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XP from 3rd Tri - Birth Story (LONG)

AnotherChanceAnotherChance
in Pregnant after 35

On Sunday, April 11th, at 41 weeks, 5 days pregnant, I woke up around 4:00am feeling contractions that were a little different than BHs.  They seemed to be coming about 8-10 minutes apart, so I started timing them.  I thought this could be the real thing, so I ended up going back to sleep for about an hour and a half, trying to get a little more rest for what was to come.

At 6:00am, I woke up DH and we started timing the contractions together, and preparing for the hospital.  We finished the hospital bag, took showers, and ate as we continued to try to get a lot of my laboring done at home.  My contractions seemed to hang out at 7-8 minutes apart for a long time, but their intensity grew.  However, they were quite tolerable for a long time.  Then, around 1:00pm, they started getting to 4-5 minutes apart and much stronger, so we headed to the hospital.

I was checked in right away and was only 3 cm dilated.  I was disappointed I hadn't made it further.  I let the staff know I was trying to go natural, and they were fantastic about making sure I had what I might need (birthing ball, jacuzzi tub, etc.)

Several hours later, they checked me again and I was only 4 cm.  They called my doctor for him to come in and check me to decide what to do next.  In the meantime, my contractions had become unbearably painful.  I labored for about 3 hours (from around 4:30-7:30pm) in the most severe pain I had ever experienced (I had gall stones awhile back, and my contractions were worse than my gall stone attack that put me in the hospital).  I got to the point where I was telling DH I wanted to die because it hurt so bad and I just wanted the pain to end, but I kept telling him I did not want an epi.  But, none of my relaxation techniques were working.  He finally convinced me to get the epi.

The anesthesiologist came in around 7:30pm and gave me the epi.  I asked for a very low dose and it seemed to work well for me at first.  My legs were only partially numb and I could still feel the pain of contractions, but it was back to a tolerable level.  Shortly after, my doctor came in and told me I was stalled out and suggested I have my water broken.  I agreed.  He also wanted to give me pitocin, but agreed to wait 2 hours and check back - if I made progress, he'd let me continue on my own.

Thankfully, I made good progress.  However, my epidural ended up somewhat failing after my water broke (not sure why).  My legs and crotch were numb, but I could feel the contractions just as painfully as before.  I would do a bolus every 20 minutes to no effect.  So, basically, it was as though I went natural as far as contractions go. 

Just before 11:00pm, they checked me and I was at 9 cm.  They called my doctor in and set everything up.  I pushed from around 11:00pm until 12:23am on Monday, April 12 when Ian Joseph was born.  He was 8 pounds, 3 ounces and 21 inches long. 

DH, who didn't want to watch the birth or cut the cord, did both! He said it was really amazing to watch and he wasn't grossed out like he thought he would be.  Pushing was hard, but also felt good because I knew the pain would end once I got him out.  The doctor put Ian on my chest as soon as he came out so we could have skin-to-skin time.  They took him about 10 minutes later to check him out.  He got a 9 and 9 on his Apgar and was back with me until they had my recovery room ready.  In the meantime, the doctor took care of getting my placenta delivered (lots of pushing on my belly) and stitched me up.  I ended up with a second degree tear along with a small jagged tear on my labia. 

Now I'm just trying to heal...I didn't realize how painful it is to tear your lady parts...and we're enjoying getting to know our little boy.  He is fantastic...healthy, sweet, and really easy-going.  We feel really blessed!

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