Where were we? Oh, yes. I was about to deliver this child in a toilet. Let's start from there, shall we?
After I told Wade there was no time to go get the midwife or a nurse, it all went SO FAST. The urge to push was unstoppable. I remember moving away from the toilet and Wade rushing to help hold me up. And just like that the head was out.
There was an immediate relief of pain and pressure. And all of the sudden there was a rush of people into this little bathroom and someone saying let's get her over to the bed. Um, yeah. You see, there is head between my legs. Not happening. So then I heard Vivian's voice very firmly say, "Okay Liz, then I need you to get on your hands and knees." Two (or so? I have no idea) pushes later, I heard someone say "It's a boy!" and I thought, "Of course it is. I already knew that."
He was born around 10:30 PM. It wasn't glamorous. It wasn't like on TV. It all happened so fast! Once the baby was out, most of the focus went to him. Still on all fours on the cold, now wet tile floor, I relaxed a little bit and thought, "Holy cow, did that really just happen?" I looked back at Vivian who was squished next to the toilet and she smiled, shook her head and said, "I'm getting too old for this."
With a little help I walked over to the bed where I proceeded to have my usual bleeding issues. Usual stuff like panicked-yet-acting-calm nurses, quiet-concerned midwife, lots of pressing on my belly, pitocin IV in, etc. After 20 minutes or so she was able to get the bleeding under control but wanted me on lots of pitocin. Boo. That was painful and made me grumpy. So after an hour or so I turned it off. It just hurt so bad and I'm a rebel so I didn't care.
I just wanted to cuddle with my new son and get some rest. It was probably midnight at this point and we were all exhausted. Wade passed out in a recliner and I curled up with my Gus in a reeeeaally uncomfortable hospital bed.
Best birth so far. ;)
And I finally received my pictures in the mail! Most of you have seen them on Facebook, but here are a few again. Can't recommend birth photography enough! I love love love having those moments to look back on. It's all still pretty fresh in my mind, but I'm guessing in 5 years or so it'll be a bit more hazy. Even though she missed the actual birth (which I don't think I would have wanted pictures of anyway, way awkward...) she was there minutes afterwards and was great.
The next morning...
