The day finally arrived. After 13 hours in the hospital, Clark finally appeared, with a little help from Carli's two OB doctors. Labor pains started at 12:30 in the morning, and finally got bad enough to go to the hospital around 3:00. Carli was dilated to a 4, which meant we could stay at the hospital. A request was quickly made for the epidural, which was in effect by 4:30. That was heaven!!! Unfortunately, it slowed down the progress, which meant they had to put Carli on Pitocin. The labor picked back up just as the left side of Carli's body started to have feeling again. They gave her more of the epidural medicine, which took the edge off the pain. When Carli was at 8-9 cm, the epidural stopped working again. They gave more of the medicine, but told Carli she was complete and ready to push. The pushing actually helped take her mind off the pain. As Carli was pushing, the doctor started to get worried about the babies heart rate. It would drop dramatically after each push. He also said that the baby was posterior (face up), which would make for a hard delivery. After about an hour, they decided it would be safer to take the baby by C-section, which Carli was fine with. In fact, Carli stopped pushing when the doctor got really concerned about the babies heart rate. Once the decision for a C-section was made, it took about 30 minutes before the baby was ready to be delivered. At this point, Carli was so exhausted that she doesn't recall much about going in to the operating room. Is was a relief to have Shawn there next to her.The doctors had a hard time getting a hold of the baby because of all the pushing, but he finally came out. He looked absolutely perfect! He was wide-eyed and looking for food right from the womb.
Carli wanted me to cut the cord. For some reason, I was a little reluctant, but did the deed. I don't know why it made me squeamish.
Mom finally got to see her newborn son. Very proud moment. Not to mention emotional. He was the most beautiful newborn baby! Carli was so weak from the days events, that she didn't think she would have the energy to hold her little one, so Shawn held him for her.
Hanging out while getting cleaned up, checked out, and poked by needles. He measured 20 1/2 inches, and weighed 7 lbs. 11 oz. The doctor thought he would be 7 lbs. 10 oz., so she won the closest guess. He has lots of light brown/blonde hair, and we are certain he will have blue eyes.
Mom and son together. He was so alert for the first few hours. In fact, he was able to eat the first time he tried. I think he was after a steak dinner, but he had to make due with some colostrum.
Thank goodness Carli's mother was on hand. We were glad that she was able to be here when Clark was born. She made it to Oregon on Friday, and got to spend the weekend with us. It was great to have someone there to share this experience with. We didn't think anyone would get to use the waiting room, so we were thrilled that Clark waited for his Grandma to be there.
This picture was too cute. Masen was talking to Clark on the phone. Clark turned his eyes and head toward the phone to listen to his big brother. I know they both can't wait until they get to see each other.
All bundled up. Could that pacifier be any bigger?
All dressed up and ready to go home.
Here is a little action from the big man at the hospital. He is such a good baby!
