I survived pregnancy and childbirth and I have came out on the other side with an adorable little boy named Henry. Labor was long. I was in the hospital for 28 hours before Henry was born. I had to be induced because our little boy wasn't moving much and I was past due. I took a pill (not an IV of pitocin) to induce labor and remained medication free for 10 hours. At that point I caved and got an epidural. Yes, I hear you all saying "I told you so." I was still hours away from delivery and I couldn't sit still long enough for the nurses to get a good read on Henry's heartbeat (which kept falling during labor). In an emotional ball of tears my midwife and I decided it was time to get an epidural. By the time the wonderful man with the medication came I was vomiting from the pain. I won't lie after writhing in pain and puking as I went through my medical history with the anesthesiologist the epidural was amazing.
When it was time to push we cut off the epidural so I kind of got to experience a little of what natural birth is like. I have to say, it was phenomenal. It was hands down the most amazing experience of our lives. Jason wasn't really sure how he was going to react to labor but when the time came he got totally into it. Almost too into it, like umm Jason I am up here. And I knew I was close when Jason went from saying "Good job baby" to screaming "Push Jaime, push Jaime." After choice expression (which I will not type because this blog is G rated), a yell and one massive push our entire life changed. Seeing our tiny, baby born was the most defining moment of our entire relationship. I have never experienced anything as exhilarating as holding our new born son.
Thanks to my awesome midwife and a gallon of olive oil I am recovering well (I will spare you any other details). Breast feeding is going great. Henry is sleeping well, eating well and is generally a happy baby. All in all we are a content little family and are thrilled to have Henry join us.
Here is a video of Henry. I realize at this age he doesn't do anything to exciting but personally I find his yawn irresistibly adorable. Also, I love the fact that Henry spends the first few seconds looking at me with this look that says "I don't know about this camera in my face business." To which mommy said "Get used to it kid, all your extended family lives out of state."
Yawn from Jaime Barks on Vimeo.
PS. Who won the guessing game about when Henry would be born? No one. Despite all the people who participated no one guessed July 2nd. Looks like Henry is going to be his own man.













