Birth Story - long first time mom

CourtneyAnn · November 2009

Emily Ann was born (40w 5d) 11/3 at 12:52 a.m. weighing 6 lbs 12 oz and 18.5 inches long. Here's our story

Monday went to doc about noon for my 40w appointment and to schedule induction, which was looking like Friday 11/6. My bp was out of control 156/102, which it had never been, so the doc asked me if I wanted to have a baby and recommended I headed to the hospital to be induced. I was 3cm, 50%, and -3 when I left the clinic.

Got settled into our room at the hospital about 3 pm and they broke my water at 3:35. Since my bp was out of control I had to stay in bed the whole time. I started to have pretty regular contractions shortly after, but nothing too painful. My doc got there a little after 6, he walked in, looked at me and said "You're still smiling. You must not be in labor yet" I had progressed to 4cm and 80%. He wanted to start pit. They had issues getting an IV started (my veins suck) and then they had issues with the new equipment, so between 8:30 - 9 they finally got the pit going. Contractions really started to pick up from there. They kept pit on the lowest dosage b/c my body was responding really well. I was hoping to go drug free, but around 10:45 I started thinking "I can't do this" the contractions were so intense and so close together that it felt like I never got a break. At 11:15 they checked me and I was at 6 cm, thinking I had a long road ahead I asked for numorphan. They had me lay on my side and gave me the numorphan at 11:25, which really helped; I could relax between contractions. The downside, I felt really sick. At 11:45 my stomach started to tighten and my body would almost shake during contractions, I thought I was dry heaving the first two times (stupid I know, but really that's what it made me think of) Then the third time I told DH "I think I'm ready to push" I was really worried because 20 minutes ago I was at 6cm, so I'm thinking I can't push yet, my body's not ready. DH called the nurse. She checked me, said I was at 10 and she could see a head of dark hair. They called my doc who was about 15 - 20 minutes away. They had the on-call doc come in b/c they didn't think mine was going to make it in time, but he got there shortly after midnight, got changed and joined us with time to spare.

I knew it was going t hurt, but I didn't realize truly how bad it was going to hurt when it came time to really push. Everytime her head came close to crowning it felt like my vag was being ripped apart - oh the pain! I was having a hard time making myself keep pushing when it hurt so bad. 55 minutes of pushing and she was born with a head full of dark hair, pink and healthy. And I didn't poop! Big Smile

The fun however was not done. I think it was another hour of delivering the placenta and getting cleaned up (I bled a LOT) and then getting stitched up b/c I had a second degree L-shaped tear. Apparently my tear was in a difficult location, plus being L-shaped didn't help. Stitches took a long time.

Things I didn't expect - I am a rather self-conscious, shy person and the thought of exposing all and all the grossness that goes with labor really had me concerned. I know it sounds silly, but I really was uncomfortable with the the thought of that part. However, when the time came I found that the awkward, nervous, uncomfortable feelings I had disappeared and I really didn't care. Also, I had know idea how bad it was going to hurt to pee afterwords. Today it finally doesn't burn much when I pee. The little spray bottle does help. The mesh under-roos and diaper like pads are good too. I've also found that when I have to pee, I have to pee NOW! My muscles seem to be pretty useless right now when it comes to holding it. And finally, how bad it hurts to move. If I am still all is fine, but standing, sitting, walking, laughing, etc hurts incredibly bad. From what I gather, with my tear, it's going to hurt for at least a couple of weeks.

I'm sure there's so much more, but this is getting really long, so I'll end it now. I will probably share other odds and ends when they pop in my head later. GL to everyone and can't wait to see you on 0-3.

Emily