Our darling son was born August 1 at 4:15am at 38w2d. Around 6am Sunday morning (July 31), I had about an hour and a half of very painful, timetable contractions 10min apart and lasting 1-2min. They faded away, so I didn't think much of them and proceeded with a pretty busy but low energy Sunday. Water broke while I was giving DD a bath at 6:30pm. I'm GBS+ so we quickly mobilized and arrived at the hospital at 7:30. I got a room immediately and was checked: 3cm dilated, 70% effaced, -2 station. Dr wanted me to start pitocin to keep things moving, which I was fine with, but we waited to get the antibiotics going first. Started IV fluids around 8:30 and antibiotic around 9. Then got my epidural around 10 and started the pitocin. I was checked again around 3:15 and was completely dilated and ready for baby. We waited until my mom arrived (straight off a flight!) to begin pushing at 4:11. Only two pushes later, our previous baby was here! 6lbs12oz and 19.76in long. We are smitten! I was in total shock to need only two pushes. I pushed 2 hours with DD. And no tear this time!
Nathan Michael was born August 2nd 6:22pm at 37w3d! Much to this FTMs surprise he was early! He weighed in at 6lbs 15 oz and 19 inches long. I'm so in love!
I woke up at midnight on August 2nd with bloody show/mucus plug. I went back to bed and contractions started in my lower back, but I kinda blew them off and tried to sleep. I was too excited and at 4:30 started timing them and realized they were 5 minutes apart. Called my doc who told me to go to L and D and he would check me.
When we got there I was 3cm dilated and 80 percent effaced, contractions had picked up to every 3 minutes so they admitted me. I planned to go med free and the contractions were tolerable at this point. Long story short, contractions stayed at every 2-3 minutes for 14 hours and by 3pm they started going back to back with no rest, and super intense where I was throwing up and getting no rest. It was all back labor and they suspected a posterior baby. So I got the epidural. Much to my dismay it didn't help AT ALL and contractions got worse! They kept upping the dose and Nada. Eventually they came and did a 2nd epidural which finally worked.
The doc came at 6 pm to check on dilation, and apparently my water bag was hanging out of me and the head was right there! I had no idea as my legs and lady parts were completely numb. She popped the bag and 5 minutes of pushing and he was here!
Logan Christopher was born on August 1st at 7:50am! He was 19 and ¾ inches and 7 lbs 15oz. I was 38w5d pregnant. My labor was 12 hours long and he came out in a hurry after only 3 pushes! We are in love and his big sister thinks he is the best thing ever.
Little Madelyn was born via scheduled repeat c-section at 6:48pm at 38w3d. She is 7lbs 11oz and 19.5 inches long. She is very calm and loves to suck her thumbs. She is also doing really well with latching and nursing (so far!).
Mr. Tripp was born at 2:54 pm on 8/03 after an induction that started at 6 that morning. I progressed very quickly for a FTM. Mom and baby are doing great except a 4th degree tear that my doctor and nurses tried everything to prevent. 9 lb 0 oz. 21 inches. Pure perfection.
Miles was born at 2:21am on August 2. I started having noticeable contractions at work at about 3:00pm on the 1st, and was on the way home by 4:30. Labored at home with DH and the doula for a few hours and headed to the hospital when I felt like I need to. I was checked in around 8pm, was a 6-7 dilated and then labored in the shower. Had one dose of fentanyl, got to an 8 and that was enough for me to keep going, since it gave me a 30 min break. Ready to push at about midnight so they broke my water then and I immediately felt the urge to push. Pushed for almost two hours. Pushing was the hardest part for me, which I never knew could be the case.
Just working on getting nursing down now. I am so in love and amazed at the strength of how strong that feels already. Feel so, so blessed!
After a month of prodomal labor, 3 "false alarm" hospital runs, and one 13hr admission, baby W. was born this morning by repeat C at 0801 hours. He's fighter like his momma, and stubborn like his daddy. Absolutely in love, despite my loss of a Vbac option. 7#14oz, 20 3/4". I couldn't ask for a more perfect outcome. Thank you everyone, especially @MrsEWilson for your support!
Caia Elizabeth was born on 8/3 at 5:30 pm. We checked in at 7 pm on 8/2 for an induction. They placed cervadil around 9 pm and I tried to sleep overnight as contractions got stronger. In the morning they started pitocin and my doc broke my water. By 11:30 I was 4 cm dilated. Continued to labor until about 2:30 when contractions were just so intense and back to back that I asked for the epidural. The nurses kept turning my pitocin down because my contractions were so strong and close together. Still, by 4:45 I was still only 4 cm and baby would not descend. My doc was concerned about her size and thought she couldn't fit beneath my pelvic bones, so we headed for the or for a c section. The pitocin made me shake uncontrollably but otherwise the section was not so bad. She started crying when they pulled her out and I immediately started crying as well. She is so beautiful and sweet. It was all worth it. The pain meds did make me nauseated and I don't recommend throwing up after abdominal surgery but I'm feeling much better today and Caia is breastfeeding like a champ.
Married May 2014 DD born August 2016 Baby #2 due December 2017
Crosby Allen made his appearance on August 4th at 6:06 pm. 7lbs, 14 oz and 21 inches long. Will post more details later today after some rest, but wow.. Being a mom is already the best. Im so in love.
Nathaniel "Nate" George, born 8/5/16 @ 9:53am via RCS, 8lbs 3oz and 20 1/4" . Thank goodness we went with the c-section because go figure he flipped to breech since my appointments 3 days ago. His head was stuck under my rib cage and my OB had to make a vertical cut in my uterus in order to get him out (mandatory c-section at 37w if we ever have another because of this). His legs were also extremely tangled in the cord. This resulted in it taking a bit longer for them to close me, but all is good now. DD came to meet him and she did amazingly! She totally understood and even told us baby boy isn't in mommy's belly anymore. He got big sissy hugs and kisses, too *heart melting* DH and I are soaking in our alone time with him now.
Beckett Liam made a very quick entrance yesterday evening at 7:15pm just 4.5 hours from the first contraction, weighing 6lbs 12oz at 39w1d. We went to the hospital Thursday morning after I was having regular mild contractions, but it turned out to be false labor and I was sent home. Nothing was happening for 24 hrs after that, but at 2:45 yesterday afternoon I started having pretty intense contractions ranging from 3-6minutes apart. When we got to the hospital I was still only about a 3 (checked by a nurse that totally had "ham hands" as @Car0liiine would say ). She basically said I was probably going to end up being sent home, but I could try walking around for a half hour to see if things progressed. By the time I was done walking the contractions were consistently 4 min apart and I was checked by my doctor and I was at 5. She said I would definitely be staying and could get started getting the epidural. Within an hour, my water broke, and the contractions were basically one on top of the other. The anesthesiologist finally got to me at a little before 7:00, but right as he was done, my doctor checked and I was fully dilated and baby's head was right there. 5 pushes later he was out, before the epidural even kicked in! We are so in love, and can't wait for him to meet his big brother!
Dorothy May arrived a bit unexpected yesterday, 3 weeks early. I went to the doctor for a normal appointment and told her I was having cramping but wasn't sure they were contractions. Turns out I was in labor! We went right to the hospital and a few hours later she was out.
Our DD is loving being a big sister. I hope it lasts!
Lily Jean was born 8/1 at 9:18am via a planned repeat C-section at 39 weeks and 1 day. She is 8lbs 1 ounce. Everything went smoothly and she is such a sweet baby!!!
Jameson William arrived at exactly 39 weeks, on 8/6 at 3:19am, weighing 7lbs 7oz.
Thursday afternoon I noticed I lost part of my mucus plug and late that night I was having regular contractions that were 4-6 minutes apart but when I woke up Friday morning they were gone. Friday afternoon I noticed blood tinged discharge and decided to go for a long walk around the mall with hubby. When we got home from the mall we jumped in bed to relax and as we were laying there I felt something weird like a gas bubble or pop or baby kicking and it kinda hurt but it was quick and lasted only a couple seconds. A minute or so later I felt a few trickles come out and I knew it wasn't pee, I stood up and a big gush came out. My water broke at around 3:30, we got to the hospital at 4:15ish and I was 2cm and 90% effaced, by 9pm I was in A LOT of pain so I asked for an epidural and when they checked me I was at a 4. After the epidural was placed they checked again and I was almost at a 5. Once I got to 10cm at around 1:00am, baby was station 0 so I labored down till around 2:30. I started pushing around 3:00 and 20 minutes later my baby boy was here. He is already my world, I never knew I could love something so much. I only needed 2 stitches and I expected to be bleeding a lot more but surprisingly it's not that bad and we are both doing good
Crew Nicholas and Rhys Neptune made Thier entrance into the world at 3:01 and 3:04 this morning. We went in at 7am yesterday morning to be induced and started pitocin, at 11:30 Dr broke my water at at 1:30 I received an epidural. After 16 hours of labor and an additional 3.5 hours of pushing, broke down this morning and asked for a Csection. They came at 3:01 & 3:04.
