Charlotte Ann's birth story. (long)

MrandMrsHull · May 2012

I started having contractions on Friday afternoon, nothing timeable but definitley noticable. By 10:30 Friday night my contractions were 7-8 mins apart, lasting about 30 sec. and I wasn't able to sleep. At 6:30 am contractions were about 5 mins apart and lasting about 45 sec.

Our doula arrived and we labored at home as planned. Around 2:00pm I had some very strange discharge that was goopy and brown. I showed my doula and she was concerned that it could possibly be meconium (sp?). I called my OB and he wanted me to go to the hospital to be monitored for a half hour and ensure that my water was still intact.

We got to the hospital at 2:30 (14 hours into labor). They had me lay on the bed, and strapped on the monitors. (I could not believe how much more painful contrations were when laying down/on my back or side). Confirmed my water was still intact and that discharge likely the remainder of my MP. The nurse checked me and told me I was at only 1cm

I asked to stay for a little while longer, mainly so that I didn't have to have a contratcion in the car again. But at 5pm I was still at only 1cm.

We went back home to continue laboring. Got out the birth tub to try and relax. At this point the contractions were so intense that I was having a really hard time. The tub helped for awhile but at 11:30pm I was exhausted from not sleepin the night before and from being in labor for 25hours. I told DH and my doula that it was time to head back to the hospital and that our med free plan needed to change.

I called my friend who is an OB nurse at my hospital, and she headed in so that she could be my nurse! (bless her heart) at about midnight I was 4cm (finally!) and was admitted. I had my IV started and as soon as the first bag was complete and my labs were back, I was given my epi (I wanted to kiss the man who gave it).

Things progress pretty quickly after the epi/pitocin was started. DH and I were able to get some sleep (so needed). I was checked again at about 4am and was at 7cm and my water was buldging. My OB arrived at about 8:30 and I was fully dialated and he broke my water to get the final phase going.

My water had meconium in it and there was concern about the baby ingesting it when she was delivered. The neonatal doc, neonatal nurse, and respiratory therapist were all called in to be present at delivery and the room was set up as more of an emergent situation. DH was told he wouldn't be able to cut the cord and that the baby would be immediately given to the neonatologist instead of to me (understandably).

Thinking that I would be pushing for awhile the OB left. After one push her head was visible. After the second push I was told not to push until the OB and the rest of the team returned. After just over 30 mins of pushing our sweet girl was born.

They were able to suction out all of the fluid she ingested (she started cyring before they could suction) and she hasn't had any complications yet

We are so happy to be a family of 3!

-please forgive typops and errors. She is super cute but isn't a great sleeper!

BEST PART of this whole post?! I am typing it while our sweet little girl sleeps on my chest making sweet baby noises

wheelsonthebus · May 2012

Aww Congrats! :-)

missbugg21 · May 2012

Wow! You're a trooper.. congratulations on your sweet girl.

lnh2008 · May 2012

Congrats!!!!

lyndsey774 · May 2012

Congrats to you and your DH!!!

Tippy05 · May 2012

Yay! Glad to hear everything turned out well, even though it wasn't quite the way you planned it. Congrats on your beautiful baby girl!!

jlsweets · May 2012

Congratulations on your baby girl! Love her name!

chyscottbaby · May 2012

So glad everything went well. Congrats on your daughter!

FyreFlyeRush · May 2012

That was beautifully written! Congrats.

NatPhoto09 · May 2012

Congrats on your baby girl!! Looking forward to seeing a pic soon. Your birth story sounds very similar to DS' #1. I didn't sleep and all I wanted was to be able to lay in bed and rest before I had to get the baby out.

ElinJ · May 2012

Thanks for the story!! Love the sweet tidbit at the end!

MrandMrsHull · May 2012

NatPhoto09:
Congrats on your baby girl!! Looking forward to seeing a pic soon. Your birth story sounds very similar to DS' #1. I didn't sleep and all I wanted was to be able to lay in bed and rest before I had to get the baby out.

This is somewhat embarrassing....I have never posted a picture! I can't figure out how to donit from my iPhone and that's where they all are

katy092 · May 2012

Congrats!!

bornmommy · May 2012

Congrats!!!

melrrr · May 2012

Congratulations!! Now does anyone else remember the song "Charlotte Anne" by Julian cope? It's stuck in my head. i can't find a video anywhere to post or I would! (the one I found with that name is not it!)

blueshamrock7 · May 2012

Aww! Congratulations! How far along were you?

jaxie320 · May 2012

Congratulations! I love her name :-)

Sherbet Lemon · May 2012

Congratulations! I was wondering if you'd had your little girl yet. So happy to hear that with the long labor and all the concerns things turned out fine.