Monday, March 17th 2008

Well, it was a great day! After a whopping two hours of sleep from about 12:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m., I called the hospital and they said they had a room for us. I was just so anxious I couldn't sleep. It had been snowing all night and the roads were icy and slick, but we got there. The doctor decided to put a pill into my cervix to help soften it and start contractions more minimally before giving me pitocin. I was dilated to a 3 at 10:30 a.m. and then they gave me another pill and then finally the pitocin around 1:00 p.m.. After a couple of hours I was so exhausted so I asked for the epidural so I could just sleep while waiting. The nurse checked me who may I add was THE best nurse, Tammy! Her shift was from 7:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. so we got to be with her all day. She reminded Tom and I of a lady we know from Portland so we felt so familiar with her and she was so great. Anyway, she checked my cervix right before getting the epidural and I was dilated to a 6-7 which was further along than we thought.

So, the insertion of the epidural....it was pretty darn painful! With Taylor I was laying on my side curled up with Tom right there in front of me and it was quick, painless and just some pressure when the anesthesiologist inserted it. This time I was sitting on the side of the bed trying to curl my back (I don't think I was doing it very well) so he had to try about 3-4 times and I felt so much pain. It would shoot pain down my legs and I could feel pain in my back when he put it in....It was horrible! BUT, for me that 10-15 minutes was worth enjoying the rest of the experience. Which, I did! It was so great! Tom had a rough time too during the epidural insertion process. He never looked at the needle going in, but I think just the thought of it and b/c it took a little while and was painful for me he became very lightheaded. I've never seen him so pale! So, he had to go and sit in the reliner and drink juice for a while. He and I both are pretty squeamish and don't do too well in hospitals and around blood. Tom and I took a nap after the epidural was in place and started working. We had to wait a long time for my doctor because she was in surgery all day. She finally came at 6:00 p.m. and broke my water, then I started pushing a little after 7:00.

Oh, I have to share something we thought was sort of funny. Sometime earlier in the morning Tom and I heard some howling noises that totally sounded like a little toddler. We told each other it made us miss Taylor. Then after a while, Tammy came in and said "Don't pay any attention to that noise out there" and I asked her if it was a toddler and she said "Oh no! It's a woman giving birth without any pain medication". Tom and I looked at each other with our eyes wide and I told her that her telling us that brought all these new images to mind when before I was just picturing a cranky toddler. It also made me think "I am glad I am getting an epidural"!

Okay, so with Taylor when it came time to push I felt nervous...this time I was so excited and felt so calm and ready. Tammy (the wonderful nurse) was thankfully still there and then my doctor (Dr. Hammond) and the next nurse were there with Tom and I. Dr. Hammond asked me if there was anything in particular I wanted with the birth and the only thing I could think of was with Taylor they made Tom count to 10 every time I pushed. We both didn't like that b/c it sort of preoccupied him a little bit. So, he didn't do any counting this time. I can't really put words to it but it was such a great birthing experience! I thought it was such a beautiful moment in our life. When he came out they instantly put him on my belly. It's just so amazing that he goes from being inside my belly to being right there. I loved it! It was one of the 3 best days of my life now. (Sept. 27, 2003 our wedding, July 15, 2006, Taylor's b-day, and this day).

He, Thomas Maxwell Jensen, named after his amazing dad and Maxwell is from one of our favorite apostles, Elder Neal Maxwell (We're calling him Max), is a handsome little guy. He was 20 and 1/2 inches long and weighed 7 lbs. 9 ounces. He's so sweet! We're so happy he's here and is doing so well.

After the birth, Dr. Hammond spent so much time with me. We first saw her at 7:20 in the morning so she had been there all day long doing surgeries and c-sections so it had been a long day for her. But, we were so glad she was so patient and took her time with us. She did a lot to try to help with some of the problems I've had since Taylor's birth. We were so thankful for her. Anyway, we are doing great! Max sleeps a lot! I'm very sore and nursing is still a huge work in progress but we're getting there! A few nights ago though I was laying in bed and it dawned on me that I was sleeping on my belly!!! It was awesome! Unfortunately with nursing it may be a while again that I'll be able to do that again. But, at least pregnancy #2 is done and over with a wonderful little boy as the result.
This was Tom coming out to our car the morning the left for the hospital...
we got a huge kick out of these huge spotlights! (my doc didn't turn them up very bright which was nice) After being in the room for a while the lights starting looking like a big face to me. (the spotlights are the eyes, that other light below and between them is the mouth...do you see it?)
I got to eat breakfast! I wasn't expecting to get to, but since they didn't do the pitocin until later I was on a "regular diet" for the morning!
Taylor and my mom visited in the morning...Taylor had fun exploring our room.
and trying out my bed...by the way do you see my new water mug!!! I am so excited to have a new one! I love it!

Here he is! Our new little sweetheart!


Dr. Hammond holding him after she was finished with everything she did. She was great.
Thomas Maxwell Jensen