Parker Jack Smith

Parker Jack Smith

July 29, 2015

7lbs. 5 oz.

19 inches long

I went for a check-up on Monday, July 27th (Mike took off work early to come with me) and I was really not dilated to anything at all.  My cervix is so damaged that it makes it hard to check and a few weeks earlier the doctor thought I was a 1-2.  The doctor joked that we knew I had an opening to my cervix since I'd had other kids, but otherwise we wouldn't be sure.  I couldn't believe I was already 38 weeks along.  I had never carried a baby that far! The doctor scheduled our induction to be on Friday, which was Mike's birthday.  I spent the next day thinking of everything I needed to get done and made lots of plans of things to do on Wednesday and Thursday.
But...on Wednesday morning I woke up just before 7:00.  The boys weren't up yet, so I decided to try to go back to sleep.  At 7:05 I felt a strange feeling and my water broke all of a sudden!  It was so weird because it didn't happen that way with the boys and I'd given up hope it would this time.  I ran to the bathroom and immediately called Mike.  He had just gotten to the Springdale exit headed to work.  I told him I wasn't hurting and we probably had plenty of time.  He told me he may have driven just a little fast to get home though :)  Then I called Mike's mom and my Mom to see who could get to me the fastest to be with the boys.  It turned out that Mike got here so fast that my parents just headed to the hospital and Nikki came to stay with the boys.  I showered, put make-up on, and gathered up a few last minute things.  I came out to the livingroom to find Josey and Gavin snuggled up in the recliner waiting for me.  I told them we were having a baby and they started screaming and cheering.  Super sweet moment!  Mike arrived and installed the carseat really quick.  We headed to the hospital and it was a pretty interesting ride to say the least.  I figured we had plenty of time, but got worried when a few contractions hit.  When we got there Dad and Mike got me a wheelchair to get me inside.  We got all checked in and I was dilated to about a 4.  The doctor came in and said if I didn't start laboring on my own he would give me Pitocin at 11:00.  Sure enough no contractions really, so they started inducing around 11:30.  Candra and Alicia were in Butler, Missouri at our cousin's house, so when they got the call they left and made the trip home in about 2 and a half hours, exciting road trip for them!  At about 1:20 I was starting to get more uncomfortable and the baby's heartrate started dropping with the contractions.  It was scary because I was worried about baby boy.  By 2:30 they had me on oxygen and inserted an internal monitor to watch the baby more closely.  I knew he would be fine, but I was definitely more nervous than I had been in my previous deliveries.  At 3:00 I was in a ton of pain but only dilated to a 7.  My cervix wasn't wanting to dilate through the scar tissue.  So painful!  I abandoned my plan for a natural birth like I had with Josey and Gavin and asked for an epidural after the nurse checked me and tried to loosen the scar tissue...worst pain in my life probably!  Getting the epidural was awful because I was already in so much pain.  My doctor had to head over to Mercy hospital for a c-section and told us he'd be back in a hour and a half.  I didn't think he would make it back!  The epidural worked for about an hour or so then I was in extreme pain again...no idea why it didn't work!  I may as well have not even had one because I was in just as much pain as natural childbirth.  I just kept asking why I was feeling everything and what went wrong?! At 4:50pm I knew the baby was coming any minute and asked to push. The nurse let me push a little, but then told me to try to stop pushing.  That's almost impossible!  At 5:03 Dr. S ran in the door and tried to get gowned up.  Everyone was helping him scramble to get his shoe covers on and he nearly fell over.  Pretty funny after the fact :-)  As the doctor put on his gloves I said I had no choice but to push.  He said "go ahead" and sweet baby boy came right on out at 5:06 pm!  So glad our doctor made it in time.  He delivered all of our boys and has taken wonderful care of me for the last 8 years, so special. 
     The first thing I thought was that the baby was so tiny.  I expected him to be bigger since I was 38 weeks and 6 days along.  I also thought he was such a beautiful baby.  Perfectly shaped head and just adorable!  Mike and I were instantly in love of course!  Mom and Laura stayed for the delivery and it was so great to have them by my side as well as Mike.  Of course Mike was an amazing coach and kept me as calm as possible.  He helped me to focus on the baby and gave me strength when I thought I just couldn't do it.  I just held the baby and nursed him until all of our family came in to meet him.  Such a joyous and special time!
     We debated his name and finally decided on Parker Jack Smith around 11 pm that night.  Everyone had left, so we text them to tell them his name.  We had been tossing around the name Parker for a few months and Jack was my Dad's great-grandpa's name. I think it is perfect! 
     We are just so thankful for this sweet baby boy.  I had to go through a lot of hurdles and discomfort during the pregnancy just like with Gavin, but it was all worth it because we were given this precious miracle.  We love you Parker Jack!