Baby Warren

The good, the bad, and the ugly of childbirth:  

  When I was a week overdue they sent me to get some tests done to make sure everything was still healthy with my pregnancy. Standard procedure. Warren was having "late decelerations" (his heart rate was dropping with my contractions because he was no longer getting enough blood/oxygen) so they said they were keeping me at the hospital to have my baby right then! So exciting!

 The bad:
- Having my water broken. Ouch! Luckily it only takes a few seconds.
- 14 hour labor.

- Wearing an oxygen mask and having to lay in the same position the whole time because Warren's heart rate would drop too low if I moved.

- My epidural wearing off several times.

- Not getting to see or hold my baby for 4 HOURS after he was born because his lungs were struggling to open.

- Uncomfortable hospital beds.
- Post epidural headache on and off for a week afterwards--already one of the most painful things ever and add that on top of the pain and exhaustion of just having a baby= not a happy camper.

The good:

- Unlimited banana flavored popsicles during labor :)

- Epidurals. Even after getting a post epidural headache, which is horrible, I will still get an epidural for all my babies.

- My midwife, Gretchen, and my labor and delivery nurse, Tracy. They were so great.

- When they told me Warren had a full head of hair.

- Only having to push for 12 minutes. 4 contractions- he came out fast!

- Doug showing me pictures of our guy from the special care nursery since I couldn't go see him. 

- Getting to take a shower for the first time after he was born.

- Getting to go home.

 The wonderful:
- Doug watched the whole delivery and loved it.
- Doug's nervous/excited encouragement while I was pushing.

- Holding my baby for the very first time.

- Being so sad each time they had to take our baby away for shots and tests and feeling how much I want to protect him.
- Watching Doug be a daddy.
- Watching how carefully Doug drove home from the hospital.
- Snuggling with my sweet, perfect little baby.
- Our family of two becoming a family of three.

- Feeling so much love for my little baby I could exlpode.

- Knowing he's mine forever.