Russell James is here!

Russell James is here!!!! He weighed in at an entire 10 lbs 3 ounces and 21 inches long!!!! I had an all natural labor as I had planned. My doula was great and I had a large support group behind her with Robert, my mom, and my mother in law.

I sat in my recliner after all morning of running errands when I heard a pop-pop. I didn't think anything of it and a second later the door bell rang. Well I got up to answer the door with Robert and sure enough that sound was my water breaking. When I stood up I felt my water but wasn't quite sure. I answered the door and there was my doula, coincidentally. So I asked her "what are you doing right now?" She figured I was going to invite them in for dinner and said "Well we are busy right now as we are about to take a bike ride as a family up through motta." Change of plans for all of us as we got around and got to the hospital. When my water broke it was 3:15 and after struggling through contractions to get a shower and my bags packed I got to the hospital at 4:30. I was just 4 cms dilated so I got monitored for a bit as well as the baby. Around 5:30 I was checked again and had gotten to 5 cms. Since the baby was fine and not in distress they allowed me off of the monitors and up for a walk. This created my contractions to be very close together and very strong. After just a few minutes of walking I was 8 cm's and then just 10 minutes later I hit 10 cm's. A few pushes and Russell was born at 7:26...just 3 hours after getting to the hospital. Because of his "hefty little body and broad shoulders" he got stuck for a bit at the shoulders and my wonderful doctor

worked at turning twisting and pulling while I finished the last push and luckily he came out with no complications.

We are so happy to have the little guy here in the world!