The Birth of My Second Child

I had just arrived for my regular prenatal check up. It was about 5 days before my due date so it was like November 25, 2008. I was due November 30, 2008. The woman performing the check up was familiar to me even though I only met her once before, she did not remember me. It was my first time having a prenatal check up with her but I remember her training on me at the birth of my first son. She practiced how to artificially rupture membranes but couldn't do it and had to let my doctor do it because my membranes were too tough. I remember thinking then about how far she must of come. Well, my pregnancy was becoming unbearable. I was disgustingly huge and it was really affecting me. I really needed my labor to be a little predictable since I would have to travel about 2 hours to get there because I couldn't afford any of the hospitals in my area and I didn't have medical insurance or qualify for Medicaid. So I asked her if we can set a date to induce. She said no because I wasn't even past my due date. Then, as she was finishing up the appointment by checking my cervix she stripped my membranes. She explained the procedure as she was performing it. I didn't mind that she didn't ask my permission because I figured it would just bring me closer to having the  baby. So the appointment was over and my husband, my son Carmelo, and I walked back to my father in law's house. We went to their house the night before my appointment since they lived close to the clinic I went to. As we were laying down to go to sleep I felt a little pain in my lower belly. I thought "uh-oh" and went to sleep. I remember waking up a few times in the middle of the night because of the pains but I figured it was just a part of the symptoms she explained form the stripping of my membranes at my appointment the day before. Well, the alarm clock went off and it was time to head home. I was having contractions pretty regularly but I didn't tell anyone. I remember thinking "watch, I am going to go home and go into active labor". So we arrive at my house and I tell my husband about the pains. We decided to just go on with life regularly and that we'd be sure when the time is right. So one day turns into days and I felt like I was never going to have the baby even though I was having contractions pretty frequently. The doctor did warn me that the procedure could start labor within hours or within weeks. So I was just miserable and ready for this baby to be in my arms. On November 28 2008 we decided to go to bed early. My husband woke me up at 11pm and said "are you okay?". I was sleeping through contractions but I was still feeling them in my sleep. They were stronger than before. He asked me "do you want to leave for the hospital now?" I said no and to just time the contractions. They weren't 5 minutes apart but they were pretty regular. They were about 15-20 minutes apart. We went back to sleep. Then at around 1:30 am on November 29 2008, I could not sleep through the contractions anymore. I just sat there and timed them. They were between 7-8 minutes apart now. My husband asked me do you want to go to the hospital now and I said "sure because we have a long way to go." So my husband woke up his brother, our designated driver/house mate we packed everything in the car and took off. His brother thought we were lying about it the whole time. Hahaha... I was having contractions the entire time throughout the ride. My husbands brother even played around about being lost. Then I said "here it comes". Everyone in the car (my husband, his brother, my niece and my nephew in law, and my son Carmelo) looked at me. Then I explained that I was talking about a contraction. I could feel the relief fill the crowded car atmosphere. Finally, we arrived at the hospital. The wheeled me in so fast that I had to look back and see my husband pick up our son and start running to catch up. The nurse wheeling me was yelling apologies back to him the whole time. It was funny. As soon as we got to the "Birth Center" area of the hospital the nurse was like "get up, get up, there is the bathroom, here pee in this cup". I was like "oh okay". Then she checked me and said "wow, you are 5 cm dilated and your membranes are bulging". I was excited now. I was coping with contractions. Having my husband and son in the room with me the whole time was great. Well, my son fell asleep. Then, they decided it was time to break my membranes. I wish now that they wouldn't have but I didn't know better then. Once that happened everything got intense really quickly. They asked if I wanted any pain relief and I said to just give me some Demerol. They explained they don't give out Demerol anymore but something similar. I really can not handle the thought of a needle going into my spine so the Epidural was not for me. The drug made me drowsy but it was relaxing so that I could sleep in between contractions. In fact, I don't remember much except when the nurses and doctor would come in and check me. The nurse started comming in frequently and I began to get worried. She said to lay on my left side and gave me some oxygen. She explained that the baby's heartbeat was having regular decelerations. I knew I shouldn't worry because it wouldn't help and whatever happens they could handle it and bring out a healthy baby. Next thing I know I hear myself go "ugh" as I get this really intense urge to push. I couldn't even hold myself back. I had to just push or else my body would make me and that would hurt. It felt good when I just pushed though. The doctor rushes in and throws my legs up. I remember thinking "damn, she is violent". My husband was sleeping and laughing at me until his point so it felt nice to have him be an active participant now. My son was fast asleep even through all the noise I was making. I remember feeling like I was pooping and the doctor said I was. It was a little embarrassing but I remember the doctor from the birth of my first son reassuring me it was normal. When the doctors told me to push I couldn't. I had to wait for my body to tell me. Then at one point I just couldn't stop pushing. The doctor told me to stop and pant and it was harder to not push than it was to just push. So I panted. The nurses were like "breather, pant!" I can't imagine what my face must of looked like. Then I was free to push again. I remember waiting for "the ring of fire" but I didn't feel it this time. I just felt really stretched out. Then the doctor looked at me and said "he has his cord wrapped around one time". I remember reading about what she should do and figured that was why he was having heart decelerations. Then with about two more pushes his shoulders and body were out. Its a boy and 6:15 am was his birth time. I was relived that it was over. I felt empty. I missed him inside me already even though I complained about it for the past 4 weeks. I cried a little. I got scared when the doctor ordered them to put me on Pitocin, I didn't have that before. I didn't tear or have a single scratch. I was surprised that it didn;t even burn to pee. My husband kissed me and woke up our son. I wish they would of let me hold him right away but they put him in the warmer immediatley. There was nothing wrong with him, his APGAR was 8-10. I was too tired to speak up though. I did at one point and they said we had to wait for him to get his bath. I was pissed then. I was too tired to argue. We got pictures. I was shocked when they let all these visitors in. I didn't even get any rest yet or even get to hold the baby and they let them in. I was tired. Finally, I got to hold my son. He was so red. He was a novice nurser compared to my experience, I remember thinking. I knew that breastfeeding would not last 21 months like it did with my first son because everything distracted him. Our breastfeeding only lasted 9 months of his life and he got supplementary formula almost everyday too. He was precious though. He weighed 7.12 pounds and was 18 1/2 inches long. I was so happy they let my first son stay the whole time, even sleep over. The after pains were really hard to deal with. Like clock work I'd be calling a nurse for some pain relief. The labor contractions were worse but these contractions didn't bring me a little bundle of joy. We named the baby Sammy.  Sammy is a real momma's boy so I guess even though we didn't get to spend those first moments together we have our special bond that was created over time. But if I could go back and change the fact that they didn't let me hold him right away, I would.So, overall my entire labor was about 72 hours, 6 hours of labor at the hospital.

After they broke my water, the contractions got intense very quickly. 

Welcome to the World Sammy!

Born November 29, 2008 at 6:15 am

Weighing 7 lbs., 12 oz. With the Length of 18 1/2 inches