Birth Story (long)

MAbride0808 · October 2012

We were able to get home yesterday and has a (semi-) successful night last night. Olivia is now napping on my arm (I can't stand to put her down that often), so I figured now would be a good time to write up my birth story. I tried to keep it short but that didn't work. Sorry!

I went to bed early on Saturday because I was absolutely exhausted. I had gone to baby shower that day and it took a lot out of me. (Ironically, I was worried about going since it was over an hour away and my OB said it was fine since I wouldn't be 38 weeks until Sunday). About 12:30 I woke up and felt a slight gus. I was sure I peed my pants. I stood up and could still feel dripping. I go into the bathroom and my underwear and pj pants are soaked. I realize that it was probably my water break. I come out and wake up DH and say that I think my water broke and I have to call the OB but to start waking up because we may be heading into the hospital. Sure enough that was the case, we were the hospital by 1:30 AM Sunday.

I go into L&D triage and the resident checked me; sure enough my water has broken and I was staying the hospital for the duration even though I was only a "fingertip" dialated. They bring us to a L&D room and set us up. DH (who never truly woke up) got comfortable on the couch and passed out, but I couldn't fall asleep. I was totally wired because something had to happen soon right? Wrong. Come noon the next day contractions haven't really started yet, so they decided to start pitocin at 1. Once again I thought it wouldn't be a long because in our birth class we were told that they would deliver the baby within 24 hours of the water breaking. I thought I was halfway there. Wrong!

Contractions begin around 5ish and continue to slowly come throughout the night. By 1, I'm ready for some pain meds. The doctor checks me and I'm still a "fingertip" dilated. WTF! I can't get an epidural yet, so they give me a narcotic. This helps and I get some sleep. Two hours later it wears off and I need something else. The doctor checks me again and I'm only 3 cm dilated "if that much". Cue break down. I'm in pain and don't want another narcotic that will just wear off. I want to baby out since it is past 24 hours, but I would rather not have a c-section. The nurse definitely came to my aid and talked with doctor and convinced him that an epidural right now would allow me to get some sleep and recharge to finish the process. The anesthesiologist comes in gives me the epidural. I was very grateful until we realize it didn't fully take on my left side. After a few hours of trying to fix it, the anesthesiologist came back in and shot something else in through my epi and it fixed it. I finally got some sleep.

When I woke up the pressure the from the contraction was definitely greater, but not enough that they wanted to check dilation again. I was getting really frustrated and just wanted an end. The doctor came in to talk to me and told me that he would like to wait another 4-6 hours before talking about a c-section, but would give me one right now if I wanted it. I was in tears again thinking that this could last all day again, but after talking with DH and the resident on call (ironically the one who checked me during triage) we decided to give it four hours and then talk. By 1 that day if there was no baby I would request a c-section.

Because DH had to get some stuff done at home, my mother came to sit with me for a bit. After a while she notices that my contractions are coming quickly and definitely stronger (the pressure was definitely getting painful) so we time them. They were coming about every two minutes and lasting about a minute to a minute an a half. We talk to the nurse when she comes to check on me because she noticed this patterned as well. We called the resident in to check. While we waited, my mom called DH and told him to head back. He had one more quick errand to do so we said to do it and then come. The resident checked me and kept saying "Oh my..Oh my". I was fully dilated and she could see LO head which was covered in hair. I was ready to push! My mom calls DH again and tells him to come now! Luckily he was like 5 minutes away.

Right before DH shows up, I start to get very nauseated. The nurse takes my temperature and I'm running a low grade fever, so the NICU team is called in (they were put on alert because my water broke so long ago) and I'm started on antibiotics. This also causes me to throw up a little bit. DH comes running through the door, my mom tags out and head to the waiting room and I begin to push. It is now about 10:30.

At 11:05 Olivia is born. She was a peanut 6 lbs 7 oz and 19 inches long. I definitely know the birth process hurt and I have a second degree tear, but I honestly don't remember how much. Just seeing her made me forget it all. Because of the fever, she had to see the NICU team first, but I could see her across the room. Within moments, DH was able to go over and touch her and take pictures and I was stitched up. I had DH go out and get my mother, who in the meantime had got my father to come out. They all come in to see my little angel. I'm finally able to hold her before they had to take her to the nursery for her first round of antibiotics.

DH and I were moved to a postpartum room and my parents went finished the things that needed to get done, such as buying the rest of stuff we need off the registry. Not long after we get into our new room, our Olivia was brought into our room after her antibiotics were finished for the day (she would need to have them done every 12 hours for 48 hours). It was a long 35 hours, but it was totally worth it.

Now for those of you who have made it through that long story here are some pictures for you.

Just born

Our new family heading home

Comfortable at home

Edited: picture size

BeccaLandes · October 2012

congratulations! i'm glad she is here and you are both well.

kbeach82 · October 2012

Thank you for sharing! I'm so glad your LO made it safely into the world.

pb_bride · October 2012

AWwwwww, love all the pics. You look great after the marathon birth, and Olivia is so precious. Congrats once more to you and YH. I hope to join you over here in a couple of weeks...

Whales124 · October 2012

So happy your beautiful little girl is here. I especially love your mom and DH tagging in and out since this is what mine do at appts and u/s! Congratulations to all!

TJ1979 · October 2012

What a story, thanks for sharing! Congrats again on your daughter and I'm happy to see you over here!

Aegis2005 · October 2012

Congratulations! She's beautiful!!

ChicagoWeded2007 · October 2012

Sweet!

MAbride0808 · October 2012

Whales124:
So happy your beautiful little girl is here. I especially love your mom and DH tagging in and out since this is what mine do at appts and u/s! Congratulations to all!

They did that after the birth as well. DH had to go into work for a few hours on Tuesday and then do some home projects that weren't finished, so my mom stayed with me. Once DH goes back to work, my mom will take a few days.

lynn0926 · October 2012

So adorable and precious! Congrats again!

austenreader85 · October 2012

Congratulations! Glad she's here and you're home! What a story!

jillychris · October 2012

Oh wow, so sorry it was such a long labor for you, but I'm sure absolutely worth that adorable little one!! Congratulations Momma!!!

LnR70707 · October 2012

Congrats!!

chels38026 · October 2012

Congratulations!!

lovebug33 · October 2012

Congrats! She's a doll!

CarionHeart · October 2012

Congratulations hun!! She is absolutely beautiful and perfect. Glad to see the new family looking so happy together. Wonderful story, put me in tears just thinking about the fact that in April I may be having the same experience. (Silly preggo hormones... they get me every time!)