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AJ's Birth Story (long)
38 weeks 6 days pregnant. Friday, April 4 I went into my Dr. for a growth ultrasound. The baby had been measuring a little big and this was a follow up to a growth scan I had several weeks back.
I got to the office and went right in to the ultrasound room. The tech was looking at the baby taking some measurements and said that everything was looking fine. She plugged some measurements into her computer and told me he was in the 90th percentile, which was expected as he was in the 92nd percentile several weeks back. She tried to measure the fluid and told me that the fluid was a little low and took my chart and scans out of the room. 2 min later the Dr. came in and said he?d like to check my cervix. Undressed I got?.cervix was closed, 80 percent effaced.
He told me my fluid was too low to go home and that I?d be going to the hospital that night for an induction. He wanted to get me on the monitors to make sure everything was good with the Baby.
My mom was with me, so we left the office and walked across the street to the hospital main entrance. I called my husband on the way and told him to leave work and meet me there. We visited the admissions desk to fill out paper work and then made our way up to Labor and Delivery where they hooked me up the monitors. Turns out I was already having some contractions, could not feel them though.
The Dr. on call came in and told me they?d be giving me cervadil and that I could expect pretty much nothing to happen until the next morning. At that my Mom decided to go home and get some sleep and come back early the next morning.
My BFF and her DH arrived with take out from Boston Market. We were supposed to go out to dinner with them on this night, one last time before the baby got here, so take out in the hospital would have to do!
After a few hours of monitoring my Doctor decided I was contracting too often for the cervadil so we were going strait for the pitocin. He started the Pitocin around 9pm on Friday. We hung around, watched TV, played cards and tried to sleep. Around 1am the doctor came in to check my cervix and break my water. I was about 2cm and fully effaced. The breaking of the water was not comfortable, and I didn?t feel a gush or anything ? but didn?t think anything of it since I was so low in fluid in the first place. The doc hoped that breaking my water would help speed things along.
Doc came back around 6am, I was at 2-3cm and he said he think he could still feel some of the membrane so tried to break the water again. I was disappointed that I hadn?t progressed further; I was at max doseage of pitocin at this point and was getting nervous about him directing a c-section. He said not to worry, as long as the both me and the baby were tolerating everything well (we were) then we would be patient and see how things go.
All this time I was not in any pain, some mild menstrual like cramping but that was all.
About 2pm he checked me again, still a 3. He attempted to break my water a third time. Third time was a charm. Almost immediately after I started to feel much more cramping and I had a lot of bloody show. I could feel every contraction now and they were getting worse as time went on. DH was so great, talking me through them. I did the typical thing when the pain got really bad and told DH I was finished and ready to go home now. :-)
Around 6pm I started telling DH I was ready for the drugs. The pain was very intense, and I wasn?t allowed to change position much because they had me hooked up to the monitors to be sure baby and I were still fine. Doc came in and told me I could have the epidural if I wanted and I exclaimed?yes please I do!
Anesthesiologist came in explained the whole process while the nurse set up. I had been so nervous about getting an epidural but I was in so much pain at that point that I just didn?t care?anything to take the pain away. I was worried about having contractions and moving during the process and the nurse said don?t worry, we?ll just breath right through them.
Turns out, I have a ?tough back? according to the anesthesiologist. He had to insert the needle 3 times before it took, he kept hitting bone which was a bizarre feeling to say the least. The epidural in general wasn?t particularly painful, mostly uncomfortable. Apparently, the spaces between my vertebrae are very small making the epidural difficult?just when I started to panic that he wouldn?t be able to get the epidural in, it took and the pain relief began.
It was odd being able to move my legs, but not feel them. Mostly it felt like my legs were asleep and cold, though when I touched them they were warm. Odd, but blissful?the pain was gone! Right after the epi was in my doc came to check me again and I was at 5cm, thank goodness for progress! Now we just laid back to wait.
Around 10pm the doc came to check me again, he said ?wow, this is amazing, you are at 10 and the head is right here, time to push?. YES, I kicked my Mom and BFF out as DH and I wanted this part to be just for us. The nurse set up everything and we started pushing around 10:30.
I had to have DH and the nurse tell me when to push as I was still not feeling any contractions or pressure. The doc popped in and out to see how things were going and helped me change positions to see if I could get some more progress while pushing. Finally, I could see the look on DH face change as the DS crowned and the nurse told me to stop pushing so she could run out and get the Doctor. They didn?t expect me to push that quickly?.It seemed like an eternity for the doctor to get back while I tried my best not to push as DS?s head was halfway out.
Finally the doc got back, and I gave another big push and DS was born at 12:06pm, after an hour and half of pushing. He was put on my chest and I don?t even remember what I first said to him I was so overwhelmed. After a few they took him over to check him out and he immediately pooped on the table?.and made everyone in the room laugh.
The doc stitched me up?I had a small tear and took care of all the rest of the business down there. Then DH and I spent a bit of time together just the 3 of us before inviting the family back in.
It was a long process, but an amazing experience and ended with my wonderful son Austin James 8lb 8oz, 21 inches.
My post partum stay started off uneventfully. DS got his first bath, and we got all set up in our room. The next morning I started to feel this horrible headache and achiness in my neck and upper back / shoulders. I assumed it was from all the strain of labor and pushing. It only got worse and worse to the point where I was only able to lay on my back for fear of excruciating pounding searing headache. Going to the bathroom was a major chore. Needless to say, I could not take care of DS at all. Couldn?t hold him, tend to him if he cried, change his diapers?nothing. DH had to do it all. I tried and tried to breastfeed while lying down which was difficult. Finally, I was diagnosed with what is known as a ?spinal headache?. It is a side effect of the epidural that happens in about 5% of cases. Spinal fluid leaks out of the hole that the epidural punctured and causes a headache. I had to have a second procedure known as a blood patch?once I had that I was 90% better immediately and 100% within a day.
Now we are home trying to negotiate the roads of breastfeeding?it is going ok. Hopefully we?ll have it figured out soon enough.
Though I am totally in love with my son, I?m mourning being pregnant. There is something very special about having that belly, a precious new life being nurtured inside. The anticipation is so special - Expecting Moms ? enjoy it!
Re: AJ's Birth Story (long)
Holy long birth story!!!! I had to run to the bathroom in the middle of reading it! LOL
but it did bring back some memories of being induced and a tear to my eye!
CONGRATS !!! glad everything is well now and you have a BEAUTIFUL LITTLE BOY!
Aw, thanks so much for sharing that! Minus the headache, it sounds like a great experience!
Yay for AJ, and for his mommy!
Thanks for sharing. What a beautiful little guy you have!
Your story brings tears to my eyes. And you're doing nothing to help my baby fever! Spinal headache and all!
Glad you're home safe and sound. . .and Austin is doing well. Congrats again!
what a wonderful birth story, finny!
I cried at the end when you said you're mourning your pregnant belly. As much as I can't wait to meet our little one, I love the fact that I'm creating life inside me. I can completely understand why you would miss this feeling. I imagine it must be just as amazing to look into AJ's beautiful eyes & hold his little tiny hands though!
Congratulations again!
Aw, what a great birth story. Thanks for sharing