Rhys has been in the NICU since birth for not transitioning to breathing, but doing better. So in love with my little rockstars!
My labor buddy @NBphotogirl had her baby boy! Jack Michael was born on 8/6/16 at 6:30pm via c-section. I'm sure she'll post her story when she gets a chance. Yay!!
Maximus Powers was born 8/5 @ 7:45am via scheduled repeat c-section. 7lbs, 7oz 19". He was 39w1d. CS went perfectly smooth & we are recovering nicely! Headed home tomorrow.
Baby Girl, Evelynn Rose !! Made her way out with lightening speed at 12:01am 8/7/16 ! 39+3 ! 9lbs8oz. 21' long!
Contractions started Friday after finding out I was 2cm dilated. Saturday comes along and I feel like calling. Contractions are continuous so after an hour of walking I get admitted at 4cm.
Epidural at 6cm and I tell them I want a 8/7 baby. I was weakly pushing since I had a little time before 12. 12am hit and they told me to be serious. A few pushes later her head and body were out and she was out at 12:01! She latched quickly!!! Sleeping well! I'm so relieved it went well! So grateful! I love her already!!
Shane Alexander was born at 38 + 5 vaginally around 10 a.m. this morning. He was seven pounds 12 ounces. Everyone is healthy.details to follow soon! good luck mamas.
ETA Birth Story:
On Saturday night, I noticed I was having irregular but frequent braxton hicks contractions. I downloaded an app and was alarmed when I realized they were only 3-7 minutes apart despite the fact that they were not painful. A few more minutes went by and I got nervous and texted my friend what was going on. She encouraged me to go in especially because my last labor was only 4 1/2 hours.I dithered for a few more minutes and knew that at my previous cervical check, I was already dilated to a three. I hoped I had dilated to a four and that would be enough for them to keep me.
I told my husband it was time to go and we jumped in the car. We were admitted to the hospital and they checked me. Sure enough, I was a four but the contractions were still not actually painful. They hooked me up and baby up to a monitor and said as long as I showed cervical change in an hour, they would admit me. I chatted with our awesome nurse and told her about my history. The monitor was able to pick up all my braxton hicks contractions which she related to the doc and the on-call doc went ahead and let her admit me.
I had the epidural within an hour of getting the go ahead to stay. Shortly after I went numb, I started vomiting. I knew that meant the real contractions had started. I always throw up when I'm contracting. The nurse was able to get me some Zofran and I was relatively comfortable. I told my husband he should lay down and get some sleep. We got to the hospital around 12:30 at night so we were both really tired. After the first round of Zofran wore off, I started vomiting again and my blood pressure fell. I was given a second dose of Zofran and something for blood pressure. Around my six am cervical check. I was only dilated to a 6.5 and I was really discouraged. The nurse said she couldn't understand why my water wasn't broken because it was really bulging but since it was Saturday night, the doc wouldn't be in until 8 30 in the morning.
Around six am, I started shaking really badly and the nurses couldn't get in under control. I started vomiting again and they gave me a third dose of Zofran which I didn't respond to. Emotionally and physically exhausted, the on call doc finally came in and broke my water at 845. She came back to check me 45 later and I told her I was ready to push. While she was prepping me, she realized baby was sunny side (face) up. She said this probably explained why my water didn't break on its own. I was so ready to meet my baby, I got him out in four pushes. At 7 12, he was my smallest but no tears. We're now home recovering. Y'all are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope everyone gets their birth plan wishes.
Sawyer Grace was born 8/4/16 at 4:45 pm via RCS at 36+6. I had an uncomplicated pregnancy until a 32 week US revealed a varix of the umbilical vein. This has no relevance after birth, but while in utero, it has a risk of clotting the cord and therefore resulting in stillbirth. My last few weeks of pregnancy were filled with twice weekly biophysical profiles and 2 amniocentesis tests to check for lung maturity and not to mention, a lot of anxiety! The Perinatologist's goal was to get her delivered as soon as her lungs could handle it! So last Tuesday when her lung maturity looked appropriate, they got me scheduled for my CS on Thursday. It's been such a whirlwind!
Sawyer weighed in at 6lb 6oz and was 19.5 in long. Everyone has been doing well since delivery and we got home yesterday!
We are so very proud and excited to announce the arrival of our beautiful daughter, Adelaide Emmeline! Born at 40 weeks 2 days August 3rd at 2:43 P.M. after 16 hours of labor; she is 7 lbs 3 oz and 19.25 inches of wondrously sweet perfection. We're brimming with love and simply could not be happier!
Birth story:
Tuesday night I started having very irregular contractions. I would have one that lasted an average of 5 minutes every hour. I didn't want to go back to OB Triage again just to be stuck to monitors while I was contracting only to be turned away. So I got in the tub around 10:30 to get some relief until they either stopped or became more regular. When I had the third really long contraction, I got out of the tub and we started tracking as I was now also having lots of little short, mild contractions every few minutes. 1 a.m. we decided to go ahead to the hospital to see what was going on.
Contractions were hurting pretty bad now so DH sped me to the maternity wing in a wheel chair and it felt like you see in the movies. They hooked me up and checked me and we were excited to hear I was 4 cm which meant we would be admitted (I had been 3 cm, 90% effaced for almost 3 weeks.)
Another of the strong, long contractions began and I suddenly realized I was going to vomit. I scrambled to the toilet, ripping the monitors off of me and as soon as I started throwing up my water broke in splashes with every heave. After that my contractions suddenly became very painful and were coming more and more frequently. I told the nurses I wanted to go ahead and get an epidural but I couldn't do that until I was moved to a labor and delivery room and given an I.V. Unfortunately, there were no rooms available. At this point things became a blur, I was in more pain than I had ever planned on being in and with each contraction I was yelling and trying to crawl out of my body. Finally at 3 a.m. They wheeled me to my L&D room. I feel really bad for any pregnant women who had to see me vomiting, writhing and crying through the halls.
They started my I.V. and let me know the anesthesiologist was on the way. Poor DH tripped over my IV and the line broke so I was pouring blood all over the floor. The doctor checked me and said I was fully dilated and effaced except for a lip. So from 4 to (almost)10 in a little over an hour!
I was out of my mind at this point and they were trying to coach me but I couldn't tell if I was already pushing some and they started to try to tell me I might not be able to get an epidural. This was my biggest fear. I was never interested in trying fur a natural birth. I was insistent and begging and pleading for the epidural. At 3:30 the anesthesiologist arrived and I somehow managed to stay still through 3 contractions while he placed the epi.
Once it kicked in, it was night and day. I felt like I was no longer possessed lol. I even took a selfie hugging my little button I could press to get a little more medicine. I hung out using the peanut waiting for the last little bit of dilation. Got checked at 6:30 - no change. 8:30 - no change. Around 10 they wanted me to go ahead and start pushing. Pushed for an hour and the top of baby's head was visible. Took a break and used the peanut. Pushed for another hour, she's not coming any further despite what they were telling me was very good pushing. Doctor says to push for another hour and then we will have to talk. Push another hour with no progress. The doctor says I have a ring of muscle that is super tight and only allows an opening of a couple of inches. He gives us the option to try forceps before c-section but says if he doesn't feel movement with the forceps he's not going to put all his weight into it.
I figured we were going to end up with a cesarean but figured might as well say we tried everything first. He warned me there was a bigger chance of a 4th degree tear and I was pretty scared but with me pushing and him pulling, in 3 pushes out came our little miracle. I had an immediate feeling of triumph when I saw her. And I escaped with just a 2nd degree tear! I'm so sorry it has taken me so long to post this guys,I've been busy, busy, busy loving this little girl!
