I woke up around 4:00 to go to the bathroom. I was actually happy because for the nights leading up to Thursday I had been waking up at 2 or 3 in the morning and hadn't been able to get back to sleep. I laid back down but soon I started feel some contractions. I had been feeling some pretty strong contractions a few times in the morning so I really didn't think yet that it was going to be the real deal. Plus, we had just had an appointment on Monday and the doctor told us that it would likely be awhile before he was born. I was able to rest until about 6:30 when I got up and noticed I had started bleeding. That's when I woke Eric up and told him that I thought I was in labor!
We had been told by my doctor to not come to the hospital until I was having contractions for one hour that were 5 minutes apart and lasted for 1 minute. Eric was so wonderful while I was in labor. He massaged my back and encourage me during the contractions. Finally around 2:30 we decided it was time to go to the hospital. Here's the picture we took on the way out the door!
I cried all the way to the hospital. I was just so overcome with emotion (and hormones). We had waited so long to make this trip. Even when we got inside the hospital, Eric had to tell the front desk person that I was in labor. I was too emotional to speak! :)
The nurse checked me right away and told me I was dilated to a 4 and that I wasn't going home without having the baby. I was so relieved!
I was wanting to try to have the baby without pain meds. I used the hot tub that the hospital had available. It felt really good on my back and it helped ease the pain a little. The nurses all commented on how relaxed I seemed and how fast I was progressing. I'm sure that was thanks to all the prayers I had been receiving!
When I got to a 7, I started wondering how much more pain I could take. My doctor had just gone home and my water still hadn't broke. I decided I should go ahead and get an epidural because I figured I was still going to be in labor for awhile. The epidural help tremendously, but I could still feel the pain on my left side. It also slowed down my labor so the had to give me some pitocin as well.
Finally, I got to a 9 and my water broke. After that, things progressed really quickly and after about 30 minutes of pushing, Silas was here! He was really alert and it was so amazing to look in his eyes for the first time!
Here is our first family photo!
He is so sweet!
Some people have asked us about his name since it is not very common. It is a Biblical name and comes from a story in Acts Chapter 16. It is a very powerful story in my opinion. It turns out that it was also the name of my doctor's great-grandfather.
Here is our going home pic and also Silas riding home for the first time (of course, I cried the entire way home). :)
This is the last "belly" photo that I have. It was taken at 37 weeks. Silas was born at 38 weeks and 6 days. Pregnancy was an amazing journey! :)
Silas is a wonderful boy and we are so blessed to have him here. I am so grateful to God for the amazing pregnancy, that my labor went so smoothly and that everyone is healthy and happy! Thanks to all our friends and family for all your help and support!
Psalm 28:6-8
Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
3 comments:
What a wonderful story! Silas is adorable and such a lucky little baby to have you and Eric for parents!
Congrats Allie and Eric! I'm glad everything went so smoothly for you and that little Silas is so healthy! Praise God!
Allie, You looked beautiful all the way through your pregnancy, and now you have a most handsome little angel to show for it! (I noticed Weazer is in the picture, again, with you. lol).
Your blog is very special! We are all so happy & on cloud nine about God's most precious little blessing to you, our grandson, Silas! You & Eric are going to be wonderful parents! You already are so good with him!
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