Beware of Birth Story... Vance Mark Hamm

It's about time I sat down and wrote out Vance's birth story. So if you are reading this and DO NOT want to hear some gruesome details I would suggest looking at pictures only :)

I should preface this by recapping Mason's birth story so you will understand why this was an extra extra special experience for us. Mason was due on Friday August 22 and on Monday August 18 I went into labor. We had planned and prepared for a natural home birth in Provo, UT where we were living and were excited to call our midwife and get this show on the road. She came that night after 3 hours of contractions 5 minutes apart and checked me. I was 3cm. She went home to let me sleep that night because my contractions calmed down for a bit. The next morning she came back with all her gear, expecting that Tuesday would be the day. She checked me again and there had been no change. To make a long story short, my labor was looooong and painful and loooong and tiresome and did I mention looooong? Later that evening I began pushing around 8pm and my water broke shortly thereafter. After 4 hours of pushing and barely any crowning we decided (I decided) to go to the hospital to get an epidural and hopefully some sleep. We were also concerned because Mason never fully descended into the birth canal and we didn't know why. Once at the hospital and after the epidural was administered, the doctors decided that Mason wasn't coming out on his own and we proceeded with a c-section. At this point I was extremely disappointed and worn out but after about 30 minutes I heard the most beautiful sound to a mothers ears, Mason's first cry. He was so perfect and flawless and such a welcome sight! In the end, we were both healthy and happy and safe. It took me awhile to come to grips with the fact that I had worked so hard and still ended up in a c-section but now I am just grateful that competent doctors delivered me a healthy baby boy.

Fast forward 18 months and we found out we were expecting again! The question on everyones mind was was I going to have another c-section or try for a VBAC (vaginal birth after ceserean). There was no doubt in my mind I was going to try it again and work as hard as I could to deliver this baby naturally. I found an amazing doctor here in my area and he was very supportive in my decision to try for a vbac. Of course there are risks and a possibility that I could end up in a c-section again but I knew I wanted to try. After discussing my previous labor with him he said my chance of success was around 75%. Braden and I discussed it, prayed about it and felt really good with our decision. 9 months later we were gearing to welcome our baby any day and were really excited!

After a tiring pregnancy my due date was quickly approaching and I was expecting labor early since Mason was 2 days early but alas this boy would make us wait! The morning of my due date my contractions started at 12:01am exactly (Braden was timing them). After an hour of steady contractions I put on my walking shoes and iPod and went walking the halls and stairs in our apartment building. Around 2:30am I went back to bed and laid there timing my contractions until 4 am when I decided to call my doctor. Because I was a vbac he wanted me to come in right away so we call in the troops and headed off to the hospital around 5:30am. My doctor was finishing his 3rd delivery that night/morning when he came to check me around 6:30am. I was 3 cm dilated and 70% effaced and -2 station and all of a sudden my previous labor loomed in my mind. My mom and sister arrived shortly after and we began walking the halls in circles again and again for HOURS while Braden caught some zzz's in our room. After about 4 hours I was checked again and had only progressed to 4cm, 80% effaced and -1 station. It was hard to hear after all the walking. We decided to break my water and the pain was starting to get bad so I decided to get in the tub. No sooner had I sat down when my contractions started to become unbearable and became pushing contractions. The nurses told me not to push and get out of the tub. When I got back to bed they checked me and I was now 6cm in only about 30 minutes. I decided at this point to get the epidural to help with the pushing contractions since I wasn't supposed to be pushing. Mommies, have you ever had pushing contractions where they told you not to push?? Even more painful than normal! (Sidenote-normally I would have gone without pain medications since I believe it is healthier for baby and mommy but since I was a vbac my doctor advised me to consider the epidural for one reason. If I was to be rushed into a c-section during labor and didn't have an epidural they wouldn't have time to administer one and would have to put me to sleep and QUICKLY get the baby out. Also, Braden would not have allowed in the room because it would have been scary to see me asleep). So I got the epidural and was waiting for it to kick in. I realized after a few more contractions that something was wrong... there was no relief!! The epidural was spotty, numbing only my legs and uterus, not anything else and not helping the urge to push. I told the nurses that urge to push was stronger and they checked me again only 20-30 minutes after they have previously checked me and I was COMPLETE! I was in shock! What had started out as a slow labor changed so fast! Ultimately I went from 4cm-10cm in about an hour... woo hoo! The nurses called my doctor who was about 2 miles away at his clinic and told me to continue NOT to push otherwise we would have a baby before he got there! At this point in the room was my sister Jessica, Braden and my SIL Rebecca. My doctor arrived, quickly changed his clothes and I began to push. We were all so excited and nervous but I must admit I still had my doubts. I was all nerves and doubt and in pain but everyone was so supportive. Having my favorite people in the room with me was crowded but I wouldn't have had it any other way! I was pushing for about 20 minutes and seriously began to doubt that I could do it until someone said they could see his head. I didn't believe it until a nurse put a mirror where I could see and there he was! I continued to push for about another 20 minutes while looking in the mirror to see the progress and suddenly our little miracle was born at 4:04pm, 8lbs 4oz, 19.5 in long and perfect!! It was the most amazing experience of our lives! They immediately put him on my chest and he began nursing for almost 30 minutes before they finally took him to weigh and measure him and then gave him right back. We were ALL crying and laughing and I was in shock for a really long time. Needless to say I was and still am so happy with my decision. We were so supported by family and by our doctor and I couldn't have done it without them there!

Mason came by later that day to meet his little brother and could have honestly cared less! He has warmed up to the baby and now insists on giving him kisses before nap and bedtime and random hugs other times. We are adjusting to our new addition and he is the sweetest, calmest baby!

Thank you for all gifts, dinners, playdates, and love that have been sent our way! Now enough talking.... here come pictures!

These first 4 pictures were taken by my SIL Rebecca. She came specifically to photograph Vans birth and I am so glad she did! There are other pictures that I will post later when I get them!

Lazy Saturday morning
Asleep on Mommy's shoulder
First (and only) time Mason held Van
Van- 3 days old, Cousin Olivia- 3.5 months old.
First Family of Four picture
My sleeping Angel