Anthony David was born 8/8 via scheduled c/s at 7:55 am. I conquered my fear of the spinal, (I was put under general for DS) and it really didn't hurt. The IV hurt more, which tells you the spinal was no biggie. I got to see him get pulled out which was pretty cool and seriously the best feeling in the world. It was such a huge sense of relief. During the operation, I had trouble with my BP dropping a couple of times but the anesthesiologist knew her stuff and quickly alleviated the situation. I had a rough time after the surgery due to extreme nausea (I don't do well with narcotocs) and was given Zofran and another anti nausea med. I finally started eating solids around 7 pm. Now I feel great but we are having some latching issues. Just contacted lactation so we will see! DH and I are so in love with this little guy!
I was scheduled to be induced at 5:30am on the 5th but they did not have any beds available. I had to call back twice at 7 and 10 and still couldn't get in. They called me at 1:50pm and said that they would have a bed at 2:30pm. We arrived and checked in. They started my IV around 3:30 and the pitocin around 4:15. She checked me and I was almost a two. They offered the epidural before she broke my water. So I got that around 5. She came in and broke my water about a half hour later. DD1 came to visit at 6:30 with my parents. I was starting to feel my contractions but they were not bad so I didn't have the epidural increased. Around 8:15pm they got to the point where I called to have it increased and sent our DD1 home with my parents. She was crying and upset so DH walked her down. They came In around 830 and increased the Epi but it didn't help. I was contracting a lot. They checked me and I was finally at a five. About 20 min later I was in extream pain so she checked me agian and I was already at an 8. The nurse called my doctor agian to have her hurry back as she didn't think it would be long. They moved me around and the Epi finally started to work better. The contractions were tolerable at that point. I started to push around 930 and Mila was born at 10:06pm. Her shoulder got stuck, but they were able to move her around to get her out. I had a grade 2 tear as a result.
So I called at 5am to make sure induction was a go! They told me to come at 7am. I started to have painful contractions within this time but they were pretty far apart still. Once we arrived I was at a 5 and 70%. Contractions picked up and once they were about 5min apart I got on the nitrous. It helped somewhat. She checked me again and I was a 7 and 100%. So she broke my water and immediately my contractions were a minute apart and very intense. So I got off of the nitrous and called for an epi. They got that in and we wheeled off to the O/R. By the time we got there is was already time to push! 12:06 and 12:18. No pitocin needed! They had their own plans on coming today!
I'm late to posting or contacting my Labor buddy but things have been very busy.
Our DD Cali Love was born August 3rd at 10:27pm 8lbs 5oz 20.5 inches long
Our long birth story below. Excuse any misspelled or grammar errors. I haven't slept and don't have the time to look it over.
I went in for my OB appt. on August 2nd at 4:10pm thinking all would be fine. I was wrong. Sure enough when my OB checked on my results for Cholestasis it came back positive! I was shocked because I totally thought it would be negative. Since I went in for the same thing with our DS2 but my results were negative.
Then it was all slammed on me and DH. We where told we need to be sent to L&D and I was to be induced. I was so unhappy about the situation. I asked if it was possible to hold of on being induced till 9pm because we needed to contact my husbands sister for her to babysit our boys. Plus just to get everything ready for the hospital....since I didn't have anything ready. So on our way we went home to get everything ready.
DH called his sister and she said she was on her way from Hawthorne which would mean she would be about 2-3hrs. I of course was crying on the car way home and just was so upset over the whole situation but DH kept reminding me that our first DD would be arriving! We get home and it was all in high gear. Getting packed, washing baby girls stuff, getting things ready for our sons, fixing their dinner, just so much going on. So here it comes at about 7:46pm and my SIL text msgs my DH that she will be unable to come and watch our boys because she doesn't have the funds! I was so upset and angry. She promised she would be there for us. DH was so pissed off because she texts for one, she didn't say anything till almost 3hrs after she initially said she was on her way, and just the fact that DH would have paid for her gas ect.
I was like what are we going to do? Who is going to watch our two boys. We tried asking friends whom are like family and they flaked. So by that point DH was so fed up with our "family" "friends" reliability. That he said will just do it ourselves. I of course already upset about having Cholestasis, being induced, SIL flaking and now us having our two boys with us at L&D. I was just so overwhelmed as was DH. We packed up for our family and went on our way to L&D. On our ride there DH was just reassuring me all would be fine. That its us and our family. Forget everyone else. May I just say I am so grateful to have such a wonderful husband.
We get to L&D and let them know we are here per my OBs orders. After waiting an hour! We are finally let in to our private room and the process began. Was hooked up to the machines and just getting the ball rolling. By this time it was almost midnight our poor boys where not having the spend night situation at a hospital nor did I expect them to. I told DH who did not want to leave for him and the boys to go ahead and head home. I would call them if my water broke or was about 6cm. They needed to be in their home and asleep. Plus my poor DH needed his rest after such a crazy day. So they headed home about 1am. I tried to sleep but of course couldn't. Watched a lot of HGTV. So here it is Aug.3 my new nurse came on Joyce and btw she was wonderful. I was only about 1cm. So they increased the dosage. I was so hungry by this point because of course the night before with everything going on the last time I ate was about 3:40ish.
I asked my nurse if I could have anything and she said of course. Was able to have Popsicles, Apple juice, jello and of course ice chips. Omg when she gave me my Popsicle it was the BEST one I ever had lol. Called my DH to see how things where going and all was well he of course couldn't sleep a wink (he was just worrying about me and the baby) I told him no rush just to get whatever needed to be done at home and to care for our little ones. I of course would call with updates. My OB came in a couple of hours later and was ready to pop my waters. I explained if we could please wait to see if it happened on its own and he was fine with that. I think he knew I was so upset already and with everything else going on he did a little something to hold off the rushing process. DH came with our boys a bit after 2pm. I asked him if he thought it would be best to pop my water to get things moving since we had our two little ones with us. Plus I didn't want them there at 2am trying to have a baby. So we agreed to ask the doctor to pop my water. My OB came back at about 4pm and popped my water. Which by the way was the most painful thing ever! Afterwards I knew I needed my epidural right then and there. My nurses were so sympathetic for me and got my doctor for my epidural stat. Our boys where doing so well. They kept busy with their toys and tablet. I was checked again about late 8pm and I was 9cm. By that time about 7 nurses came in because they contacted my OB who would be about and hour to arrive. At one point my legs opened because I had no control over them from the numbness from my epidural. At that time they opened my husband said they baby's head popped out like the game whack a mole. They had another doctor come just in case my doctor didn't make it in time. Well he came in shortly after 9:40ish and it was time to push! After getting in position and ready to push...it was time! I pushed three times and our beautiful darling daughter was here 10:27pm at 8lbs 5oz 20.5 inches long. I wanted her in my arms right away and that's just where she was. DH and I where so overjoyed after such mayhem and disappointment from the previous day.
Sorry for such a long story here is a cookie for those who had the strength to read it.
Greyson Scott was born 8/7/16 at 9:04pm weighing 8lbs 1oz and measuring 20 1/2 inches. I had a long, but relatively easy labor until the very end (thank you, epidural). We got to the hospital at 5am and finally got admitted around 8:30/9:00am. I got an epidural as soon as I could since I was having pretty painful back labor. My water was broken around noon and started getting picotin around 6. I started pushing at 8pm and was making progress, but Greyson's heart rate was way too high. The OB gave me the option of trying forceps for the next two pushes or a c-section. I went with forceps and we were, thankfully, able to get him out right away. The NICU team was in our room due to mecolium in my waters and they took him straight away for breathing issues. I only got to see him for about half a minute while I was getting stitched up (2nd degree tear). Greyson stayed the night and almost all of the next day in the NICU but was able to stay with us this past night and will be able to come home with us today! (Sorry in advance if the picture is huge)
John Arthur the Third made his appearance on 8/7/16 at 6:17pm. It was a looong weekend and my birth plan went out the window but, I'm so happy it's all over and everyone is safe and happy!
I I started contracting on Friday night and labored at home until 6am on Saturday. We hopped in the car and drove to the hospital - oh and a drunk guy tried to get in our backseat at a red light thinking we were his uber as I'm screaming at him between contractions haha! We get to triage and I'm only 3cm, so they are going to send me home.
Babys heartbeat dipped for one beat and they said I needed to stay an hour to make sure all is well. I stay the hour and dr says I should get an ultrasound just to be on the safe side. The US tech didn't get all the measurements so I have to wait for another one. Time is ticking and I'm having irregular contractions stuck in a bed in the corner of triage - ugh - I wanted to be moving around and at home for as long as possible.
since we had been there for so long the DR says we should just stay and wait for a room since they were kind of busy. Ok, fine.. I finally eat something and our parents come to the hospital to wait it out with us. I'm going to be put on pitocin and decided to just get the epidural as well.
