DH and I arrived at the hospital around 7:30am and got checked in and
into our room by 8am. Then they did all the vitals and drew blood and
started an IV. I got the pitocin started at 8:50. I had been
contracting on my own on the monitors since I arrived. The pitocin drip
is very gradual and the dose is increased every half hour until you get
into a good pattern. I started to notice some changes in the
contractions after about an hour. THey weren't painful but increasingly
uncomfortable. My Dr came in and checked me around 10am ( i don't
remember the exact time) anyway I was at 3cm and 100% effaced and I was
happy about that. He said he would be back in a bit to break my water.
I noticed the contractions getting stronger and they were starting to
hurt now. By no means was it bad, but they were painful. The Dr came
back in at 11 and broke my water and said I was at 4cm (yay!). I had
heard that would cause stronger contractions and it did. They first one
I had after my water was broken hurt a lot more and I was ready to ask
for the epi. Good thing I did b/c there was a c-section at 11:30 so if
I didn't get it when I did I would have waited until after the
c-section and it may have been too late
So the anesthesiologist came in and put in the epi which did not hurt
at all!! I was sooooo nervous about that, but the only part that hurt
was the numbing shot, but even that was no worse that a regular shot.
After that it was just mild pressure, but totally bearable. It took
about 15 minutes for it really to work, I could move my legs and feel
them, I was just numb - like they were asleep. A few minutes later, my
nurse came in to insert the foley catheter and checked me and I was now
at 5cm and her head had come down so I was making good progress.
Around
12 - I told DH to go down and get lunch since it seemed like we had a
couple hours. My mom was with me when my Dr came back in at 12:30 b/c I
was feeling some rectal pressure and the nurse had noticed some signs
on the fetal monitor that made her think I may be ready to push. Well,
she was right and the Dr said I was complete. He was surprised and I
was in shock. I told my mom to call DH and she did and told him to
come back up ASAP. The Dr said I should only push for about half an
hour with how low her head was. I started pushing at 12:45 and let me
tell you it was HARD. They turned the epi down so I could feel when and
where to push. I could. I didn't feel "pain" I felt pressure. And it
was bad and I wanted it over. I got physically exhausted. I kept
looking at the clock wondering why it was taking more than half an
hour. The nurse kept telling me I was doing it right I just needed to
get her past the pubic bone. After each contraction I would just put my
head back and close my eyes. I really felt like I just couldn't do it
anymore. The urge to push was so strong that I had to!! But it hurt so
much to do it that I didn't want to! DH was there giving me ice chips
and telling me I was doing great, but it was tough. Then I saw the Dr
putting on all his gear and I knew I was close so I just gave it all I
had. He said just 2 or 3 more pushes. I knew he did an episiotomy b/c I
saw the scissors, but I didn't care, I wanted her out!!! Then DH said
her head was out, but I knew it b/c it felt different, then her body
came out with 1 final push and it was the best feeling of relief I have
ever felt. It was amazing - I felt great. Tired, but great!!!!!! The
placenta came out with no problem then he stitched me up and it was
over. Alexis Kaelyn arrived on 2/21 at 2:14pm and was 6lbs 4oz and 18in.
I ended up pushing for a little over an hour, but my labor
from start to finish was just over 5 hours so I can't complain. I felt
great after and I still do, some soreness and discomfort but not bad.
Re: RP: My excellent induction story