Sunday night, June 24th, at 39 weeks 2 days, I started having strong contractions around 11:30 pm! They were about five mins apart, then to 10 then to 8 mins for over an hour. Hubby called our hospital to let them know and they said to come in if we would like. I recall with Camille that my contractions were very sporadic. We weren’t even sure if I was really experiencing labor or Braxton Hicks contractions with Camille. But, with Xavier, the contractions were very much consistent, time wise! We knew we better leave ASAP because they got stronger and closer together. It hurt like heck and I couldn’t talk thru them much less breathe thru them. So I knew the time was coming!

We got ready to leave for hospital and woke Camille up from bed. At this point it was almost 2am!! We drove to the hospital, contractions coming faster and stronger!! The pain was so unbearable, I was gripping the car door with all my might. In looking back, I don’t  recall the pain being that bad with Camille. It seemed like it was taking forever to get to the hospital. I remember telling Eric to hurry up and drive! LOL. Our hospital is only 15 minutes away, but I swear it felt like forever!  We finally made it to the  hospital. Eric pulled up to the door and ran in to get me a wheelchair. I’m having contractions in the wheelchair and trying to breathe thru them. Eric had to park the car so I was waiting for him and Camille to walk in. As I wait in the lobby, I felt a gush and felt like I peed on myself. Omg, my water broke!

We made it to L&D floor and they check me in. In my mind, everyone was moving at a snails pace. I told them my water broke and I had to go to the bathroom. The nurses let me go to the bathroom and I had to walk myself to the bed. I found that so crazy that they weren’t helping me walk to my bed. Like hello, my water just broke! I know they are Labor and Delivery nurses and have seen it all, but I needed someone to understand my strife and help me lol.

Well, they check my cervix and I’m already 7cm dilated and 100% effaced! I told them I wanted an epidural. They kept taking forever finding my vein for IV. It took THREE attempts. Yes, THREE! Imagine having contractions and someone trying to poke you with a needle too. Not fun! Again, it seemed like no one was in a hurry to get me this IV put in so that I could get an epidural. While laying in bed, I’m shaking from pain and fear. I began to feel fluid pouring out. I tell them, so they check me again and I’m already 9 cm!! At that time my contractions were now 2 mins apart!! They called the on call doc to tell her to come (mind you I thought that was already done 30 mins ago when I arrived). My nurses also told me that the doctor lives about 20 minutes away. Excuse me, what?! Who is not holding this baby in so that a doctor can get here is me! Let’s get this over with! Lol.

I start to feel pressure and they check again. I’m 9.5!! They tell me they can try to give the epidural, but it may not take and I would have to do it natural. I cried because I’m absolutely terrified at the thought of natural birth. Especially since the pain I was experiencing was so terrible. I’ve always planned to have an epidural and was not mentally prepared to have a natural birth. But, I had no choice at this point. They check me again and I’m 10cm! Hallelujah! The doctor came in just in time and they tell me time to push.

I push for about four attempts. I am shaking, terrified and in so much pain. Camille is at the nurses station while this is going on, so we’re good there. They tell me to push again and it feels like HELL. It was hard to focus on the end goal because the pain was so unbearable. I was so scared. I scream and tell them I cant do it! My husband is trying to encourage me, but again I’m so scared. I was screaming “someone please help me!” I can laugh about it now, but thats how I really felt at the moment. The doctor tells me that his head is almost out so its time to push as hard as I can. I push hard and I feel the “ring of fire” pain that I heard about with natural labor. Its hard to explain, but I felt it. After I give that one big push, I hear “here he is, You did it!!”

I couldn’t even open my eyes to look at him when they pull him out because I was so miserable and upset with how painful everything was. I couldn’t believe that it was actually over! It seemed like there wasn’t going to be an end to the labor. But, of course it was! They hand him to me and I finally  look down to the cutest little baby boy I ever did see!

Xavier Drew Green, 5 pounds 5 oz, born June 25th at 3:12am. I started contractions June 24th, 11:30pm and he arrived June 25th 3:12 a.m. A very quick labor! He’s absolutely perfect! Xavier Drew is already at 8 pounds as of his 5 week appointment this past week. I love this little man so much!

This is the last child for Eric and I. I am so thankful that God has blessed us with two, beautiful children. After this labor, all I have to say is, women we rock!! The things are bodies can do such as bring life into this world is absolutely amazing!! I am glad I was able to experience the gift of having children. Now the goal is to raise God fearing, intelligent and responsible children in the world we live in today. Please pray for my husband and I as we do just that!