Since I ate dinner I can't have the epidural until 11pm and I have to labor with PIT for 2.5 hours - omg agony!! I get the epi and pass out. In the early morning, I'm having regular contractions, but still not progresssing quickly enough. Dr decided to break my water and After a while I'm beginning to dilate about 1 cm an hour. I get to 8 cm and then I start to swell and close up. I go down to a 5 and dr says I should have a c section because I've been laboring so long.
All of that pain and time and I still end up in surgery!! 30 minutes later baby JR arrived, healthy and super alert. I've felt great since - the incision burns Ike a bitch- but besides that I'm sooooo happy to have baby in my arms!!
Fast and Furious! James Michael is here. Born 8/9 at 2:10pm, at 38w, 2d. 6lbs 11 oz 20in
I went in for my 38 week visit at 11am this morning. I thought I may have been leaking fluid. Doc checked me and I was 4-5cm and had a slow leak of amniotic fluid. He met me at the hospital at 12pm. I was 5cm. I got further checked in and had another check, water fully broken, and was 6cm. Blood work was done and found I had pre-e. Ugh sucky. Doc checked me again and I was 7cm. I kept trying to use the bathroom as I didn't want to be stuck in the bed. It was such a relief. Around this time, it was about 1:30, I started to get strong contractions. Doc checked me again (ouch!) and I was 9.5cm with just a lip which he stretched and I was ready to push. Started pushing at 2:00pm through 3 contractions (and a huge gush of fluid) and James was born at 2:10pm. We got to do 1 1/2 hours of skin to skin and I got him to latch onto both sides for 10mins each.
Only 2 hours of labor. Omg, I'm still in shock. I'm pretty proud of myself for going unmedicated. It got rough but we made it.
James has had some low blood sugars (I had GD) and needed to be supplemented with formula for his second feed. But I'm continuing to breast feed and pump as well.
I have to be on magnesium for 24hours because of the pre-eclampsia. But I feel awesome now. DD came, met her little bro, and it was the best feeling ever! We're doing skin to skin now and my sweet baby boy is sleeping like an angel!
Good luck August Mommas! It's been an incredible journey! Thinking of you all!
Thank you @allishally13 for posting for me. Jack Michael arrived 12 days early on Saturday August 6. When I got up Saturday morning, I thought there was a splash of extra fluid when I went to the bathroom, but thought nothing of it. I took a shower and started getting ready. I went out to the kitchen and felt a small amount of wetness. I told my husband I wanted to make sure labor was happening before we went to the hospital. I laid down for 30 mins to see if anything would change, it didn't. After another 30 mins of just pacing, I said let's go get checked. Packed the car and off we went. I told the nurses what I had going on. They checked me and did a swab to see if it was my water that had broke. I was 4 cm and 80% effaced. Test came back after 30 mins positive, my water had started to leak. They started me on antibiotics right away for the positive strep b and called the doctor, who isn't my regular doctor, because she was out of town! Started pitocin and started having irregular contractions. Got an epidural and they tried turning the pitocin to see if my body would regulate contractions on its own. It didn't. I was stuck at 5cm. Doctor mentioned c-section if things didn't progress. We tried pitocin again and contractions were still irregular. Baby's head was down and starting to come shape and my cervix was swelling not thinning. Decision was made to do a c-section. Jack was born 45 mins later!! 8 lbs 2oz and 19" long. Doctor said if we would have kept trying it would have ended up being an emergency c-section, due to the swelling of the cervix and the head and shoulder size. Apparently we have a future football player on our hands!!
Aria Noelle was born 12 days early on 8/9/16. Thank goodness she was early because she surprised everyone with her whopping 8lbs 11 ounces at 21 inches long. (I was measuring 35 weeks at my 37 week appointment and had lost weight back to my 32 week weight).
My midwife suspected I may go into labor early given my medical history, but I guess as a FTM I wasn't fully convinced and we almost didn't go into L&D on Monday the 8th.
I started having cramp-like pain around 7PM on the 8th. DH and I decided to take a walk from 8-9 PM and they started feeling more like a tightening pain rather than just cramps. I was having pain all up my right hip/leg/butt as well. It was confusing because they didn't have a very distinguished start/end so it was hard to time.
We packed our bags and headed to the hospital fully thinking we would be sent home. I guess for me, I just wanted to know if they were contractions or not. They hooked me up and they were contractions 2-5 minutes apart. I was 2cm dialated and had my bloody show on my first check. I totally had a ham hands nurse. I officially HATE cervical checks during labor.
I labored on my own through the night by walking, birth ball and tub. By the morning I only progressed to a 3 and I was in some definite pain and was really discouraged. They decided to start me on some pitocin to see if we could regulate the contractions. Baby girl tolerated pitocin beautifully and it instantly made my contractions consistent. I lasted 3 hours on pitocin before I wanted the epidural. Which I must say was amaaaaaaazing!
I then used a peanut ball in bed rotating from side to side every half hour. When I only was a 4.5 cm, they decided to break my water. After that I quickly went from the 4 to a 6, 7, 8 cm in the next few hours. I reached complete around 9pm and decided to keep changing positions to labor down and avoid having to push long. This is when my epidural stopped working. I thought I was going to die, but was assured if I labored her down the rest of the way first, the pushing would go fast. Well, it didn't. Baby girl ended up being 180 degrees the wrong way and stuck. I pushed on my side frog style for almost an hour to get her turned. Once that happened, I pushed for a while longer. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do physically and mentally. I'm still in a state of shock about it all.
When she was born the whole room was stunned at how big she was. In fact her shoulders and head are in the 94 percentile and she gave me a lovely 4th degree tear through my rectum. It took them close to 2 hours to stitch me. The last 24 hours of recovery have been excruciating, but I am determined to keep going and not give up on breastfeeding.
I will say my birth experience was not the greatest (for a lot of other reasons than mentioned. Plus my midwife was on vacation and i had three different OBs through my labor telling me different things and confusing our decisions). Buuuuut as every mom says, she is SO worth it. DH will hardly put her down and has been such a great support for me the last four days through the first contraction to now as I write this. Sorry for the novel ladies, but thank you for your kind words and support. I read them as I labored and they were great boosters! I still can't believe she is mine!
10/2017: Twins confirmed with TTTS at 22 weeks. 10/10/17 Twin B passed after in utero placenta surgery 11/2/17 Twin A & B born 11/26/17: Twin A passed after 24 days fighting in the NICU Benched 6 months BFP: 6/28/18 MC:7/16/18 BO BFP: 10/2/18 EDD 6/15/18
Camden Cass was born 8/9/16 at 7:42 p.m. (39w, 4d) 21 1/4 inches and 8lbs.
I went in to my doctor on Monday the 8th and had my membranes stripped. We scheduled an induction date of the 19th (soonest opening L & D had). That night we went out for a walk and I continued to have prodromal labor, which I had been having for the last 4 days. I would have hard, painful contractions that would last for 3-4 hours each day, but would eventually stop. I was getting really tired and frustrated with this!
I went into work on Tuesday morning and about an hour into my workday, my doctor called-labor and delivery was completely empty and he wanted to know if I would consider coming in for an induction. He felt that with all my swelling and the prodromal labor that I was a good candidate. We got ready and headed to the hospital about an hour later and I was being hooked up to monitors around 11. I was having regular contractions, but not feeling them and I was dilated to a 3 1/2. The nurses tried to start an iv, but after four tries (my swelling was terrible) they called in the "big guns" and a flight paramedic used an ultrasound machine to start my iv (really cool thing to watch).
My doctor came in around 12:30 and broke my water and I got on the birthing ball and walked around. My contractions were pretty regular and I was able to breath through them until 2. At that point the pain went from a 3 to a 10. I was having double peaking contractions that would last up to 10 minutes combined and leave me shaking uncontrollably between the contractions so by the time that the next sequence started I still hadn't recovered from the previous set. I went on for another two hours before I gave in and asked for the epidural. The epidural was placed at 5 and I was give pitocin to help regulate my contractions and I rotated in bed using the peanut ball. I went from a 5 once I got the epidural to complete by 7 p.m.
I was asked to do a few practice pushes and after the first practice, I had to stop while the went and got the doctor. After about 30 minutes of pushing, Camden came out screaming. He was placed on my chest for skin to skin and was instantly silent. He is beautiful and has a lot of dark hair. Big brother even thinks he is cool ☺️ and DH is on a pretty big high. Breast feeding is going pretty great and because of my GBS we had to stay an extra day, but are so ready to go home tonight!!
