Samuel Benson Darquea

Samuel Benson Darquea arrived on October 21, 2011 at 8:13am.

He was 5 lbs 6 oz and 19 inches long.

He has the longest little feet and the biggest hands ever! He is going to be a tall and skinny boy I think! (Just like his Mami!)

3 days old here

So, Sam was diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction at about 36 weeks gestation. We did an ultrasound and some non stress tests. Everything appeared healthy and normal except his abdomen was measuring about 2 weeks behind schedule. His head and femur were normal size. The specialist said that because his growth was asymmetrical, it might be wise to induce me between 38 and 39 weeks. So, I went to my regular OB doctor and he said we will induce me the following week at 39 weeks. Of course, I was anxious and worried that my baby was growing properly and I didn't feel like my belly had really grown that much between 36 and 38 weeks and I felt that his movements were not very strong. So, I mentioned this to my doctor and asked him what the purpose was for waiting a week longer if the baby isn't growing properly. He said basically that the only reason we are waiting is to make sure his lungs are fully developed (even though they usually are fully mature by 37 weeks). Then he asked me if the movements have changed from last week to this week. Of course, I wasn't really sure, but after I thought about it, I decided that I thought they were different and weaker now than before.

Because I said that one sentence, the doctor decided that if his movements were weaker than they used to be and because he is measuring small, I should be induced right away.

I went to the hospital about 4 hours later at about 5pm on the 20th of October. Yikes! They gave me Cervidil to soften my cervix and would start Pitocin in the morning.

This labor was quite a bit different than with Luke. I had to sleep on the labor and delivery bed, which was terribly uncomfortable, so I slept horrible! At about 5:30am, they took out the cervidil which dilated me from a 2 to a 3. They let me shower and get ready and would start pitocin after that. Well, I stood up, went to the bathroom and Sam wriggled around and I knew he would be coming out soon! My contractions started up about 3-4 minutes apart as I showered, dried my hair and put on makeup! When I was done at about 6:30am, they checked me again and I was a 6! I asked for an epidural (I didn't want to miss out again!) So the epidural was in by about 7:15am, but it wasn't very strong at all. My contractions still hurt like crazy but I knew that Sam was about to come out ,so I didn't want a ton of medicine only to be numb for 3 hours after sam was out! Anyway, Sam was out after only 3 hard pushes.

It was a fast labor, but it seemed harder and more painful than with Luke. I think it was because of the lack of sleep, having to labor in the hard hospital bed, and being more aware of what was happening. With Luke I was just in so much shock that I didn't remember all the pain and everything.

So that is our story! Sam and I are perfectly healthy and happy. Recovery has been a LOT easier this time around and nursing is going great!

Luke is adjusting pretty well. He is showing signs of jealousy, but he also loves his brother to pieces.