Rebel Ralph Wheatley

After getting back from ultrasound, I discussed things with my Dr and we decided that because I was only 2cm dilated, cytotec would probably be the best for induction.  They placed the cytotec around 0930 and then broke my water around 1100 when I was dilated to 3cm. I knew that I wanted an epidural eventually and had them call for anesthesia.  My contractions were continuing to be every 2 to 3 minutes and baby was tolerating labor fairly well.  He didn't look the best but was still doing ok.  They started pitocin after a couple of hours after my epidural because I was only 5cm and my contractions were spacing out.  Up to this point, I was comfortable with my epidural and feeling good, but then I started to hurt again and my epidural was wearing off.  No matter how many times I pushed my button, I was still hurting and had a window that wouldn't get comfortable.  I had very similar experiences with the other two labors around the time I was 5cm as well. I am not really sure why my body does that, but I was just willing to endure and work through things.  The anesthetist came in a couple of times and tried re dosing, but I continued to have my window of pain.  I had them check my cervix again, and I was still 5cm.  I thought for sure I would be further along than that because with both the other two, they broke my water at 3cm and then I delivered 4hrs later.  Not the case with this little guy.  I started turning myself from side to side and changed positions frequently, hoping that I could get him to move and help my cervix dilate.  I remember it was around 1645, I was getting a really bad headache and asked for some Tylenol. When my nurse left to go and get it, I remember I realized that my legs were completely numb and I couldn't move them at all.  The epidural medicine had definitely helped with making them numb, but I still had my window.  The reason I realized this, was because my baby started to have decelerations down into the 60s and I wasn't able to move myself onto my other side to see if I could help his heart rate improve.  The decels were just earlys and would return to baseline after my contractions, but baby didn't have great variability.  I had Tyson help move me and then when my nurse came back, she checked me and said that I was complete and +2! Thank goodness!! Baby continued to have earlys to the 60s with each contraction and I was getting super nervous because I knew that my Dr had gone home and that it would take him a little bit to get back to the hospital.  Even though I had oxygen on, kept moving positions, and was complete, I was still wishing that there was something I could be doing to help my little guy.  Such a helpless feeling and the last 10 minutes of my labor seemed like hours.  I was so relieved when my Dr came in and I was ready to just push and get my baby out.  After about 15 seconds of pushing, our little one arrived at 1705.  I remember looking down at him thinking he was so beautiful and perfect and was so glad to hear his strong, little cry.  I couldn't help but get super emotional and felt completely overwhelmed by love.  I remember looking up at Tyson and he had the biggest smile on his face!  Having a baby is such a spiritual experience...I can't even explain it or put it into words.  What a miracle!  A miracle I am so grateful I have been able to experience. 

They took little Rebel over to the warmer and he continued to cry and did amazingly well.  He got apgars of 8 and 9 and never required and oxygen.  I felt so relieved and extremely blessed.  Tyson went over to the NICU with him and it gave me a few minutes to offer up a prayer of thanks and just sit back and take in how truly blessed and loved we are.  I can't even put into words the gratitude I felt in my heart!  So much to be grateful for!

Tyson came back a little while later and told me that Rebel continued to be on room air and was doing awesome.  I was so amazed that he was doing that well with only being 32.5 weeks.  In my head I was preparing for the worst, having seen several 32 weekers that require a lot of help right after birth.

I was anxious to be able to go over and see him, so after my two hour recovery was up, Tyson wheeled me over and I was able to see just how handsome and precious our little miracle was!  Love at first sight, that's for sure!:) 

Rebel Ralph Wheatley
Born on 5/19/2013 at 1705
4lb 4oz and 17.5in long