*This post is an overview of our labor & delivery experience. Some details are left out for privacy reasons. I’m not the first or last person to have a baby. My experience is exactly that, my experience. I know some have had much better experiences and some have had much much worse. I’m just telling our story. I would appreciate your respect.
5:30 p.m., Friday July 8: Joe and I went to dinner with some of our family to a local Italian restaurant. As dinner progressed so did my contractions and I grew more uncomfortable. I didn’t think much of it since I’d been having contractions for what seemed like a month. Once we got home we decided to watch television in the bedroom and as Joe would tell the story, I said “before you get too comfortable, we should have a conversation. I think we might need to go to the hospital but I DO NOT want to be an alarmist! I don’t want it to be a false alarm but I think it’s time.” He packed the car and we were on our way.
9:30 p.m, Friday July 8: Sure enough. We got to the hospital and it was real but the nurses couldn’t check me in because I wasn’t dilated to 4cm yet and the OB was FULL. With no rooms available, I spent the night hooked up to monitors in a room with two other (women in and out the entire night) beds. Including a 21-year-old that was ready to deliver but had yet to feel a contraction. I told JH in response to overhearing her story, “I want to punch her in the face!” Especially since at about that time I had a contraction that lasted 8 minutes with no drugs (Note: they cannot give you anything for the pain until you are checked in and they cannot check you in until there is a room for you.)
Approximately 6 a.m., Saturday July 9: I was finally moved into my own birthing room and not long after was introduced to the anesthesiologist on call. I received an epidural right away. I was exhausted from an entire night of consistent contractions so I immediately went to sleep to get some rest for what (I thought) was ahead. I had absolutely no idea what was going to happen in the coming hours. I don’t remember a lot from the day. We had lots of visitors thinking they would meet Jack but not quite yet! At some point in the afternoon my doctor came in and said we would have a baby by 10 p.m. Great! I was so excited.
9:00 p.m., Saturday July 9: I was not progressing. I was still only dilated to 7cm. They ran a few tests from 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. Around 10:30 p.m. or so, my doctor and I decided that it was time for a c-section. Hallelujah!
11:36 p.m., Saturday July 9: We welcomed our sweet baby boy into the world! Our poor little guy was face-up which was why I wasn’t progressing on my own, also explains why his poor face was all beat up when he came out. Breaks my heart to look at his face in this picture but he was recovering perfectly by the next morning.
Jack, Day 1
Family of Three
(this picture cracks me up because it looks like Jack is actually smiling for the camera! ha!)
11:36 p.m., July 16th – His one week birthday
We are at home and adjusting quite well to our new life. He is sleeping great and eating like a champ! We couldn’t be happier or more in love with him!
Thank you so very much for all the messages, emails and tweets. We appreciate each and every one of them!
{ 68 comments… read them below or add one }
OH MY GOSH! I can’t wait to see him. I haven’t gotten to hold him yet. I’m so happy that you and JH are parents yet. Jack is a very lucky kid!
BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL family!!!!! Congrats too you both and what a handsome boy!!!
congrats and best wishes to your darling new family!
Look at those ta-ta’s! Ow ow!
Just kiddddinnnng!
I still don’t know who he looks like. What have you heard more of? Either way, he’s precious!
Miss you, MOMMA!
Congrats, Nina! He’s a handsome little boy, and y’all are a beautiful family! All the best to the three of you!
Awwwww congratulations! He is absolutely adorable!! And thank you for sharing with us.
Welcome to the world Jack! Congratulations on the sweet new addition to your family! I’m a long time reader but first time commentor, I just had to wish you congratulations!! Also, your comment about wanting to punch the girl in the face who was ready to deliver and hadn’t felt a contraction absolutely made me laugh out loud – that is so something I would say! I wish you all the best as you adjust to your new life as a momma,
Congratulations! Jack is so cute. Wishing your family of 3 all the best!
He is absolutely precious and you look fantastic!! Wishing you all the best and so happy that he is finally home with you all!
He is so beautiful – Enjoy him
Congratulations to you all! Jack is just precious! This is such a great reminder of the need to be flexible, as things do not often go as planned when having a baby. I hope you have a swift recovery.
Bless your heart! Nina he is amazing, you have such a gorgeous little family. Congrats to you and JH!
I just love all of you. So happy he is here and you are all healthy. What a perfect little guy. His Aunt Erin loves him so much! Congratulations!
What a beautiful baby! And the family picture is too precious- he actually does look as if he is smiling for the camera! Congratulations!
LOVE LOVE LOVE all of you. Precious. Hi auntie MM loves him and his little crab outfit!!!
He’s just so precious. I’m so glad you guys are home and getting settled. Congratulations!
I’ve been lurking and following you on Twitter for awhile and finally decided to comment. Jack is adorable, congratulations! I’m sorry you had such a rough delivery! I had my son on June 3 (we actually almost named him Jack, but went with Landon), so I remember how much contractions hurt and I would have been really upset if I couldn’t get my epidural when I wanted it. All worth it in the end though
Congratulations!! Your new family is beautiful! I wish you, JH & Jack all the best!
Congratulatios on sweet baby Jack! He is just precious!
welcome to the world precious baby Jack! I couldn’t be happier for you and your darling family!
Congratulations! What a cutie patootie! I wish you and your lovely family all the best!
Huge Congratulations again Nina! Jack is a doll!
