So what started out as a desired med-free, specifically chosen hospital, naturally started labor turned out to be something completely different. This is a true story. Only the times may have been changed to protect the fact that I still have pregnancy brain.
I was due Nov. 17. Little one had yet to get off his lazy butt and make an appearance so I went to my ultrasound that was scheduled for 8:15 Monday morning at the hospital across from my doctor’s office (He delivers at two hospitals, my ultrasound was not at the hospital I was registered to give birth at). I took my mom because I thought she would want to see her grandbaby. I’m glad I did. The tech did her thing then went and got a doctor. He came in, asked about my medical history, and said my fluids were low and that they wanted to deliver.
It took a second to register. When it did, I looked at my mom and said in my head “Holy sh!t! @#$@$%&*%#$@#@$%!!!!!”. What I said was, “Holy crap.”
So I got settled in my room about noon. I had yet to eat anything because we were going to go out to breakfast. My doctor approved a full, regular diet for me even though I was being induced. I was literally the only person on that floor of the hospital that was allowed that. My doctor liked me. So I ate for the girls that couldn't!
They put a Foley in around 2 p.m. and I was 4cm by 5:30. They started Pitocin a little while after that and broke my water. Contractions were coming fast, hard, and all in my back. An hour or so in my body kicked in and was having natural contractions on top of that so they turned the Pitocin off. Thank God. Nobody should have to endure a 4 minute contraction. I was still med free at this point.
Nick was great! Helping me through it all. About two-thirds of the way through I could no longer take the back labor. The words “Billy don’t be a hero” went through my head. I said "epidural!" And I got it. I didn’t even feel it go in. Probably because I had a contraction start right when they put it in. It’s hard to sit really still when you have a needle and a contraction in your back. Silver lining: I wasn’t thinking about the needle. I hate needles.
I could still feel the contractions through the epidural and extra shot of pain med they gave me. I felt like something was wrong which I voiced to a nurse. I kept insisting they check me. LO wouldn’t rotate. He was sunny side up. And the way he was laying I was 7cm on one side of my cervix and 10 cm on the other. So they had me on my hands and knees over a bean bag chair for an hour and a half. He finally turned, I finally dilated. Except for a small section. They said I could wait or try and push him past it. I pushed. And we were ready to go.
I started pushing at 5:55 a.m. Tuesday. He was at -1 and I had him at +2 in two pushes! At 6:18 a.m. I was holding my handsome, wrinkly, crying baby. And I fell fast and hard in love. I am proud of that 23 minute push. Hoo-rah!!
Earlier, while laying on the bean bag chair, in what I call the “Tipping Cow Position”, I decided I would start slowing down my epi so I would be more in control during delivery. Delivery didn’t hurt. I got a 2nd degree tear and one up the top too. Ouch.
Every time Nick and I talk about the experience he gets a smile and tells me how amazing I was. I’m just proud that I kept my wits about me. I was never more focused in my life. So even though I got induced, pain meds and delivered at a hospital that I didn’t choose, I would do it all over again.