Labor and delivery story

        I started having regular contractions around midnight and most were about 5-10 minutes apart.  But I was so sure it was false labor, they felt totally different from what I've experienced before and they were only lasting for 30 seconds!  Thats not enough to do anything, right?  They felt super super sharp in my lower abdomen and back, rather than the all over achiness that turns to pain that I've had with the other three.  Exactly what I've read about false labor, to the T!
      The first hour or two I tried to sleep (unsucessfully), after which I gave up and cleaned my living room, watched part of a movie, and finally took a warm bath to relieve some of the pain.  So I didn't sleep at all, just tried to breathe through them and not disturb anyone.  Billy left for work around 6:30 and the pain was so intense that I started to pack my bag, just in case, and then I woke mom up and she jumped in the shower. I still wasnt sure that it was the real thing, but I needed a morphine shot or something to get through the pain!  I figured I could call my doctor and ask him what I should do- his office opened at 8 so I only had to wait for another hour.  But mom was convinced we needed to leave for the hospital and since my bags were packed and I wasnt in a condition to disagree, we left as soon as mom could push me out the door!  She wouldnt even let me look for the camera.
     We arrived at the hospital about 8 and went immediately to the observation room.  They checked me and I was at a 6, so we made some quick phone calls to Stephanie and Billy and then they moved me to the delivery room.   Still my contractions were only lasting about 30 seconds, but I guess they were strong enough!  About 10 minutes after they checked me the first time I had already progressed to a 7 and I told mom to get Billy on the phone and tell him to stop looking for a sub for his class and just LEAVE.  The anesthesiologist came in and I debated the whole epidural thing, but in the end decided to just go with it.  It took the edge off but I was still very much aware of and could feel my body and it did slow down my contractions, which, in the end, was a good thing!
    The doctor arrived and then suited up and then Billy finally walked in.  It was almost 9 o'clock (I'd only walked into the hospital at about 8); things were happening so fast! I was relieved to see Billy because as soon as he was there, it was time to push!  I pushed during three contractions and my doctor was amazing!  A couple minutes later I had a baby on top of my belly instead of inside, and Billy was snipping the cord.  I had minimal tearing and was quickly put back together while Pierson was showing off his new lung capacity.  He weighed in at almost a pound heavier than the other three!
    Anyway, recovery has been really nice this time (that is, after I discovered that Percocet and I do NOT get along) and we have all enjoyed a long weekend together.  The kids LOVE their brother and even Bennett tried soothing his baby brother by sharing his candy bar. Thankfully Pierson wasn't too fond of someone shoving anything in his face!
  Thank you for your well-wishes, gifts, and visits.  It  is all very much appreciated and we are all so happy to be home safe, sound, and all together!