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ZJM's birth story (a long post for me)
I confess I didn't read many of these pre-pregnancy so I'm not sure which vital details to include. Feel free to ask me anything, though I'm not sure how timely my response may be as life with a newborn is quite a change!
So here's how it went down:
When I hit 36 weeks and we started the internal checking, I was about 2 cm and 75% effaced. Pretty much stayed that way at each visit, and was preparing to at least schedule the induction if I didn't go into labor naturally.
Last Monday morning (btw, I have no clue where the last week went), I got up to teach my spin class. Yes, I was still teaching at 39 weeks 5 days, though I'd cut back to 2 classes - I even planned to teach my last class on my due date (11/9) if I hadn't gone into labor by then. Felt pretty normal at 4:15 a.m., did my normal morning routine getting ready for class. Had some discomfort which I thought was basically end-of-pregnancy stomach issues. Went to teach - the discomfort sort of continued on/off. I still thought it must be GI-related and figured I'd use the bathroom when I got home and all would be fine. However, I had to get off the bike a lot more - was uncomfortable when moving from seated to standing position on the bike (felt like I was going to pee!). Honestly I'd really never been very uncomfortable teaching before so I decided right then that I wasn't going to teach on Wednesday! Ran out of the gym pretty quickly around 7 a.m. to make sure MrJRM hadn't left for work in case this was labor.
The pains continued, but I still wasn't sure what contractions felt like. We tried to start timing the pain. They were pretty close to 5 mins apart and I figured these were too close together so soon for a first pregnancy; must be something else. I took a shower, still debating whether to call the doctor or not. When I got down on all fours after the shower, MrJRM canceled his day. We called the doctor's office - when the nurse called back to ask me questions, she said "first time baby? you're probably not in labor - you sound too happy." Until I had a contraction on the phone with her - then she said "eh, why don't you go over to the hospital." Of course, I hadn't eaten anything but a Special K bar at 4:15 a.m. and I surely wasn't hungry but I recall hearing once you go into the hospital, no more food. I ate something tiny and we went.
We got Abington at 9:40 a.m. Put me in triage and I was still moaning when the pains came. All the nurses were talking about the fact I was teaching spin and completely oblivious. Resident came into check me and said "well, that spin class worked. You're 6 cm and 100% effaced, -1, you're in labor." Then it all happened pretty quick (of course, at this point I started shaking uncontrollably out of fear). I was concerned I was too far gone to have an epidural, but I got one around 10:45 ish. This made me much more comfortable! Everyone who came in kept saying this was going to be pretty quick based on how far I was when I came in. Plus, I got nauseous a little early on, which they said happens when you're close.
I had an absolutely amazing nurse. She literally carried me to the bathroom before they hooked me up, she helped coach me through the breathing and reassured me all the time. All the stuff we learned in birthing class really went out the window, btw. During the entire thing, it was just this nurse, MrJRM, and my doctor, who came in and out.
They broke my water around 11ish. When it was time to start pushing at 1:45 p.m., I wasn't quite doing it right (actually, the epi was probably too strong so I didn't feel the urge - not sure I ever did), the nurse helped me with every breath. And when I said I couldn't do it anymore (after they turned the epi down!), she took off one of the signs we posted to the wall which said "you can do it, I know you can" (my spin class threw me a baby shower and made signs with some of my motivational coaching lines), she held it up over her face and told me I could.
Baby was born at 3:19 p.m. (so I pushed for about 1.5 hrs) and as I mentioned before, he was "sunny side up" which made it harder to push. I didn't look when he came out and the rest is sort of a blur but here we are a week later with a pretty cute kid who's made me into a zombie. Still dealing with the recovery issues but made it outside for some short and slow walks over the weekend.
Wouldn't have it any other way - I totally thought I'd be working at home sitting in a chair when labor started and I've have to suffer at home for hours waiting for the inevitable.
That's it - hope it helps someone who is next up! JenD maybe?
ETA - I did have some bilateral tears, and I am trying the EBF thing. I never realized how tough it would be.
Shout out to the most amazing husband/father, MrJRM, who keeps telling me I'm doing a great job despite my breakdowns, inability to shower before 8 pm somedays, and complete ineptitude at changing diapers. Tonight he went out and bought me colace, prunes, and more maxi pads. True love. I am completely scared about how we're going to manage when he goes back to work next week.
Re: ZJM's birth story (a long post for me)
That is an amazing story - you have the vag of steel girl
So glad to hear things are going well and mr. jrm is a rock star dad (I knew he would be)
I am here if you need anything and would love to come visit whenever you are up to it!
DS 3.12.08
DD 7.11.09
DD 8.01.13
What a great story! So glad it went fast for you. I love the story about the nurse with the sign over her face.
Make sure you're drinking enough fluids and eating enough food. It's common to be stopped up after birth but when you're ebf you require soooo much water. Your body needs more calories to make breastmilk then it did to make a baby (500 vs 300, respectively). Try to drink at least one glass of water every time you feed and have other people bring you food if you have the help.
Good luck and hang in there!
Great story! I hope I'm completely oblivious to most of the labor signs too. And yay for MrJRM! What a super husband.
Also, I believe I am next in line but I've got a few more weeks (I hope). Went for my 36w checkup yesterday and I'm not dilated at all. Head is down far though and it's causing me to measure small so I have to get a growth ultrasound tomorrow.
#1 12.11.11
#2 10.23.13 EDD
congratulations!
Yeah that's right my name's Yauch!
Congrats! What a story.
Breastfeeding is SO HARD in the beginning. I got into the mindset early on that I was going to be topless and trapped in my house for at least a month, a slave to the baby if you will. Once I got over that, things got easier. I was doing Mommy and Me yoga by 6 weeks. Good luck! Ask questions!
TJW arrived 7/28/11
Yay! I'm glad it went so well for you. You are doing awesome, and I'm not surprised at all mr.jrm is being awesome as well. Just take things one day at a time. Days will get less bleary and you'll figure things out. You are doing great and don't hesitate to ask questions or ask for help.
I would love to come meet him once you're up for visitors.
I had a sort-of similar experience...thought I was just having stomach pains, and then everything happened very quickly. When i arrived at the hospital, I was told I was probably going to be sent home b/c there's no way it could go that fast...they soon learned I was 6cm. Good luck with these first few weeks...they're so difficult but magical at the same time.
Sounds amazing! Glad you had a good delivery and glad to hear everyone is doing well!
You are a rock star!
Glad everyone is doing well. How are you feeling?
DD: 6-24-11
EDD: 9-20-14