Emma's Birth Story (Long)

Well I haven't been able to post much, but I have been able to read about all the new outside babies and I just wanted to say Congrats!!! I loved reading everyone's birth stories from here and other boards so I thought I'd post my own.

At my  last two appointments my blood pressure had started to rise. My OB wasn't too concerned, but did send me for a blood test and urine collection. Everything turned out fine and we even did a NST a day before my due date just to be safe. I was having very mild contractions at that point and I was 1cm and 50%.

Well my due date came and went and no baby. LOTS of people calling, texting etc. etc., but no baby. One day past my due date I started to have a headache and when I was in the shower I got light headed. I thought I was just in there to long and the water was too hot. On Monday 4/16 I posted about not feeling well and seeing spots again. After getting a call back from the nurse, I went to see another OB in my practice because my OB was in Puerto Rico.

My blood pressure was 158/92 and after a quick check, I was still 50% and between 1-2 she sent me off to the hospital to be monitored. I was there for about an hour on the monitors and although my bp came down into the 130's the attending OB  admitted me for an induction so I was 3 days past due.

So we got a room and they let me eat something. Around 7 they inserted the Cervidil. I HATED having to lay there for two hours before I could sit up again. I never had to pee so bad in my life. Anyways the night was long and neither me or DH slept. I just kept hoping I would go into full blown labor or something. I was terrified of all this ending in a c-section.

In the morning I got checked and was about 2 and 75%. They let me eat and shower and then it was time to start the pit. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be I have to say. I got on at about 9a, and didn't get and epi till 1:30pm. After the epi the OB on call broke my water putting me at about 3cm. Then things got intense. I slept for a couple of hours while DH ran home to eat and shower. I woke up to the WORST pressure ever. I was in tons of pain. I was crying and shaking uncontrollably. I got checked and I was at 7cm. That was about 6pm. I got my epi topped off and that seemed to help for a little bit, but the pain and pressure came back worse with every contraction. At 7pm there was a shift change for the nurses and the OB's. During this time things became a little crazy. The new nurse came in made me roll over to my left side and put on an oxygen mask. The baby wasn't handling contractions so well at this point. 

The new OB came in and told me they were going to monitor me for about 30 minutes, re-check me and asses the situation. I was freaking out and poor DH didn't know what to do. He looked like he was going to cry. I've only seen him cry once in 6 years.

Well things didn't get better and we started talking c-section. It all happened so fast. Next thing I knew I was in the OR getting prepped. DH came in and he was holding my hand, but I couldn't feel anything on my left side. A few minutes later I  heard my little girl cry. ( I feel like it went by fast, but DH says it took some time) DH said she had so much hair and was so tiny. He was crying too.

He went over and checked her out and followed her to the nursery. I didn't get to see her at all and it made me really emotional. A nurse did tell me she was 6lbs 14 oz and 20 inches long and was healthy. She was born at 8:52pm. They then cleaned and stitched me up. I don't remember much except shaking and feeling cold. I was in recovery till mid-night and it wasn't until 1 am I finally got to see my little girl. Apparently my blood pressure dropped low and I had a low grade fever so they where keeping her away. I still couldn't feel my left side so sadly I didn't get to hold her and she couldn't stay with me overnight since I wouldn't be able to get up on my own if she needed me. So I sent DH home to sleep a bit and I tried to get some sleep.

They bothered me all night with bp and temperature checks and then at 6am they cleaned me up and made me get up and out of bed. BEST nurse ever. I think she really helped contribute to my recovery. She helped me walk down the hall to get breakfast and made sure I kept active. I finally got to hold me little girl after breakfast and start to breastfeed. I was doing so well I got to go home after 2 days! I was so happy to be home in my own shower and my own bed.

I am so in love with this little girl. I could stare at her for hours. Recovery hasn't been all that bad and besides feeling sore I am doing well. If you made it this far thanks for reading.

You ladies have been such a huge help and support system during these last nine months. Thank you!!! 

Ps I don't want to PIP so there is a picture in my avatar.