I have a son!

I am proud to tell you about our new member of the family, Bentley John. He was born August 14 at 9:50 AM, weighing 7lbs. 7oz. and 18 1/2 inches long. He has beautiful blonde hair (and blue eyes- like all babies!). He is so sweet.
I had been having contractions for about a week (nothing like what the real labor contractions are though!) And I went to the doctor on Wednesday and I was 4 cm and 100% effaced- which meant I could've technically been admitted if I had wanted to labor in the hospital- which I didn't. So I finished painting the bedroom, put the house back together, ran all over Ann Arbor doing errands, and then we went to Chris and Nikomi's for dinner. We came home, took about 3 mile walk and went to bed. I was still having the BH contractions- but fell asleep just fine (a sure sign you are not in labor!)
Around 1 AM I woke up with pain and couldn't fall asleep. I took a shower, and started breathing through the contractions. About 2, I had a bowl of cheerios, at 3 I woke David up and knew I was in labor- but still sort of in denial because I thought I had been in labor a week ago! I spent a lot of time in Bentley's room- I think pushing through the pain was much easier in his space because I could look at all of his things and imagine him in there....motivation to keep laboring!
Around 5ish I wanted to go in the hospital- David thought we should wait a little longer- so we debated...finally calling the doctor. I was still only 5 minutes apart- so the doc said I was probably only 4-5 cm, but I could come in if I wanted.
We took our time packing bags (well, at this point I was in a fair amount of pain- the nice thing is it really hurts during the contraction- but if you can make it through, the break is pain free!)
We drove in, went to triage, they determined I was about 7 CM! It took forever for them to do all the annoying tests they say are necessary and I was not in the mood to be poked when I was trying so hard to focus on my breathing.
Finally, we got settled in our room around 6:30. Then I got right in the jacuzzi tub- that was nice! The first doc I talked to was leaving, so when Dr. O'Conner came on at 7 she stopped in...I was still 7 CM and Bentley was occipit posterior (his face was towards my belly instead of my back- so the back of his head was rubbing my tail bone...makes for a really tough labor and a tough naturally deliver). So I was disappointed. So I did the big ball thing- trying to roll through the contractions... the doc came in around 7:30, and I was STILL 7 cm, and Ben was still posterior....so the words like pitocin and meds and all the things I didn't want were discussed...So they said we could keep trying for him to turn. Then they set up this huge bean bag on the bed and I laid with my belly in that....what a lifesaver! By this point I was begging for drugs (David wouldn't let me give in thought- what a great husband!) and it hurt soooo bad. So then I was upset because I was pushing without trying and I know you aren't supposed to because it can cause your cervix to swell and then baby will have a harder time coming out... and then I was throwing up among other labor symptoms, I will spare you the details. :) So the nurse said they should check me...which I didn't want because I didn't want to be disappointed when I was still at 7CM. Finally she convinced me back on the bed and I was 10 CM and baby was in the right position!!!!!! That was the best hour of my life!
So Dr. O'Conner came in and I pushed for an hour and he was born! They put him on my tummy and I watched him squirm...and the pain from birth went away almost instantly which was so nice.
The cord was wrapped around his neck and he was blue...so they took him to NICU to give him oxygen.
So then about an hour later the neonatalogist came in with David to tell me that they were pretty sure Ben has down syndrome....we had known there was like a less than 2% chance...but the odds were unlikely...so it wasn't a complete shock...but I was still a little numb.
I finally got him back 2 hours after delivery and was able to spend the rest of the day with him. He is so beautiful. David and I really see how God has been preparing us for Bentley....we have been talking a lot about DS babies with friends and how they do so well now that there is support and unending research about them. Even the night before he was born at Chris and Nikomi's house we were talking about how they are so sweet and how it's so sad so many people terminate pregnancy because of the diagnosis. We just love him...obviously, since he is our son!
He is doing well nursing and is just the sweetest thing to look at. Currently he is having an echocardiogram to look at his heart to make sure he doesn't have any defects (some DS children do)...so we will know the results tomorrow. And officially Bentley hasn't been diagnosed with DS...the blood work results will be in early next week.
David is the most amazing father... it is amazing to see your husband hold your child with such love, compassion, and grace. I can't explain to you what it feels like.
So, we are a beautiful family of 3. I am so thankful I had such an amazing birth experience, I have a healthy beautiful son, and an amazing husband who is so patient and so kind.
So thanks for your prayers and words of encouragement.
And I have beautiful pictures to post when I get home!