Briar Rose joined our family at 8:22pm 8/5. I was grocery shopping with my 2 and 4 year olds when my water broke around noon. Contractions did not start after 4 hours so they started pitocin and she was in our arms 4 hours later.
Gabriel David was born at 9:29 this morning via repeat c section. He is 8lbs 9ozs and 19.5 inches long. Absolutely perfect and is such a snuggler already! Despite me being insanely nervous the section went great, no issues, and it was so much more calm than with DD. We are so in love!
Eleanor Danielle (Nora) arrived yesterday afternoon, 9lbs 4oz, 21.5" long. I was 40w2d and was induced. Dr was concerned that baby was going to be large, plus wanted all of these extra appointments past 40w, so I agreed to the induction once I got past my due date.
I started on the pit at 7am, and had been 3cm and 50% for over 3 weeks. The pit was fine, but I was making very slow progress. My nurse wanted to break my water to help get things going but needed my Drs permission. We weren't able to get that all organized until 1, and after 6 hours on the pit (gradually increasing), I had only gotten to 5cm, and 70%, and baby was hanging out high. At 1:00 a resident came back to break my water. After that labor did pick up, and by 2:30 I was 7cm 80%, so my nurse recommended that I get my epi, even though I was still able to talk through some of my contractions.
The epi placement seemed to take a little while to place and during that time my pain def increased. Once that was done I waited a few mins and then started having even more pain and pressure. My stomach and legs seemed numb, but I could feel everything in between (really odd!). The dr thought many I just needed a higher dose, or was ready to push, so they decided to increase the epi and check me. At that point I was pretty much complete and having back to back contractions. I was feeling so much pressure and pain and kept telling my nurse that something seemed off. She decided to let me do a few practice pushes, I think she realized that things had progressed quickly so she went to get my dr. My dr came in and the started prepping for delivery. I was still having a ton of pressure/pain and kept telling them that the epi didn't feel like my first did (second time mom), so my nurse gave me another dose, and we started pushing. They also turned off the pit at some point bc the contractions were coming so close together. Once the pit stopped, my contractions slowed down. So even though I pushed for about 20 mins total, that was only through 5 or 6 contractions. She came out quickly and even though she's a full pound larger than her brother was, I only had a 2nd degree tear. I had a 3rd degree with my son. We were able to do an hour of skin to skin, and she latched right away. The epidural causes me extreme shaking and made my legs completely numb, i couldn't move them at all. That took a little while to wear off, I'm still not really sure what happened with the epidural but it was overall a completely different experience than my first.
Nora's been great so far, her size made her large for gestational age so we had to check blood sugar levels for the first 12 hours, poor thing and several heel pricks, but everyone came back fine. We are anxious to go home tomorrow to start being a family of 4!
Jack Ronald was born 8/11 weighing 7lb 13oz and 20.5 inches at 38w3d. He was almost a full pound bigger than the sono measurement two days ago.
Long version:
On Monday I went to the doctor for decreased movement. All looked good, but he dropped from the 88th percentile to 50th. He had a marginal cord insertion which could be related. I was 2cm and 50% effaced. Due to an irritable uterus and IC I contract all the time, so that was not a factor for impending labor. My doctor ordered a NST for Thursday for monitoring. The NST showed baby looked good, but I was struggling with swelling, slightly elevated BP, and balancing life very pregnant with toddlers. My doctor checked me and I was now 3cm, so he stripped my membranes. He also recommended for me to go to the hospital because of regular contractions. I went home and grabbed my stuff. By the time I got to the hospital I was 4cm and contracting every seven minutes. They started fluids, antibiotics, and pitocin. It took no time for my contractions to speed up on the lowest dose of pit. I started to experience intense pain and pressure. I always have back contractions, but not this time. My vagina felt like it was ripping apart. I finally got my epidural. I let her check me after it was placed and I was an 8 to 9 with still intact membranes. A hour passed and I bled. I called the nurse and it was my membranes coming out because I was complete. My doctor and husband gowned up and I pushed three times and Jack was born. My doctor coached my husband through delivering his body after his head was out. He came out crying and pink. For the first time I was also able to delay cord clamping because he tolerated delivery very well.
Jack is a very peaceful and alert baby. He looks like his brother. I feel so lucky to have him here and healthy. Post delivery is so much better this time. I honestly already feel so much relief physically.
After traumatic delivery and laboring for nearly 24 hours my little angel, Ella Marie entered this world on August 11th at 2356. 8 pounds 8 ounces, 22 inches long, full head of hair! I will update my birth story Once I have rested! Hey I'm having trouble uploading a picture will do that later as well. Best of luck to all you moms out there. It was both the hardest thing I have ever done, and the best thing!
ETA birth story:
So i originally scheduled an induction for Wednesday August 10th at 2 am but because I was an elective induction I got bumped due to L&D being full. This ended up being a blessing in disguise because the doctor that ended up delivering DD was the most experienced OB in the practice. She hadnt been my favorite doctor in the practice, she was the least bubbly and warm but I did say before this experience that if something were to go wrong she would be the one to have there!
I only slept a couple of hours Tuesday into Wed due to excitement then the letdown. Of being cancelled. I went to work at 11am to 7pm. That morning I started having regular contractions 20 minutes apart, they continued throughout the day and into the night. My OB called me at work and rescheduledbthe induction for Thursday at 2am. That night the contractions kept me up. And DH and I went to the hospital at 2am (great parking at that hour!) My contractions were 8 minutes apart at that point, painful but tolerable. One of my good friends that I did my ER nurse residency with now works in OB. She knew I was coming in, so she stayed and surprised me and got me settled, out my IV in and got all the charting done for the nurse coming on at 3am. That nurse ended up being another friend that also left the ER and works in L&D! I have to say having familiar faces made an anxious situation more comfortable and relaxing.
Pitocin was started at 4am 8/11 and was increase to make my contractions 2-3 minutes apart. I labored without the epidural for 6 hours until 10am and I asked for relief. DH said the anesthesiologist was like a pot crew member in NASCAR, he was so quick! I was able to relax and progress. My mom stopped in periodically and MIL came in the evening.
At 8pm i was 8.5 cm and they topped off my epi to help me relax enough to become complete. The doctors were in with another FTM whose baby was showing distress on the monitor. I was struggling to not push and wait! The midwife in my practice came in, got me on my hands and knees (not gracefully due to numbness from epidural!) to get the last little bit of cervical lip out of the way.
I started pushing at 9:20pm on my back and on sides trying to work her down the birth canal. I was in the zone and hadn't realized I had been pushing for 2.5 hours. I started to break down and cry, did the whole "I'm going to die" moment. At this point I spiked a fever of 38.3°C and LO's HR was in the 180-190s. The mood in the room changed, DD was OP (sunny side up) they called in the OB that I mentioned was the one you'd want to have in this situation. She shoved her arm into my lady bits to try and manually turn Ella's head but LO was stubborn. This was so painful, an unimaginable pain, Doc literally elbow deep. They decided to use the vacuum, I gave everything I had in those last few pushes. Out she came! Nucal x, blue and not crying but her 1 min APGAR was 8 then 9. I looked over at my husband and he had tears in his eyes, he said that was the worst feeling in the world seeing me in agony and feeling so helpless.
They dried her off on my chest then took her to the warmer where the nicu team eval'd her but she passed with flying colors, ABG was perfect and then back to my chest she came. Latched like a champ! I have a 2nd degree internal tear in the hooha.
I love her with all my heart. I didn't think I could love my husband more but he has exceeded all my expectations during this whole process.
Praying for all the new mamas on this board and for all the moms waiting to meet their little squishes!
Re: August 2016 Birth Announcements
I woke up at midnight on August 2nd with bloody show/mucus plug. I went back to bed and contractions started in my lower back, but I kinda blew them off and tried to sleep. I was too excited and at 4:30 started timing them and realized they were 5 minutes apart. Called my doc who told me to go to L and D and he would check me.
When we got there I was 3cm dilated and 80 percent effaced, contractions had picked up to every 3 minutes so they admitted me. I planned to go med free and the contractions were tolerable at this point. Long story short, contractions stayed at every 2-3 minutes for 14 hours and by 3pm they started going back to back with no rest, and super intense where I was throwing up and getting no rest. It was all back labor and they suspected a posterior baby. So I got the epidural. Much to my dismay it didn't help AT ALL and contractions got worse! They kept upping the dose and Nada. Eventually they came and did a 2nd epidural which finally worked.
