Violet Jane is here!

SandiaLiz · March 2014

Hello! We got home from the hospital yesterday and I wanted to share my experience and joy. And of course a picture! (Hopefully, I have actually never posted a picture before).

Violet was born on Tuesday, March 18th at 1:03 in the morning after a surprise induction on Monday. She was 19 inches long and weighed 6 lbs. 11 oz. She is absolutely beautiful and oh so sweet! And she has a dimple!

I was scheduled for a 40 week ultrasound and nonstress test on Monday afternoon (due on Tuesday) and my husband took the afternoon off to go with me. He usually has to work and doesn't attend appointments but I knew we might be talking about induction options for when I hit 41 weeks and I wanted him there. And it was a good thing too! The ultrasound showed that my amniotic fluid was low and baby wasn't responding well at all during the nonstress test. I also had been having contractions all day but hadn't realized that is what they were. The doctor checked me and did a membrane sweep to help get things going since she was quite concerned. Then she decided that it would be best to just send me straight to L & D to induce! We were shocked!

As I was in triage the contractions were getting stronger and I think that it would have been baby time no matter what at that point. However, the doctor started me on misoprostol at about 6:45 and I was told that we would check after 4 hours and then probably do a second dose and then start pitocin the next morning. I was at 2 centimeters when we started the miso but the baby was already at a +2 station so she thought I was a good shape for a smooth induction.

Pretty soon the contractions were getting very strong and close together. My water broke about an hour after getting the miso. I was really surprised at how the contractions felt, because I had read many birth stories and labor descriptions and mine really just felt like they were in my cervix and pelvic floor. I was actually convinced that labor hadn't really started and these were just light contractions and I was a huge wimp. But they felt really awful and were really close together. The nurse said that was because of the miso.

I went in undecided about pain medication and just wanted to see how labor went, but I knew that I was likely looking at 24+ hours of labor and I was in so much pain just 3 hours in that when the nurse offered fentanyl I decided to try that and see if it would help get me through at least to transition. It didn't really help with the pain but it definitely helped my attitude! I was very sleepy and relaxed, but it wore off very quickly.

Since my water had broken they did not want to do very many internal checks so I didn't know where I was in terms of dilation but I knew I couldn't continue in that much pain for 20 more hours so I decided around midnight to get an eipdural. I was really nervous, but it seemed like the right decision. I had the shakes really bad so it was really hard to sit up and still, but my wonderful nurse got me through it. At first it was only working on one side, but after lying on my other side for awhile it evened out and it was amazing. I could still feel the pressure of the contractions but no pain at all. It was like I came out of a fog! I was able to spend with my parents and resting.

After getting the epidural the nurse finally checked me and I was very surprised to find out that I was at 8. I had made it to transition without even knowing it! The nurse was very surprised it had happened so quickly and she called my doctor to come over. My parents went out to wait in the waiting room and I was ready to start pushing just before a few minutes before 1:00. By 1:03 Violet Jane was born! I only had to push through about 5 contractions. I did end up with a second degree tear which is probably due to how quickly she came, but it was a very easy delivery. After they handed her to me I was just so in love! I kept looking at her and then over at my wonderful husband. It was incredible!

I ended up losing a lot of blood and feeling pretty lousy for a few hours after delivery. I needed pitocin to get my uterus to start contracting back down and more fluid as well as the catheter back in (no fun) for a day to help slow the bleeding. We spent the rest of that night and the next in the hospital recovering, bonding and learning how to BF. I am only able to do it with a shield at the moment due to flat nipples but we are doing pretty.

I probably could have made it all the way without the epidural, but I am really glad that I got it when I did. I was really able to be present for the delivery and not focused on the pain. Recovery has been slow and steady. I am still surprised at how weak I am now and how uncomfortable sitting is, but it is a small price to pay for such a beautiful girl. We are so in love!

Thanks to all of you wonderful M14 girl for your words of wisdom and support the last 9 months!