Labor/Delivery Story

Not sure where to begin for this post. Even considered looking at other people's stories to see how they shared, but I guess all those who have children have their own stories, their own experiences. And this is our story.

While I feel like "labor" started back at 35wks, the "labor day" began with much joy - my family was in town and we, especially Timothy, were overjoyed to see them. We enjoyed a gluten-free meal over at Rose's Bakery and naps before heading to a post-due date ultrasound and NST (non-stress test).
4:30p: The ultrasound technician took my mother and I back and after just a couple minutes of "surveying" the amount of fluid in my uterus, she informatively turned to me and said, "So, you're going to have your baby today." Excuse me, what?! She went on to explain in layman's terms for me that the typical amount of fluid ranges from 8-21cm. Usually, it's okay if you are above 5cm. I was at 1.8cm. (Without giving too many details, check out here if you'd like more information about low amniotic fluid: Low Amniotic Fluid Info.) The tech confirmed with my doctor (who was on call that day!!) that I did need to head over to the hospital to be induced. I didn't need the NST. At this point, I called my husband who says now that I apparently said, "You need head to the hospital now!" I just remember telling him to take the train right to the hospital; what a blessing the train stops next to the hospital.
5-6p: I went home and finished packing up our bags, grabbed some food and water, and I loved being able to say good-bye to Tim and let him know I was going to have baby brother (who at this point still didn't have a first name). My mother, who was so excited to be there for the birth, came with me to drop us off at the hospital. We picked up E from the train and checked into Labor and Delivery. All this time, maybe due to good-stress and anticipation, I was having lots of contractions.
6:30p: 4cm here. Admitted and was put on the monitors (to track baby's heartbeat and my contractions). Sure enough, contractions were 3min. apart and baby boy Hufford's (who was getting closer to having a first name at this point) heartbeat was responding well. 
7p: They tried to break my water at this point. Because of the lack of fluid remaining in my womb, nothing came out. E and I were able to go on a walk around the hospital as long as I came back within 45min to be monitored again. Well, our walk was a brutal one. The contractions got worse and worse and after 20min, I was yearning to get back to the room. Sitting brought no relief, actually the contractions got WORSE! I feel like I tried everything I could to manage through them. But my "I'm going to wait till I feel like I'm going to die to get an epidural" moment came much faster than with Timothy. I looked over at my support, my encouragement, "Babe, I don't think I can do this anymore. I don't know what to do to cope with the pain." *Even tried watching So You Think You Can Dance for distraction - laughing induced contractions for me...no good. :)
8p: 6cm here. Thankfully, the anesthesiologist came before he needed to help with two c-sections, and quite different from the epidural with Timothy (duration of 50min to get working on my body), this took a whapping 10min to get to feeling some relief. And I was able to still feel some of the discomfort but in a good 'I know what's going on' way.
9p-10p: 8cm here. I don't remember much for that last hour; maybe E took pictures/videos, maybe I rested, maybe this was during the time that my doctor and nurse hung out in the room and asked how E and I met and shared there stories and about their children. What a sweet moment at the hospital and helped to pass the time.
11p: 10cm here and time to push. As this time approached, my nurse got everything ready for our little boy's arrival. And Eric noted that at 11:10p I started pushing and by 11:15p I was holding my little boy.  My doctor put him right on my belly, and we snuggled there for what seemed like forever. Such a tender moment. And as I held him, my husband gently said he looked like our little "Cayden." And so, Cayden Jonathan Hufford joined our family with much love and welcoming. Somewhere during this time we tried nursing. Sometime after this he was weighed and measured and had some typical newborn evaluations done.
We arrived on the maternity wing just as four other families did. Cayden had many new little friends. :)

As I've said before, we are completely smitten. There has been so much love and support. And we are reminded that we are so blessed!

*Photo by Alauna Peterson Photography