Birth

Mathew Jay Sherwood was born on May 3rd, 2012 at 4:15pm...

The day before I had a Midwife appointment - she did an examination as John was finally home and stretched and loosened me to 3cm. There was some bleeding with it and cramping which she said was normal. She also said that she was on-call tomorrow and was happy to deliver if He decided to arrive! The rest of that day I felt horrible and had little contractions all day and probably ALL night that I slept through. I told John that we needed to finish packing for the hospital that night cause I felt that this baby was coming soon. My mom was excited.
My water broke that morning at 4:45am... I just felt I needed to pee and well, when the pee didn't stop, I woke my mom. She kinda scared me in saying 'Oh darn, I thought you were going to have an easy birth and the baby was going to come out with the water.' YEP oh darn! But the contractions were really starting to hurt and increase. I called the midwife and woke John. They said take your time coming in but I didn't want to wait. I knew He was coming quick and I didn't want to have Him in morning traffic on route 16!
John drove to the hospital and I was in the back. Mom wanted me to eat an egg sandwich and it almost made me barf!! All I ate was banana bread and a two bites of the sandwich. I brought a towel in the car just in case. I knew I was still leaking...
We made it to the hospital OK, and I really had to go to the bathroom. John checked us in. I was then set up in this room and hook up to the monitors to check my contractions, so they could really check if I was in labor. They questioned me going home...as He had a strong heartbeat. No way, I was staying and we got a room at 7am.
My labor really picked up then - quick and painful. Too quick and painful for my taste. Breathing and visualizations was doing little help for how quick it was. I was in the jacuzzi tub for about 5 hrs but it sailed by. I threw up and was shaking so I knew I hit transition. I was checked around 11am - 8cm....yep, I couldn't handle it anymore... too much at one time. I asked or screamed for the epidural. I could see John unsettled but I wanted it. I had three off-the-chart contractions while they were putting it in... it was SO hard to stay still. I was nervous too, but wanted the pain to stop. Was I so weak I asked myself as they put it in - why couldn't I handle more? I knew I hit my limit.
After the epidural, I was actually smiling when John and Mom came back in the room. I could breathe and relax and even sleep! I was left for about 2 hrs and then was ready to push around 1:30pm. Baby was 1+ at 10cm.
Pushing was fine - it lasted for three hours - but I felt fine. No pain was all I cared about. John held a leg and the nurse Carol held another. Tamara (my midwife from my appointments) oiled/stretched me and coached me. My mom hung back and offered her support of keep going - there is the head and what not. I could see the head too once they placed a mirror but he wasn't coming. They added Pitocin to help the contractions but that head would not push through. Tamara called in a MD and we agreed an episiotomy was the next step. I was cut and He popped out at the very next contraction, without me pushing! He came out fast and was brought up to my chest. Mom cut the cord after a bit. What a slimy little guy...He opened his eyes and only let out a little scream. He was too cute...

Mathew Jay Sherwood was born on May 3rd, 2012 at 4:15pm...