Brayden Timothy
Stube
Welcome My Sweet Baby Boy
Born: February 10th 2011 at 7:02 pm
Weighing in at 7 lbs 14 oz
Stretching 21 inches long!!
What an amazing experience. As most of you know, I had a c-section with Ruthie, so it was my dream to have a V-Bac... well, I'm happy to announce that I got my wish. After a long 22 hours of labor I pushed one final push to welcome our son into the world. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to experience such a wonderful miracle. It was definitely the hardest thing I've ever done in my entire life, but the most incredible experience at the same time.
(I was so overwhelmed with love for my Son)
(A moment I'll never forget)
The Story...
Water Breaks
9:02 pm
February 9th 2011
Settled into Mount Nittany Medical Centre
Approximately 10:30 pm
It was like most nights at the Stube household (as a pregnant lady)... Ruthie was in bed and I was feeling miserable so I decided to take a bath in our little apartment tub (I don't think the water even touched my stomach) to help relieve some of the stress on my body. As I was lying there thinking, I decided to say a quick prayer. I asked God to let me experience my water breaking. I had been having off and on contractions for a few days and I so badly wanted labor to start and not stop!! I also thought that my water breaking would move my labor along quicker and well- I wanted that as well.
I was just finishing up my bath and sat up when I heard and felt a POP! Now, when this happened, I had no idea what I was going to see when I looked down. When I stood up, some "water" dripped into the tub. I seriously had to think hard to whether or not I was peeing myself. After a few moments and a few gushes of "water" I screamed down to Jon. Of course, my scream woke up Ruthie as well, so I had Jon and Ruthie in the bathroom as I announced that my water broke! Jon, of course, wanted to make sure I wasn't peeing... :) - but I assured him that it was time! (of course, right as he was sitting down to watch the NC/Duke basketball game!)
We called my parents to have them come up to the house. We then called Jon's parents. From there, we started working our way towards the door... which, no matter how "ready" you may feel, it takes FOREVER to get out the door. :) My contractions started shortly after my water broke- but while I was home I was in good spirits and overwhelmed with excitement.
When we left for the hospital, we called our doctor. The doctor on call was Dr. Hovick. I was pretty bummed when I heard this- 1) he was a male doctor 2) I hadn't met with him so I had no idea what to expect. Upon arriving to the hospital, I found out that I wouldn't be able to use the only room with a bath :( - this was a little disappointing considering I did so well while in labor with Ruthie. We got settled into our room and the nurse (Bev) came in to check me. Unfortunately, I was just getting started and my cervix was barely dilated. Dr. Hovick sent Bev instructions to have me start walking around labor and delivery to help get my cervix dilated. I was happy to get up and walk around. And here is where the story really really begins.
Jon and I walked loops and loops around labor and delivery. As we walked, my contractions started getting harder and harder and I soon realized that I was having back labor again. This time however, I was having a harder time handling my pain. Jon and I continued to walk, but with each contraction coming harder and stronger I had to stop in my tracks and lean on Jon. This was a workout for both Jon and I and Jon quickly became hungry :) - The only reason I'm telling you this... is because I would be yelling at Jon in the next hour because he was breathing on me with graham cracker breath. :) (Not one of my finer moments... but very real at the time!) As we walked, my water would continue to leak... at one point, I had another rush of water that ended with a puddle on the floor. Jon, was more concerned with where to place his cracker then how to help me take care of the mess :) -again... I yelled at him and once again, I was embarrassed about my reaction to something that was completely out of our control.
After a few hours, the nurse wanted to check me again. Unfortunately, not much progress had been made so we were instructed to walk some more. By this time, it was harder for me to get around because my contractions were so hard and I could not find any comfort when one struck. We walked for another hour or two when I finally said I was going to need some help. We decided to try Stadol to help calm me down. Let's just say- I'll never take that drug again! I lost my mind! I started screaming at each contraction. The pain seemed even more unbearable and I just wanted it to end. Jon and my mom did all they could to help comfort me which apparently was counterproductive. The nurse instructed them to ignore me. That any stimulation and the drug would not work as it should. Jon and my mom had to listen to me scream for hours- scream for them to come by my side. I think throughout the night I sent Jon to tell the doctors and nurses I was done... that they could go ahead and cut the baby out or please please please give me an epidural. Jon did his best to convince the doctors to give me an epidural, but the rules for Dr. Hovick were that I had to be 4 cm dilated. (which I wasn't!) Jon had no choice throughout the night to leave the room and take a walk around labor and delivery... 1) to get away from my screams... he was completely helpless and all he wanted to do was help and 2) to pretend he was talking to the doctors about a c-section.
