A little more detail about Henry

So, I'm out of the hospital as of yesterday.  Peter and I were MORE than ready to leave...and since both Henry and I were doing great, they sent us home.  I've been pretty exhausted and as much as I thought I'd be able to write sooner, I just haven't had the energy (maybe the long labor process is part of it too :).  So sorry about the wait and hope you enjoy the pictures of Henry (aka. "Little Peter"...he looks so much like his dad).

Wanted to give you the gist of why my labor was so drawn out and intensive....and I promise to be as concise as I can.  :)  I started contractions at 6 pm Wednesday night and due to the fact that I had actually NO IDEA what a REAL contraction would feel like (found THAT out later), we were sent home.  Felt a little embarrassed, but glad to know everything was normal and I would just need to wait it out.  

Kept having contractions through Wednesday night and all the way until my scheduled induction at 8pm Thursday night.  By the time I got to the hospital, I was contracting fairly often and thought I would be moving along.  But when the doctor checked me, I was still only 3 cm. dilated and she started me on Pitocin. 

They broke my water around 3 am Friday morning and I was really feeling it then... had an epidural around 4:15 am (praise the Lord for modern medicine!  Honestly, don't know how I could have managed the next 20 hours without an epidural). 

Henry's heart rate started dropping in spurts throughout the morning and they took me off Pitocin (thought I was contracting too fast and Henry wasn't reacting well to it)...which didn't allow me to dilate as quickly.  Put me BACK on pitocin around 1pm and this time Henry was doing great and heart rate was better.

All that to say, we continued to up the pitocin throughout the rest of the afternoon and through the evening.  Henry's heart rate was alright, although it did dip at times, which worried the doctor.  I also wasn't dilating.  Still at 3 1/2 cm. at 7 pm!  I got a fever around 10 and when the doctor checked me again, I was only at 4 cm dilated.  That was when the doctor said that she was seriously recommending a c-section - I was NOT dilating, I was starting to get a fever (which could possibly lead into an infection due to the fact they broke my water so long ago) and Henry's heart rate still wasn't steady.

Peter and I had been warned of this all afternoon and had mentally/emotionally prepared ourselves for this possibility.  By 10:30 pm Friday night - 24 hours after arriving to the hospital, I was ready to do whatever it took to deliver this baby.  I was disappointed...got a little emotional, but obviously God knew the plan and I was reminded again to trust the Lord...even though this wasn't in MY plan. 

The c-section went really well.  It was the first time I was ever on a surgeon's table and was a little nervous.  Being awake the whole time was a little surreal, but great having Peter there to assure me that everything was alright.  They told us that Henry's head was turned and this was causing him not to move down the birth canal...the doctor was glad we went ahead with the c-section, otherwise I would have had a very intense delivery.

Henry Peter Von Tobel was born at 11:31 - just shy of 8 lbs. and 23 inches long (no wonder he was kicking my ribs the last month of my pregnancy!).  We think he's perfect and are so incredibly thankful that he's checked out healthy and well.  We're slowly adjusting to this new life - Peter's been a rockstar, taking care of both of his "patients," done things that might have been a little out of his comfortzone, and has really stepped up to the plate.  Don't know what I would have done without him the last 4 days...love that man. 

I'm feeling better than expected...obviously have some pain, but was able to be up and walking the next morning.  Nursing has also been going alright - Henry and I are both trying to get the hang of it and adjusting to the lack of sleep.  :)  My amazing mom is going to stay throughout this week to give me a helping hand...and she has already been such a blessing today.   So thankful to have her and an extra set of hands...

So anyway, just wanted to let you know that we're all doing well.  Sorry again that it's taken me longer than I thought to get back into the swing of things.  But I can't say enough how much we appreciated all of the texts, calls, FB messages...my word!  We were overwhelmed with every one's prayers and excitement.  :)
Can't wait for everyone to meet him - he's a pretty swell guy!  :)
Heather :) 



   

About to get out of his carseat...sound asleep