Baby Noah's Birth

Since I have a million pictures I want to post of baby Noah, I will break it down into more specific posts. I'll include here his birth story and pictures of him at the hospital.

For the whole pregnancy, I'd had the feeling that this baby was going to come a bit early. My due date was January 27th. I spent the last few weeks having regular Braxton-Hicks contractions. So much so that they'd come almost at the same time everyday and last for a couple hours, keeping me from sleeping and occasionally waking me at night. It was annoying, to say the least!  I was 2 cm and maybe 50% effaced by the beginning of January. I hadn't completely committed myself to another natural birth (like Justin's) and wanted to get to the hospital earlier than with him (arrived at 8cm) so I could get settled in and/or get an epidural.  On the night of the 18th I awoke with Justin and had one or two contractions but thought that they felt a tad different, perhaps stronger, than the others had been.  In the morning, on the 19th, I woke up with the kids and started having contractions, maybe every 20 15-20 minutes or so, but kept ignoring it b/c I was used to the b-h contractions, although a part of me thought this was different. By about 10am, I called Jared and said that although I wasn't sure I was in labor, I needed him to come home perhaps at lunch time b/c the contractions were wearing me out and strong enough that I couldn't care for the kids. When I got up, around 9 or so, I told the kids we could go to the park but within 20 minutes I realized I wouldn't be able to do that and I think that's when I realized I probably was in labor.  Jared called his mom and she agreed to come get the kids for the afternoon to give me a break, regardless of whether it was baby time or not. Now the contractions were coming under 10 minutes apart regularly. I started getting the kids ready to go with Vickie and then had to sit and focus on the contractions. Jared arrived and Vickie arrived about 10 minutes after him and by then I was completely focused on contractions-leaning over the bed, breathing, etc...The kids got off, Jared and I debated watching a "Modern Family" episode before we left for the hospital, but decided to leave 'early' and get there with plenty of time-so we thought. Apparently, my body really moves into high gear at some point. The hospital trip is about 20-25 minutes, but we ran into a high school letting out (what school gets out at 1:30pm??) and it stalled us an extra 10-15 minutes. Finally, we arrive and check in but they send us to the maternity waiting room until the triage room is cleaned up. After a couple minutes there my water broke in the waiting room. They then decided I really was in labor and got me a room :) I decided I wanted an epidural but when the nurse checked me and told me I was at 7cm already I knew it wouldn't happen. However, I still asked and they said they'd do the best they could, but they have to do some blood work before you get one. Labor got really intense and I kept asking for the epidural. Jared was excellent, as usual! So good at keeping me grounded.  The nurse and Jared both kept reassuring me they would get me the epidural. The nurse checked me-I was 8.5 cm. Then, finally, the anesthesiologist was in the elevator to come give me my epidural. I sat up for them to prep my back and on the very next contraction I KNEW Noah was coming right then-no fighting it. Sitting up did the trick to push me to the end. They laid me back down, the dr came in (not my dr, Dr. Rizzutto. She was home with sick kids, so I got Dr. Itam. He was EXCELLENT). I was kind of pushing a little because it felt better and I kept asking-what do I do? They said, just do what feels right. It was so wonderful to have people supporting the natural birth of my baby-not telling me how to push or when to do it. They were all so supportive! And then the nurse said, if you're going to push, give a real good, long push. So, I did, and that's all it took. One push and his head was out. One more for the rest of him! It was great! Natural birth is so interesting-I seriously didn't think I could do it, but you have no choice and your body does it anyway, and then the moment of birth is such a relief!! It was great!! Noah was a bit blue and had a little meconium but they put him on my chest and let me hold him for a minute. He got a 9 on his APGAR! I may be weird, but I love being in labor and giving birth! I look forward to it for 9 months! It's an amazing experience and then you get a little miracle! They let us keep him with us for about an hour before they took him to get cleaned up and whatnot. It was the best birth experience out of all three kids-and even though it was the same hospital as Justin (Methodist Willowbrook) it was better this time than last (although Justin's was good too).  So, welcome Noah Evans Oehring. 8lb 5oz (4.9), 20in.