Ammon has arrived. . .

Wow. That’s a word that is highly understated to describe the incredible pain I just endured. NOT prepared for that at all. But there wasn’t really time to think about it. Suffice it to say, Ammon Merthan Marcano is here at long last. In a way it was the longest labor of my life and also the shortest.


At 4:00 this morning I woke with some pretty intense labor pains, but as usual, they grew further apart and after an hour, I forced myself to sleep. I’ve been feeling pains all day, but refused to believe they were doing anything since I’ve been frustrated for a month and decided to turn my attention to the C-section on Thursday.

Just before they started, Jessica said she hoped Ammon would come earlier. I told her not to count on it as I asked her if she cared if Grandma were at her talent show or not. She said she didn’t mind if Grandma went to the hospital instead because she didn’t really want to miss any of it herself. I decided to call Mom to let her know the plan.

No sooner did Mom pick up and Jess went to bed that I had the first REAL contraction. That was at 9:07ish according to my phone. I didn’t take it seriously as I discussed the plan for Thursday. Five minutes later another one came on. It was also kind of intense. Mom said, “Whoa that had to be five minutes.” I guessed but wasn’t keeping track. She stayed on the phone with me for about 45 minutes keeping track as they got stronger and more intense. Finally at 5 til 10:00, I got off the phone and told Jhonny he needed to call someone NOW.

Sister Swafford was there in no time. I barely had time to explain the routine for morning and get into the car as another intense pain came. We hit EVERY RED light to the hospital. Of all the times to drive down that road. UGH! We made it to the hospital by 10:31. I had the foresight to call the after-hours line and let the doctor know to meet us at the hospital. Or rather Jhonny did for me as I was trying hard to not scream.

The poor guy in the ER didn’t quite know what to do. I told him to take me directly to labor and delivery NOW while my husband parked the car. I was crying in pain as we rolled in and they took me to the Labor and Delivery room. They checked me between screams and I was an 8. They also couldn’t get an IV in me. I knew it was going to be natural and accepted it pretty quickly although there wasn’t much time for anything else. What I didn’t expect was exactly HOW painful it was going to be.

The doctor showed up about fifteen minutes after we did. He checked me and I was a 9.5. He broke my water and I could feel it gushing out. I wanted to push before they had me in stirrups and it hurt worse to not be up a little. I could most definitely feel the burning as he tore me and I tried to slow down, but it hurt to just stop. I screamed bloody murder and Jhonny kept trying to shush me. I didn’t care. I decided if I needed to scream, I would. I wanted to bite down on something hard and grabbed Jhonny’s neck and wanted to bite his cheek. I refrained. Then I heard, “he’s coming.”

I finally pushed him out and felt instant relief. Although still very shaky, I was so glad to have that over. I asked instantly as I panted for breath, “Did he tear me?” Yup, up above and a little below. I knew it. I never did get an IV. The nurse tried for the full thirty minutes and never could get it in me. I’m kind of glad for that. I always hated those things tied up to me while I’m trying to recover. I had to have a shot of something to numb me while he sewed me up a little. Then the placenta came out and I felt another bout of relief.

I couldn’t believe how fast it all happened. I also couldn’t believe how PAINFUL that was. At one point I told Jhonny. “I can’t do this!!” I heard voices of encouragement telling me I was doing great. Yeah, right. I was a wimp!! I would never wish that on my worst enemy. That was HORRIBLE. I’m so glad it’s over. No more for me.

Now since I didn’t get the IV and no Pitocin to help with afterbirth, I have to watch my bleeding to make sure it’s not excessive. This is a little different for me. Hope all goes well. They gave me a shot of something to help with it, but apparently it’s not as good as the Pitocin stuff. Oh well.

And then I looked at my little boy. He didn’t cry much. He seemed quite peaceful actually. I fed him for a while and held him after everyone left me alone. He’s in the nursery now. He definitely has a lot of hair. He reminds me of Lily in the face kind of. He’s the first that doesn’t have Jhonny’s long dark lashes. But maybe that will come later. He has blonde eye brows. I think his hair will lighten up like Gavin’s. It was hard to tell with it all matted to his head.

I felt so relieved to have him here at last. I think I will need the time to bond with him. I’ve been in so much pain for so long, that I need to see the good side to all of this and dwell on the blessing that he is for us. I want to get to know this little man. He’s still a little surreal for me. I can’t believe I have a baby. I’m just so happy not to be feeling all that pain right now. I can’t even tell you what a relief that is.

I also seem to be quite skinny. My stomach has gone down much faster than any of the other babies. He was 8 lbs 4 oz. 20.5 in and born at 10:59pm on May 21st. Thank goodness Ammon Merthan Marcano is here with us now. It truly felt like he would NEVER come.