Baby Jack: A Birth Story. (Part One)
And this is the story of how baby Jack came into this world.
Tuesday, January 12th. I had been having contractions on and off since Christmas, and I just knew that at this appointment, only two days away from my due date, the doctor was going to tell me I was super close to having a baby. Instead, she said that wasn’t the case and scheduled me for an induction on the 21st. I cried and told Chris I did not think I could physically be pregnant for nine
more days, so we went to Chick-Fil-A. We ended up having the best night ever…we
got pizza and watched The Martian and just hung out. When we went to bed that
night, we said that if that had been our last night just the two of us, it would
have been a great one.
more days, so we went to Chick-Fil-A. We ended up having the best night ever…we
got pizza and watched The Martian and just hung out. When we went to bed that
night, we said that if that had been our last night just the two of us, it would
have been a great one.
 |
| After my appointment on Tuesday, I wrote this in my planner, like mayyyyybe it would make it true. |
Wednesday, January 13th. Chris made us a big
breakfast and we were having a lazy morning watching Netflix. I was having
contractions, but at this point, I didn’t trust them at all. I downloaded
an app that tracks them, and they were coming between 8-25 minutes apart. The
problem was that they started hurting way more than before. We were in the middle
of an episode of The West Wing and I decided to take a bath to see if I could
get my body to relax if it wasn’t the real thing, which I was positive it
wasn’t. Chris was not so sure, but I chalked that up to it being the first day
he’d been with me where I had a lot of contractions. I was sure my body was
still lying to me.
breakfast and we were having a lazy morning watching Netflix. I was having
contractions, but at this point, I didn’t trust them at all. I downloaded
an app that tracks them, and they were coming between 8-25 minutes apart. The
problem was that they started hurting way more than before. We were in the middle
of an episode of The West Wing and I decided to take a bath to see if I could
get my body to relax if it wasn’t the real thing, which I was positive it
wasn’t. Chris was not so sure, but I chalked that up to it being the first day
he’d been with me where I had a lot of contractions. I was sure my body was
still lying to me.
I could tell that he thought something was happening because
while I was in the bath, he took the dog out and refilled his food and water,
which was something on our list of what to do right before we left for the
hospital. I kept the app open on my phone and just pressed the button when I had contractions, not really paying attention to the timing.
while I was in the bath, he took the dog out and refilled his food and water,
which was something on our list of what to do right before we left for the
hospital. I kept the app open on my phone and just pressed the button when I had contractions, not really paying attention to the timing.
When I got out and went to lay down, Chris picked my phone up…and saw that my
contractions were 4 and a half minutes apart. He told me I needed to get
dressed because we should probably go to the hospital. The problem was that
they were only lasting about 40 seconds each, and I was sure that I was going
to get sent home from the hospital, which I had made a goal to NOT happen. Now,
I’m pretty happy with who I am as a person, but even I have to admit that I am
incredibly stubborn once I have something in my mind. At that point, I had
in my mind that I was not in labor, and going to the hospital would only get me
sent home with a bill. Let us also take a moment to remember that I am married to a man who will be a doctor in May. And still, I’m so stubborn.
contractions were 4 and a half minutes apart. He told me I needed to get
dressed because we should probably go to the hospital. The problem was that
they were only lasting about 40 seconds each, and I was sure that I was going
to get sent home from the hospital, which I had made a goal to NOT happen. Now,
I’m pretty happy with who I am as a person, but even I have to admit that I am
incredibly stubborn once I have something in my mind. At that point, I had
in my mind that I was not in labor, and going to the hospital would only get me
sent home with a bill. Let us also take a moment to remember that I am married to a man who will be a doctor in May. And still, I’m so stubborn.
The following conversation took place between contractions.
Chris: Hey, why don’t we just go to the hospital? Just for
kicks.
kicks.
Me: I don’t think we need to.
Chris: Why don’t you get dressed, just in case?
Contraction.
Me: Okay, but it’s not time to go yet.
I wander around the
house, trying to decide what to put on and if I want a snack.
house, trying to decide what to put on and if I want a snack.
Chris: Chelsea, why don’t you get dressed?
Me: Because I don’t want to go to the hospital yet.