He was definitely worth the wait! He is perfect! Enjoy every minute because as you’ll soon discover, time flies.
HE IS SO PRECIOUS! He is TOTALLY smiling in the family picture!! LOVE IT!!! xoxo
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!
WONDERFUL NEWS! What a cutie, and gorgeous mama too! Congrats!
Congratulations! July 9th is a great day to be born! That’s my birthday
Best of luck to you and your family!
He is so precious! Congratulations!
Congratulations! He is precious!
Congratulations!!! Jack is definitely a cute little sugarbug
So happy for your new family of 3!
congratulations, he’s just lovely! he also shares a birthday with my best friend Renee, so a good day indeed!
Jack is a beautiful baby. I love the family photo. Your family is gorgeous. Congratulations!!!
Congratulations! He looks like a sweetie!
Congrats girl. Jack is beautiful!
Nina, he is perfect!! So, so happy for you! Congratulations again!
Congrats, Nina!!! He’s absolutely precious!!
it’s time for a header change. You gotta add baby Jack to it:)
Yay!!! He’s adorable!! And you sweet thing…I can’t imagine how you felt by the end of day two! And I’m assuming you were in the triage room at first…I was in there when we had a false alarm and it was awful and I started crying and told Zach that I just wanted to go home.
. So happy you’re enjoying motherhood! 
congratulations! I loved your family picture, all of you look SO happy. I’m so excited for you.
He’s precious!!!!!!!!!! Congrats on a healthy baby
I love his name.
ahh he is so cute Nina, and I love the picture of all 3 of you…you look like a very happy family. Wishing you all the best!
xoxo, KGB
YAY! Picture perfect little family of 3!! Congrats and welcome to the best and craziest adventure of your life
XOXO
Long time reader, first time commenter as well. Congratulations! I don’t even know y’all, but it broke my heart to see that first picture of his little face too! Poor bunny! Everyone looks so great now though and hope your recovery is coming along! Enjoy!
OMG! The family picture is hysterical. It looks like he smiled for the camera.
Congratulations to all!
What a beautiful little family.
He looks like you!! I too had a long labor with a sunny-side-up baby. Glad Jack is here and healthy.
Congratulations! Jack is such a precious baby. Glad you’re all home, healthy, and happy!
What a blessing! He is just gorgeous. Congrats to you and JH!!!
CONGRATS Nina!!!! He’s adorable!! And he’s totally smiling in that picture. Love it!!
Congratulations he is just beautiful! I also had a c-section (planned) our girl didn’t want to turn. Isn’t being a Mommy the amazing thing?! Our girl is almost 8 weeks and I am still in awe of our miracle. Best wishes!
Congratulations!! Jack is absolutely adorable!
That is one precious baby!! Congratulations to you. Enjoy your little blessing.
Welcome to the mommy club! So happy for the 3 of you!! He is adorable!
Jack is totally smiling! What a sweet baby boy! Im so thrilled for you and I know you’re going to be the best mommy!
Oh, Nina! He’s fabulous… and so are you. You all did so well! He is an absolute doll.
Congratulations!! Such a beautiful little family- you should be so proud! I’m so happy for you and I hope you enjoy every single precious moment of this new miracle.
Congratulations! He is beautiful! Those “first family pictures” are always so sweet but you all look perfect, it is frame worthy.
This post just brought tears to my eyes. I am so happy for your family of 3!! Jack is just as adorable as can be. And he’s totally smiling in the family picture. I love it!! xoxo
Congratulations Nina! He is absolutely precious. I’m sure you are both through the moon in love with your little boy.
I know too well about long labors. Mine was 36 hours. I hope you are resting and recovering well.
Sounds like a tough labor! Ugh! But, you have a beautiful family and Jack is adorable!
He is TOTALLY smiling! That is so cute. Wow, sounds like a rough go of it but glad you got through everything. Hope the healing is going well too!
I have been following your blog for months but never commented:) Jack is adorable!! CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations! I have been also following your bog now for months and have been waiting for your news!! So so wonderful!!! God Bless Jack.
Michele in NY
Your family is so beautiful- congratulations to all three of you! Thank you for sharing in your pregnancy adventure here on the blog. I’ve been following for awhile and I was on pins and needles waiting for a tweet to confirm that you and Jack were both happy and healthy. I’ve commented about this before, but Jack is such a special name to me (it’s my late grandfather’s name) and I plan on naming one of our future son’s Jack as well. Congrats again- you look great in that picture. It’s something you all will cherish forever!
congrats! I love the pic of you all where he looks like he’s smiling!
Hi Nina,
Congratulations, Jack is just beautiful and precious. I had a similar experience to yours (and my son’s birthday is July 6, so very close birth dates, too!) where I failed to progress and ended up having a C-section, which I was so *relieved* to have. Good luck in your recovery and remember to LET OTHERS DO THINGS FOR YOU and just relax and enjoy your new little blessing. And golly, I hear ya on the hospital panties. (p.s. — did they give you a belly band to go home with? It really helped me move about when my muscles were still all Jell-O and wobbly and sore.)
Best wishes to your beautiful family!
Becky
Congratulations on your sweet little son! What a beautiful family!
Congrats to you and the family! Jack is so precious and I am glad to hear you both are doing well. I LOVE the picture of him smiling and truly happy for you guys. All our love – Michelle
Many congratulations to you and your family!
Jack is absolutely stunning- I’m sure you want to eat him up! Enjoy every minute of it!