{The Birth}

It all started Friday, October 22, 2010 when Dave and I headed to my weekly OB/GYN appointment. While there I had an ultra sound because 3 weeks earlier, Ryker, was measuring small for his age and the doctor wanted to make sure he was still growing and developing. After the ultra sound we visited with Dr. Allen and he measured my belly and checked how dilated I was. He found I was at 2cm which was up from 1cm the week before. Dr. Allen seemed concerned with the ultra sound, so I had my stress test performed while he conversed with Dr. Young who was the on call doctor at the hospital.
For the stress test, I laid on a lazy-boy type chair while they strapped a monitor on my belly. I laid there for 20 minutes listening to Ryker's heart. He handled the stress very well.
Afterwords, Dave & I waited to see Dr. Allen before heading out to run errands. The doctor came over and told us that since Ryker was now at the 7th percentile and 3 weeks ago he was at the 28th percentile that they wanted to induce me right away. Dave looked at the doctor and asked, right now as in today? The doctor said yes and instructed us to head to the hospital.
As we were walking out we were both in shock. I didn't know if I should cry or be super excited. We both called our mothers and told them we were off to the hospital to have our baby. As I was talking to my mom I started to cry. I couldn't believe at all, that it was really happening. Also, I wasn't prepared for him. We were thinking since he was measuring small that he was going to go over his due date. So, I didn't pack a hospital bag, and I still had things to get done at home.
We get to American Fork hospital and check in, then up to the delivery floor we went. They took us into room 8 and told me to get into the hospital gown and they would be in shortly. As the nurse was asking me questions, she looked at me and asked, "are you alright?" I said, "ya, I am fine." I know she could read me and sense that I was nervous. As the nurse was asking questions, the other one was putting in my IV. It's a good thing I was distracted because I think I would have cried. It was very unpleasant since I strongly dislike needles.
Around 6pm the nurse came in and started the inducing process. The nurse said, "the first pill will start to thin out you cervix and you shouldn't feel any contractions." She was right, my pain level was at a 0. My parents came over and my dad took Dave home to gather some things we would be needing while my mom stayed with me. My parents left around 9pm and at 10:15pm the nurse came in to give me the second pill and she said, "you might feel contractions." I didn't feel any from the pill.
Come about 1:30 they gave me medicine that would start the contractions. Once they started, man did they hurt. It was like a period cramp but 100x's worse. I endured the pain for an hour. I know I have mentioned several times that I was going to do a natural birth, but since he wasn't ready to come on his own and I didn't know how long it would last; I decided the best thing was to get an epidural. The nurse anesthetist came in around 2:30am to poke me with a huge needle. He explained that most people say that the IV is worse than the epidural needle. I don't entirely agree with him. It was just as or more painful. Once it was all over it was definitely worth it. I didn't feel any contractions and I was able to get some sleep off and on through out the morning. Dr. Young came in and said that I would be having him around noon or 1pm.
October 23 around 10am I took a drink of orange juice and within seconds it all came out. I asked the nurse why this happened and she said that it was common. After changing my gown and sheets, she checked to see how dilated I was. The nurse said, "oh you are dilated to 10 and you are ready to have him. The only problem is your doctor is at another hospital so we'll wait to start pushing." So, at 11am the nurse started to have me push at each contraction. Because of the epidural I couldn't feel anything below my waist. (It took until 10pm that night for me to feel sensation in both of my legs) While I pushed, Dave held one leg while the nurse held the other. Dave did really well watching the birth. He had thought it might be too disgusting, but he found it fascinating. By 11:15 the doctor came in with a few minutes to spare to catch the baby. One of the nurses said that if this was my second baby it would have already come out. Well, I am glad that it didn't take to much longer. At 11:31am Ryker William Sefcik was born. Weighing at 5 lbs and 3 oz & measuring 18.5" long. His gestational age was 37 weeks and 5 days.
Once I heard him take his first breath I cried. They were tears of joy and knowing that he just came from my Heavenly Father. We just witnessed a miracle.


Our view from the delivery room.





The nurse just rounded it 5 lbs and 3 oz.









This is what I looked like few hours after given birth. My legs are still numb.