Evan
Richard Evan Chappell III known to everyone as Evan, was born on October 28th at 11:46 PM. He weighed 7 lbs 3 oz and was 20 inches long.
What a crazy experience labor and childbirth was! I think it's good that you forget what the pain feels like, because I don't think that most women would have more than one kid if they remembered the pain.
I had a doctor appointment on Tuesday. My doctor was concerned because I gained 7 pounds in the course of a week, was really puffy (including my face and hands), and my blood pressure was rising. She gave me an exam. She said that I was 90% effaced and 3 cm dilated. She sent me to the hospital for tests, and then scheduled me for an induction on Wednesday morning at 5:00 AM.
It was totally lame being in the hospital that early. They didn't start me on the Pitocin until 8:00. I was so blessed in the hospital with my nurses. Both my day and night nurses remembered me from my first experience in the hospital with preterm labor. They were great, honest and very supportive.
Contractions weren't bad at all. I was dilated at a 4 from 11:00 to 5:00. The doctor came in to break my water at 6:00. Wow. I wasn't feeling contractions at all until that moment, and then they started coming on real strong. Along with the belly and back pain, I was having intense cramping in my upper legs as well. I wanted to get an epidural so that I could rest and relax before the pushing. The getting the epidural was fine, but I was sadly disappointed! I wasn't feeling the pain in my back and belly, but my upper left leg was in the most pain I've ever felt in my entire life! The nurses and anesthesiologist decided that it was probably the baby positioned on my sciatic nerve! The pain was so bad that while I was writhing on the bed in pain, I pulled out my IV! It took them another 3o minutes or so to find a vein to get another IV and it was even worse for them because my leg was in terrible pain and I kept moving around. They asked me if I wanted any other drugs for the leg pain and I said yes. As soon as I got the IV in, they gave me some more drugs and I was out.
I don't remember much of anything at that point. I think they just mainly wanted to knock me out so that I didn't accidentally tear out the IV again. Apparently I said some pretty entertaining things while I was loopy that my mom and Rick thought were funny. At around 11:00 PM I woke up with a strong urge to push. The nurses came in and had me start pushing. Evan was born at 11:46 that night. I was proud of myself for my delivery. What great exercise it was! My biggest goal for the pregnancy was achieved! I didn't have to get a Cesarean like my mom and sister, but was able to do it the good old fashioned way!
Evan getting cleaned up right after the delivery.
Proud daddy.
Proud and tired mommy with baby.
First family picture!
Sleeping peacefully after his long journey. 
Going home. Someone did not like their car seat! 
My mom came and helped with the baby for a week. I miss her! I was really homesick for the first few days after she left because she is my best friend and I enjoyed spending time with her in Arizona. She was also an awesome coach during the birth for me. She really helped me focus with my pushing and was a great support. Rick was also amazing as well. We weren't able to take a childbirth class, but Rick was wonderful. Evan is now two weeks old! I will definitely have to put up some more pictures. Once I figure out what's going on with our camera.
