My Labor and Delivery

On Sunday, after church, I started having a few small contractions, so I decided to walk like a mad-women around our kitchen. After a half an hour, Bryce and I decided to go up the hospital to try our luck. When we got there, they checked me out and and I was at a 4+, so they told me I needed to walk for 1/2 an hour to see if anything would change. So, I booked it around that floor as fast as I could, and when I got done they said I had changed a little bit, so they decided to call my doctor and see what he thought they should do. Well, doctor said to walk for another hour and then if things were still changing, he would come break my water. After walking at least 2 miles in laps around the L &D floor (having stronger and stronger contractions) they admited me in to the hospital.
So, I got admitted at about 7 pm. I received the epidural from Dr. Silver and he did a great job. I was really scared about it, but it was just fine and took all the pain away. As soon as he left the room, Dr. Beirer came and broke my water. They started the pitocin drip at a 4 (which is normal) and when I had my first contraction, Clayton stopped breathing and his heart rate fell. Our awesome nurse, Cari, gave me some oxygen, flipped me twice, and Clayton's heart rate rose back up. She turned off the pitocin for a 1/2 hour and then tried it again at a 2. Same thing happened. Tried it at a 1. Same thing happened, so the decided to take me completely off the pitocin and have me progress on my own.
They ended up putting internal monitors on me and on Clayton's head. I would sit and listen to his heart beat and everytime I felt pressure from a contraction, I would hear the beeping monitor slow down (his heart rate). This was pretty scary for me, but the nurse did a great job helping both of us. At 2 am I had finally dialated to a 10. Originally the nurse said that I would probably have to push for an hour or two with her, before the doctor would come in. Well, she decided to call the doctor in since Clayton was having problems. The doctor came in at 2:15 am and at 2:32 am, Clatyon Soren Douglas came into our family. I had to push 10 times and fifteen minutes later, he was born. They had to use forceps because he was turned face up.
The doctor put him up on my chest as he screamed. Bryce was able to cut his umbilical cord and I sat and cried because he was such a miracle and we have waited for him for along time...(kind of sounds like Cooper as well). The doctor stitched me up and off I went to my recovery room. I could not move my legs at all so the nurses had to pick me up and put me in the wheel chair.They cleaned Clayton all up and finally after everything was done, we went to bed at 5:30 am. I was so tired by then, I could barely keep my eyes open when the nurse was talking to me. We spent two nights in the hospital. The nurses were great and took good care of Clayton and I.
I want to thank my good husband for the love and support he has given me and continues to give me while I adjust. He has really taken care of me and I am thankful for him. I am thankful for Cooper for being a good big brother and a great helper to mom, especially the last couple of days. I want to thank Jacqui for watching Cooper and helping me move my legs after my epidural. (and for running to open the door for the nurse everytime Clayton's heart rate fell) I want to thank all of our family and friends for the love and support and excitement they have shown us.