Delivery

As I woke up this morning I started feeling some cramps and at that time decided that I want an epidural for sure and that there was no reason for me to have to put my body through this pain during such a wonderful time. The nurse checked me this morning and I had dilated to 4 cm at which point she was instructed by the doctor that my water would be broken to assist with the labor process. The midwife came in and broke my water at 9:00am, talk about a funny feeling. It's like peeing in your pants over and over and over again and there's nothing you can do about it! At 9:30 the nurse started the pitocin drip which assists in the dilation of the cervix. Shortly after the pitocin was started the anesthesiologist arrived to administer the epidural. I think of everything this was the part I was most nervous about and it turned out to be a pretty simple, minimal pain procedure. John was pretty nervous for this since he is afraid of needles but I have to say he was a trooper and was able to support me and assist in holding me still while the needle was inserted. I asked to see the needle afterwards and holy moly if you could actually feel that going all the way in I would imagine it would really hurt. So the epidural was started and I was explained how it works, interesting fact, I didn't know that it worked with gravity so if I laid on one side to long the epidural would work it's way to that side rather than evenly distributing itself in my body. So I spent the next few hours waiting and waiting, watching tv, talking with family, on the computer, doing anything I could to take my mind off of what little pressure I was able to feel.

I don't remember what time it was when I had finally dilated to 10 cm but it was somewhere around 2pm or a little after. Everything starts to blur together for the next hour or so. At 2:42 pm our beautiful baby boy, Gabriel Jose Navas was born weighing 7lbs 7 oz and measuring at 21 inches long.

I can't say that labor was a "fun" experience but as I saw my beautiful boy being placed on me for the first time and getting to meet this little human thats been living inside of me for the last 9 months, I can 100% say that I would have done it over and over and over again. Both John and I were overflowing with tears of joy as we met the product of our love. The next stage of our life, parenthood, is finally here and we are so excited for the ride ahead of us with our son Gabriel.

After Gabriel's arrival I was filled with so much excitement that there was no way I could get any rest, all I wanted to do was look at my baby boy, hold him and love him. Family and some close friends came to visit and meet our little man and at the end of the day it was just the three, mommy, daddy and baby getting to know one another. Gabriel had no problem getting the whole breastfeeding thing down, he came out a professional! Mommy on the other hand is still trying to get used to the entire process as it is a bit uncomfortable. Will write again after we leave the hospital.

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