My cousin made the long trip here, and made the long trip back...without meeting Baby Mullins. Full moons came and went, long walks too. Spicy foods, sex, baths, jumping (yes, I bounced on a ball for hours!), nothing worked. I had finally decided when July 7th came and went that he was never coming out! I had been having contractions for two weeks, my doctor tried to "stir things up" more then once and he still wasn't here!!! I was going to be the first person to give birth to a 20 year old child because my child enjoyed being in my belly more than anything!
Finally July 14th at 5:00 a.m., my alarm clock went off. I wasn't scheduled until 7:00 a.m. however, I had to call the hospital at 5 to make sure there was enough room for me. When I called they said my induction was a go. I anxiously headed for the shower, this was the last shower I would take pregnant! I was so excited! I put my make-up on and did my hair, even though my husband made fun of me for doing it but, I wanted to look nice when my son saw me for the first time. I didn't need to pack any bags because they were packed and put in the car days ago and I installed the car seat in June! I was READY!! Now, anyone who knows me, knows I am never on time...much less early. However, I was actually early and so anxious to leave.
By the time I got assigned a room, signed all paperwork, changed and got connected to all the equipment, it was approximately 9:30. The doctor came in and I was dilated 5cm already! So, they went ahead and broke my water right off the bat. I always imagined if this ever happened it would be like you see in the movies, a bucket of water would pour all over the place, it would be all over the floor, all over me...it would be everywhere. However, I didn't notice water at all. I even asked if they did it yet, after they did it.
Afterwards, my contractions didn't get any more intense therefore they started me on the lowest dose of pitocin. I was very nervous about pitocin. I had done my research and their is question that pitocin could possibly cause autism. Autism is found more in boys then girls as well and since I was having a boy, that made me even more nervous. However, I discussed my fears with my doctor and she assured me that she thought it was okay. The anesthesiologist came in and informed us that he was getting ready to go into a C-Section surgery and may not be available for at least an hour and a half and if I was going to want a epidural it was either now or after the C-Section. I wasn't 100% sure, I wanted to wait as long as possible to see if I could do it without one or if I did get one I was fearful that it would wear off by the time I needed it. I discussed that with my nurse and she told me that its a wives tale that it wears off. It's a constant drip and it can't wear off. People mistaken pressure as pain and that is the only thing I may feel, is pressure. Therefore, I decided I should go ahead. And just in the nick of time because I had my first intense contraction and it brought me to tears immediately. However, I had probably the greatest nurse ever she helped me through it, held me and rubbed my back. I think Farrell was just in shock because it came on so fast. The anesthesiologist came in and inserted the epidural. I must admit, it didn't hurt at all! The only part that was just weird is when they put it in it hits a nerve (they told me to expect that) and it shocks you (it will effect different people in different places...me, it shocked my left leg). I remember it made me jump and that was it. I know this may sound dumb but, have you ever tried a dog electric collar on your hand or arm? Well, I have! HAHA!! And that is exactly what it felt like...doesn't hurt just a shock.
I didn't tell many people that I was going in the hospital that morning. During our birthing classes we learned that the first hour after the baby is born, it is a really critical bonding time, therefore, that's what I wanted it to be. I wanted the first hour to just be us, bonding with our son, before everyone rushed in wanting to hold him. Therefore, we told a few people and told them that we would let them know when he was here and at that time, they could head over. I didn't want people waiting in the waiting room for an hour plus because I would then feel bad that I was just keeping them waiting while I was spending time with my child. I did however want my sister there for support. I also, wanted my step daughter to be as much a part of this as she wanted to so I invited her to be their as well. I told her she was more then welcome to stay in the room for the birthing part but to not feel obligated if she didn't want to be there because I'm sure it could be gross. However, she told me she wanted to stay for it all! So, we decided once I started to dilate to tell my sister and Hallee to head on over.
After my epidural was in place, my labor was a breeze. I ate Popsicles and smiled and made jokes the whole time. My husband was in shock, he kept saying "this doesn't seem right". He has scars in his hand from his daughters birth! At about noonish, we told my sister and Hallee they could head over whenever they wanted. Finally at about 4 o'clock when my doctor checked me, I was fully dilated...it was time to push! The doctor left again and my nurse started the pushing process with me. I was so determined to get the baby out as soon as possible so I wasn't talked into a C-Section by the hospital if I took too long. Therefore, my nurse would tell me every now and again that I could rest and not push this one if I wanted, but I always pushed! Finally the doctor came back in because he was crowing. However, his head was too big, he takes after his daddy with this..hehe...so they had to cut me. Ouch, right? But, I didn't feel a thing! At 5:22 P.M. Declan Farrell was born.
I had always said that there was no way in this world that I was going to hold him until after they washed him off...but that all changed the second I saw him...I told them I wanted him. He was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. I could not believe I created this perfect child! There is no one word that can describe the feeling you get the first moment you lay eyes on your child and when you touch them for the first time...it is just so overwhelming the emotions and feelings that occur. The whole time I was pregnant, a very common question seemed to be, "are you going to have another after this?". My response was always "I'm not sure, let's get through this one and see". Once they took Declan to weigh him and clean him I turned to my husband and said "I could do this again!". HAHA! I don't think he was ready to hear that.
Declan weighed 8.11 oz, 22 inches long and was a healthy baby boy. While they were stitching me up and what not, Farrell, Hallee and Siobhan all took turns holding him but once I was able to get him back, I took him! We spent the quality time together that I had hoped and then the family poured in. However, as fast as they came, they left. The next couple days I had a few of my closest friends come to visit. It meant so much to see my friends come and celebrate the arrival of my son. The happiest day of my life, they came to share it with me.
The rest of my stay at the hospital was horrible. I couldn't feel my legs when they finally put me on the mother/baby floor so they told me to call them if I needed to go to the bathroom or needed anything at all. My husband was so completely worn out so he crashed. What I quickly learned is when he's out...he's out and does not hear a thing. Later that night they came and did my vitals and had pushed the baby's cart to the side then they left. Not long after, Declan started to cry but I couldn't get him. My husband was snoring and wasn't waking up either so I buzzed the nurse. They said they would be right in however, they never came! I managed to get to the baby and put him in bed with me and he fell right to sleep. I couldn't reach the cart to put him back in the so I decided to just hold him till the nurses came in again. I was afraid to fall asleep because I didn't want to accidentally suffocate him so I just watched him. Hours passed and no one came and finally the sun started to come up. Had I really just stayed up all night after just giving birth? I had now been up for 24 hours straight. However, it didn't feel like that...my son was magical to me, I could stare at him for days and think it was only a couple minutes. His every move captivated me. Finally around 8, my husband woke up and I told him what had happened. He felt so bad and was so upset with the staff. Things didn't get better with the staff. We asked for lotion and our nurse never brought it to us I asked for water and got the same treatment. However, when my husband would finally get up and go get stuff for me he saw them all gathered doing a whole bunch of nothing at the nurses station. When it was time to check out they forgot about us, pushing back our leaving time to about 3! Needless to say, we were sooo happy to finally leave that place.
When we got home we had a lovely surprise awaiting us! My best friend decorated the outside of our house for Declan's arrival home. Who would of known that the home as we knew it would never be the same...
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