The doc came at 6 pm to check on dilation, and apparently my water bag was hanging out of me and the head was right there! I had no idea as my legs and lady parts were completely numb. She popped the bag and 5 minutes of pushing and he was here!
She looks just like her big brother!
I started having noticeable contractions at work at about 3:00pm on the 1st, and was on the way home by 4:30. Labored at home with DH and the doula for a few hours and headed to the hospital when I felt like I need to. I was checked in around 8pm, was a 6-7 dilated and then labored in the shower. Had one dose of fentanyl, got to an 8 and that was enough for me to keep going, since it gave me a 30 min break. Ready to push at about midnight so they broke my water then and I immediately felt the urge to push. Pushed for almost two hours. Pushing was the hardest part for me, which I never knew could be the case.
Just working on getting nursing down now. I am so in love and amazed at the strength of how strong that feels already. Feel so, so blessed!
Married May 2014
DD born August 2016
Baby #2 due December 2017
Baby #2 due 8/11/2016
We went to the hospital Thursday morning after I was having regular mild contractions, but it turned out to be false labor and I was sent home. Nothing was happening for 24 hrs after that, but at 2:45 yesterday afternoon I started having pretty intense contractions ranging from 3-6minutes apart. When we got to the hospital I was still only about a 3 (checked by a nurse that totally had "ham hands" as @Car0liiine would say
Our DD is loving being a big sister. I hope it lasts!
Thursday afternoon I noticed I lost part of my mucus plug and late that night I was having regular contractions that were 4-6 minutes apart but when I woke up Friday morning they were gone. Friday afternoon I noticed blood tinged discharge and decided to go for a long walk around the mall with hubby. When we got home from the mall we jumped in bed to relax and as we were laying there I felt something weird like a gas bubble or pop or baby kicking and it kinda hurt but it was quick and lasted only a couple seconds. A minute or so later I felt a few trickles come out and I knew it wasn't pee, I stood up and a big gush came out. My water broke at around 3:30, we got to the hospital at 4:15ish and I was 2cm and 90% effaced, by 9pm I was in A LOT of pain so I asked for an epidural and when they checked me I was at a 4. After the epidural was placed they checked again and I was almost at a 5. Once I got to 10cm at around 1:00am, baby was station 0 so I labored down till around 2:30. I started pushing around 3:00 and 20 minutes later my baby boy was here. He is already my world, I never knew I could love something so much. I only needed 2 stitches and I expected to be bleeding a lot more but surprisingly it's not that bad and we are both doing good
Maximus Powers was born 8/5 @ 7:45am via scheduled repeat c-section. 7lbs, 7oz 19". He was 39w1d. CS went perfectly smooth & we are recovering nicely! Headed home tomorrow.
MAXIMUS POWERS 8♥5♥16
Made her way out with lightening speed at 12:01am 8/7/16 ! 39+3 !
9lbs8oz. 21' long!
Contractions started Friday after finding out I was 2cm dilated. Saturday comes along and I feel like calling. Contractions are continuous so after an hour of walking I get admitted at 4cm.
Epidural at 6cm and I tell them I want a 8/7 baby. I was weakly pushing since I had a little time before 12. 12am hit and they told me to be serious. A few pushes later her head and body were out and she was out at 12:01!
She latched quickly!!! Sleeping well! I'm so relieved it went well! So grateful! I love her already!!
ETA Birth Story:
On Saturday night, I noticed I was having irregular but frequent braxton hicks contractions. I downloaded an app and was alarmed when I realized they were only 3-7 minutes apart despite the fact that they were not painful. A few more minutes went by and I got nervous and texted my friend what was going on. She encouraged me to go in especially because my last labor was only 4 1/2 hours.I dithered for a few more minutes and knew that at my previous cervical check, I was already dilated to a three. I hoped I had dilated to a four and that would be enough for them to keep me.
I told my husband it was time to go and we jumped in the car. We were admitted to the hospital and they checked me. Sure enough, I was a four but the contractions were still not actually painful. They hooked me up and baby up to a monitor and said as long as I showed cervical change in an hour, they would admit me. I chatted with our awesome nurse and told her about my history. The monitor was able to pick up all my braxton hicks contractions which she related to the doc and the on-call doc went ahead and let her admit me.
I had the epidural within an hour of getting the go ahead to stay. Shortly after I went numb, I started vomiting. I knew that meant the real contractions had started. I always throw up when I'm contracting. The nurse was able to get me some Zofran and I was relatively comfortable. I told my husband he should lay down and get some sleep. We got to the hospital around 12:30 at night so we were both really tired. After the first round of Zofran wore off, I started vomiting again and my blood pressure fell. I was given a second dose of Zofran and something for blood pressure. Around my six am cervical check. I was only dilated to a 6.5 and I was really discouraged. The nurse said she couldn't understand why my water wasn't broken because it was really bulging but since it was Saturday night, the doc wouldn't be in until 8 30 in the morning.
Around six am, I started shaking really badly and the nurses couldn't get in under control. I started vomiting again and they gave me a third dose of Zofran which I didn't respond to. Emotionally and physically exhausted, the on call doc finally came in and broke my water at 845. She came back to check me 45 later and I told her I was ready to push. While she was prepping me, she realized baby was sunny side (face) up. She said this probably explained why my water didn't break on its own. I was so ready to meet my baby, I got him out in four pushes. At 7 12, he was my smallest but no tears. We're now home recovering. Y'all are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope everyone gets their birth plan wishes.
Sawyer weighed in at 6lb 6oz and was 19.5 in long. Everyone has been doing well since delivery and we got home yesterday!
TTC 9/2013
BFP#1: 9/28/2013, EDD 5/28/13, MC confirmed 10/15/13, D&C 10/17/13
BFP#2: 1/10/2014, EDD 9/19/2014
I'm so sorry it has taken me so long to post this guys,I've been busy, busy, busy loving this little girl!
and quickly alleviated the situation. I had a rough time after the surgery due to extreme nausea (I don't do well with narcotocs) and was given Zofran and another anti nausea med. I finally started eating solids around 7 pm. Now I feel great but we are having some latching issues. Just contacted lactation so we will see! DH and I are so in love with this little guy!
<a href="http://www.thebump.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Getting Pregnant"><img src="http://global.thebump.com/tickers/tt1ce3d9" alt=" BabyFetus Ticker" border="0" /></a>
I was scheduled to be induced at 5:30am on the 5th but they did not have any beds available. I had to call back twice at 7 and 10 and still couldn't get in. They called me at 1:50pm and said that they would have a bed at 2:30pm. We arrived and checked in. They started my IV around 3:30 and the pitocin around 4:15. She checked me and I was almost a two. They offered the epidural before she broke my water. So I got that around 5. She came in and broke my water about a half hour later. DD1 came to visit at 6:30 with my parents. I was starting to feel my contractions but they were not bad so I didn't have the epidural increased. Around 8:15pm they got to the point where I called to have it increased and sent our DD1 home with my parents. She was crying and upset so DH walked her down. They came In around 830 and increased the Epi but it didn't help. I was contracting a lot. They checked me and I was finally at a five. About 20 min later I was in extream pain so she checked me agian and I was already at an 8. The nurse called my doctor agian to have her hurry back as she didn't think it would be long. They moved me around and the Epi finally started to work better. The contractions were tolerable at that point. I started to push around 930 and Mila was born at 10:06pm. Her shoulder got stuck, but they were able to move her around to get her out. I had a grade 2 tear as a result.
No pitocin needed! They had their own plans on coming today!
Our DD Cali Love was born August 3rd at 10:27pm 8lbs 5oz 20.5 inches long
Our long birth story below. Excuse any misspelled or grammar errors. I haven't slept and don't have the time to look it over.
I went in for my OB appt. on August 2nd at 4:10pm thinking all would be fine. I was wrong. Sure enough when my OB checked on my results for Cholestasis it came back positive! I was shocked because I totally thought it would be negative. Since I went in for the same thing with our DS2 but my results were negative.
Then it was all slammed on me and DH. We where told we need to be sent to L&D and I was to be induced. I was so unhappy about the situation. I asked if it was possible to hold of on being induced till 9pm because we needed to contact my husbands sister for her to babysit our boys. Plus just to get everything ready for the hospital....since I didn't have anything ready. So on our way we went home to get everything ready.
