The birth story of Mason James Nunley
Born Wednesday, April 8, 2015
7lbs 5oz – 19.75 inches
Warning: Graphic
In an interesting coincidence I first started noticing more intense contractions on a Tuesday, just like with both Avery and Olivia. That morning Justin's brother, Jimmy, was scheduled to come over with his crew to install our new patio cover so while they did that Avery, Olivia and I played, cleaned and had girl time inside and I monitored the contractions as they got progressively more painful, but not necessarily closer together. I texted Aunt Carrie to let her know we'd probably need her soon. She was our "on call" babysitter since we don't live near Grandma and Grandpa Nunley anymore.
By about noon I felt like it was time to start getting things together because we needed drive about 25 minutes to drop the girls off at Carrie's house. Justin was at an appointment, so when he got home around 2:00 pm we took the girls over there. After they were settled in we headed to the hospital. We got there and got hooked up to the monitors. In a cruel twist of fate the minute I was hooked up to the monitors the contractions stopped completely. I had just one the hour I was being monitored. To add to it the nurse checked and I was only 3cm dilated. She then suggested I walk for an hour and then see where we were. Since Justin hadn't eaten all day and it was nearing 3:00pm I told him to go eat and change while I walked the maternity floor.
After an hour of fairly consistent contractions I got hooked up the monitors again only to have the contractions stop immediately -- AGAIN! The nurse checked and I dilated about 0.5cm in the hour but that wasn't enough to admit me, which was both a bummer and a blessing. We decided to go home and get some last minute things done while the girls were with Carrie. The day before we had purchased a new patio table, outdoor storage bin and hose caddy -- all of which needed to be assembled. We had also gone to Costco to stock up on mean and all of that needed to be separated and vacuum sealed.
We got back home around 5:00 pm and worked on the projects. Around 8:00 pm we decided we needed to eat so we went out for some dinner. All through dinner the contractions were getting stronger and much closer together. After dinner we headed to Dick's Sporting Goods near the restaurant so Justin could check out a new golf club (which he ended up buying) and I could walk around. At Dick's the contractions got to about 3-5 minutes apart. It was almost 9:00 and we still wanted to get the meat put away, so we went home and got busy with that. It probably wouldn't have taken so long if I didn't have to stop for each contractions, but I was already committed to the job and I didn't want to do it when I came home with a newborn.
Finally at 10:00 pm I told Justin we needed to go to the hospital. When we got there the admitting nurse told us they were very busy, so they put us in the same triage room with the hexed bed that stopped the contractions earlier that day. Luckily, that didn't happen this time. The nurse checked me and I was now 6cm dilated and 100% effaced. We were having a baby!
Once we filled out all the paperwork they got us a room and got settled in. The first thing the nurse did was put in an IV port and the next thing I got in the bath. In this hospital each birthing suite had a whirlpool tub, birthing ball, and bed bar for all kinds of laboring and birthing options. Seriously the best. I labored in the tub for about an hour before the nurse came in to check. She listened to baby's heartbeat and then left. It was amazing to be able to labor without distractions.
At about 2:00 am I asked the nurse to check me. My OB happened to be there delivering another baby, so he checked me. I was 8cm dliated and he suggested we break my water since it was bulging and see what that did. He did and I got back in the bath.
One contraction later I was beside myself. In all my labors I had never experienced a pain like the one I had with that contraction. The nurses could hear me all the way at the nurses station and came running in. They helped me back out of the bath and got me in bed to check me. I was now 9 cm-- almost 10 cm-- and that pain was my cervix dilating almost 2cm in about a 3 minute span.
Like I said before, the nurse said they were busy that night. Turns out they admitted and delivered 12 babies that night. The hospital only has 8 birthing suites and 8 postpartum suites. Because they were so busy and there was an emergency at the same time I was nearing fully complete dilation the nurse asked if I was interested in an epidural because my OB was going to be in surgery for about an hour. I had an epidural with both girls, so I wasn't opposed and after what I had just experienced I was all for it.
It was about 4:00 am now and the anesthesiologist had gotten me all set up. Justin waited around a corner so he didn't pass out like he did with Avery. Unfortunately I had a "window" of my belly that didn't take the epidural so I could still fully feel the contractions in that particular area, but overall I was able to rest and actually get some sleep. At about 5:00 am the nurse checked and I was 10cm dilated. She said my OB was just wrapping up and we should do some "practice" pushes. One push and she said I needed to stop because she couldn't deliver the baby herself. I didn't need any practice.
Finally my OB came in and after 3 pushes his head was out. One more push brought his shoulders and the rest just followed. One contraction and 4 pushes was all it took to bring this 7lb 5oz baby earthside.
The hospital where Mason was born was seriously amazing. In addition to the fantastic birthing suite the postpartum suite was just as wonderful. There was real linens, a view of the golf course across the highway and even 24/7 room service. Yes, room service. Not your average hospital cafeteria sandwich and cold soup. As soon as I was transferred to my recovery room the nurse asked nutrition services to get me something to eat. I ordered a French dip with mashed potatoes and gravy and it was wonderful. I really enjoyed it. All the meals were really enjoyable.
Another perk of this hospital was the on staff photographer. The day we were supposed to be discharged she came by and took Mason's first photos. I really love them because they capture this moment perfectly. The little details that you have in the hospital that you sometimes miss in candid photos -- the hospital blankets, the little bed they first have, all the things that bring you back to those first days are in the photos she took. I will always cherish them. Plus, I didn't have to schedule and prep for a whole newborn session. She came in and knocked them out in just 45 minutes. I do wish the girls had been there, too, though. These are a few of my favorites.
Once we filled out all the paperwork they got us a room and got settled in. The first thing the nurse did was put in an IV port and the next thing I got in the bath. In this hospital each birthing suite had a whirlpool tub, birthing ball, and bed bar for all kinds of laboring and birthing options. Seriously the best. I labored in the tub for about an hour before the nurse came in to check. She listened to baby's heartbeat and then left. It was amazing to be able to labor without distractions. 
One contraction later I was beside myself. In all my labors I had never experienced a pain like the one I had with that contraction. The nurses could hear me all the way at the nurses station and came running in. They helped me back out of the bath and got me in bed to check me. I was now 9 cm-- almost 10 cm-- and that pain was my cervix dilating almost 2cm in about a 3 minute span. 
It was about 4:00 am now and the anesthesiologist had gotten me all set up. Justin waited around a corner so he didn't pass out like he did with Avery. Unfortunately I had a "window" of my belly that didn't take the epidural so I could still fully feel the contractions in that particular area, but overall I was able to rest and actually get some sleep. At about 5:00 am the nurse checked and I was 10cm dilated. She said my OB was just wrapping up and we should do some "practice" pushes. One push and she said I needed to stop because she couldn't deliver the baby herself. I didn't need any practice. 
