Samuel's NB story

WildcatPrincess

Unlike the 2 nights leading up to Thursday my contractions were actually regular and timeable after some accupressure and crawling around on my hands and knees all evening. I called around 11:30 on Thurs night to ask when I should come in and was told same as last time (2-3 mins apart, too intense to walk/talk through). I was hoping to make it to 7 AM when a midwife would be at the hospital (due to staffing they're not on nights currently), but a couple hours later it became obvious that wasn't going to happen. With DD most of my labor happened after my water had already broken and was way more intense. Even though some of the contractions were tough it was not near what I remembered. I stood in front of the TV for awhile doing some Dancing for Birth moves, using my hypno imagery, and overall focusing on relaxing. I was getting a lot of pressure with each contraction which made me worry things might be moving faster than I thought, but the OB on call didn't seem to think I was really in labor and she convinced me.

Around 2 AM contractions had been about 2 mins apart for an hour so I finally made the decision to wake DH. I'd had a few contractions that made me feel like I  was going to split in two and I was starting to get shaky and hot flashy. He called his sister and I called the on call line again. I was told I could come in and get checked if I wanted, but they still didn't seem convinced I needed to. As we were hanging up my water broke, then she started taking my information lol. After that was the labor I remembered from last time - contractions weren't even timeable, just one after another, it made for a lovely car ride and looooooong walk to L&D.

They didn't make me go through triage since my water had broken and I was positive for group B strep. It was when we got to the room I wanted (with a nice double bed!) that things got bad. I had so much pressure it hurt to take a step and every time I moved it spurred a contraction. The nurse couldn't get the monitor to work and I was standing in the corner just wanting to sit down! She finally said we should choose a different room (bye awesome bed) so we went to the one DD was born in. At that point it was apparent to me this kid was coming very soon and I felt like everyone else was moving in slow motion. I finally got hooked up to the monitors and maybe the 2nd contraction I had in the bed I told her my butt hurt lol. I hadn't even been officially admitted or checked yet. She finally looked then and, oh hey, I was 10 cms and baby was on his way out. She very calmly hit the call button and told them to get everything ready because the baby was coming.

Pushing last time was an awesome relief....this time not so much. Luckily it only lasted 10 mins, but it was the first time between either of my labors that I screamed. It burned so bad and I swear his head was stuck forever. With DD we had a lot more time and the midwife had stretched and massaged some ahead of time. The nurse and OB did a great job, though. They told me when to slow down and both kept trying to help stretch as fast as he was coming. I ended up with only one small tear, same as last time.

Baby boy weighed 8 lbs 10 oz and is 20 1/4 inches long. He cried the whole time they were cleaning me up and was rooting.like.crazy. As soon as they were done with me and everyone left he latched right on and was chugging, I could have cried I was so relieved. DD and I had major issues nursing at the start. It was a good thing, too, he was born big for gestational age (39w1d) and his first glucose check wasn't good. The 2 rechecks after nursing were fine so we made it over that obstacle.  I never got the antibiotic I was supposed to during delivery, but he never spiked a fever or anything, so he didn't end up being treated, either. The nurses all told me I was lucky I came in when I did! They were impressed with the way I handled the labor and said everyone should have kids the way I did lol.

When DH called his sister to check in she said DD woke up just before 4:30, Sam was born at 4:32. I thought that was pretty cool. She normally sleeps until 7.

I felt like overall his birth was a little more traumatic where it happened so fast and I had no time to settle and relax at the hospital before jumping into things, but I think I handled the laboring at home a lot better than first time around. I'm sure by the time we have the next one (if we keep going!) I'll have forgotten all over again

Dana&Pete

Thanks for sharing your awesome story! I plan to labor at home for as long as possible, and it sounds like you did a great job. Congratulations on your little boy!

jessandandy09

Your story gave me goosebumps! good job mama. and congrats on your beautiful son.

xnbride

Wonderful story. Congratulations!!! You did great.

RMama2012

Great story!  This part made me cry-<"He cried the whole time they were cleaning me up and was rooting.like.crazy. As soon as they were done with me and everyone left he latched right on and was chugging, I could have cried I was so relieved. "  So beautiful!

Harper'smom

Congrats again, you did great!

BigAppleBiggerBelly

Congratulations and thanks for sharing!