DH called his sister and she said she was on her way from Hawthorne which would mean she would be about 2-3hrs. I of course was crying on the car way home and just was so upset over the whole situation but DH kept reminding me that our first DD would be arriving! We get home and it was all in high gear. Getting packed, washing baby girls stuff, getting things ready for our sons, fixing their dinner, just so much going on. So here it comes at about 7:46pm and my SIL text msgs my DH that she will be unable to come and watch our boys because she doesn't have the funds! I was so upset and angry. She promised she would be there for us. DH was so pissed off because she texts for one, she didn't say anything till almost 3hrs after she initially said she was on her way, and just the fact that DH would have paid for her gas ect.
I was like what are we going to do? Who is going to watch our two boys. We tried asking friends whom are like family and they flaked. So by that point DH was so fed up with our "family" "friends" reliability. That he said will just do it ourselves. I of course already upset about having Cholestasis, being induced, SIL flaking and now us having our two boys with us at L&D. I was just so overwhelmed as was DH. We packed up for our family and went on our way to L&D. On our ride there DH was just reassuring me all would be fine. That its us and our family. Forget everyone else. May I just say I am so grateful to have such a wonderful husband.
We get to L&D and let them know we are here per my OBs orders. After waiting an hour! We are finally let in to our private room and the process began. Was hooked up to the machines and just getting the ball rolling. By this time it was almost midnight our poor boys where not having the spend night situation at a hospital nor did I expect them to. I told DH who did not want to leave for him and the boys to go ahead and head home. I would call them if my water broke or was about 6cm. They needed to be in their home and asleep. Plus my poor DH needed his rest after such a crazy day. So they headed home about 1am. I tried to sleep but of course couldn't. Watched a lot of HGTV. So here it is Aug.3 my new nurse came on Joyce and btw she was wonderful. I was only about 1cm. So they increased the dosage. I was so hungry by this point because of course the night before with everything going on the last time I ate was about 3:40ish.
I asked my nurse if I could have anything and she said of course. Was able to have Popsicles, Apple juice, jello and of course ice chips. Omg when she gave me my Popsicle it was the BEST one I ever had lol. Called my DH to see how things where going and all was well he of course couldn't sleep a wink (he was just worrying about me and the baby) I told him no rush just to get whatever needed to be done at home and to care for our little ones. I of course would call with updates. My OB came in a couple of hours later and was ready to pop my waters. I explained if we could please wait to see if it happened on its own and he was fine with that. I think he knew I was so upset already and with everything else going on he did a little something to hold off the rushing process. DH came with our boys a bit after 2pm. I asked him if he thought it would be best to pop my water to get things moving since we had our two little ones with us. Plus I didn't want them there at 2am trying to have a baby. So we agreed to ask the doctor to pop my water. My OB came back at about 4pm and popped my water. Which by the way was the most painful thing ever! Afterwards I knew I needed my epidural right then and there. My nurses were so sympathetic for me and got my doctor for my epidural stat. Our boys where doing so well. They kept busy with their toys and tablet. I was checked again about late 8pm and I was 9cm. By that time about 7 nurses came in because they contacted my OB who would be about and hour to arrive. At one point my legs opened because I had no control over them from the numbness from my epidural. At that time they opened my husband said they baby's head popped out like the game whack a mole. They had another doctor come just in case my doctor didn't make it in time. Well he came in shortly after 9:40ish and it was time to push! After getting in position and ready to push...it was time! I pushed three times and our beautiful darling daughter was here 10:27pm at 8lbs 5oz 20.5 inches long. I wanted her in my arms right away and that's just where she was. DH and I where so overjoyed after such mayhem and disappointment from the previous day.
I I started contracting on Friday night and labored at home until 6am on Saturday. We hopped in the car and drove to the hospital - oh and a drunk guy tried to get in our backseat at a red light thinking we were his uber as I'm screaming at him between contractions haha! We get to triage and I'm only 3cm, so they are going to send me home.
Babys heartbeat dipped for one beat and they said I needed to stay an hour to make sure all is well. I stay the hour and dr says I should get an ultrasound just to be on the safe side. The US tech didn't get all the measurements so I have to wait for another one. Time is ticking and I'm having irregular contractions stuck in a bed in the corner of triage - ugh - I wanted to be moving around and at home for as long as possible.
since we had been there for so long the DR says we should just stay and wait for a room since they were kind of busy. Ok, fine.. I finally eat something and our parents come to the hospital to wait it out with us. I'm going to be put on pitocin and decided to just get the epidural as well.
Since I ate dinner I can't have the epidural until 11pm and I have to labor with PIT for 2.5 hours - omg agony!! I get the epi and pass out. In the early morning, I'm having regular contractions, but still not progresssing quickly enough. Dr decided to break my water and After a while I'm beginning to dilate about 1 cm an hour. I get to 8 cm and then I start to swell and close up. I go down to a 5 and dr says I should have a c section because I've been laboring so long.
All of that pain and time and I still end up in surgery!! 30 minutes later baby JR arrived, healthy and super alert. I've felt great since - the incision burns Ike a bitch- but besides that I'm sooooo happy to have baby in my arms!!
James Michael is here.
Born 8/9 at 2:10pm, at 38w, 2d.
6lbs 11 oz
20in
I went in for my 38 week visit at 11am this morning. I thought I may have been leaking fluid. Doc checked me and I was 4-5cm and had a slow leak of amniotic fluid. He met me at the hospital at 12pm. I was 5cm. I got further checked in and had another check, water fully broken, and was 6cm. Blood work was done and found I had pre-e. Ugh sucky. Doc checked me again and I was 7cm. I kept trying to use the bathroom as I didn't want to be stuck in the bed. It was such a relief. Around this time, it was about 1:30, I started to get strong contractions. Doc checked me again (ouch!) and I was 9.5cm with just a lip which he stretched and I was ready to push. Started pushing at 2:00pm through 3 contractions (and a huge gush of fluid) and James was born at 2:10pm. We got to do 1 1/2 hours of skin to skin and I got him to latch onto both sides for 10mins each.
Only 2 hours of labor. Omg, I'm still in shock. I'm pretty proud of myself for going unmedicated. It got rough but we made it.
James has had some low blood sugars (I had GD) and needed to be supplemented with formula for his second feed. But I'm continuing to breast feed and pump as well.
I have to be on magnesium for 24hours because of the pre-eclampsia. But I feel awesome now. DD came, met her little bro, and it was the best feeling ever!
We're doing skin to skin now
Good luck August Mommas! It's been an incredible journey! Thinking of you all!
Jack Michael arrived 12 days early on Saturday August 6. When I got up Saturday morning, I thought there was a splash of extra fluid when I went to the bathroom, but thought nothing of it. I took a shower and started getting ready. I went out to the kitchen and felt a small amount of wetness. I told my husband I wanted to make sure labor was happening before we went to the hospital. I laid down for 30 mins to see if anything would change, it didn't. After another 30 mins of just pacing, I said let's go get checked. Packed the car and off we went. I told the nurses what I had going on. They checked me and did a swab to see if it was my water that had broke. I was 4 cm and 80% effaced. Test came back after 30 mins positive, my water had started to leak. They started me on antibiotics right away for the positive strep b and called the doctor, who isn't my regular doctor, because she was out of town! Started pitocin and started having irregular contractions. Got an epidural and they tried turning the pitocin to see if my body would regulate contractions on its own. It didn't. I was stuck at 5cm. Doctor mentioned c-section if things didn't progress. We tried pitocin again and contractions were still irregular. Baby's head was down and starting to come shape and my cervix was swelling not thinning. Decision was made to do a c-section. Jack was born 45 mins later!! 8 lbs 2oz and 19" long. Doctor said if we would have kept trying it would have ended up being an emergency c-section, due to the swelling of the cervix and the head and shoulder size. Apparently we have a future football player on our hands!!
My midwife suspected I may go into labor early given my medical history, but I guess as a FTM I wasn't fully convinced and we almost didn't go into L&D on Monday the 8th.
I started having cramp-like pain around 7PM on the 8th. DH and I decided to take a walk from 8-9 PM and they started feeling more like a tightening pain rather than just cramps. I was having pain all up my right hip/leg/butt as well. It was confusing because they didn't have a very distinguished start/end so it was hard to time.
We packed our bags and headed to the hospital fully thinking we would be sent home. I guess for me, I just wanted to know if they were contractions or not. They hooked me up and they were contractions 2-5 minutes apart. I was 2cm dialated and had my bloody show on my first check. I totally had a ham hands nurse. I officially HATE cervical checks during labor.
