What a week!! The labor story...if you want to know :)

Wow!!! So, a lot has happened in the past week. In my last blog I talked about how the dr. said my little guy wasn't going to come for a while...well...we learned that doctors aren't always right. I love my dr, but he was definitely wrong cause my water broke that night! And 17 hours later after getting cervidil to soften my very closed, posterior cervix, trying to progress on my own for 4 hours, then getting pitocin cause I wasn't progressing, then progressing well, but didn't know it because my cervix was so far back that none of the nurses could reach it to tell me how dialated I was. I did know after 1.5 hours of the cervidil that I was at a 2, but that was at 5 in the morning. The nurse did give me an iv medication that I cannot remember the name to help me relax during the active labor stage. It didn't take away any of the pain of the contractions, but it helped me to not be as tense in middle of the contractions. Then, around 2:45, the medicine was done (I had it for 2 hours), and I entered the transition stage of labor where my contractions were ridiculously intense and right after one another. Jason was a great coach and learned my many non-verbal cues for when I needed water and what not. He said that I probably spoke about 30 words during my whole labor. I couldn't talk because it took too much energy. :) So, around 3, I told Jason, "Call...nurse...push" In other words...I had to start pushing, but I didn't know what to do. The nurse was able to check me at that point and I was at an 8....and since everyone is curious...no...I did not have an epidural. The nurse came in and coached me a bit and pushing was better than the hard contractions, but it was exhausting.I don't know how people who do have epidurals know how to push, because its pretty cool (in a weird way) how your body just knows. The hospital was understaffed and there were times where the nurse had to leave Jason and I by ourself. I ended up pushing for about 2.5 hours because my little guy was not only sunnyside up, he also had the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck twice!! So, he ended up having to be vacuumed out, which by that time, I was thankful because I really wanted this child out of me!! After 4 rounds of pushing with the vacuum, our precious Ryan Otto Ekk entered the world weighing 6 lbs 7 oz and 20.5 in long. I can honestly say that as soon as he was out....the pain was gone and it didn't matter anymore. I just kept saying, "Praise the Lord!" I was so excited that our son had arrived.

Well, it has almost been a week since he has been born, which is crazy...this week has flown by. I am sleep deprived, but am having a hard time sleeping when I can because I can't get enough of my guy and my brain won't turn off. I am absolutely LOVING being a mommy and look forward to his poopy diapers and especially cuddling with him as much as I can. He is eating well, and is on a 2-3 hour schedule, which I am so thankful for. I praise the Lord for our little miracle, and also the tremendous amount of love and support and food :) that has been sent our way. Jason and I could not feel more blessed. I am definitely feeling the rush of emotions at times, and had my first good cry this morning, but could not be more happy. Thank to everyone who has shown us so much love over this past week. Enjoy pics of our precious angel.