Announcing Matthew Richard Burch!

Jeff and I have a new addition to our family! Matthew Richard Burch was born yesterday October 24, 2008 at 7:05PM. He weighed in at a nice 7 lbs. 6 oz. and measured 20 1/2 inches in length. He is the perfect baby!

Thursday at 4:00 AM I started having contractions. I called the doctor, but he said it was very normal to have contractions that come and go as a woman approaches her due date. So...I carried on as normal. I even went to school! That evening my conractions got more intense, but still had no regular pattern. After a sleepless night, Jeff and I decided to go to the hospital. I suspected that my water may have broke, but couldn't really tell. We were fully prepared to be sent home. To our surprise, my water had broke and we were going to be staying to have our son...a week early! Yay!

I planned on seeing how my contractions were going before deciding whether or not to be medicated. After having contractions for 24 hours +, I decided it was time for an intervention...the epidural. My epidural was painless and getting it was the best decision I have ever made. Instantly, my contractions disappeared, and I was in a state of total and complete relaxation. The remainder of my labor I was in heaven. It is the most relaxed and comfortable that I have ever felt...no lie. I was able to nap, watch General Hospital, and prepare for the birth of my son in a very serene way. Yes, I just used "serene" to describe my labor.

Delivery went extremely well too! After one short hour, Matthew was born. I have never felt such joy in my life. As soon as I held him, my heart felt like it was going to burst!

Little Matthew has been very good to his mother. My pregnancy was a breeze, he came a week early, and labor/delivery was a piece of cake! Now, the journey begins.