My (slash that) OUR birth story

It was the Monday before my expected due date, I had my normal weekly meeting with my doctor and we spoke about induction. I was fairly antsy and it had gotten to the point I wanted to meet my baby girl more than anything so we settled on the induction to begin that Thursday midnight. (Good thing we did, because it proved she was overdue, I had complications)


We made a late night Wal-Mart run before heading to the hospital, stocked up on Gatorade, cookies, and what-nots that would get both Michael and I through the day. We settled into our room and was put on one unit of pitocin to be increased one unit per hour. I was told by 6 in the morning we would start heading down the stronger road.

I went through the six hours with not much sleep, but much anticipation. With the seven o’clock morning hour came a new nurse and an increase of pitocin. I was handling it well and was able to breath and incorporate all my natural methods. Bam, we hit a wall. My blood pressure was too high and I was diagnosed preeclamptic, not only did this mean I was on strict bedrest I had to lay in only one position on my side, I was also given a magnesium drip that made me feel loopy… the natural birth method was all about moving around, finding a position that was comfortable for you, with the restrictions things weren’t going to go over well.

So after five hours on my side and constant pitocin contractions I uttered the code ward to Michael, he knew I meant business and that I was going to get an epidural. After being on my side for so long and receiving a magnesium drip to prevent seizures, getting to an upright position for the epi caused me to vomit, thus breaking my water. :-)

I started to dilated pretty regularly from that point on and by seven o’clock we were ready to push. My doctor showed up, and we were on our third nurse of the day. I heard the nurse explain to the doctor that the baby had marked variability which meant her heart rate wasn’t staying consistent, but it also wasn’t cause for concern (at least not yet).

With the loopy feeling I was getting from the magnesium drip I was red in the face, hot flashes, foggy headed. So after laboring for 10 hours pushing became a really goofy game. I was passing out in between pushes, and almost sleeping through the whole thing, I remember pushing but it seems like a dream; which is good because 3 hours of pushing didn’t seem endless but rather timeless.

Well the marked variability apparently meant the cord was wrapped around the baby’s neck, and the long pushing time also proved the same thing. Every time I pushed it tighten the cord and the baby, which hurt her and she tried to pull back… the whole thing was concluded with a vacuum extraction, yes they used a plunger looking device with sucking to pull her out.

Urgency at that moment, when my totally awesome doctor cut the umbilical cord from around her neck and I felt pure relief and pushed her the rest of the way out.

I was totally out of it, and couldn’t respond the way I wanted, but I’m unbelievably thankful to the wonderful staff who took care of me and Stella, and to Michael for being the world greatest husband. On 12/2/10 @ 10:07 PM we were looking at our 7 pound 14 oz little girl! Welcome to the world baby girl!

Weekly Stats . . .

November 29, 2010 (daddy's birthday)
"you're a little further along" Dr. M
2cm
75% effeced
"I'm going to try to help you along" crampping pains.... owee!
We'll see.

That Moment

I don’t want to call myself selfish, but I want to be honest on the same note. I really want that moment were I turn to Michael and say “I’m in labor” “my water just broke” “its go time”.

I want that moment between he and I and I want it so bad. We are really getting down to the wire here and I’m afraid I won’t get that moment. I’m afraid it will be more like, “I’m getting induced in the morning hope you can get off work”.

I want this little girl to do this on her own schedule, but the waiting is driving me/him/everyone crazy. I had a big rush of energy yesterday afternoon, my house is spotless. I couldn’t tell if it was something I wanted to do or needed to do, so I tried not to think about it too much. Then when we laid in bed Michael said “I really think she’s coming tonight”. It would have been wonderful to wake him up on his birthday with one of those moments, “babe I think we are going to have this baby today.” But alas we are still waiting…

I go to the doctors this evening, she mentioned she would be stripping my membrane and giving me a progestegland suppository if she saw me today, looks like she will. Hopefully the little extra medical encouragement will give us the moment we want.

Peace to my baby girl, we will meet you soon.

Weekly Stats...

November 22, 2010
2cm
60%


Novemeber 18, 2010
1cm
50% effaced
tick tock . . .

Presents

For the majority of my life, at least the portions I can remember, I have always looked forward to what was coming next. I wanted to be older, I wanted to graduate, I wanted to be married; all I every wanted was the next step.

The last eight months have obviously been filled with this wanting as well. Except with this situation the next step was being a mom and meeting the amazing person Michael and I created. But today I honestly have found some sort of peace with myself. I realize that right now in this moment is where I want to be, where I need to be. Yes, I’m looking forward to the next step, don’t get me wrong. But for once I’m starting to enjoy the current moment.

I love getting to know my husband stronger through this situation. I am enjoying learning about my body and my ability to do things unexplainable. Though frustrating she’s still on the inside, I love feeling her kick and wondering what she’s thinking.

I’m starting to understand the quote “it’s why it’s called the present”. . . .

Weekly Stats...

Still 1 cm
A little more than 50% effaced
-At least I didn't go backwards!
Back to eating my pineapple!

Weekly Stats...

November 1st:
1 cm dilated
50% effaced