Hudson John Bankhead

Seeing as how I was dilated to a four, and 80% effaced—yet nothing was happening—my doctor thought it would be a good idea to break my water. So, together we planned to do it on my due date at 7:00 in the morning. I was hoping that Hudson was going to come on his own, but at the same time, I knew I could not last much longer. But I have to admit that it was kind of nice to know when everything was going to happen, because I was able to really prepare and plan for my baby’s upcoming birth. Johnny and I got everything ready the night before—or according to Johnny, I got all my ducks lined in a row—and waited through an immensely anticipated and sleepless night.

Once the morning finally came, Johnny and I grabbed our bags, said goodbye to Elle, and headed to the hospital. We filled out a little paper work, we were shown to our room, and then the nurse got everything ready. I was having slight contractions on my own, but I couldn’t even feel them, because of all the back pain and cramps. I was actually surprised to hear the nurse tell me that I was even having contractions. That is why the doctor wanted to start me. I kept on dilating, but labor just wasn’t coming.

The nurse started me with a little pitocin right before 8:00, and by 9:00, the doctor came and broke my water. At that time I was still dilated to a four, but immediately after he broke my water I could really feel the contractions. The doctor and nurse told me that Hudson was facing sideways which explained all the cramps, back pain, and leg pain that I was having. They also thought it was the reason that I could not go into labor. Hudson just needed a little bit of a push.

When I was dilated to a six, the anesthesiologist gave me my epidural. This was between 9:30 and 10:00. I loved my epidural. It took immediate effect, and I felt wonderful. They also gave me oxygen; and the combination made me feel better than I had felt for most of my pregnancy. My epidural never took when I was in labor with Elle, and I was in a lot of pain. This time around was much better. I was able to fall asleep—thanks to my epidural—and Johnny decided to go and find something to eat. Around 11:00 I woke up and said that I felt a lot of pressure—no pain. The nurse decided to check me, and she said I was at a nine almost a ten. I immediately started to wonder where Johnny was, because I knew I needed to push soon. The nurse and my mom got all ready, and I was still wondering where Johnny was. Thankfully he walked in right before I had to push (after the fact, Johnny told me he had found a BBQ outside, and was about to order something and sit down and eat. He decided to come back and check on me first. Thank goodness). The nurse was also going to deliver my baby, but again, thankfully, the doctor walked in right in time. Once everyone was ready, I pushed for two contractions, and Hudson joined us at 11:16. It was a wonderful experience, in which I never really felt any pain. It truly was a miracle, and I could not love my little boy anymore than I do now.