XP: Abigail's birth story (finally) with PIP

big_noise · June 2013

Hi ladies - Sorry it's taken me so long. Haven't been able to get on the computer much other than my phone and I didn't want to type all this on my phone. Here is my (very delayed) little Abby's birth story:

Short version: Abigail Rose was born 4/9/13 at 1:31 after a 5.5 hour induction at 41 weeks. She was 7 lbs 9 oz and 20.5 inches long.

Long version: The last couple of days approaching my induction date were pretty frustrating. I felt kind of broken, given I was induced with DD#1 too, and then also didn't experience any signs that labor was coming. Sigh. However, Sunday morning before the induction (which was a Tuesday), I did start to lose my MP, so I felt a little better that at least my body was doing SOMETHING.

I obviously didn't sleep well Monday night before the induction. My sister (who is a nurse and works nights) was coming to our house sometime overnight so she would be there in the morning to watch DD. I sent her a text at 1 a.m. when I got up to pee, asking what time she was coming, and she got there shortly after. By 4:30 a.m. I was wide awake and freaking out b/c the baby had been super quiet most of the night. I got up and talked to my sister and decided I was done with the guessing games, so I called L&D. (We were supposed to call at 6 a.m. to see if we should head in) They said if I'm not feeling movement to come in right away but they couldn't promise they could start my induction. Ok, whatever. We were showered and in L&D by 5:20 a.m. My sister was a rock star, getting our breakfast ready - banana and bagel with pb (i.e. what I would eat before running a race) for me, and we were out the door.

First thing upon getting there, they hooked me up to the monitors so we could get a reassuring heartbeat. So thankful for that! Our first nurse before shift change was great. She did a NST and started our admit process, got me hooked up to an IV and started the penicillin since I was Group B Strep positive. (Side note: Was not prepared for the meds to hurt while going in my veins...felt like ice water. Ouch! My nurse put warm towels on my hand and arm and that helped a ton).

Our first few hours at the hospital were basically all the set-up stuff, but I was thankful we went in early so we could just get the show on the road, esp. b/c I knew needing antibiotics was going to delay my hookup to pitocin. I was probably more nervous about this induction than with DD#1 due to being after-loss, frustrated I wasn't going into labor again, knowing the baby was partially face up and the fact that my OB isn't delivering babies right now due to an eye injury. So, I took a leap of faith and asked our morning nurse if the nurse we had for DD#1's delivery was working that day (shift change was at 7 a.m.). She checked and said she wasn't. Super bummer....then came back 10 min. later and said she was going to make my day, that our nurse was working and they would have her be our nurse for the day. I was thrilled. HUGE sigh of relief. I knew she wouldn't remember us but I didn't care - I knew she was a great nurse. And she was. Made me so much less stressed out. Plus, it's somewhat comforting having a nurse who has 5 kids...she's been there plenty of times, lol.

Got hooked up to the pit right at 8 a.m. and it pretty much knocked me right into labor. My OB had previously mentioned she thought I just needed an extra kick and she was right. I think in the end my nurse only upped the Pitocin drip/strength twice. Anyway, initial contractions weren?t too bad. Apparently I was actually having contractions before they started Pitocin but I couldn?t feel them. When I started Pitocin I was at about a 3 and over 50% effaced. I labored just on Pitocin until about 10:30 a.m. and then the OB working that morning came to check me and decided to break my water. By that point I was still a 3 but 75% effaced. Baby was -3 before she broke my water and then after she said, ?ok, minus two!? Apparently that helps the baby come down some. I was nervous about her being so high because DD#1 was super low when I started my induction with her. Right before she broke my water I said we were going for no meconium this time and as soon as she broke it she said, ?Yep, mec.? DAMN. I was so hoping that wouldn?t be the case. As if we weren?t nervous enough. We are now two for two on meconium. And both girls delivered at 41 weeks. This is why I was so glad to be delivering in a hospital with a NICU, as this meant they would be present when she was born.

