Almost slept through it.. (birth story)

jilrsch46 · March 2011

I went in for my scheduled induction at 8 on Wednesday night. They gave me the cytotec (spell?) at 8:30 once I was hooked up to the iv. About 30 min later my contractions were 2-3 min apart. The nurse said it was unusual for the cytotec to have that strong of an effect. She increased the fluid in my iv and had me lay on my side to try to slow down the contractions. I was supposed to begin pitocin at 7am. The nurse returned to my room at 10pm and gave me an ambien and unhooked my montiors and told me to try to get some sleep. My contractions were still 2-3 min apart but she said once the ambien relaxed me they would most likely slow down... WRONG! Around 1am I kept groggily waking up to painful contractions, but because of the ambien I would immediately fall asleep after I had one. I finallly pushed the nurse call button during a contraction and told them I thought my contractions were still close together. I also woke my husband up and informed him. The rest is very vague to me and most of it was relayed to me by my husband after I delivered. The nurse came in at 1 am and checked me and said I was a 3 and we were going to the labor and delivery room. She said I still had a long way to go and she wanted me to get some rest so she gave me pain meds through my iv and also some more meds to help me sleep!!! I do not remember going to the labor and delivery room but they said I walked there? At 4am the nurse came and checked me and I was an 8! She instructed my husband that if we were going to call anyone to come that we needed to do so. She asked me if I wanted the epidural and apparently I said yes (I had planned on getting one). My husband said that I was slumped over on his shoulder asleep while they administered the epi. Our family arrived shortly after I received the epidural and my mom said she came in and tried to talk to me for awhile. I remember none of this. At 7 am the nurse and midwife said it was time to push. I remember a little bit of the pushing. My husband said I would push and then fall back asleep and start snoring

When I would have a contraction it would wake me up and I would push again. I had to push for about an hour... Im sure if I would have been able to wake up then it would have been shorter. I have a small first degree tear, but it is not bad at all. Our little girl arrived at 8:15 am, weighing 6lb 13oz. She is perfect!!! I could not have asked for an easier delivery!!

We got to come home the next day and she is doing great!!

Bakeration · March 2011

Congrats on your healthy girl! I just can't believe the nurse actually told you that relaxing (and taking AMBIEN) would slow down contractions! Relaxation moves everything along!!!

buboo · March 2011

Congratulations!! I am surprised they gave you an ambien, thats why you could not stay awake, crazy!

Jessica0624 · March 2011

buboo:
Congratulations!! I am surprised they gave you an ambien, thats why you could not stay awake, crazy!

I was given Ambien with my son and I didnt sleep at all.

Congrats on your baby girl!!

thediarywithin · March 2011

That's a great birth story. Sleeping through it.

buboo · March 2011

InLoveWithBrett:
buboo:
Congratulations!! I am surprised they gave you an ambien, thats why you could not stay awake, crazy!
I was given Ambien with my son and I didnt sleep at all.
Congrats on your baby girl!!

Really? I guess I am just surprised, I have never heard of this from anyone IRL or on the bump.

seastar77 · March 2011

Congrats on the easy birth! I'm not surprised by the Ambien, but I bet you would've woken up more if they hadn't given the second round of IV sleep meds.