At around 5:00 p.m. on January 1st, I began to have contractions approximately 20 minutes apart. No big deal - I had been through this before. The contractions were still steady, but nothing that I hadn't already experienced the previous weeks. At about 10:00 p.m., I knew these contractions were different as I started to get sharp shooting pains down my legs. The contractions at this point were 5 minutes apart for over an hour. The doctor sent me to the hospital.
At the hospital, it was learned that I wasn't even a centimeter dialated, so they had me "walk the halls" to get labor going. Unfortunately, this did not help things as I was "sent home" at 3:00 a.m. with instructions to rest and return when contractions were harder or if my water broke. The nurse actually advised me to take 2 Tylenol P.M. to help me relax, a hot shower and food. The hospital felt this was "real" labor, but determined that I wouldn't be back until later that afternoon. So, I took their advice, took the Tylenol P.M., and fell asleep at 4:00 a.m.
At 6:00 a.m. - I felt a "pop" and ran to the bathroom - my water had broke. I was hysterical as I had really only had 2 hours of sleep at this point. Back to the hospital where I was admitted to "ride it out" until the birth...
Things progressed normally during the labor and I was at 10 centimeters and ready to push at approximately 5:45 p.m. I pushed for an hour and a half, with little progress. I knew something was wrong when the nurse "stepped" outside.
Shortly, the doctor returned and "checked" me to determine that my cervix was actually at 9 centimeters again. The baby's head was stuck sideways, and the pressure from the baby's head was actually swelling the cervix closed. They were going to have to deliver my boy via c-section. I was informed later after delivery that they were concerned as the baby's heart rate was decreasing and because my water had been broken at this point for over 12 hours.
Within 30 minutes, I was in the operating room, and my boy was delivered. All went well during the operation. Noah Ridgley Mullins arrived at 7:47 p.m., weighing in at 8 pounds, 9 ounces and 22 inches long. He was just perfect with an Apgar Score of 9 - 9. I was so happy.