Tristan's Birth Story

True to my word, I wanted to record his birth story!! Tristan Lucas Ring was born on 12:29 AM on Thursday April 28th, several hours later than I predicted. My technical due date was May 13th at 40 weeks, but I delivered both Micah and Caelan at 38 weeks and I knew by the size of my belly that Tristan would fall right in line , and I actually predicted April 27th. No one believed me, and it's nice to be vindicated!

I was scheduled to go on my routine doctor's appointment that Wednesday at 4:00. After having a contraction on the table and being about 4 cm dilated, the doctor was uncomfortable with sending me home. It was a good call on her part! By the time I checked into the hospital around 6 p.m., I was already 5 minutes apart, 5 cm dilated and experiencing some serious pain at a level 6 already. They checked me in right away and sent for an anesthesiologist, otherwise known as the "most awesome man in the world." I didn't want to miss the window of the epidural!

Shortly after, the doctor came in and broke my water and put me on pitocin. Everything was going pretty steady from there. This time, I received a spinal tap ( good for about 2-3 hours of pain, and manages a pain level of 4) so I actually felt quite a bit through each contraction. It took 6 hours (a lot longer than I thought) to get to transition, which when I got to about 9 cm, I started violently shaking and feeling the need to vomit. That never happened before. By midnight, I was 10 cm dilated and ready to push. It was then the shaking stopped. Patrick was a great coach, and so incredibly comforting to me.

Another interesting note - the doctor actually fell asleep waiting for me to get to transition and had to be awakened at midnight so that was a bit odd because she seemed tired and lifeless, and no one in the room (there was like 7 people just watching me in the room) spoke between contractions, only instructional words when I needed to push and I felt like saying, "This is awkward, could someone strike up a conversation!@#"

When it was time to push, another thing happened. I felt like I couldn't breathe. It was hard to push, and I felt like I wasn't getting anywhere, and I couldn't seem to catch my breath. Unlike the other two deliveries, I definitely felt him crowning and the pain level was intense. One of the doulas in training came to help with pushing my legs back for the final pushes and 25 minutes later, Tristan made his grand entrance into the world. It seemed much more of an accomplishment when the labor was more difficult. Patrick was pretty proud of me.

When he did come out, I could breathe again and he was immediately placed on my chest. Nothing could ever prepare you for that moment of awe and this amazing love that just covers any pain you've had. Nothing mattered, but this new little life. He was healthy and such an awesome gift! I did happen to ask the doctor if indeed he was a boy. Everyone laughed. Not sure why. Hello, I just had to be sure!

He came in at 8 lbs 4 ozs and it occurred to me then why it was so much harder. This kid was a whole pound heavier than my other two! And he came looking so much like Caelan!

Caelan born at 7 lb 4 ozs.

Tristan at 8 lbs. 4 ozs.

No fainting like I did with Micah, and no vomiting right after delivery like Caelan, but I definitely had more pain with this one than the two combined. But it was all worth it. I'm just grateful that I don't live in a third world, wow. Mommy and Tristan bonded together nursing for the next hour and it was a great start. Welcome to the world, baby Tristan. We have been so excited to meet you.