August due date turned July baby -- birth story (long!)

alileecam · July 2012

Okay, I'll just start this by saying PACK. YOUR. BAG. Seriously, if you haven't already, do it now.

I did not do this and ended up in the hospital last Friday with nothing but the clothes on my back and a small bag my husband packed containing the following items: two bras that haven't fit since I got pregnant, green pajama shorts I had in college that he thought were underwear, an orange t-shirt and the smallest, shortest, least forgiving pair of pajama pants I own. No contact solution, not one shred of fitting/decent clothing.

Here's my birth story, shortened. First, thanks for the well wishes from the August moms!

I lost my mucus plug at 6 am on Friday (the 20th). I didn't see it, just heard a weird plop in the toilet. I had to put on my glasses to see what happened. I consulted my sister (a nurse who just had a baby about 7 months ago) and she said that it was probably no big deal--she lost her plug just about every Saturday for 4 weeks up til she went for her induction. Also consulted Dr. Google, and decided to just go about my day, since I was having absolutely no other signs that I was about to have a baby.

Went to work, and even though it was a Friday (usually casual), we had a big event with one of our US senators and state government officials. So I had on my nicest maternity dress. Sat through a 2-hour panel on jobs and then left to go drop off a check to get on the wait list at a day care. I stopped to get a sandwich at Bruegger's and drove back to work. Then I felt a gush. And then another one... and another one. I thought at first that it might just be normal pregnancy stuff, but it became apparent pretty quickly as my car seat got soaked that my water broke (it was VERY obvious). I made it all the way back to my office parking lot, called DH and my doctor's office (freaking out) and was told to go to the emergency room to check in.

So I did, soaked fancy dress and all, and DH came with a bag. I went up to L&D triage and they confirmed that my water broke and that I was in labor. Apparently many women go there (sometimes more than once) saying their water broke when they are just peeing themselves. I was having regular contractions by then--by about 3 pm.

They got me in a room, and things progressed pretty quickly. I was having back labor, and the cervical checks were too painful for my doctor to be able to tell what was going on, so he recommended an epidural. I'd had fentanyl before then, but it wasn't touching the discomfort and pain when he checked me, so I went for the epi. Which, in my opinion, is pure magic (seriously). I cannot imagine going through all the rest without it, and admire any woman who has or will.

By about 2:30 am, I was 9 cm dilated, but my contractions were slowing down, so they put me on pitocin. I was 10 in no time, and started pushing at about 6:30 am. I took a break from pushing after an hour and started again at 8:30 am. I pushed for over an hour with no real progress. The doctor felt around (whoa, even with the epi, that was uncomfortable) and determined that the baby was sunny side up and not able to get past the pubic bone. So she tried the vacuum, which didn't work, and then a new vacuum, which didn't work. Then she went to forceps. DH objected, but by that time, I didn't give an eff what he thought--I wanted my baby. They re-did my epi (or something) and a few minutes later my son Foster was born! I guess I had my eyes closed, because I didn't know he was out until everyone cheered... there ended up being 14 people in the delivery room when I delivered. Apparently forceps requires extra nurses and a big peds team was also on hand since the baby was preterm. I'd always though this would be my nightmare--having so many people witness the birth--but it was no big deal in the end. Foster Mathijs Rogers was born at 11:33 am and weighed 5 pounds, 8 ounces. He has a way impressive head of dark hair, which was totally unexpected.

I ended up with a third degree tear, and Foster has some issues that have kept him in the NICU for the last 5 days, but we hope to bring him home on Tuesday. I've been with him most of the time, and my iPhone and iPad aren't allowing me to post when I have a little downtime. I am looking forward to changing my ticker, responding to some posts, and especially bringing my baby home and getting to enjoy holding him without all the wires and IVs hanging off him.

Here's a picture from Saturday:

I'll have a few more pictures when I've gathered them. I'm working on it tonight since DH will be attending my work shower without me tomorrow!

Renie330 · July 2012

He's beautiful! Congratulations, and I hope he is home soon!

Nikko Blue · July 2012

Congrats! I hope your LO gets to come home soon. I had to laugh at your description of the bag your husband packed for you. Mine would have done the same thing!

gollywollypog · July 2012

Congratulations on your beautiful son!!! I'm sure my hospital bag would look eerily similar to yours if my husband had to pack it, lol!

99frontier · July 2012

Congratulations mama!!! Your baby is beautiful!!! :-D

Shamber2010 · July 2012

Congrats! He's beautiful!

ashleylchapman@hotmail.com · July 2012

Congrats! He is so cute

Merried_2008 · July 2012

Wow what an ordeal! So glad everyone is doing well and I hope you all get to go home soon.

ColeyJ88 · July 2012

Eek! You had the same due date as me! Good thing I finally got the energy to start packing tonight:)

Congrats on your little guy, he is adorable!! Glad he is doing well!

aimee1899 · July 2012

Congrats. The picture is so cute.

jesslinnn · July 2012

Congrats!

runnergirl79 · July 2012

What a story! Congratulations on your precious baby boy! I hope you're able to bring him home very soon!

alileecam · July 2012

C_mo:
Congrats on your sweet baby boy! I'm sorry to hear about your tear, they are no fun. If you're not already doing this, frozen diapers/mentrual pads are wonderful for the pain, and witch hazel is also supposed to work wonders. I hope you get to go home soon, wishing you a quick and easy recovery!

I will definitely try that--the tear has sucked big time. I had some ice pads from the hospital (I kept asking for more), but I am almost out and still need some help in that area. I am going to run out as soon as possible for that witch hazel, too. Thanks!

EWilday · July 2012

Congrats!!!

jessalynn521 · July 2012

Congrats on your beautiful son! Hope you get to get him home very soon! I guess I should take your warning and get the stuff to pack the hospital bag this weekend and just do it. lol. I have been putting that off because I don't think I am going to go very early (if early at all.) But I guess it couldn't hurt to get it done. lol.