Eddie's Birth Story!

Monday, April 30^th I began having uncomfortable cramping while teaching.  I went out to lunch with a few teacher friends, cramping continued to get worse, and they both suggested I call my DR.  Reluctantly so, I called Dr. Atwood and let her know how I was feeling and she suggested I come in as soon as I could. I organized my things at school the best I could, knowing I may not be returning (ironically the important state testing was beginning the next morning!) and was to the Dr’s office by 3:30p.m.. During my checkup Dr. A discovered I was 3-4 cm and about 75% effaced.  She was “on-call” that night and told me she wouldn’t be surprised to see me! I quickly called Denny, my Mom, and Megan.  Denny began packing up at work and heading home.  My mom was “on-call” and Megan offered to have Lucy spend the night.  Denny and I spent the evening walking around the block, contractions coming and going, from very uncomfortable to bearable.  This lasted all evening and at about 11:00 p.m. we began charting them.  They were about 8 minutes apart, 30 seconds long and I thought….this is going to be it!  After about 30 minutes of this, not getting anymore intense, I decided to try to get some sleep and see what happened.  Cramps continued throughout the night, but nothing chartable anymore and I woke up Tuesday morning a bit confused/frustrated.  Lucy spent the night at the babysitters, Denny and I home from work and no true labor happening…

Tuesday, May 1^st,  morning around 10:00a.m., we went to Granville to pick up Lucy and hoped to spend the day with her as labor did not seem to be progressing We both missed her so much.  We rarely, if ever, spend a night away from her so this was not easy on us.  On the other hand, she had the time of her life with Megan and didn’t stop telling us about the fun with Aubrey! Not sure what was happening with my labor we decided to just take it easy and have a low-key family day.  Tuesday was a pretty normal day and my labor did not progress much.  Dr. Atwood scheduled an appointment for me on Wednesday to see how I was progressing and to discuss induction for Thursday morning.

Wednesday, May 2^nd, I had an appointment with Dr. Atwood in the morning.  I was now 5 cm and 90% effaced and she said my body was ready to go! I was eager to hear this news because I was feeling quite exhausted after being in pre-labor since Monday morning. Denny and I were ready to meet Eddie and quite anxious after several days of labor.  So, we decided to schedule the induction for Thursday morning at Mount Carmel East. I quickly called Mom and Papa and they organized things in Perrysburg so they could head down Thursday morning.  They planned to stay with Lucy for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday while we were in the hospital.  This was very reassuring for me, because I didn’t want to have to worry about Lucy while in labor.  I knew she would be in good hands! We were able to spend another low-key family day together, which was wonderful.  It seemed that God had a plan to give me this slow, steady pre-labor to allow our family a few relaxing days together.  Our last days as a family of 3 and we enjoyed every minute!

I barely slept Wednesday night as the anticipation of labor, a brand new baby joining our family, how Lucy would feel with us not home a few days, and meeting Eddie were a bit too much for my mind! But, I woke up Thursday morning ready to go! Being induced was much different than going into labor naturally, and we had plenty of time to eat breakfast, pack the car, and spend the morning with Lucy.  Unfortunately, the hospital was very busy and called to tell me to wait until 11:00 to come in.  This was not the news an anxious Mom wants but we dealt.  Denny and I left the house around 10:15, grabbed a quick bite to eat, and arrived at Mount Carmel East @ 11:00a.m.  After a quite frustrating registration process (new computer system was being implemented that week in the whole health system = nightmare!) I was checking in my labor room around noon. 

The nurses started a low-dose of Pitocin and my contractions began to intensify and get more regular.  Things were getting pretty painful, but still tolerable.

 

Around 3:00-4:00 my contractions really got going and they were about every 2 minutes and getting intense.  I was about 7-8 cm at this point and very, very uncomfortable.  Around 4:15 I got my epidural, OUCH it was just awful but wonderful at the same time, and the Dr. also broke my water shortly thereafter.  This is when things got going! I also was having intense pain in my right rib cage, as Eddie’s little butt or feet were wedged right there.  It was quite painful and I remember telling Denny over and over again that Eddie needed to MOVE!  My contractions continued to be very close together and very intense from 4:30-6:30pm when Dr. Atwood arrived to check me.  She said I was ready!!!, 10 cm, and that we would be seeing this baby boy soon! At 7:12 p.m. Edward Dennis Ehrmin was born after just a few pushes!  He cried instantly and Dr. Atwood was able to put him right on my chest.  

(iPhone photo but look at that little pout-lip on him!)

His little cry was just the sound we wanted to hear! Denny cut his umbilical cord and I was able to cuddle with him for a while before he was checked out by the nurses.  He was the sweetest, calmest little boy I had ever seen.  It was surreal to be holding the baby boy that had been growing inside me for 9 months.  He was quiet, calm and just looking around. A moment I’ll never, never forget – holding Eddie for the first time as he took in the world around him!

He snuggled in close to my skin and squeaked the most precious squeals I've ever heard.

Daddy holding Eddie for the first time!

Edward Dennis Ehrmin

 Born May 3, 2012 at 7:12 p.m.

Weighing 6 pound and 7 ounces and 20 inches long.

Eddie got his first sponge bath in our room as we settled in a few hours later.




He was so calm and just checked out the world around him!


We were all settled in for the night around 10:00 p.m. and Denny ordered us Donatos pizza for dinner!  It was quite a treat after not eating for 12 hours.

We enjoyed the first night with our little baby boy(he nursed like a pro), we actually got some sleep, and we were very, very excited for our visitors to arrive the next morning to meet Eddie!