Coraline's birth story (@abbyful)

abbyful · November 2014

Coraline Wren
November 18, 12:19 am
6 lbs 14 oz, 20" long

Short version: 2 hrs in hospital, med-free birth

Long version:

I started having contractions on Sunday in the late afternoon. They continued through the night, about 10-30 minutes apart. I was thinking I would end up canceling my doctor appointment because I'd be in L&D by that point. I called in and told my boss I was going to stay home.

Contractions stop by mid-morning Monday. I go to my doctor appointment, including getting a NST & u/s since at that point I was 41w2d. Doctor also does a membrane sweep. Schedules induction for Friday.

At this point, I'm thinking I'm going back to work on Tuesday.

Membrane sweep had left me pretty crampy, and contractions started picking up again early evening. I wasn't putting a lot of stock in them at that point.

Fed DS, put him to bed, and decided to make a pot of chili. DH was working on a small plumbing project, so made 2 runs to the hardware store. At this point, contractions are getting a little uncomfortable. I decide he better not leave again.

9pm Monday, ok, maybe I should get checked out at L&D... Drop DS (fast asleep) off at the neighbors' house.

10pm Monday, settling in to our room at L&D. Dilated to 7cm.

Labor progesses, no position is comfortable, I'm wondering how I did it med-free last time.

Shortly before midnight - "This f**king hurts, I can't do it!", call nurse to see what my IV pain meds options are (thought of epidural terrifies me, I hate needles, especially if they are going in to my spine!).

Nurse comes and checks me, says "Your pain relief is pushing this baby out! You're ready to push! The only thing holding her in is the waters!" (My water hadn't broken yet, obviously.)

Nurse calls doctor in, him and a couple other nurses arrive. Doctor breaks my water and I start pushing. Pushed for about 10 minutes, my beautiful little girl is born 12:19am Tuesday morning!

She has a slight heart murmur, but they said it's very common in newborns. They did another test with sensors on her hand and foot, which she passed 100%, so they said the heart murmur would correct itself.
She's tongue-tied, but it doesn't seem to be hindering breastfeeding, so for now we're just going to leave it be. DH is tongue-tied too, never got it snipped and it hasn't caused him any problems.

DS meeting her for the first time. He was a bit overwhelmed, between seeing the new baby, not understanding why I was in a hospital bed (he was scared of the bed), etc.