Gavin's Birth Story

At my 40 week appointment I was happy to hear that I had progressed from 1 cm the week before to 3 cm. I allowed myself a little hope - this is the most I had ever been dialated at 40 weeks pregnant. Maybe, just maybe, this baby would come before my traditional '5 days past due' babies? (Ha.)

40 weeks

40wks1d

Walking walking walking at 2 days past my due date

I spent the next few days walking and staying busy (even going to my Zumba class!). 5 days past due came and went. I still felt good, was pretty comfortable and was toying with the idea of allowing myself another week to go into labor. After careful consideration though, Ryan and I decided that we should schedule an induction at 1 week overdue, Tuesday November 12.

Zumba-ing at 5 days overdue

Last picture as a family of 4

Eeeeearly on the 12th at 1am we received the call to head in to the hospital.  We arrived around 2am and got settled in. Around 4am I was checked and found to be 4 cm and 80% effaced AND was having mild contractions 7-10 minutes apart. However, Gavin's heart rate was dropping during contractions so I was given oxygen and rotated laying from side to side. We proceeded cautiously and I just rested for the next few hours.

Around 7am I was given a low dose of Pitocin. Around 8 I received an epidural from a very nice anesthesialogist who really hit it off with Ryan. He also had a med student with him so the whole process was painfully slow while he explained in excruciating detail what he was doing. The epidural itself wasn't too painful, thankfully. I think it was 9 or so before Dr. Grier arrived and broke my water (6cm now) and I dialated steadily over the next few hours. I was ready to push at noon on the dot and Gavin Micah was born at 12:16pm! He was 9lbs 14 oz (!!!!!) and 22 inches long. I held him on my chest for the longest time just talking to him and looking at him and letting it all in. Ryan and I were thrilled that he was finally in our arms!

(Taken by Tara!)

Ready to go home!