Little LuLu

Luke's story begins last summer when I unexpectedly got pregnant...again :)  And hopefully this third child will lead to some sort of awareness on my part about how to properly use contraceptives.  But that is another matter for another day.  

This pregnancy was a little different in that this time I knew for sure that I would be having a c-section.  I was really disappointed when my VBAC failed last time, but I have gotten over the fact that I'm just not going to deliver my babies naturally.  And honestly, it was a big relief to actually know exactly what was going to happen and prepare for it, even though I knew that I wouldn't make my scheduled April 2nd section.  We all knew from the beginning that I would come at least a few weeks early, if not more.  And lo and behold, I DID come early!  Four weeks!  So we have a true preemie back in the house again. 

My doc started cervical checks on me several weeks before the normal schedule, and at 34 weeks I was already dilated 2 cm and 30% effaced.  At 35 weeks I was at 3cm and 50% effaced.  While I was completely miserable, I felt validated in this because basically I was in slow motion labor--so ladies, imagine your labor and stretch it out over weeks and weeks--the contractions, the misery, the pain and discomfort, all while trying to keep from going into premature labor and taking care of a 2 and 4 year old.  I was pretty pretty pretty whiny.

In order to have my section before the scheduled date I had to go into full on labor.  But since I'd never done the traditional labor thing before, I was nervous to know exactly what to look for.  But on March 11th we went to a free movie at the library with the kids, and I noticed that my I had three strong contractions in an hour.  When we got the kids in bed I sat on the couch and timed my contractions and they were lasting a minute and coming every 15 minutes or so.  I called the hospital at 10 to ask them when exactly I should come in, because I knew those contractions weren't going to slow down.  I found out that the doctor on call that night was the one OB that I do not like.  I told Richie that there was no way I was going to let him cut me open.  So I labored all night at home,  and at 5 am I came downstairs and timed my contractions again.  Now they were every 5 minutes.  Time to head for the hospital!

We got there and as the nurse set me up for surgery she said that it all depended on how dilated I was. I told her I was already at a 6.  She didn't believe me and when she checked I was almost at a 7!  By now the contractions were starting to hurt pretty good and I was ready to get this child out of me!  

The c-section itself was awesome.  I was nervous because I have never been awake for my other ones, but the spinal block went smooth and fast.  As I was getting prepped I realized that Richard was the only man in the OR.  How cool is that?  Even my anesthesiologist was a woman.  It was just coffee talk and chatting about kids and backyard chickens while we listened to music and getting ready to deliver a new life to the world!  I was honestly so happy.  Especially I was happy to have modern medicine helping me out so I felt nothing but that happiness.  Richie held my hand the whole time, and when the doctor told us that we had a little boy I began to cry.  I felt so much joy in that moment.  It was the complete opposite of my other two deliveries. 

So Luke Richard Barkume Peterson was born at 8:19 am, weighing 6 lb 4 oz and measuring 18".  He was in great shape and I got to hold him as soon as they made sure he didn't need to go to the NICU.  I am now recovering from surgery and excited for the warmer weather.  Luke is growing great, like to nurse a lot and never lets us sleep at night.  But somehow we will work it out.  We love Luke, he is a wonderful, beautiful, happy addition to our family and Eve and Theron love him very much and are wonderful older siblings.  We love you Luke!