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March 2011 Moms
ckandi007
member
Me: 31, DH: 34, Married 5/29/05
BFP #1: 6/22/10, EDD 3/6/11, DS born 2/25/11 @ 38w5d
BFP #2: 7/27/13, EDD 4/9/14, CP 8/3/13
BFP #3: 8/31/13, EDD 5/10/13, DD born med-free 5/9/14 @ 39w6d
Caleb's birth story: 36 hr labor & PIP
ckandi007
member
Hi ladies!
It's hard to believe that Caleb is already 12 days old. We've been enjoying our time at home together and he's such a good baby. He sleeps at night and is not a big crier. We had a lil' scare with jaundice where his bilirubin levels were rising as he lost weight, but once my milk came in and he started gaining (and pooping), everything was back to normal.
So, the Tuesday after President's Day, I started working from home and my mom flew in to TX from MA to stay with me for a month and help me out. The next day, I had a doc appointment. I was 38w3d and the midwife actually told me, "don't be surprised if he's a week late." Who knew hours later, I would be in labor?
It started at 1:15pm on Feb. 23rd. It felt like a mild menstrual cramp so I was able to work through it until 4pm, but I did text DH (he goes to school 100 miles away) so he left and came home. I went to shower to help relieve some of the pain which was intensifying with each hour. They were constant so it wasn't really something I could time so we just kept waiting.
By 6pm, I took a hot bath and was in more pain. DH called the doc and told her about my situation. We were told that it could mean something, it could mean nothing so we decided to stay put. Two hours later, the pain was more intense so the doc said to come to the hospital and they'd check me out. So, after 7 hours of laboring, we were off!
When we got to triage, I was 2cm dilated, 100% effaced and Caleb was at station 0. There were proteins and liver enzymes in my urine so they decided to admit me. After 3 tries to poke an IV into me (my veins are tiny), they gave me morphine so I could sleep, though I didn't really sleep since they blood pressure cuff was going off 2x an hour.
The next morning, they told me that I was having contractions 4-7 minutes apart all night. I was in early labor, but progressing really slowly. By the morning, I was only 3cm dilated so the doc suggested pitocin to augment my labor. I wanted to go natural, but at the same time, didn't want to be in labor for 4 days. I guess I didn't get the med-free birth that I wanted, but I could still shoot to go epi-free. The doc assured me that the amount of pitocin was so small, 1/5 of a teaspoon, and would be equivalent to a fast labor so I agreed.
For several hours, I just puttered around the room and took a few hot showers since I was hooked up wirelessly to the monitors. At the 27 hour mark of labor, the contractions started to get REALLY intense. I thought maybe by then, I was in transition because they were so painful even though I was trying to relax and breathe through them. I started crying through them and throwing up so the doc checked me and I was only 4cm dilated! I was heartbroken and knew they were going to get worse.
After 29 hours of labor, I broke down and took an epi. I was so upset and disappointed, but my nurse, Kimber, was great. She had known that I wanted a natural birth, but she assured me that I made the right decision. I got relief except for a hot spot on my left side so I got more anesthetic injected so I finally got some rest. I was so exhausted especially throwing up anything I ate and only drinking broth and water.
The doc broke my water and I was soon 6cm dilated. I think at one point when shifting in bed (we did this several times to scoot me higher in bed with the help with the nurses), the epi came out of my back or something because soon, it wore off and I was feeling intense contractions again and I was back to crying through them. The anesthesiologist came by to administer and extra shot, but it didn't work so my other option was to re-insert the epi.
The nurse checked me again and I was 9cm, but could be stretched to 10cm so my other choice was to push so that's what I went with. After an hour of pushing, Caleb Ray entered the world after 36 hours of labor on Feb. 25, at 7lb, 10oz and 20" long. I got a partial 3rd degree tear, but 10 days later, I'm off the pain meds.
Here are some pictures from his time at home and also some newborn shots I did on our dining room table...hehe.
family portrait! by ckandi007, on Flickr
Caleb at 1 week old in a cocoon made by Lisa by ckandi007, on Flickr
Caleb at 1 week old w/ an owl hat from Grandma by ckandi007, on Flickr
Caleb at 1 week old with an owl hat from Etsy by ckandi007, on Flickr
Caleb modeling a cap knit for him by ckandi007, on Flickr
Me: 31, DH: 34, Married 5/29/05
BFP #1: 6/22/10, EDD 3/6/11, DS born 2/25/11 @ 38w5d
BFP #2: 7/27/13, EDD 4/9/14, CP 8/3/13
BFP #3: 8/31/13, EDD 5/10/13, DD born med-free 5/9/14 @ 39w6d
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Caleb's birth story: 36 hr labor & PIP
Thanks all
I'm trying to slowly get back into the swing of things. I love seeing all the outside babies! Hard to imagine the day has come after waiting and waiting and waiting.
My labor was nothing like I had imagined. I was thinking it'd be short (but then again, what do I know...lol) and it was the opposite! They say your labor will be like your mom's and my mom was in labor with me for 48 hours. But, it was all worth it to have a healthy baby boy.
And for the record, I haven't gotten any more haircuts...lol. I'm going to try to grow it out--for now.
Me: 31, DH: 34, Married 5/29/05
BFP #1: 6/22/10, EDD 3/6/11, DS born 2/25/11 @ 38w5d
BFP #2: 7/27/13, EDD 4/9/14, CP 8/3/13
BFP #3: 8/31/13, EDD 5/10/13, DD born med-free 5/9/14 @ 39w6d
EDD 1/31/13, MC May 17. EDD 3/31/13, MC July 26. I miss you so much already my angel loves