Contraction
Chris: Okay, so why don’t we do this: You get dressed, and
we’ll go to Chick-Fil-A, and while we’re there, we’ll decide if we
should maybe go to the hospital. And we’ll take our stuff just in case.
we’ll go to Chick-Fil-A, and while we’re there, we’ll decide if we
should maybe go to the hospital. And we’ll take our stuff just in case.
At this point, Chris has gotten all of our stuff together,
packed all of the last minute things from our list, and I am literally just
standing there in a towel telling him my contractions are fake.
packed all of the last minute things from our list, and I am literally just
standing there in a towel telling him my contractions are fake.
Chris: GET DRESSED.
Me: You know what’s funny? All this time I’ve had to plan, I haven’t thought at all about what I wanted to wear to the hospital.
Chris: You haven’t—what? Okay, no. Just get—
Contraction.
Chris: You are going to get dressed before your next
contraction, or you are going to the hospital in my boxers and a t-shirt. Your
choice.
contraction, or you are going to the hospital in my boxers and a t-shirt. Your
choice.
So I got dressed, hugged Gatsby, told him we’d be home soon,
and had about three more contractions while grabbing random things I thought I
might need at the hospital before Chris made me go stand outside so we could
actually leave.
and had about three more contractions while grabbing random things I thought I
might need at the hospital before Chris made me go stand outside so we could
actually leave.
On the way to Chick-Fil-A, I told him that I felt stupid
because I was pretty sure they were going to send me home. He said not to worry
about it, and then said something that struck fear into my heart.
because I was pretty sure they were going to send me home. He said not to worry
about it, and then said something that struck fear into my heart.
“It’s better to get there too early and get sent home than
it is to get there too late to get an epidural.”
it is to get there too late to get an epidural.”
We pulled into the drive-thru at that moment,
because I wanted to eat a meal before checking in, and the mother of all
contractions hit. While Chris was paying for the food I checked the app and saw
they were coming at THREE AND A HALF MINUTES APART. I managed to eat exactly
one chicken nugget and two French fries before starting to sob that I had
waited too long and now wasn’t going to be able to get an epidural and that was
going to be the end of my life.
because I wanted to eat a meal before checking in, and the mother of all
contractions hit. While Chris was paying for the food I checked the app and saw
they were coming at THREE AND A HALF MINUTES APART. I managed to eat exactly
one chicken nugget and two French fries before starting to sob that I had
waited too long and now wasn’t going to be able to get an epidural and that was
going to be the end of my life.
We got to the hospital, where we had preregistered so we
wouldn’t have to wait. I guess when I imagined not waiting, my imagination did
not include a grumpy nurse at the front desk.
wouldn’t have to wait. I guess when I imagined not waiting, my imagination did
not include a grumpy nurse at the front desk.
Me: Hi, we preregistered. Gives her information.
Grumpy nurse: Why are you here?
Me: Has contraction.
Chris: She’s in labor.
Grumpy nurse: You don’t look like
you’re in labor. You look like you could go jogging right now.
you’re in labor. You look like you could go jogging right now.
Me and Chris: …….
Grumpy nurse: Well…come on back, I guess. But I don’t think you’re in labor.
To be continued!
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Oh my goodness I died over your conversation with Chris about getting dressed! Too funny! Also I so hope that nurse was way wrong… Can't wait for the next one!
I love all of your pre-hospital conversations! & the one with the nurse. Too funny!
hahaha, this is too funny…I can't wait to hear more..and YES for Chick-Fil-A 😉
The nurse seriously said that?!? I would kill her, haha!
I love that you documented this. You will cherish it! I wish I would have been blogging at this time in my life to have our birth stories down. 🙂
grumpy nurse… there's always one!!
We share a birthday so you know he's got something good going for him 🙂
I'm pretty sure this is how I will be too lol! That little ole grumpy nurse could've used some Chick-fil-A to brighten her morning up a bit. LOL!
I'm sorry but this is tooo funny. I can just see your husband telling you to get dressed, haha.
So funny and cute!
