On Monday the 24th I went to my Dr. appointment at 8:30 a.m. After a weekend long of constant, yet irregular contractions I was hoping to hear that things had progressed. I was dilated to a 4 and 75% effaced! My Dr. asked if I wanted to have a baby that day! He said if I wanted I could wait and probably go into labor on my own within the next day or two or we could go to the hospital in a few hours for him to break my water! I though...hmmm....why prolong the inevitable!
I quickly called Chris (no answer). Called my mom and told her to get ready quick! Called my friend and neighbor, Rachel to see if they would take Brady after he got home from school. Called my friend Natalie to see if she could come pick up Olivia. Called Chris again (no answer. Seriously!!!)
DROVE to Chris' work WHILE having harder contractions. Told him I was "in labor" and the plan to go to the hospital and speed things up a bit. He said, "ARE YOU KIDDING! This is my busiest day of the week!!" I waited in the car while he tied up loose ends at work. We drove home, finished packing my hospital bag, got Olivia out the door and headed on in! SURREAL.
11:00 a.m. got checked into my room, dressed in the gown, giving vital info etc. to nurse.
12:00 noon- My Dr. arrives. Makes small chat as he is a family friend and hadn't seen my mom in 7 years and had never met Chris.
12:15- breaks my water, at which he comments that it is no wonder that my "children don't like to come out on their own- I have membranes of steel!"
12:30- start walking the halls while experiencing mild to moderate contractions. Continue making "the rounds" for the next hour or so.
2:00 p.m.- My water finally completely "breaks" and more moderate to hard contractions begin. Continue walking, and walking, and walking....
Approximately 4:15 p.m.- Go back to my room. Getting too uncomfortable to walk. Sit on birthing ball until contractions become too intense. Walk over to bed and "collapse" onto floor with contraction. (Mind you, when I say contraction I am talking front and back labor- double whammy! AND NO PAIN MEDS!!!)
At this point I lose all track of time. I am just trying to survive. I use the mantra "JUST BREATHE" over and over and over and over as I get through each contraction and try to feel what my body is doing and when it is ready.
This time I know when it's time to push. My mom goes and gets the nurse!!! I squeeze the HELL out of Chris' hand and silently pray that I will get through this. I have no choice. The Dr. and nurses come, everything is prepared and ready to go! TIME TO PUSH!!! Chris gets "suited up"- he is helping to deliver this baby! He does AMAZING as he is instructed by the Dr. He encourages and reassures me. I have my eyes SQUEEZED SHUT SO TIGHT but I hear his voice and it is good to know he is right there.
The nurses are great. They are calm and patient. I am pushing harder that I have ever pushed before. The Dr. announces that the baby is posterior, meaning facing upward. Babies are "supposed" to be facing downward when delivered. The Dr. states that delivering a posterior baby is like adding an additional 3 lbs. to the baby's weight. This delivery is HARD and I feel like it's never going to end. I break the bloodvessels in my neck and jaw from pushing but finally he is born!
Zachary Morgan Graf
5:29 p.m.- Miracle of all miracles a new infant comes into the world and I hear his first little cry! I am still concentrating so hard on "survival mode" that I do not open my eyes until I feel him placed upon my chest by Chris after he cuts the cord. My eyes feel glues shut but suddenly I feel this warm infant on my chest and SEE my baby for the first time! He is PERFECT.
8 lbs. 1 oz.
20.5 in.
It is so hard to focus, to breathe. The nurses are encouraging me to slow my breaths and to try and let my body relax. It takes me several minutes before I can. Baby Zachary is being taken care of by the nurses and I am being taken care of by my Dr. Another amazing experience of my life has taken place. I am a new mother all over again. I feel pride, happiness, accomplishment.
The next several hours are a blur of busy nurses in and out. Holding the baby and then watching him be held. Proud daddy and Grammie. (Daddy is busy facebooking everyone the details- we forget to take a picture of him)
Chris leaves and gets the kids, who finally meet their new little brother at around 9 p.m. that night!
They bring balloons and Chris brings a bouquet of flowers. Olivia is SO EXCITED and ALL SMILES. She kisses and rubs his head. She wants to sit right next to me and be with him. Brady is more nonchalant. He smiles and kisses his brother but hangs back a little more. He eats the cookies and crackers on the table next to my bed. We kiss goodbye and I am left with my new, sweet baby to myself.
DAY 1:
Zachary means "The Lord remembered" or "The Lord recalled."
Morgan is of Welsh origin and means "bright sea."
I love names that have meaing to them and I also love nicknames (Braden = Brady, Olivia = Livy) so Zachary was a good choice in both regards. We plan on calling him Zach.
Morgan is also my maiden name. I grew up on the ocean so I've always loved its' meaning.
Proud Daddy!!!
"Stork" Dinner
The hospital where I delivered served us a fantastic meal: Steak, baked potato, steamed carrots, fruit salad, green salad, sparkeling apple cider and cherry cheese cake. There was so much food we were stuffed! It was wonderful to have some special time with Chris and the baby before heading home the next day.
CHEERS!!!!
