Thad was due May 10th, but he decided that he didn't want to come out. We arrived at the hospital at 6am to be induced on May 17th. We showed up with our overnight bag in hand and they were getting ready to call and tell us not to come in that day because they didn't have many delivery rooms open. Since we were already there, they checked us in anyway. As we were waiting to start the pitocin, another lady came in screaming that was about ready to deliver. Our induction didn't get started until noon, but we just hung out and watched TV. Since I didn't have any contractions going on, it was quite pleasant.
When it was finally time for us to start the induction process (already at 4 cm), I was a little nervous after hearing that other lady come in. It all went rather smoothly though. My labors have gotten faster and faster, so it was nice to be induced and not have to worry about delivering the baby in the car. I saw the contractions coming on the monitor for awhile, but I couldn't feel them for the first 1.5 hours.
Then the doctor (who happened to be the bishop of a neighboring ward) broke my water. My body then really kicked in gear. My body was starting to have its own contractions and the pitocin was still working, so I was all of a sudden having painful contractions that were separated by only around 30 seconds. They turned off the pitocin and I got the epidural. They let the contractions go on for about 30 minutes before they came to check my progress again. During that 30 minutes, the babies heart rate dropped a little during the contractions, so they rolled me on my side and then he would do just fine. The cord was laying across his chest funny, but it all turned out fine.
I started having more painful contractions again, so Teddy called them in to check it out. It turns out that my epidural line had gotten clamped shut when they rolled me over! They unclasped it and life was more pleasant again for me. At that time, I was at 7 cm and they were going to come back in another 30 minutes to check again. Before the nurse even left for the 30 minutes, I told her that I felt the need to push. She had just checked me less than 15 minutes ago and I was at the 7 cm, but I asked her if she could check again anyways. She was happy to entertain my idea, but I could tell she thought I was a little crazy. She looked again and got a surprised look on her face. She said that I was at 10 cm and that his head was right there, so don't push yet! She called everyone in for the delivery party.
We had two doctors (the bishop was the backup doctor, but he came also--he ended up being our photographer), some students, a nurse, a technician, a pediatrician and his student, and a couple other people were all in the room. I only had to push through three contractions and he came out! Teddy cut the cord.
This boy was my biggest child, he weighed almost 9 lbs! Thaddeus (Thad for short) was born at 8 lbs, 14 oz. The whole labor from induction to delivery was less than three hours. They do such a fantastic job here. I am very thankful that I was able to deliver both of my boys at this hospital.
Another great thing about this delivery is that I was able to be discharged from the hospital with my baby in hand after a hospital stay of only 26 hours. I go stir crazy if I have to stay two days.
Later that night, Teddy brought the girls and Theodore to come see the new baby. Thad got lots of loving.
Little Theodore no longer looked so little on the baby warmer. He is my big boy now.
Thaddeus John Shillig, 17 May 2013, 8 lbs 14 oz