Ahhh, I love your retelling of this story. And I love how stubborn you were! Hehe! Let's talk about how you were watching The West Wing AND you opted for Chick-fil-A before going to birth your son. I swear you're my spirit animal! Can't wait for more!!
you go girl! I waited forever too! I was scheduled for an induction the next morning so my husband and I laid down to get a good nights sleep before what I assumed would be a really long day the next day. Laid down at 9 and took a tylenol PM (advised by my midwife so I could actually sleep instead of being a kid on christmas eve). My husband went right to sleep, but when i laid down i start getting cramps. I had a few braxton hicks before so like you I was all "oh its just my body playing games" I laid there for a while hoping to fall asleep. They kept coming. I got out of bed around 11 so I wouldnt wake kirk up with my tossing and turning. I paced the house for hours before calling the on call midwife and telling her what was going on. she said I could wait as long as I felt I could. I finally went in and woke my husband up at about 2am and said "I dont think we are making it til our 7am appointment"
Then, I made him wait another 2 hours before I would let us leave for the hospital! And like you all the nurses were like "you sure don't look like you're in labor" but when they checked, I was 6cm!
Can't wait to read the rest! Too funny and sweet!
I'm laughing over how Chris had to argue with you. I mean, of course you didn't want to be sent home! But what a cranky nurse.
I will totally be the stubborn one too, and that nurse sure could have been a lot nicer, especially if she works in labor and delivery!
EEK! Can't wait to read part 2! I LOLd at not knowing what to wear to the hospital 😉 I'll now add that to my list of things to remember.
Ah I love birth stories and have been looking forward to Jack's! I can just picture you standing their stubbornly. I'm sorry your first hospital interaction had to be with a grumpy nurse.
My labor with my first was very similar! I thought my contractions were "fake" (though at even intervals), my best friend had to convince me to go to the hospital to get checked (I reluctantly went and drove myself), and even called my husband at work to tell him to not even bother to come to the doctor to see me (he luckily ignored me.) Our daughter was born five hours later!
I am seriously SO nervous that I'm either going to go to the hospital wayyyy too early or stay home too long! I feel like Doug is definitely going to be like Chris and insist we go before I think we should!
LOL you look like you could go jogging! And can we talk about how much I'm loving the idea for Chic Fil A!? Looking forward to Part II 😀
Green Fashionista
I'm also really stubborn, because that sounds like something I would do! And my due date is a week from tomorrow, and I've made no progress, and I have been in the worst mood because of it–if they need to induce they won't do it until after 41 weeks, which means we miss Valentine's day and I know it's so stupid but I bought her a Valentine's onesie so naturally I'm also upset about that. Anyway, if I had that encounter with the nurse, I probably would have lost my mind!
You're a champion! And I love that Chris lured you out of the house with Chick Fila!
i dont know how i just came across your blog now but im so glad i did! its fabulous and this story is lovely. i was super stubborn with my first born ( and now shes turning TWO on Sat 🙁 ! ) Can't wait to read more of your blog!
I can't believe that nurse! "You look like you could go jogging right now"?! I mean, I guess that's a compliment to you, kind of…? So strange.
That's too funny that you didn't think that you were in labor and arguing with your husband about it! I'm super stubborn too, so I'm sure I'll be having the same conversation with my husband when we decide to have kids!
Hahaha I can't wait to hear the rest! I would be stubborn too I think. I always remember the father of the bride 2 movie where she keeps having false alarms and would worry that was me too. Still chick-fil-a would probably convince me as well!
Oh my gosh! That nurse!! I cannot believe she told you could go jogging?!? Can't wait to hear the rest!
xo, Rachel
A Blonde's Moment
So, having been THAT person who does get sent home, I completely understand. The second time around I was not about to go and get sent home again, and that's why I ended up pacing the floor and counting contractions in my house for ELEVEN HOURS. I wish I had known about this phone app for timing contractions. I had about six pieces of paper lined with times, and it was the most obnoxious thing ever. Also, what did you end up wearing? I wore an XL tshirt and a pair of gym shorts and flip flops. Classy.
Oh my God this is all we get?!?!? I cannot wait for the rest. This is hilarious! I am praying and hoping you were able to get the epidural!!!
I can't wait for more but first I want to punch that nurse. LOL
Cliff hanger! Can't wait or the rest. Jack is just too cute.
Congratulations!! He is precious!! And oh my gosh, I can't believe that grumpy nurse!!! Seriously!?!
ahhhh what a tease!! I want to keep reading! Haha!! I was sent home twice with Hadley, and I sobbed like a two year old. I totally get it! Cant wait to read the rest!
