Eli's Birth Story

Here is Eli's birth story. 

After my 40 week appointment, I anticipated to be induced on Thursday, Halloween. Like I said in my 40 weeks post, my body was just about over being pregnant and ready to bring our little guy into the world. I spent the weekend hanging out around the house, doing laundry, went to church, and spent time with family. Saturday night, I was kept up a lot of the night with severe cramping. I had a labor and delivery nurse friend come over on Sunday to talk about birthing with us and any questions we might have. I told her my symptoms of cramping, but they were so far apart that I was barely in inactive labor. She suggested that since I was in such pain, that I should call the doctor the next morning and see if he could see me. 

Monday morning I called my doctor's office and told them how I was feeling. The nurses said that my doctor was already at the hospital for a c-section and it would be much easier if I went straight to the hospital instead of trying to get an appointment with them.

Chris and I put our bags in the car, in case we needed to stay for delivery, and headed to the hospital. I checked into the hospital and answered about a million health questions before they checked to see how far I was dilated. I was still at a 1! Big disappointment. I was now 4 days past my due date and miserable. I really wanted to have this baby already. My doctor came in and said that he didn't think we should induce today, but to try and get some sleep and come back the next day at 5:30am for induction. 

Chris and I spent the rest of the day catching up on any last minute things we needed to do and I rested as best I could. I tried to sleep that night, but with nerves and my cramps, it was almost impossible. At 2:30am I got in the bathtub to try and relax. I waited until Chris' alarm went off at 4 to get out. 

I knew that I couldn't eat once I got to the hospital so we stopped at Whataburger for a taquito (I would later regret that decision). I drank a large glass of water and checked into the hospital. By 7am I was hooked up to an IV and was dilated at a 3. They started me on pitocin and IV pain meds. The medication made me very loopy and sleepy. My contractions were increasing and becoming unbearable. I requested an epidural and the anesthesiologist came in. I was so out of it that I hardly remember any pain from it. They told me to turn sideways off the bed and lean on a pillow. I could hardly keep my head up because I was falling asleep. 

The loopiness and sleepiness continued. I would wake up for the contraction and would immediately fall asleep. My blood pressure was going up, so the nurse turned the lights down and told me to relax. Chris hooked up my headphones with my Enya Pandora station and turned the Scentsy on. The contractions were still coming too strong for me and I was only at a 5. They put me on a drip and a button for me to push to increase the medication. My family came in to visit me, but I wasn't much company as I would fall asleep mid-sentence and they would laugh at me. 

At 1:20, my doctor came to check me and said that I was at a 9 and could start pushing soon. I started pushing for about 10 minutes and my doctor got up to leave and it was just the nurse, Chris, and I. The nurse was wonderful and wouldn't let me give up when I wanted to. At about 2:30, she called for my doctor to come back. I felt the need the push and Eli was coming much faster than what the nurse intended. My doctor barely made it in time for Eli's arrival. In fact, he was still scrubbing up when Eli arrived and the nurse caught him. I looked to see the nurse juggling him because she wasn't expecting him to come out so quick. 

I couldn't believe that this miracle just happened. Life had just happened and I was there to help bring it in. I looked at Chris and just smiled. My attitude quickly changed from exhaustion to elation. Eli was here! My baby was finally here! The one I prayed for since we got married and the one who had been living inside of me for the past 10 months was finally born. It truly was a moment that I will never forget and cherish for the rest of my life.

Eli Christopher Gilburt was born on October 29, 2013 at 2:46 p.m. 

6 lbs. 13 oz. 20 1/2 in.

 They put him on my chest for a few seconds, but noticed he wasn't crying. They took him off me to clean him off and he finally cried. Then they noticed that he wasn't breathing correctly. They whisked him away and I didn't see him for the next few hours. We found out that he had pnuemothorax and would be monitored throughout the night. The on-call pediatrician wasn't too concerned, but still wanted him to stay in the nursery during his stay and only brought to me for feedings. I didn't like that, but knew that he needed to be taken care of. The next day, he was doing much better and by that evening had been released to stay with us in the room.

By Thursday afternoon, we were released to go home. It was so wonderful to go home and introduce Eli to the dogs and where he would now be living. 

We are smitten by this little boy and can't wait to see him grow up; but I think I will cuddle him a little closer and enjoy him for as small and new as he is.