldn't be helping me through pushing but was going to be back the next day.
At 7:00 I was fully dilated but still had a small part of my cervix over the baby's head so they waited about half an hour before letting me push. The contractions were definitely giving me more pressure and I felt like I should be pushing. I only pushed for about 20-30 minutes and Brayden was out! Robby gave me oxygen between pushes and was right by my side the whole time. Brayden let out a good cry right away, and they immediately set him on my chest and started cleaning him off. It was the most amazing feeling to finally touch him. He knew our voices and looked over at us. I was so relieved when the nurses said his Apgar score was a 9, no jaundice, and he was healthy. God had answered our prayers for a smooth pregnancy, delivery, and healthy baby boy.
Since Brayden was born he has been the center of attention which he loves. They released us from the hospital on Saturday and Robby 'carefully' drove us home with my Mom following us. She was able to stay until Monday to help us get settled in. Visitors keep coming and going showing their love and support for Brayden. Although our apartment is cramped and not the best living situation, I am thankful for the big rooms and hope one day to move him into a home where he will be able to run, cry, laugh and live without the worry of our neighbors being annoyed with the noise. Things will fall into place for our little family and we are blessed to have such a precious new life to join our family. Welcome Brayden Robert Heiser!
