birth story almost a year later...

In celebration of my DD#2 turning one I thought I would share her birth story.

 Just to preface: I had a very eventful pregnancy.  I was seen biweekly starting at 13 weeks because I had PIH (I know that PIH is typically diagnosed later in pregnancy but my BP was fine before and almost immediately after delivery)  I was also seen by a genetics specialist every three weeks because of DD#1's medical history.  After being released from the specialist's care at 27 weeks, my normal obgyn had an u/s performed where there was concern for an atrial septal defect.  After a fetal echocardiodogram, DD#2s heart was declared normal. 

Fast forward through twice weekly NSTs starting at 32 weeks and numerous trips to L&D for BP issues to NYE 2007.  My doctor decided inducement would be best because of my BP issues and figured my cervix would be favorable since this would be a second vaginal delivery and I was already dilated to a 2 with some effacement.  They started me on cytotec which forced my body into contractions.  They then started pitocin.  After 12 hours and barely any progress, my doctor decided that perhaps another round of cytotec would help so labor was stopped completely.  Another dose of cytotec and 12 hours of pitocin and I had only dilated to what my doctor stated as 3.45. (real funny guy I tell you)  He gave me the option of staying or going home.  I went home because I was hungry and completely worn out.

I spent the next 24 hours at home resting only to be back in the hospital for severe swelling from the amount of pitocin introduced into my body.  Another 24 hours I was released to go to my 39 week appointment.  There my doctor did an internal and I was still at a 3.45.

Friday, January 4, I decided enough was enough and I drank some castor oil at around 11 am.  Around 2 pm it hit and nothing but stuff you all dont really want to know about:)  I picked up DD#1 and headed home by myself.  I fell asleep around 8 pm.  at 10 pm I was awoken by contractions!  I woke up DD, loaded her in the car, called the babysitters, my mom and my good friend who was my birthing coach.  I drove DD to the babysitters about a half hour away from my house and had to have one of the baby sitters drive me to the hospital about 5 minutes away.  When I got there I was having contractions 1 to 2 minutes apart and was only at a 4.  i asked for an epidural because I figured it would be a long time in labor.

I got my bag of fluids and it took the anesthesiologist almost an hour and a half to insert it.  At 2:30 am the epidural was starting to take effect and the nurse checked me when she put in the cath.  I was at a 6.  An hour later the nurse came back in to check me and as she did she broke my water.  I was ready to go but the baby was still pretty high.  She told me to put my legs in the stirrups and bear down a bit.  She said dont wear myself out because I was going to be pushing for a while and didnt think I would have the baby on her shift even.  I called my mom at 4:05 am to get back to the hospital because the nurse was going to page the doctor soon so I can start pushing.  The nurse was taking her time bringing in the delivery cart.  Right as my mom walked in the door at 4:13 am.  I looked at my nurse who was about 10 feet away and asked her if I should feeling burning.  The next thing I hear is "oh Sh!T" out of her mouth as she runs to catch DD#2 as she slipped out onto my hospital bed.  The nurse had nothing ready, no gloves, no warmer, no other nurses.  Panic ensued for about 5 minutes as "nurse delivery" was yelled around the hospital. 

Everything was perfect through.  DD#2 was born at 4:14 am weighing in at 8lbs 13 oz and 20.5 inches long.  She scored 9 on her apgars. I only had a small tear requiring all of 2 stitches which was nothing compared to the episiotomy I had with DD#1.

Thanks for listening to my birth story. I look forward to the many I get to read in the future.