Welcome To the World Ari Joseph Reuther

It has been a whirlwind the last couple days. Needless to say God is good and answered so many prayers regarding Ari's labor and delivery. Friday night I had a meltdown! I was over being pregnant. I just had had enough. I was hot, tired, and so out of energy. Anthony and I had a wonderful talk. I also needed to deal with my labor feelings. Honestly I was ready to not be pregnant but was not looking forward to labor. The past two I have been excited. Lilliana was so quick it was shocking and very intense. I also never have really let Anthony help during labor and didn't want him around. It was weird. We talked and after all that I felt better. We also prayed he would come the next day as I felt like I was done!!!!!

I actually slept in our room friday night as opposed to the couch where I had been sleeping. It has not been comfortable but I really wanted to be with Anthony and was feeling very vulnerable and emotional. I slept pretty well and woke up at about 5:30 in the morning and realized I was having contractions. I began timing them thinking oh here we go again more "false alarms. After about half an hour of timing and them being 5 minutes apart I woke up Anthony and told him. Lilliana came so quick I was worried I was headed down the same path. The house of course was not clean. It had been spotless for 3 weeks and of course I went to bed with dishes in the sink and toys on the floor. We both got up and got things done. I called the Birth Center knowing who would be on call this weekend. My midwife said to call her whenever I was ready to come in.  We sent the kids to Anthony's mom's house. I got a shower and laid down.

After laying down the contractions supsided and were going from 10-15 minutes. I got a little discouraged and thought it was another false alarm. So I got up walked around and did some things. They then went from 5 minutes to 2 minutes apart. At this point Anthony told me to call my midwife and check to see if this was normal. I called her and she said yes typical of third babies. They piddle around and then come out with a bang. She suggested coming closer to town as she thought it would go fast when it did happen. So we packed up about 9:30 a.m. and headed into the Birth Center.

I had contractions every 5 minutes the whole way in. They were not horrible but uncomfortable. When we got into town we dropped our stuff at the Birth Center. She listened to Ari and took my blood pressure. Everything was great. I was still doing well so Anthony and I headed to Target to walk and pick up some dog food. By the time we were done I was ready to just get to the Birth Center and labor. I was getting a little uncomfortable.

With Lilliana I wanted a water birth. I never felt right though. This time I thought I would want one. I never really labored in the tub with Lilliana either as she came so quick. I actually got there and did labor in the tub for a while. It was nice and relaxing!

At this point I think Shelie called for the second midwife on call. I love all my midwives for different reasons. Audra the midwife on call has a very special place in this family though. She was the one midwife that was with me at the hospital for Eli's birth and got us especially me through so much. She is one of my favorites. There is something about her that is so calming. I can look in her eyes and know I can get through each contraction. She was excited and I found out later specifically asked to catch Ari. It worked out great so Shelie could take pictures. She is the photographer that took my maternity photos.

I wanted out of the tub and labored just walking around. I felt like pushing but it just was not time. The contractions were still not consistant even though at times I think my body was doing it a little

Audra came and jumped right in to help however she could. I also got back in the tub.

We really thought at this point he was coming. I was pushing but it was not happening. We knew he was not in the ideal position for labor and thought he might have been a little crooked. I was getting desperate. They also figured I was not completely dialated due to his positioning. So I was given some positions to try. Several times I fell asleep and just felt loopy. Some things I don't remember, but I do remember at this point really relying on Anthony.

I also know I swayed a lot and squatted a lot. The last and final position was to lay in bed for three contractions and hopefully that would get him spinned correctly. All I know is it is no wonder when in a hospital you want an epidural while laying in bed. They were the worst contractions. I cried and screamed so much through them and only had to do 3!! Audra got me through it and just kept telling me the entire time the ones that hurt the most get you there. After that they had me switch to hands and knees on the bed. I did that for one contraction. Audra had stepped away for a moment. Anthony was next to me helping me. I was bawling and to the point of, "I can't do this anymore!!" I begged for him to pray and ask God to let it be over because I just could not take anymore. God once again answered another prayer and at  this point I was ready to push but wanted to do it in the bathroom. This was the second time I had headed there to push. I guess I just am drawn to delivering there.

 

At this point I was ready to push and checked to see if I could feel his head. I needed to know it was going to be over soon. I felt and thought it was his head. Pushed and my water finally broke only it exploded all over my poor midwife Audra. There was no head behind it and honestly I felt so defeated. I was beyond frustrated. I just pushed harder though. I felt his head though after that. He came very quick after. He was born at 1:39 p.m.  He also pooped so much as soon as he delivered.

I was so happy to be done. Poor Anthony I think was glad too. Apparantly I braced myself on him while pushing and almost broke his hip. He came out very fast and his poor little face was bruised. I was happy to be done but was beyond exhausted and felt terrible.

They got me right over to the bed. I was a mess from him pooping and just birth. It was not a clean one from what I was told. We laid in bed and they got everything situated. I was not really with it through this but remember asking to be checked for tears and wanted to deliver the placenta as quick as possible and just be done with all of it. I really just wanted to be clean! I had had enough.

Poor little bruised face.

After checking me we got his cord cut. Anthony does not like doing it so I got to cut his cord also.

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Then we were left to just enjoy him, nurse, bond, and relax. It was nice. Although I was in a fog still.

Due to the fact he came so fast his lungs did not get cleaned out the best. So Audra came and made sure he was breathing well and did something to his back to help clear out his lungs. He loved it though and was so relaxed.

After we rested and ate Olive Garden I was ready to get a bath and get cleaned up. They did his newborn check before this so he could get a bath with me as honestly he smelled terrible due to pooping right after delivery. He checked out great. He weighed 8 lbs even. He was 20 3/4 inches.

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Finally we were able to get in the bath and get cleand up. It felt wonderful.

I felt better. We called to have the kids brought to visit. Lilliana was shy at first and so was Eli but both fell in love quickly and Anthony's mom was able to see him too. Eli kept asking to hold him.

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After they visited it was time to head home.

Many thanks to our wonderful midwives and all the care we received from them. Also from Dr. Herta. Most of all to my wonderful husband who was such great support through my labor. He knew exactly what I needed and I am so grateful!

All in all it was so worth it!! He is amazing and we are so happy to have him. Eli asks to hold him all the time and Lilliana is in love with him too. After having this labor I will take Lilliana's kind any day I think. It was a hard labor and just so quirky. I feel like I have been run over by a train today and am very sore. Thankfully I am starting to feel somewhat better. We can't wait to get to know him more and enjoy him more.