Sometime that morning, even though I was not 4 cm dilated, I was finally given the okay to get an epidural. THANKFULLY!! It seemed like years before the anesthesiologist got to my room- but boy was I sure glad to seem him (I think it was a him!) He had a little trouble getting the epidural in, but man, once that baby was in- mom, Jon, and I finally had some relief. My voice was completely gone by that time. I had screamed so much that my throat was raw. Ice chips became my best friend but did little to help with my scratchy sore throat.
My dear friend Kathryn joined Jon and my mom that morning. She brought with her some donuts which was welcomed after a night mom and Jon had had! It was so great to see Kathryn even though I realized then it was going to be a long day!
I also was greeted with Dr. Hardyk which was the perfect doctor for my situation. I was checked and still not very far as far as progress so I received Pitocin. Throughout the day the four of us just sat and waited. At some point that day, while checking my temperature and vitals, they realized I was running a slight fever. With my water breaking the night before, I had gotten an infection. :( Again, another reason Dr. Hardyk could have thrown in the towel, but she continued to let me labor.
Some time midday I started feeling my contractions again and had to breathe through each of them. At first, I felt pain only on my left side, but as the day continued, there was times I felt everything. With each hour that past, I was hit with both positive and negative news. The positive news was Dr. Hardyk was not throwing in the towel, she continued to let me labor the negative news was Dr. Hardyk really didn't think I was going to be able to push the baby out. In the doctors words "I can get you to 10 cm... that isn't the problem, but getting you to 10 cm isn't going to do you any good if your cervix doesn't do what it needs to do" YIKES! But, even though I was being hit with this news, I felt at ease about everything. Dr. Hardyk was giving me nothing but true realities and I very much appreciated it and yet, she was willing to do all she could to help me make my wish come true. A little after 6:00 pm Dr. Hardyk came into the room and all of a sudden, it was time to push. I was at 10 cm and it was time!!
All of a sudden, I was completely overwhelmed. I had no idea what to do! I never pushed before, did I know how to push?? It was a very scary but exciting moment. I didn't really have time to think, it was time to push. So, when a contraction hit, I pushed. I pushed, pushed, pushed as hard as I could. My mom, Kathryn, and Jon were there encouraging me on. At that moment, I knew I was in the perfect hands. A fabulous doctor and three of the greatest people coaching me and encouraging me. As I rested between each contraction I felt God's presence there in the room. It was such an incredible feeling. I was able to pray at each rest for God's will to be done. As much as I wanted a natural child birth, I wanted a healthy baby and delivery even more.
Well- after about 40-50 minutes of pushing... I pushed one last push to bring my beautiful son into the world. It was the most incredible burning feeling. Unlike the movies, there was no- okay Erin, this is it... one last push... No, in fact, not even the doctors knew that I was pushing my last push. But just like that, at 7:02 pm, Brayden Timothy was welcomed into the world; head and shoulder... he was out with that final push. It was amazing. Jon got to announce that we had a BOY! It was such wonderful news! Jon also was able to cut the umbilical cord while Brayden laid on my chest. Again, such an amazing experience.
Kathryn, Mom, Jon, & Ethan (who came in from the hallway right afterward) took pictures and checked out my sweet son. It was so neat to look at him and see how much he looked like Ruthie and yet, looked just like Jon. I was so thankful for my support during my labor and delivery. I definitely felt so blessed. Thank you!!
Because I had a infection during labor, they were worried that I had passed the infection onto Brayden. It was actually Jon that noticed Brayden wasn't crying like he should so they took him to the nursery to get him under oxygen. Of course, this was pretty scary, but I knew he was in good hands and his daddy was there next to him. While Jon and Brayden were in the nursery, I finished getting stitched up. Even though compared to Ruthie (9 lbs .1oz) Brayden was so tiny (7 lbs 14oz) he still was big for me. Right before I delivered Brayden, Dr. Hardyk was going to do an episiotomy to help make room for my little man, but surprise... the next push he squeezed through tearing me in what the doctors called a "starburst tear" OUCH! Anyway, they finished stitching me up and shortly after, my beautiful little girl arrived at the hospital with my dad and also my brother Eric.
I was eager for Ruthie to meet her brother. The nurse in my recovery room kept telling me she didn't think Brayden was going to be able to come off the oxygen until the following morning, but the nursery nurses assured Jon that he was doing great and he'd be able to come see mommy and nurse very soon. About an hour later, Jon was walking in the room with my little guy. I didn't know what Ruthie would think of this new baby in our lives... it didn't take her long to let us know exactly what she thought... in her exact words "I don't want him" ... I can only pray that as time goes on Ruthie will adjust to having a brother. I know she's going to be a great older sister. I have no doubt... but how long it will take her to open up??? We shall see!
(Arriving home from the hospital)
(Brayden sleeping in the pack-n-play)
(Brayden chilling with mommy after a nice meal)
(Father and Son early Valentine's Day Morning)
(Getting back to business... Ruthie at Art Class) 
(Perfection) 
(Brayden snuggling with mommy after nursing) 
(I love naps with my little man) 