Anyway, breaking my water really got things going and the contractions quickly picked up. This was definitely the case last time too. About an hour later, my nurse was going to lunch and said she?d check me when she got back and we?d see about an epi then. Shortly after she left I could tell I was progressing quickly and called in a nurse to ask for the epi. She remarked that she?d go get the paperwork and I let her know I took care of that already (took care of it right away, before I was in any pain?thinking ahead!). So she got my IVs started. That was the LONGEST wait. I could tell I was getting into transition and waiting for those IV bags stunk. These contractions were much different than with DD#1. They were all low vs. with DD#1 they were higher up. I had a TON of tailbone pain plus at the end it felt like my pelvis was going to split in two. It was probably due to the way DD#2 was positioned, but definitely different and the tailbone pain was the worst. At one point while waiting for the IV bags to drain, I remember looking DH square in the eye and saying, ?I don?t want to do this anymore.? (This was when I clearly knew I was in transition) He was very supportive and grabbed my hand a little tighter and said something encouraging, though I can?t remember what. And then I told him I was about to puke. I didn?t but it was close! Later on, when we were recounting the labor story, he mentioned he?d never seen me give up like that before. I laughed and said he didn?t hear the dialogue going in my brain?I kept telling myself I COULD continue to do this and I knew I had the strength in me but I didn?t want to. The epi could not get there fast enough!

After waiting what felt like forever to get the IVs and then for anesthesia, I finally got the epidural?.and had it for about 40 min. MAYBE by the time she arrived. It basically took the edge off the tailbone and pelvic pain but shortly after receiving it I got the storied urge to have a bm so my nurse and I both knew it was time. I asked if it was going to numb more and she said it takes about 20 min. to start working and it did help a TON but I could definitely feel a lot more than I did with DD#1. That epi had one section that didn?t numb. This one wasn?t like that just only took the edge off. Interesting comparison, I guess.

So, not too long after getting the epi, I was complete and ready to go. The OB delivering DD was very nice but straightforward which is exactly what I needed. They were coaching me on how to push and I was going to start but I was still holding onto the epi kicking in more. I made some comment to the OB about how much I was or wasn?t going to feel and she said she could give me an extra numbing shot, which I accepted immediately. Great decision. So, got that and 9 minutes of pushing later Abigail Rose was born! Apparently I pushed her quite a bit down the first time and it took most of the rest of the pushes for her head, etc. but that is not bad at all. And I was right?she was partially face up! DH said she came out facing my right leg. The OB made some comment about my pelvis not mis-shaping her head that I think was a compliment. At least I took it that way. But it must be rather roomy to have 9 min. of pushing and her partially face-up, so I?ll take it!

Given she was a meconium baby, they didn?t stimulate her right away and DH didn?t cut the cord. The Dr. literally handed her right over to the NICU staff. Thankfully I knew the mec process and I knew she wouldn?t cry right away, that they would take care of any suctioning, etc. before stimulating her. So her 1 minute APGAR was a 1 but thankfully she didn?t ingest any of the mec and her 5 minute was a 9. DH said she went from blue to pink instantly which was crazy. I couldn?t see from my angle.

We are just so thankful she was ok, and she was on my chest and nursing shortly after birth. She latched on right away and has been nursing like a champ since. I?m amazed at how different it can be the second time around.

I had a second degree tear but honestly didn?t even notice it much. It didn?t occur to me that I probably bruised horribly with DD#1 b/c she was vacuum suctioned until having DD#2, so this recovery has been MUCH faster. The most pain I had immediately following was my tailbone but that thankfully healed rather quickly. Other than typical soreness it was fine. And I distinctly remember realizing about 10 min. after she was born that I could BREATHE again. It was the greatest feeling ever! Since she never dropped I never got the relief that comes with that breathing-wise.

Hopefully my PIP works so you can see her in all her cuteness.

We are over the moon thrilled that she?s here and DD#1 has nothing but love for her baby sister. I can hardly believe she?s almost two months old!

[Deleted User] · June 2013

The user and all related content has been deleted.

MJM3108 · June 2013

Congrats and welcome! Abigail is gorgeous!!!

Shaungela · June 2013

I posted on pgal also but shes completely gorgeous! Congratulations!!!

Albah · June 2013

Congratulations she is gorgeous!! Our birth stories are quite similar!

orangegoggles · June 2013

Congrats! She is truly adorable!

ct103 · June 2013

Ahhhh!!! I've been waiting for this birth story! Our DD's share a birthday, how cool! Big congrats to you and your family, welcome to the world Abigail!