Cooper's birth story

Saturday December 19th

 After getting Chris all set up for his tpn for the night. We prayed together and cried. I hated saying good-bye to him again. He had gotten home late Thursday night and we got to spend a couple of days together before having to say bye again. We talked about how we never really thought he wouldn't be at the birth of his son. My heart was breaking. I left to come to my parent's that night to spend time with my sisters. I left Chris with his mom. I hated leaving him.

Sunday December 20th

I stayed up with my sister till 2 in the morning, mostly talking about Chris. We got up early to attend church for Christmas Sunday. Everyone kept asking me how Chris was doing and excited about Cooper coming the next day. It was a beautiful day spent with my family. Owen was acting out the whole day and remember rocking him outside just crying because I knew it was some of our final moments of just him and me. It's been just us for three years and I just love him so much. I couldn't sleep that night and stayed up talking with Giner and Megan and taking a hot bath that night. My mind was in all different directions. I wanted so badly for my body to go into labor on it's own, but it wouldn't. I was scared of how inducing would be...but mostly my thoughts went to my husband. I didn't know if I could do it without him.

Monday December 21st

I got up early after tossing around and getting my snuggles with Owen. I woke him up and told him how Cooper was coming and that he would come see us in the hosptial. I talked about Cooper my whole pregnancy and I knew Owen was ready to be a big brother. I got up around 5:15 and made myself look presentable. That's one thing you can do with inducing. I was really getting excited. Today I was finally going to meet Cooper. I've waited for this moment for so long. Mama and Ally were getting ready, I'm so thankful for my support system. Ginger and Megan were going to help out with the kids. I'm so thankful to have such a strong and wonderful family. They have been my rock this whole time. Daddy was able to give me a blessing that morning...and I was ready. We did our best video taping the day so Chris could be a part of it. I called Chris on the way to the hospital...waking him up!! But I wanted him to be there for every moment.

We got to the hospital and no one was in the waiting room, so we called and they told us to come to the 2nd floor. We got there and there was a huge sign saying it was closed due to construction. We got a good laugh but a little scared. We called the the number on the door and they were able to come get me. We got settled into our room...they just wanted to moniter and see what was going on. I got hooked up to the IV and the Dr. Mcmorries would be in sometime to check and break water.

The day flew by...every hour. I was calling Chris and keeping him updated. They started the pitocin and I started feeling contractions pretty much right away...but nothing too painful. My family was having a group chat the whole laboring...it kept us entertained and laughing. Laughing during contractions aren't fun. My brother kept sending clips of him singing!! I loved it. It was fun having the be a part of it all.

At around 8:30 Dr. McMorries came in and I was a stretched 4 and 80 % effaced and he broke my water...It just kept coming out and out!! I was able to feel everything this time, not with Owen. The contractions kept getting greater and I just wanted to keep at it to see how long I could handle it. My friend, Liz came. The contractions were getting worse and I could feel it!! Nothing like I had with Owen. I was in some serious pain. They hadn't come to check in over two hours. If I was on the phone with Chris the contractions seemed a little better, so I kept calling him. A nurse came in and said two other ladies were going to get epidurals, so I said I would go ahead and get mine too. So about an hour later and a million strong contractions later I was able to get mine. I was in serious pain and the contractions were about every minute and a half. It was some of the worse pain I had ever been in. They said they would check me after the epidural.

Everyone stayed in the room during the epidural and that's when Megan got there and was about to open the door....watch out!! The epidural was painful because I was having strong contractions during it. After the epidural started working, things were a lot better. I was still able to feel the contractions and my tummy would come to a high point with each one. It was insane. During Owen's labor my legs felt like 300 lbs and I couldn't feel anything!! I'm so thankful the epidural was perfect this time.

They came to check me and I was an 8!! Things were getting exciting, but I was feeling better and really just wanted to nap. Sooo finally about an hour and a half later they came to check again and I was a 10!! I was a bit surprised and asked if I could have 10 minutes to prepare myself...it was about 12:30 then. I couldn't believe it was almost time. I didn't feel ready...but I did all at the same time. I remember crying because I wanted Chris to be there. But I'm so thankful my Mama and Ally were there. I'm glad I didn't have to do it alone.

They came in about 20 minutes later and said bye to Megan and Liz. It was go time!! I'm so thankful that I could feel each contraction...and it was time to meet Cooper. I had two nurses who were helping letting me know when to push...During each contraction I would push three times. I was trying my hardest and they said Cooper had a lot of hair. Surprise...we were all bald!!

Dr. McMorries came in and he said it wasn't going to be long and to call him when it was time. I pushed for about 20 minutes and they called Dr. McMorries...Cooper was ready. I pushed and pushed hoping each time Cooper would be out.  Cooper was having a little bit of trouble coming out and his heartbeat would go down and oxygen levels. He was stuck in my pelvic bone and they had to use a suction to help get him out. I was unaware of all of this untill he was out. After 40 minutes of pushing Cooper Marshall was finally here. He was perfect and a head full of hair. They laid him right on my chest and I was able to hold him for a good hour. He was wide awake and just looking around. He weighed 7lbs 6.5 oz 20 1/2 inches long...at 1:40. He is so beautiful and I'm thankful that Chris was able to be a part of it all. Our little rainbow is here and we are so in love!!