It’s been almost 3 weeks since Zion O’Shea Nassir Williams decided to grace the world with his presence on July 25th at 8:52am.  It was a long journey, and definitely not an easy one. Which is likely why it’s taken so long for me to gather my thoughts, and sit to write this post…in silence.

I was admitted to the hospital the Tuesday of the same week for a schedule induction. Apparently, my age and weight qualified me for an induction, and my doctor was concerned about potential high blood pressure issues.  Seeing as how it had only been a month since the pre-term labor scare, I was more than ready to give birth and get that part over with.  I assumed I’d walk in Tuesday afternoon and walk out Thursday afternoon with a bundle of joy. Hmm…I was wrong. Tuesday and Wednesday I spent the entire time in labor pain, being pumped with medication. Wednesday evening I asked for my epidural because it was starting to get intense and I didn’t want to wait too long. I 100% regret that decision now. It took exactly 41 minutes for them to place the epidural correctly and I was in sooooo much pain. I asked three times for them to just stop because I didn’t want it anymore. I wish I had been more adamant about that, I’ll tell you why in a moment. After finally placing the epidural, it was time to relax and wait for my body to do the rest. NOT! My body kicked right into labor and I dilated from 1cm to 4cm almost immediately. Around 1am, the contractions really kicked in every 4 minutes for 5 hours straight. Literally, non-stop! My mom slept thru all of my moaning and groaning, and at 5:30am, the doctor came in to check me, break my water and start setting up for me to push. My legs were placed in stirrups since they were numb and I started pushing about 6:15am. Unfortunately, I pushed for 30 minutes, but Zion wasn’t dropping down lower.  Next plan, turn me on my side and place a giant peanut shaped ball between my thighs to help open my cervix. At this point the contractions were still coming every 4-5 minutes and with each one, my body was pushing all by itself. Before I knew it, I could feel Zion in my vagina and knew it was REALLY time to push. So they put me back in the stirrups, and 4 pushes later, he was here!

Zion was born a healthy 8lbs 2 oz 22in. I still can’t believe I had another baby. It’s been such a long time coming, and certainly something I prayed for. Circumstances could always be better, but he’s here now and I am happy!  My mom and sister were in the delivery room with me, my mom even cut the cord which I know she was excited to do. His dad didn’t make it for the delivery, but that was partially my fault because I didn’t think to call him sooner considering how much pain I was in.

Now back to the epidural…yeah, don’t get that thing ladies!  The day after delivery, the feeling returned to the lower half of my body, except my right leg. My entire leg from the thigh down to my toes was completely numb but only on the outside of my leg. Looking back at it, it was obvious what the issue was but the doctors didn’t want to say it in front of me. We ended up staying in the hospital until Sunday evening waiting for a diagnosis to what the hell was wrong with my leg and foot. I even had to have an MRI, which I will also never do again. I freaked out in the machine and had a full on panic attack. SMH Sunday they decided to send us home, with a referral to a neurologist because it was evident that there was something going on with the nerves in my leg.  I walked into a hospital on Tuesday and was pushed out in a wheelchair on Sunday…and I haven’t been able to walk normally ever since. The feeling finally came back to my thigh, but my calf and foot are still numb. Even 3 weeks later as I type this. I saw the neurologist last week and it’s been officially diagnosed as sciatic nerve damage.  So far, the only thing I’ve been told to do is wait…wait for it to clear up on it’s own. If it doesn’t, I have a followup to begin physical therapy next week. Crazy right?!

Have a baby they say…it’ll be fun they say…(lol) Although I can’t walk like I want to, drive my Jeep or put on the $200 Jordan’s I just bought, I am throughly enjoying spending all this time cuddled up with my baby boy. 💙