The Birth of My PeanutSidetracked Sisters

birth I remember the birth story of each of my kids very well. Many people will tell you horror stories about childbirth, but I’m not one of those people. I loved being pregnant and having my kids. I never had a day of morning sickness and each of my labors was pretty easy (compared to some). When I was pregnant with Bradley I had my first ultrasound at about 7 weeks and afterward, I went to see mom at the office and told her I was having a peanut. After all – that’s about how big he was. From that point on – he was nicknamed my “Peanut”.

Being pregnant with Peanut was so easy and uncomplicated. No morning sickness. No challenges. I didn’t even begin to show I was pregnant until I was about 4 months along. I remember at one appointment, I was told that a baby is considered full term at 37 weeks. I think once I heard that, my body decided that 37 weeks was long enough as Bradley was born at 37 weeks and 1 day.

I had been at work and my girlfriends and I were going to get together after work to finish Bradley’s baby quilt before he arrived. We got to Darcy’s house and I had to go to the bathroom – yet again. I sat down and dribble, dribble, dribble. I stood up and dribble, dribble, dribble. Hmm – that’s odd I thought. I went out of the bathroom and mentioned something to Darcy, who immediately called her mom who informed us that I was going to have my baby that night.

Wow – I wasn’t expecting that. So before going home, I called my husband at the apartment and left a voicemail that “It’s time”. Darcy and Leslie drove me home and when we went into the apartment, I knew he hadn’t listened to the voicemail – because he was way too calm. He just looked at me oddly and asked why I was already home. I asked if he had listened to the voicemail and he said “Kinda”. Well – I told him that my water broke and he freaked.

I hadn’t yet packed my bag for the hospital even though I was only 3 weeks away from my due date. I don’t believe in being too prepared! We got to the hospital and into our room. After a few hours of nothing too earth shattering in the way of contractions, they were able to give me an epidural. At that time, I promptly went to sleep. (For those that know me, this is not a big shock)

At about 4:30 am, I woke up and things were starting to happen. I had slept thru my contractions and dilating and I was now ready to have Bradley. My husband had called Lisa to let her know what was going on and around 5 am, the doctor hollered at him that he was needed and much to Lisa’s dismay – he hung up the phone!

The nurses had placed a mirror at the foot of the bed, so every time I pushed I could see my little Peanut emerging, but at the end of the contraction, his head would retreat a little! That was so frustrating to watch!

Bradley was born around 5:30 am and I only needed 1 stitch. I could’ve killed my husband when he asked the doctor if he could put in an extra stitch.

birth By the time the doctor came back to see me at 8 am, I had showered, done my hair and make-up and was ready for the day. The doctor told me “Michelle – you look too good. No one is going to feel sorry for you looking like this”.

The nurses told me – “We can take him to the nursery so you can get some sleep”. They obviously didn’t know me well because if they did, they would know that I can sleep through anything!