- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
January 2011 Moms
Had my baby last weekend - Birth Story and PIP (Long)
On Sunday, 1/9/11, I woke at around 1:30am, went to the bathroom, got back in bed. When I laid down I felt an awful cramp, but ignored it since I had cramps the night before. I did note the time - just in case. I was woken up 8 mins later with another sharp cramp. At this point I downloaded a contraction timer app on my cell... 8 mins later I had another one. I was in denial that this could be the real thing, so I got into the bath tub to see if they'd stop or hurt less. As soon as I got in the tub, they were 3mins apart, This went on for 20 mins before I went into "oh crap, I better pack a bag" mode.
I didn't wake up DH yet, because I was *still* in denial. I had always heard that "you'll know" and you won't be able to walk or talk through a real contraction. Well, I was walking around the house and talking to myself (to see if I could in fact talk or not). The contractions slowly got more intense and were down to 1 1/2 mins apart, so I finally woke up DH, knowing we had a 25 min drive to the hospital. He was so groggy that when I told him the baby was coming, he just looked at my belly and said "right now?". As if I could tell her to wait a few hours 
Off we went to the hospital. Arrived around 3:30am. They checked me right away and I was 8cm dilated, fully effaced, and baby's head was right there with water sac ready to burst. I immediately asked for the epidural. When that man showed up, I was soooo happy. It didn't hurt. It was more awkward than anything, especially when I could feel him feeding it through and adjusting it into place. My scoliosis made it a little tricky, but he did a great job. One thing I wish I knew in advance was how heavy it made your limbs feel. I knew that I'd be numb, but I had no idea that my legs would feel like they had lead weights on them.
The on call OB was super groggy and nearing the end of his shift, so they dragged out the process a little longer than it probably should have taken. They left me until 8am (shift change) and the new doctor came to check me. I was 10cm, but my water still hadn't broken. He broke my water and they left me for 2 more hours to "let gravity take its course", aka bring baby's head down further. When they came back, they turned off the epidural so I could feel the contractions a little bit when it came pushing time. A half hour later, I started pushing. Pushed through 3 contractions and was almost there, but baby's heartrate dropped and didn't come back up. They put me on oxygen and got out the vaccuum. On the 4th contraction, I pushed with everything in me and out she came at 10:46am.
There was meconium when she came out, but the doctor said it happened as she was coming out, not in the womb. Her lungs were fine :-) I had 2nd degree tearing and lots of stiches, but recovery hasn't been nearly as bad as I imagined. Breastfeeding was awful for the first 5 days, now it's just... ok. I'm trying to stick it out, but right now I just feel like a boob. It's hard for me to settle DD down because she just sees me as food, so DH has to take her a lot. I'm dreading the day he goes back to work, but she will just have to learn.
Introducing Adrianna Leigh...
Born at 39w5d, 7lbs 13oz, 18.5 in
LO is only a week old, but so far this has been my experience:
I wish I brought to the hospital: Boppy, baby lotion (they didn't have any and she was SOOO dry)
My saving grace: FP LL Swing, Miracle Blanket, nipple shield, lanolin
Wish I could return: Bouncer, Halo swaddle sack (she houdinis out of it in 5 seconds), Tucks (they made me feel wet all the time and I was changing my pad way too often)
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Had my baby last weekend - Birth Story and PIP (Long)
Carina 12.28.2010 | Aurelia 9.23.12 | Chart - Round 3
What a cutie pie! Congrats!
I second the baby lotion! My little girl's feet were awfully dry. I was surprised they didn't have any lotion!
I hope the breast feeding gets better for you! I'm still working on it too!
I use a nipple shield too - I wouldn't be able to BF without it! I tell all the moms who use them to get a Shield Shell too. It's a case to store nipple shields in between feedings. I have one for each of my shields - I keep one in my diaper bag and a couple around the house where I nurse most often. They are AWESOME...they keep my shields clean and I can find them easily since the come in bright colors! I got them online at www.shieldshell.com.
Congrats! She is just adorable!