He's here! He's here! Yesterday, I woke up and noticed what seemed to be somewhat regular contractions. Initially, contractions were about 10-12 minutes apart; by 11 am, they were 8 minutes or so apart. I decided it was time to check in at L&D given doctor's instructions to head there when contractions were 7-8 minutes apart for over an hour. Peter and Pierce dropped me off and headed to hang out with Pops while I was being assessed. I was still 3 cm dilated but 70% effaced upon getting to the assessment room. Contractions were indeed about 7 minutes apart. After being monitored for about 2 hours, my contractions had shortened to 3-5 minutes apart and I had dilated to a 4. I was admitted. Praise the Lord because I was almost sent home to wait it out (and by this point the contractions were becoming more and more uncomfortable).
At around 4 pm, I got an epidural. No pitocin necessary. My water was broken around 5 pm, shortly before Peter arrived after getting Pierce and the critters situated. I was 5 cm dilated at the time. At 6:40 pm, I was a good 6 cm dilated and the doctor gave orders to start Pitocin. Well, 20 minutes later the nurse checked me again before starting the Pitocin and lo and behold I was 10 cm and ready to push. Instructed not to sneeze or laugh, I waited 30 minutes for doctor's arrival, and after 3 pushes (1 more than with Pierce), Henry was born. No tearing, no stitches, nothing! God has really been good to me with very easy birth experiences. I'm feeling great and am virtually pain-free with the exception of some discomfort due to cramping. Henry is nursing great and certainly resembles his big brother as a newborn! Pierce will be meeting baby Henry later today. Pray for us. All of us! : )
Without further adieu, meet Henry! And stay tuned for more pics with big brother and family...Thank you all for your prayers and for checking in over the last few days. We appreciate it so much!
Henry Turner Matthews
November 7, 2009
7:35 pm
7 pounds, 8 ounces
21 inches
* Turner is a tribute to my Grandfather, Fred Lloyd Turner
For comparison, if you click on the photo album at left titled "Pierce's Arrival," you can view pictures of Pierce on his birthday. These two boys certainly share the same big hands and feet, long fingers and toes, chins, and little underbites. And Henry is a bit "beefier" than Pierce was even with only a 1/2 pound difference! More later!
Congratulations, Laura and Peter and Pierce!!! Henry is a handsome little fellow. Hope to see all of you when we are at Erin's around Thanksgiving.
Posted by: Judy Bourg | November 08, 2009 at 02:27 PM
Congrats! So excited for you guys! What a cutie! You got some good photos! Glad to hear you had such a good, easy birthing process! Can't wait to meet Henry! And yes, I LOVE the name! Just as cute as Pierce! Hope you have a speedy recovery!
Posted by: Meg | November 08, 2009 at 06:27 PM
Henry is beautiful, so glad to hear everyone is doing well - and a beautiful blog post so soon too! WOW - you are superwoman.
Posted by: chris | November 08, 2009 at 06:48 PM
Congratulations! He is beautiful! SO glad to hear you had a great experience! Had been wondering.....:)
Posted by: Jaime Brooks | November 08, 2009 at 11:51 PM
CONGRATULATIONS!!! You have been on my mind ALL weekend. I'm so glad to know he's here and doing well.
I LOVE the name! He is absolutely beautiful, and you look amazing in those photos to have just given birth!
I'm just so excited for you all!
Congratulations again!
Allyson
P.S. What does Pierce think?
Posted by: Allyson@HouseofStephens | November 09, 2009 at 02:16 AM
Congratulations!! He is a cutie!
Posted by: ckspoole | November 09, 2009 at 06:13 AM
Henry is just perfect. And so lucky to have you as his mommy!
Posted by: Erin | November 09, 2009 at 08:54 AM
Laura, he's beautiful! I love the name! I'm so happy for you guys. I will be praying for a smooth transition when you bring cutie pie Henry home!
Love,
Amanda, Matt, and Wesley
Posted by: Amanda W | November 09, 2009 at 08:58 AM
Oh, Laura! Congratulations! I am so glad he is here! Welcome to the world Henry! I am also very happy you had another easy labor!
Posted by: Allyson | November 09, 2009 at 04:33 PM
Congratulations!! You all look great and quite a handsome family of four. Take good care and enjoy the new little addition - he's so lucky to have such a great mom, dad and big brother. Wonderful name! (And, I'm quite jealous of your labor experience!)
Posted by: Jackie Ross Shepard | November 09, 2009 at 08:53 PM
Congratulations to you and Peter on the arrival of baby Henry. So cute! I hope to God my labor is as seemingly simple as yours have been.
Posted by: Kristina | November 11, 2009 at 02:00 AM
Congratulations! He is beautiful!!!
Posted by: Angela Cooper | November 14, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Oh my goodness, Laura! All this time without internet and all that's been going on, I totally missed the birth of your new gorgeous boy....I'm sorry!
Congratulations to you all!!
Posted by: Tina | November 17, 2009 at 10:18 PM