Melody Lóa Is Here! Amazing Induction (PIP)

orriskitten · April 2012

Melody L?a was born on Friday April 13th, 2012 at 6:47am, weighing 7lbs even, 20 and 1/2 inches long and with a full head of amazing streaked blonde hair!

My induction was seriously better than anyone could have predicted, lasting a total of 9 hours and not needing Pitocin. I know many women are going to hate me, but bringing her into this world was a million times easier than I could have imagined and I even thought to myself on many occasions "This is nowhere near as bad as I imagined. This is actually kinda easy." Apparently, my body was made for birthing babies, just not carrying them lol (GD which may have resolved itself into Type 2). Long story below!

I arrived at the hospital on Thursday the 12th at 6pm. Waited in triage for a while before getting moved into my room in L&D at 9. Triage was uneventful, minus me almost passing out from the med student missing with the first IV attempt and having to do a second- apparently I am not over my fear of needles! Cervadil was placed by 9:40 and I was advised to get some rest. Was able to relax for a bit, but things started to pick up around midnight. By 2AM I was checked- 3cm but LO was still very high up (these internals were horrible. Seriously one of the worst parts of my delivery). They advised me to get my epidural at this point so I could rest. Everyone anticipated a long labor and they wanted me as rested as possible.

I agreed and in no time the anesthesiologist was there. I didn't even have time to hesitate before he got there. Getting it put in was not pleasant. It wasn't painful per say, but it was just weird and really uncomfortable. My nurse was AMAZING!! she seriously helped me and DH out so much in just being supportive and sweet without being overbearing. Very down to earth

By 2:30AM epi is in. The hospital I delivered in does not do what they call "heavy" epis except for c-sections, so I could still feel my legs and feet and everything, just couldn't feel my uterine contractions. Getting the urinary catheter sucked because of this, though, and so did the "pressure" of LO moving through the birth canal. Was put on oxygen when my pressure dropped and LO's heart rate decelerated. All was okay, though.

Fast forward to 3:30 AM when I am awakened by a pretty loud pop and what felt like a kick to my cervix. A few mins later, I felt the water gush. The midwife and nurse were shocked that my water had broken. I was at 4 cm and they let me know that in an hour I'd start pitocin since I was making progress.

At 5 AM they came to check me and I was at 7cm, 90% effaced and at -1 station! Everyone was amazed and they decided no Pitocin for me at that point and we'd see what happened.

Shortly before 6AM when my OB was due to arrive (mind you this was an induction, I was NOT expected to be in transition at this point), I started feeling some intense pain. Like, really intense. There was some talk of topping off my epi, but was told this was likely just LO going lower into the birth canal and the doctor would decide when he got in. Shortly after that, her heart rate started to drop dramatically again and this time they put in an internal monitor since the external ones were not working. The strangest feeling in the world was feeling the cord of the monitor sliding out of me as she inched her way down. I could feel her progress the entire time because of the cord.

6:02 my OB comes in to say hi. Soon after that, I start having to yell through contractions because of the "pressure" of LO descending. He comes back at 6:12 and checks me- I was complete at 10cm! He told me I could start pushing when I felt the pain next. I was in shock.

I started pushing at 6:16AM. LO's hr continued to decelerate and they inserted the vacuum, but did not turn it on, just used it to guide her out. At 6:46AM my OB said, "Jessica, open your eyes. You cannot miss this, and I need you to give me your hands. You are going to catch the baby and bring her to your chest." And so I did.

And so Melody entered this world!

She didn't scream, but did squirm as soon as I had her and she was a beautiful shade of pink. She got a 9 out of 9 on her apgar and her blood sugar has been perfect. I have 1 tear and a few stitches.

Delivering her was amazing. Call me crazy, but as I was pushing, I totally understood how some women could orgasm during birth. I don't quite know how I feel about this lol.

Melody is wonderful. She is totally adorable and a complete mix of DH and I. We are having some latch issues as of now, so are supplementing with formula until we can get home, get pumping and possibly see about nipple shields.

Dh and I are beyond in love and could hold this baby all day, every day! We go home tomorrow Everyone is amazed by the color of her hair, which is mostly blonde, but kinda streaked. All of the nurses and doctors have commented on it and I hope it stays that way!