Emma's Birth Story

BellaVita 10.22 · January 2012

Hi Ladies,

I don't post very often, but this board really helped me get through my pregnancy. This is my second child and what they say is true! The second labor definitely goes faster than the first. For my son, I was induced and it took about 8 hours after my water was broken to deliver him. I pushed for an hr.

Here is Emma's story:

At the last few dr's visits, I was already 3 cm. On Wed. the 11th (at 39 weeks), I was already 4 cm but not having any contractions. The Dr advised a lot of walking and sex to try and get this show started. Since DH and I weren't really in the mood, I did all I could do: WALK. I decided that Wed would be my last day at work and I walked the mall that afternoon. Nothing happened. Thursday, did some more walking. On Friday, I went for a long walk pushing my son in the stroller. I tried tracking my contractions but because I was induced the first time (for PUPPPS), I didn't really know if what I was feeling would count as a contraction. They didn't really hurt, but it felt like cramps and tightening and they were about every 4 min apart during my walk. I decided to call my husband at work and tell him to come home and we would go to the hospital. I honestly didn't know if they would just check me and send me home but I figured it was worth a try.

Once we were at the hospital, they sent me to Triage and started monitoring me. The contractions showed up small on the monitor. Nurse checked me and said I was 3 cm. When I told her Dr had said 4, she said was "stretchable" to 4 cm. She called him and he told her to have me walk the floor for 2 hrs and not drink anything. DH and I walked..by then it was lunchtime and I was regretting not having a big meal before coming in. My Dr came in to deliver another baby and ran into us in the hall. He said he would check me after the delivery. Once he checked me he said I was 4 and "bulging" in reference to my water. He decided to admit me and broke my water at 3 p.m. I was still in Triage and they were getting a labor room ready for us. Soon after, my contractions really started kicking in without any drugs at this point. It was a little crowded in triage and one mommy even had a seizure. It felt like an eternity to get into the L&D room...I was worried that by the time I got in there, It would be time to push and I really wanted that epidural. We got into the room at around 5:45 p.m. I had an apprentice do my epidural. I was a bit anxious but the anesthesiologist was there to make sure everything was alright. I was still able to move my legs but the pain from the contractions subsided. Close to 7 p.m. I was feeling a lot of pressure and asked the nurse to check me. Right then, my Dr. came in and ended up checking me. I was complete and ready to push. I could not believe how fast this was all happening.

My DH and mom were in the room with me. My mom had 3 c-sections and had never witnessed a birth so it was very special for me to be there. We did some practice pushes with the nurse and on my third push, I felt her head and the nurse told me to stop and screamed for the dr to get in here cuz this was happening fast! I started crying because all of the emotions just hit me and I was so excited to hold my baby girl. I pushed through 3 contractions and felt the 'ring of fire'. It didn't hurt, but it was a lot of pressure and I literally felt like I was pooping on myself! Just like that, her head was out and the dr told me not to push. I quickly asked if the cord was around her neck because that is what happened with my son. It wasn't thankfully and within seconds she was out. I am so thankful for the quick and beautiful delivery.

Emma Victoria was born on Friday, Jan. 13 at 7:14 pm. She weighed 7 lbs. 5 oz, 19 3/4 in. long. We are so in love and her big brother is very sweet with her. Just learning to juggle 2 kids and their different needs.