I labored on my own through the night by walking, birth ball and tub. By the morning I only progressed to a 3 and I was in some definite pain and was really discouraged. They decided to start me on some pitocin to see if we could regulate the contractions. Baby girl tolerated pitocin beautifully and it instantly made my contractions consistent. I lasted 3 hours on pitocin before I wanted the epidural. Which I must say was amaaaaaaazing!
I then used a peanut ball in bed rotating from side to side every half hour. When I only was a 4.5 cm, they decided to break my water. After that I quickly went from the 4 to a 6, 7, 8 cm in the next few hours. I reached complete around 9pm and decided to keep changing positions to labor down and avoid having to push long. This is when my epidural stopped working. I thought I was going to die, but was assured if I labored her down the rest of the way first, the pushing would go fast. Well, it didn't. Baby girl ended up being 180 degrees the wrong way and stuck. I pushed on my side frog style for almost an hour to get her turned. Once that happened, I pushed for a while longer. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do physically and mentally. I'm still in a state of shock about it all.
When she was born the whole room was stunned at how big she was. In fact her shoulders and head are in the 94 percentile and she gave me a lovely 4th degree tear through my rectum. It took them close to 2 hours to stitch me. The last 24 hours of recovery have been excruciating, but I am determined to keep going and not give up on breastfeeding.
I will say my birth experience was not the greatest (for a lot of other reasons than mentioned. Plus my midwife was on vacation and i had three different OBs through my labor telling me different things and confusing our decisions). Buuuuut as every mom says, she is SO worth it. DH will hardly put her down and has been such a great support for me the last four days through the first contraction to now as I write this. Sorry for the novel ladies, but thank you for your kind words and support. I read them as I labored and they were great boosters! I still can't believe she is mine!
DD: Aug '16
10/2017: Twins confirmed with TTTS at 22 weeks.
10/10/17 Twin B passed after in utero placenta surgery
11/2/17 Twin A & B born
11/26/17: Twin A passed after 24 days fighting in the NICU
Benched 6 months
BFP: 6/28/18 MC:7/16/18 BO
BFP: 10/2/18 EDD 6/15/18
Hoping to edit to share our birth story once the exhaustion settles down.
I started on the pit at 7am, and had been 3cm and 50% for over 3 weeks. The pit was fine, but I was making very slow progress. My nurse wanted to break my water to help get things going but needed my Drs permission. We weren't able to get that all organized until 1, and after 6 hours on the pit (gradually increasing), I had only gotten to 5cm, and 70%, and baby was hanging out high. At 1:00 a resident came back to break my water. After that labor did pick up, and by 2:30 I was 7cm 80%, so my nurse recommended that I get my epi, even though I was still able to talk through some of my contractions.
The epi placement seemed to take a little while to place and during that time my pain def increased. Once that was done I waited a few mins and then started having even more pain and pressure. My stomach and legs seemed numb, but I could feel everything in between (really odd!). The dr thought many I just needed a higher dose, or was ready to push, so they decided to increase the epi and check me. At that point I was pretty much complete and having back to back contractions. I was feeling so much pressure and pain and kept telling my nurse that something seemed off. She decided to let me do a few practice pushes, I think she realized that things had progressed quickly so she went to get my dr. My dr came in and the started prepping for delivery. I was still having a ton of pressure/pain and kept telling them that the epi didn't feel like my first did (second time mom), so my nurse gave me another dose, and we started pushing. They also turned off the pit at some point bc the contractions were coming so close together. Once the pit stopped, my contractions slowed down. So even though I pushed for about 20 mins total, that was only through 5 or 6 contractions. She came out quickly and even though she's a full pound larger than her brother was, I only had a 2nd degree tear. I had a 3rd degree with my son. We were able to do an hour of skin to skin, and she latched right away. The epidural causes me extreme shaking and made my legs completely numb, i couldn't move them at all. That took a little while to wear off, I'm still not really sure what happened with the epidural but it was overall a completely different experience than my first.
Nora's been great so far, her size made her large for gestational age so we had to check blood sugar levels for the first 12 hours, poor thing and several heel pricks, but everyone came back fine. We are anxious to go home tomorrow to start being a family of 4!
He was almost a full pound bigger than the sono measurement two days ago.
Long version:
On Monday I went to the doctor for decreased movement. All looked good, but he dropped from the 88th percentile to 50th. He had a marginal cord insertion which could be related. I was 2cm and 50% effaced. Due to an irritable uterus and IC I contract all the time, so that was not a factor for impending labor. My doctor ordered a NST for Thursday for monitoring. The NST showed baby looked good, but I was struggling with swelling, slightly elevated BP, and balancing life very pregnant with toddlers. My doctor checked me and I was now 3cm, so he stripped my membranes. He also recommended for me to go to the hospital because of regular contractions. I went home and grabbed my stuff. By the time I got to the hospital I was 4cm and contracting every seven minutes. They started fluids, antibiotics, and pitocin. It took no time for my contractions to speed up on the lowest dose of pit. I started to experience intense pain and pressure. I always have back contractions, but not this time. My vagina felt like it was ripping apart. I finally got my epidural. I let her check me after it was placed and I was an 8 to 9 with still intact membranes. A hour passed and I bled. I called the nurse and it was my membranes coming out because I was complete. My doctor and husband gowned up and I pushed three times and Jack was born. My doctor coached my husband through delivering his body after his head was out. He came out crying and pink. For the first time I was also able to delay cord clamping because he tolerated delivery very well.
Jack is a very peaceful and alert baby. He looks like his brother. I feel so lucky to have him here and healthy. Post delivery is so much better this time. I honestly already feel so much relief physically.
Good luck to everyone yet to deliver.
ETA birth story:
So i originally scheduled an induction for Wednesday August 10th at 2 am but because I was an elective induction I got bumped due to L&D being full. This ended up being a blessing in disguise because the doctor that ended up delivering DD was the most experienced OB in the practice. She hadnt been my favorite doctor in the practice, she was the least bubbly and warm but I did say before this experience that if something were to go wrong she would be the one to have there!
I only slept a couple of hours Tuesday into Wed due to excitement then the letdown. Of being cancelled. I went to work at 11am to 7pm. That morning I started having regular contractions 20 minutes apart, they continued throughout the day and into the night. My OB called me at work and rescheduledbthe induction for Thursday at 2am. That night the contractions kept me up. And DH and I went to the hospital at 2am (great parking at that hour!) My contractions were 8 minutes apart at that point, painful but tolerable. One of my good friends that I did my ER nurse residency with now works in OB. She knew I was coming in, so she stayed and surprised me and got me settled, out my IV in and got all the charting done for the nurse coming on at 3am. That nurse ended up being another friend that also left the ER and works in L&D! I have to say having familiar faces made an anxious situation more comfortable and relaxing.
Pitocin was started at 4am 8/11 and was increase to make my contractions 2-3 minutes apart. I labored without the epidural for 6 hours until 10am and I asked for relief. DH said the anesthesiologist was like a pot crew member in NASCAR, he was so quick! I was able to relax and progress. My mom stopped in periodically and MIL came in the evening.
At 8pm i was 8.5 cm and they topped off my epi to help me relax enough to become complete. The doctors were in with another FTM whose baby was showing distress on the monitor. I was struggling to not push and wait! The midwife in my practice came in, got me on my hands and knees (not gracefully due to numbness from epidural!) to get the last little bit of cervical lip out of the way.
I started pushing at 9:20pm on my back and on sides trying to work her down the birth canal. I was in the zone and hadn't realized I had been pushing for 2.5 hours. I started to break down and cry, did the whole "I'm going to die" moment. At this point I spiked a fever of 38.3°C and LO's HR was in the 180-190s. The mood in the room changed, DD was OP (sunny side up) they called in the OB that I mentioned was the one you'd want to have in this situation. She shoved her arm into my lady bits to try and manually turn Ella's head but LO was stubborn. This was so painful, an unimaginable pain, Doc literally elbow deep. They decided to use the vacuum, I gave everything I had in those last few pushes. Out she came! Nucal x, blue and not crying but her 1 min APGAR was 8 then 9. I looked over at my husband and he had tears in his eyes, he said that was the worst feeling in the world seeing me in agony and feeling so helpless.
They dried her off on my chest then took her to the warmer where the nicu team eval'd her but she passed with flying colors, ABG was perfect and then back to my chest she came. Latched like a champ! I have a 2nd degree internal tear in the hooha.
I love her with all my heart. I didn't think I could love my husband more but he has exceeded all my expectations during this whole process.
Praying for all the new mamas on this board and for all the moms waiting to meet their little squishes!