PsIP and Birth Story (Long)

schmoodle · June 2011

Since some that I'm not FB friends with asked for pictures, here are a couple, as well as Boodle's birth story.

At home with both of my babes:

Pro pic from the hospital (at about 15 hours old):

I know people were curious during the day Wednesday and waiting to hear so thought I'd share the birth story. Pretty uneventful, just took some time as anticipated by my OB.

We arrived at 3:30 for induction, only to learn that we were scheduled for 5:30, not 3:30 - and they only do one per hour and had a 3:30 and 4:30 so no chance of getting in early, plus they were running late. So we didn't get into a room until about 6:15. Took 3 tries to get the IV in, as usual, and pitocin was started maybe around 7 am? The on-call doc from my OB's practice that was getting off shift stopped by shortly thereafter to see if she could break my water but I was still only 1+cm dilated and 50% effaced so she couldn't.

So, just hung out, on pitocin, for a while. My OB came in every so often and checked me, and I was progressing very slowly. Got my water broken around 2+ cm with some effort, and contractions picked up a bit more but not too bad. When pain level was around a 5 I requested the epidural, maybe 10:30-11 am? Don't know what levels of pitocin they did when, but I do know that during active labor and after my epidural was in I was on a level 20, whereas with Toodle they never put me above a 12 and even that was causing really strong, one on top of the other, contractions that caused heart decels. However, the 20 with Boodle was fine, had very regular, constant contractions from 2.5-3 mins apart for hours without issue.

So the doc would check me every 3-4 hours and it was SLOOW. Like, one check to the next would have maybe 1-1.5 cm change. My epidural started to wear off around 7 pm and they came to redose me at 7:30, by which point the pain was back to a 5 or 6 and I was breathing through contractions again. The redose only worked on one side, and by shortly after 8 I was asking the OB/nurse to see about fixing it, worrying I'd have to deliver without the epidural if it wore off all the way (as it seemed it would be several more hours since I was only barely at 8 last check), when I felt pressure. My OB checked and I was almost a 10 so she had me do a couple test pushes and next thing we know I'm a 10, baby is low and we're ready to push. I only had to push through 2 additional contractions (3 pushes or so per contraction) and she was out, I literally only pushed for probably 5-10 minutes max, even faster than with Toodle (whose labor overall was much shorter, started pit around 4 am, delivered just after 2 pm). The epi was still wearing off (thought not gone altogether) so it was more painful than with Toodle, but luckily so brief that I could tolerate it. And recovery, so far, is much easier than with Toodle, even though I had same stats (2nd degree tear, handful of stitches, etc.). Thankfully, since with the toddler here I can't just sit in bed for a week like I did with him.

She has TONS of super dark hair, almost black. For those who saw my post below, already potential nursing issues but I'm going to do my best not to obsess or get too down about it this time and just nurse as much and as long as possible, even if not exclusively. Her big brother LOVES her. Keeps just coming over and staring at her and smiling, saying hi, helping me burp her.

Thanks so much to all for the good wishes, FB posts, posts here, messages, emails, etc. We appreciate it SO much. I saw some posts here while I was laboring but it's hard to respond via Ipad - but I loved that my WWF girls gave pseudo updates that I was still playing so likely not delivering yet. Hehe.

dana316 · June 2011

She is absolutely gorgeous...I am beyond thrilled that everything worked out and she is here safely.

You look completely happy in that picture...I love it!!

GypsyEsq · June 2011

Yay! I love your birth story! Thank you for sharing

mikiesgirl70106 · June 2011

She's gorgeous!!! And look at all that hair...WOW!! CONGRATS!!! So happy for you all...{{{HUGS}}}

GreenEyedGal · June 2011

You look amazing!!! I'm in awe of how beautiful she is. CONGRATS!!!

lovinglife30 · June 2011

Congratulations she is gorgeous! I love all her hair!

njdcgirl · June 2011

Huge smile on my face reading this! She's beautiful, you are glowing, and I'm thrilled that Toodle is already an awesome big brother! Thanks for the update and for sharing your birth story.

DrVWife · June 2011

She is beautiful! Congrats!

togo · June 2011

Congratulations. You and your family are Georgeous. You and your h make some adorable kids. Love both of their hair.

ladychicago · June 2011

She is just beautiful, hon! I couldn't be happier for you! And despite being slow, I am so glad to hear things went smoothly and your recovery hasn't been too bad.

ashonkwiler09 · June 2011

Congratulations sweetie! She is absolutely beautiful!

etoyama · June 2011

What a beautiful family! I'm absolutely thrilled for you!!

Carrie25 · June 2011

Congratulations! She's just precious. I can't believe all of her hair. I'm sure Judah is an awesome big brother.

schoolsoutbride · June 2011

Congrats! She's beautiful! I didn't see your bfing post yet, but if you have to supplement, look into a sns. Awesome little gadget that saved my butt both times. Gets formula in them while stimming your BBs and teaching them how to suck properly.