Welcoming Baby Ben

Today at 5:58 pm, weighing in at 7 lbs 13 oz and 20 inches long, we welcomed our Baby Ben into the world. He is perfect in every way. And I am so glad to be done!Ben's Birth Story in summary:

I woke this morning at about 2 am and I could tell we were in the early stages of labor. After that I was way to excited to go back to sleep...but I ended up doing just that and after waking up at 7 am all my contractions had stopped. I wasn't ready to give up though. I probably walked 3 miles over the next hour in an attempt to get labor started again, and it worked.

I ended up listening to Shaun and my Mom that we should get to the hospital sooner rather then later (and I am glad I did) to make sure we didn't hit traffic or back ups and when they checked me in at 2:30 pm I was bummed to find out I was only 3 cm. So it was back to walking for the next hour. I could tell that labor really started on its way during this hour or so. And, hurray, when we got back I was a 5/6cm and I got a room.

Side note: I'm a huge advocate of natural childbirth, and I am also very thankful for birth amnesia. I remember all the details of my previous births but they lose their edge and make you think that the next time through is going to be fine. It's not until you are right in the middle of it again that you really remember what labor is like...and yet not 24 hours later I look back and think, "It wasn't that bad."

Anyway, I got my room and after fighting my doctor (the midwife called in sick) and refusing dumb, unnecessary treatments I was ready to get this baby out. I think I was doing pretty good until the last 5 minutes. The contractions were coming really close and hard and at 9 cm the doctor broke my water and I felt like I completely lost control. Shaun, Mom, and I aren't completely sure how long I pushed, but we're guessing anywhere between 45 seconds and a minute. Ben entered the world quick and it was a good think cause I found out later he had the cord wrapped all over his arm and neck, but he wasn't in the birth canal long enough for it to matter. I was beyond excited to meet my new little baby and he's been such a good baby so far. He loves to eat, nursing for an hour at a time, and I love cuddling the little man. We're glad to have him join our family.