Joshua Anthony Flowers is finally here!!! And I actually have a minute to blog about it...this is a rare moment! Joshua was born on August 1st at 12:49am. He was 8lbs 15oz and 21 3/4 inches long. He has chubby little cheeks and long toes, he is beautiful and I still can't believe we have two little guys!
Tuesday, July 31st, I went into the doctors for a checkup and I was 4 1/2cm dilated, I was hoping she would tell me to go straight to the hospital because the baby was coming but she just said that when I felt the contractions to go straight to the hospital because he was going to come quick. So we went home and texted a friend. She said that I should do some squats...so Shelden made me do a bunch of squats! We were sitting at the table talking and laughing about how I wanted a Mcflurry from Mcdonalds and then I felt my water break. I was like uhhhh.....I think that was my water!!! I was super excited and nervous because that means I was going to have this baby. We went to the hospital and they confirmed that it was my water. I was admitted into a room and we just sat and waited for consistent contractions to come. We sat there for 6 hours, walking around the maternity floor, doing more squats and watching the Olympics. Finally the doctor came in and said my water probably didn't break all the way. So he broke my water....then it was on!!! My contractions came on pretty quick after that and they came on strong! I was frustrated that he didn't break my water fully sooner because I really don't like staying in the hospital but it is what it is. I had previously talked to my doctor about going all natural without any drugs because of a previous horrible experience I had with the epidural with Micah. There is nothing that helps with the pain of childbirth that is not invasive. And I was so fearful that the same thing would happen again. So my only option was to forgo drugs and go all natural. I definitely was scared.
Because of the new hospital that was built, I had a room with a tub in it. I hopped into the tub to ease the pain of the contractions but I am not sure if that really helped. It just hurt and I started to doubt myself. Shelden was such an amazing encouragement! He was there for me through the whole process. He talked me through each of my contractions and I am so thankful for him. I really don't think I could have done it without him there. Both my parents were there in the room as well. They were so supportive and took good care of me. I am so glad they were there as well! It was time to get out of the tub so the nurse could check how far I was dilated. The contractions were getting stronger and stronger and I started to lose focus. But shelden was there to keep me on track. The nurse gave me some tricks and helped me with my breathing. There was a couple of times that I said, "Shelden, I don't think I can do this." But he reassured me that this is what I was made to do this. Finally, it was time to push and I told myself this little baby is going to come out quick! It was only a matter of about 5-6 pushes and he was out. It was such a relief to have him out! I said out loud, "Thank you JESUS!" Thank you GOD!" and then I told my dad, I don't think I am going to have anymore, I am going to adopt. He just laughed at me.
Looking back I think that it wasn't too bad, but I know that in the moment it was really tough to get through those contractions. I kept saying out loud, "I can do this, I can do this, I can do this" I just said that over and over again during my contractions. It really was liberating to give birth all natural and I am so glad that I did! It really was an amazing experience...and I am really glad it is over!
I am fortunate enough to have an amazing friend who is a great photographer. She was there during the whole labor and birth and captured it through her lens. She was a great support and I am so glad she was there. Here is a picture video she made of Joshua's arrival. Thanks Amber! You are wonderful! Just click on the link...
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