For my son (who turns 2 tomorrow - he missed his delivery date by 28 minutes, born @ 12:28AM on July 16 instead of the prediction of July 15) it took 10 hours of labor; 3 days prior my wife's water was actually leaking, not "broke" but the nurses said to "go home, you'll be fine"
We ended up taking her to a large shopping mall to walk around, try to get her contractions going... My wife did not trust the nurses' info so we went to her OB/GYN doctor who said "Why the F are you NOT in the hospital, your son is losing his water"
His head was "anteriorly presented" (aka "stuck") so my wife's pushing was all for nothing even w/the epidural
... She was @ 10cm throughout most of it but my boy inherited my skull size... Still recall my wife saying half-joking, "It's all your fault"
Went to C-section decision ASAP after they considered using forceps. My wife was crying since she did want to go the C-section route but we had no choice... Baby had to come out somehow.
That took like what seemed like an eternity even though it was only 20-35 minutes IIRC...
To add to the anticipation I had a nurse delaying because they had trouble finding me XXL scrubs to fit over my street clothes (came straight from work)
I did not look although I was tempted to peek over the blue curtain - when he was finally pulled out I thanked my wife & went over where the doctors were checking up on my boy... I got to cut his umbilical cord (if you do it, come correct, because it'll be like cutting through tough garden hose)
That was almost 2 years now today as I type this...
Blessed by God for my family.
Oh yeah, forgot, how'd I pass the time? Spent the time calling & texting family & friends, fanning my wife, keeping her distracted, going for coffee, feeding her ice chips to cool her down, thanking her for everything...
GOOD LUCK & congrats man, life is changed as you know it (for the better)
Keep us updated
We ended up taking her to a large shopping mall to walk around, try to get her contractions going... My wife did not trust the nurses' info so we went to her OB/GYN doctor who said "Why the F are you NOT in the hospital, your son is losing his water"
His head was "anteriorly presented" (aka "stuck") so my wife's pushing was all for nothing even w/the epidural
Went to C-section decision ASAP after they considered using forceps. My wife was crying since she did want to go the C-section route but we had no choice... Baby had to come out somehow.
That took like what seemed like an eternity even though it was only 20-35 minutes IIRC...
To add to the anticipation I had a nurse delaying because they had trouble finding me XXL scrubs to fit over my street clothes (came straight from work)
I did not look although I was tempted to peek over the blue curtain - when he was finally pulled out I thanked my wife & went over where the doctors were checking up on my boy... I got to cut his umbilical cord (if you do it, come correct, because it'll be like cutting through tough garden hose)
That was almost 2 years now today as I type this...
Oh yeah, forgot, how'd I pass the time? Spent the time calling & texting family & friends, fanning my wife, keeping her distracted, going for coffee, feeding her ice chips to cool her down, thanking her for everything...
GOOD LUCK & congrats man, life is changed as you know it (for the better)
Keep us updated