Samuel Wright Martin

Samuel Wright Martin
June 4, 2009 8:18 pm
7 lbs. 6 oz.
20 1/2 in. long

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Well, we are back-tracking a little, but I wanted to make an official post about our newest addition. Sam's labor/delivery was a completely different experience than Winston's. He surprised us and all the nurses and doctor by being born just 45 minutes after we arrived at the hospital! In case you are counting, yes, that means we didn't have time for the epidural!!! Here's the quick version...All through the night on Wednesday (june 3) I contracted, but they were never consistently spaced. Once I got up for the day on Thursday (june 4), they seemed to subside a little so I got some things done. Katie and Campbell and Winston and me went for a walk around mid-morning (I wanted to get things started back up so we could just "get the show on the road"). Anyway, we had a fun lunch together and Winston and I went back home for his nap. Thursdays are pool days for the girls in my Sunday School class so we planned to go. Over the course of Winston's nap, the contractions returned a little more intense and consistent, but I still didn't feel an extreme urgency. However, I knew if I went into the hospital they would probably keep me. Needless to say, I wasn't real sure I still wanted to go to the pool, but not wanting to disappoint my sweet boy, we went. I just thought I would rather be in the pool with friends and hurting than sitting at home by myself. We came home from the pool around 5:30 and that's when things started to shift to a higher gear. I took a long, hot shower, and told Joseph to pack some things for him for the hospital (I just thought we would head in-still not rushing-that evening so I could get some drugs that would make the pain stop!). Anyway, by the time I was out of the shower, I changed my mind. I told Joseph to get in touch with Paul so he could come watch Winston until his or my parents got here. At this point I was not even able to talk through the contractions. I was just trying to get through each one (i think they were 3-5 minutes apart). Well, the ride to the hospital was the worst part (no way to "get comfortable"). We arrived around 7:30 pm. They were ready for us and the first thing I said when I saw the nurse in the hallway was, "I NEED and epidural!". She calmly expleained that there were a few steps to do before I could get it (which I knew). I was checked and was 6 cm dialated. I quickly double-checked about getting that epidural, and she looked at the other nurse standing there and said, "We are going to hurry". The doctor came in and checked me again and I was 6 cm with my water about to break. THey were drawing blood and waiting for a whole bag of IV fluid to go in me before I could get the epidural. They all kept looking at each other like I wasn't going to make it, so I kept asking about the possibility of the epidural (in between contractions). Five minutes after the dr. initially checked me I mentioned feeling more pressure so she checked me again and I was 9 cm!!!! I quickly made one last plea for the epidural and when they went into delivery-mode (gowns, masks, etc.) I just gave up. However, I then panicked a little since I didn't prepare for this. I just assumed I would get the magic shot and go through it all pain-free. Not so much. After more preparation, a few pushes, and 15 minutes, Sam was here. Thankfully a whole pound less than Winston. In hind sight, the recovery was better without the drugs. If I knew my next would go that fast, I would consider doing it "natural" again. So here are a few pics from Sam's first few days: the third picture is Winston's first encounter with Sam, the fourth is our first new family photo, and the last is with cousin William.