Asher's Birth Story.....

Asher's Birthday Story

September 4th, 2008

We started out that day going to an appointment at the doctor's office. I was 4 centimeters dilated and 80% effaced. She offered to let us go to the hospital at that time and let them break my water because she thought that it would definitely put me into labor. We decided against it mostly because I just wanted it to be as natural as possible. She did ask that we get an ultrasound to make sure the baby and everything else was okay. Everything was fine and they estimated him to be 8lbs 4 oz. Gene went to work and I went home.

As the day wore on, my contractions, which had been irregular, started getting more regular and more painful. Finally, when they were about 5 mins apart we called and she said to come on in to the hospital. We left the house around 8 and dropped off a rental movie and then headed there. We started the check-in process around 8:45pm.

At this point, I was not getting much break between contractions and could hardly think to answer her check-in questions. I have to truly focus on breathing through each contraction or I start to lose it!! I always look like I am under control but in my mind I just keep telling myself... you can do this... you can do this.... even if I don't believe it!!

Well, not too much longer after that I started to feel the urge to push and I alerted the nurse. The Doctor came in and said to push when I felt like it. (I have never had to push more then a couple of pushes so I was thinking in my mind.... "Okay, then are you ready?") It only took one long push to get Asher out, mostly because, by that point.... I just want it to be over!!! I actually pushed him out so fast that his poor little face was bruised and the pressure caused his eyes to be bloodshot. The bruising went away after a day or so but his eyes are still a little bloodshot! He was born at 10:13 pm!! Basically, 1 1/2 hours later!

As soon as they placed him on my belly we could tell he was a big baby!! The nurses and doctor were amazed that I could produce and deliver such a big baby. He weighed in at 9lbs, my biggest baby yet, and he was 20.5 inches long.

Asher as fresh as can be, only minutes old!!

Gene and I checking him out!!

In this picture, you can sorta see how his face was a little blue because of the bruising! It's hard to tell in the photos!

Gene and my mom holding him for the first time!

Sucking his thumb only about 1/2 hour after birth!

Two of my helpers holding Asher for the first time! My sister Christy and my friend Sarah!!

Gene using my sister's laptop to update you guys on his birth! He wrote those first few posts!

Oh yeah, many of you asked about Gene and his weak knee moment! Here's the story and some little background!! ;)

Grace's birth: One minute I was just standing there enduring contractions and the next minute I was ready to push which was unexpected for everyone in the room!! It all happened so fast and Gene wasn't quite prepared for all the blood. The nurses quickly realized that he was about ready to faint. They quickly made him sit down and got him some orange juice. I didn't pay much attention that time because I was getting ready to push Gracie out!

Dax's Birth: Let me just say that Dax's birth was not my best performance and I was totally losing it during the end!! Gene started losing it too and once again during the time I started pushing he got very weak in the knees. My sister said he actually turned green which she thought was only a myth!! The nurses made him sit down and drink juice once again!

Hayden's Birth: Before Hayden's birth, I gave Gene a pep talk and he ended up doing great. My pep talk mostly consisted of reminding him of the one who is actually in pain and that he should be glad that he isn't in my shoes. Well, it actually worked because he never really got too nervous!!

Asher's Birth: The funny thing about Asher's birth is that he didn't even get weak in the knees until after I had already had him! They were stitching me up and all of sudden I hear the nurses say get him a chair and they brought him juice once again!! ;)

****************************

The great thing about Gene is that he sits down for a moment and within a minute is always right back in it!! He is very supportive and never misses a beat!! He's a trooper! He does great considering he won't even watch ER with me!! He really just hates seeing me in pain which is sweet if you ask me!!