I cannot handle that nurse! Ugh! Can't wait to read more!
Oh my god, your interactions with your husband were hilarious (especially the part where you point out he's about to be a doctor and yet you're still not listening to him)
Also, grumpy nurse needs a happy meal. *shakes head*
Hahaha that cracks me up about you not wanting to get dressed. I'm glad he pushed you to do it. I can't wait to hear the rest.
Uh – such a cliffhanger! I can't wait to hear the rest of this story.
Ah definitely a cliffhanger. I can't wait to read the rest. Thank for sharing.
What?!? You end it THERE?! Did you get sent home? What happened?! This is a total cliffhanger and that's not fair.
You look like you could be jogging? Seriously, nurse?! Love the conversation with you and Chris about getting dressed.
Omg chickfila by far the best meal before having a baby! And wow at that nurse… jogging really?! Cant wait to hear the rest!
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
Haha oh my goodness! I loved this! Your conversation with Chris was so funny. I can't wait to read part 2!
Oh no I already hate the grumpy nurse… Can't wait for the end of the story!!
ahhhh grouchy nurse go awaaaay! can't wait for part 2!
It's a good thing Chris kept bugging you to get out the door! I hope you were there in time for the epidural, haha!
Loved reading this!! Can't wait for the rest!!
Awe. I'd be doing what you were doing in the drive thru, freaking out that it may be too late for an epidural. I always say that when I get pregnant and start contracting, I'll try to stay home as long as possible too. Hope you were able to get there before you were too far progressed.
Oh gosh! I'm sure this was stressful at the time but your all's convo sounds so funny! That nurse doesn't sound very nice.
Kelsey
http://www.thepeacockroost.com
i have a confession: i am obsessed with birth stories. obsessed. i love to hear my friends' stories, i love to read bloggers' stories, i love how everyone story is so completely different, and yet, so similar. i cannot wait to read the rest of yours. (oh and i wanted to stay home too…i cried when i couldn't)
Haha, my sister in law was in such denial as well! Can't wait to read the rest, I have a secret love for birth stories.
SHE DID NOT. I could punch that nurse. I was also in denial about my contractions until they were a few minutes apart. James had to beg me to call the doctor and get ready to go to the hospital. I'm so excited to read the rest.
Are you kidding me? Thank you, grumpy nurse. That is EXACTLY what every first time pregnant mom wants to hear when she comes to the hospital. She must have been having a BAD day. Can't wait to read the rest of the story!!
Can't wait to read the rest of the story!! He is perfect!!
Ugh, what a warm welcome. Can't wait to hear the rest!
"I didn't plan what to wear to the hospital." I love that!
And the nurse! I think I would have shoved my phone with the app up in her face.
Looking forward to part two, and I'm not one for birth stories. But I love your stories. 🙂
I love birth stories but as always, yours is the best! My favorite is your conversation! Ha, our poor men, having to deal with women much less a very pregnant woman 🙂 I'm so sorry about the grumpy nurse, that's really so sad. I understand that people have bad days but put on a fake smile or something…
Ah! I'm so intrigued now! I love how this is just like a normal day amid contractions. I'm pretty sure I would be freaking out!
Jack is cute!
Your story is so intriguing. I can't believe that nurse was grumpy. That is so terrible but I hope it went better after that. Your husband is nice and patient. I'm glad he was there to help you.
A two-part (or MORE?!) post?! How can you keep us in suspense?!?! I can't wait to read the rest of the story! Also, I love the exchange between you and Chris, especially his ultimatum about wardrobe choices. Jack is TOO FREAKIN CUTE! Congrats, Chelsea!
hahaha same thing happened to me- we called several times with painful contractions 5 min apart for 9.5 hours … and they made me come to my 40 week doctor's appointment… in labor- and sure enough- i was in labor. love the 'grumpy nurse' part- lol
Hahaha that was me last time, with my 2nd – I was so adamant I wasn't far enough along in labor to need to go to the hospital. My mom had to pretty much tell me to go! Can't wait to read part 2!
Where's part 2? I'm loving this. Seriously he scared you because of the epidural. I need more!