This evening, at 8:05 PM, Mountain time, the board picked up a new member. One who weighs 7lbs 12 Oz.
Jake Ryan came into the world after about 15 hours of labor. Mrs. C. claims that any person who can get through labor without an epidural is not only insane, but numb, numb, numb from the waist down.
When we left the homestead this morning for the hospital, the first contraction hit. 3 minutes later, as we get Mom hooked up to the machines, she had already dilated 3 and effaced 25%. Contractions were already coming 3 minutes apart. Things were moving MIGHTY quick.
The epidural slowed things down considerably. Although the contractions came with the same regularity, their intensity did not increase. Finally, at about 7 PM, 100% effacement, and 10CM dilation came about. Thank god. Mom was ready to get this guy out!
To her credit, Mrs. C. had them turn off the epidural when it became clear that she was having difficulty locating the muscles to use to push. Once the feeling returned, it took no time at all.
I ended up doing absolutely everything I said I would not do. I helped in the delivery, when I said I would stay by her head and offer support. I cut the umbilical cord when offered the chance. And, most of all, I cried as if for that brief moment, I were the happiest, most proud man on the face of the earth.
And I may very well have been.
Jake, welcome to the world. The people here are some of the good ones.
