jennyd321's speedy delivery with pics

jenlynne0624 · June 2014

Short version:

Henry Robert was born Tuesday June 24 at 7:02am weighing 6 lbs 15 oz and 20 inches long, epidural free, a mere four hours after arriving at the hospital.

Long version:

I was having labor pains and bloody show most of the day Sunday and all day Monday. Contractions started when DH went to work, but they were so barely noticeable and 20+ min apart I didn't pay much attention. I know that some women have contractions like that for days. So, I went grocery shopping, did stuff around the house, made dinner, bounced on the birth ball, etc. Contractions started to get a little harder towards the evening, but I figured it was from being so active all day. DH and I go to bed and I can't sleep because contractions are definitely noticeable and I (TMI) kept having to poop, like 4 or 5 times before we left to go to the hospital. Around 1 am the contractions are bad enough where I tell DH that I am going to lie down in the living room because I don't want to keep him up. Once in the living room, I get back on the ball because it relieved so much pressure in my lower back (foreshadowing) and started chatting with a friend via facebook who is a new mommy too. At this point I actually have to stop and breathe through the contractions. DH is up at this point because he didn't want me to be alone. I took a shower thinking that would help, it did, then the nausea started and I threw up (and pooped) for the first time my entire pregnancy. DH was a little worried so he called the hospital as I hit the 5-1-1 mark. We said bye to the animals, grabbed our stuff, and left.

It's 2:45 am at this point, luckily, because the hiway we had to take to the hospital normally sucks balls. Called my mom since she had a 3 hour drive, and she almost didn't make it. We got there by 3, and had to go to the ER to check in and get taken up to the l and d suites. In the 15 min car ride my contractions were now 3 min a part. In the room to get checked I change into my gown and ugly nonskid slipper sock things and lie down. Dr comes in and lets me know that I am 5 cm dilated and 90% effaced all ready. Thank god, because I was in so much pain. Threw up again as I was getting up to go to my delivery room. Once there I got my IV and got comfortable. Contractions were one on top of the other, but it was so important to me not to get an epi. My husband is the best coach and kept me calm and relaxed the whole time. 45 min after getting to that room I was at 8 cm and starting to feel the need to push. NOT pushing sometimes was the hardest thing. I asked for pain meds for the IV, and they did nothing but make me nauseous and the room spin.

I was in hard labor maybe an hour and a half, and then at 10 cm, but one lip of my stupid cervix wouldn't dilate, but I was involuntarily pushing, which relieved a lot of the pressure. I labored the whole time on my left side as the baby deceled a bit, as I did, when on my back. I was in so much pain, I am sure I was making sounds and saying things that I have never done or said before. Oh well. Did a few practice pushes, and the resident told me the dr would just push that part of my cervix aside and deliver. Again, do what you gotta do, I wanted that baby out. At the time to push, it took about 10-15 min and an episiotomy, and baby Henry came into the world at 702 am with the cord around his neck 3 times. Dh didnt get to cut the cord which sucked, but Henry needed to be ok. They unwound him and he started breathing on his own. His first cries were the best sounds I've ever heard. We did skin to skin and started BFing right away- and he is a rock star.

I am so grateful I got the labor I wanted, really only 6 hours, minus the episiotomy. That seriously sucks, but it's better than the tear the Dr. said I would have had if he didn't cut me. My husband is the most amazing man and father. He dotes on me and Henry, is extremely hands on with the baby, surprises me with presents, and I love him so much more than I thought I could. Henry is his mini me. I am blissfully happy with my new life, even with the cluster feeding last night and the lack of sleep. Sorry this was so long. It felt really good to write it out, and I will be revising this and putting it in his baby book.