Don't worry....not too many gory details. But be aware, this is a birth story....
At my 38 week appointment, I found out I was going to be induced on December 22. After the initial euphoria wore off, fear and anxiety set in. I began to really worry about the effects of pitocin and how long I would have to labor on my own before I could get an epidural. The weekend leading up to the big event was a whirlwind...and let's not even talk about Monday night before. Let's just say, I had a pretty hard time sleeping!
Tuesday December 22, Christopher and I were up around 3:45 AM to get ready to head to the hospital. I had to be there at 5:30. I've never been more nervous in my entire life! Knowing that in a few hours
1) I was going to be in labor and
2) our son was going to be born.....TODAY.....sheesh. There are literally no words to describe all the emotions I was feeling.
We arrived at the hospital and had to wait a little while as the desk people completed some paperwork and buzzed someone to take us to labor and delivery. I took advantage of this time to put on some make-up, to which Christopher promptly made fun of me. But hey, if I was going to be pushing a kid out of me, I might as well TRY to have a decent looking face, right? Ha! (at least it lasted for a little while)
Around 6, we were taken to our room---which was HUGE and comfy. I was really impressed how our hospital made everything feel so calm and tranquil, especially considering what is going on on that floor!!( Did I mention I was a bag of nerves? ) After settling in and changing into my stylish hospital gown, we met a few different nurses, who were taking my blood, checking my vitals, setting up my IV, etc. I'm pretty sure I told each of these ladies how strongly I wanted an epidural ASAP and was curious as to how soon we could make that happen. (Much to Christopher's embarrassment. He asked me to be a good patient. Sorry, babe). All of them were very reassuring that I could get one, however, they all politely told me that laboring on my own for a while is strongly encouraged, as an epidural could slow things down. My thoughts, who cares how slow it is as long as it doesn't hurt???
After impressing the slew of nurses with my juicy, fat veins, we met our delivery nurse, Julie.....who was AMAZING. I need her number so I can schedule my next birth with her. Julie also got to hear my song and dance about an epidural and she gave me the same response as the others. However, she said she would go ahead and get me on the schedule, since sometimes the anesthesiologist can get booked up pretty quick. God bless, Julie. It wasn't the response I wanted (as I was ready for it right then and there!) but I would take it.
The best thing about Julie was how thorough and informative she was. Every time she was doing something, she explained what it was for and why it was being done--which I loved. Not to mention we had quite a bit in common with her and she was so easy to get along with. Loved her!
Tuesday December 22, Christopher and I were up around 3:45 AM to get ready to head to the hospital. I had to be there at 5:30. I've never been more nervous in my entire life! Knowing that in a few hours
1) I was going to be in labor and
2) our son was going to be born.....TODAY.....sheesh. There are literally no words to describe all the emotions I was feeling.
We arrived at the hospital and had to wait a little while as the desk people completed some paperwork and buzzed someone to take us to labor and delivery. I took advantage of this time to put on some make-up, to which Christopher promptly made fun of me. But hey, if I was going to be pushing a kid out of me, I might as well TRY to have a decent looking face, right? Ha! (at least it lasted for a little while)
Around 6, we were taken to our room---which was HUGE and comfy. I was really impressed how our hospital made everything feel so calm and tranquil, especially considering what is going on on that floor!!( Did I mention I was a bag of nerves? ) After settling in and changing into my stylish hospital gown, we met a few different nurses, who were taking my blood, checking my vitals, setting up my IV, etc. I'm pretty sure I told each of these ladies how strongly I wanted an epidural ASAP and was curious as to how soon we could make that happen. (Much to Christopher's embarrassment. He asked me to be a good patient. Sorry, babe). All of them were very reassuring that I could get one, however, they all politely told me that laboring on my own for a while is strongly encouraged, as an epidural could slow things down. My thoughts, who cares how slow it is as long as it doesn't hurt???
After impressing the slew of nurses with my juicy, fat veins, we met our delivery nurse, Julie.....who was AMAZING. I need her number so I can schedule my next birth with her. Julie also got to hear my song and dance about an epidural and she gave me the same response as the others. However, she said she would go ahead and get me on the schedule, since sometimes the anesthesiologist can get booked up pretty quick. God bless, Julie. It wasn't the response I wanted (as I was ready for it right then and there!) but I would take it.
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| Why yes, I DO wear pearls whilst in labor. I did attend an SEC school at one point in my life. |
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| View of our room from the comfort of my delivery bed. |
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| Daddy hanging in the rocking chair. |
The best thing about Julie was how thorough and informative she was. Every time she was doing something, she explained what it was for and why it was being done--which I loved. Not to mention we had quite a bit in common with her and she was so easy to get along with. Loved her!
After an initial check (2.5 cm dilated, almost 90% effaced--wahoo!), Julie started me on a low dose of pitocin around 7 AM. She explained what contractions were going to be like, what I might feel, how I might feel them, etc. And then....we got to do some waiting. We watched some episodes of Modern Family and The Office and I started to feel something, I assumed were contractions. Really, just some mild cramping...nothing too terrible--I've had worse periods. I figured I could deal with this, just as Julie came in to slowly up the pitocin. We had a good time watching our favorite shows and laughing with the nurses who came to check on me. Slowly, the contractions did start coming a little stronger, but again, nothing that I couldn't talk or laugh through.
At 9 AM, the doctor came in to break my water and check my status. Julie calmly told me that this was going to really get my labor going and thank goodness, Dr. Mullaly said she was good with me getting an epidural when I was ready, since baby was already so low. (thank you, doc!!!) I'm not sure how quickly it happened, but the contractions came on stronger and closer together. I was not able to pay attention to the TV and I was really having to concentrate through each one. Around 10:15, Julie brought in the anesthesiologist to perform my epidural---I was the first one of the day! Lucky me--and thanks Julie for getting me on the schedule! Unfortunately, I wouldn't call the process painless. For one thing, I was having some pretty strong contractions during the procedure, which made it that much harder to be still. I was definitely in the middle of one right as the doctor was putting the needle in my spine. DE-lightful. Also, I felt her hit a nerve as she was threading the catheter....and oui. That sucked.
Initially, the epidural settled in my right side. I'm talking full on dead leg ONLY on the right. I could still feel the contractions on my left side, especially in my back and lower abdomen. Julie assured me that this sometimes happens, so in order to even out the medicine, she had to literally tilt me over on my left side with the help of a plethora of pillows. It took almost an hour, but eventually, the epidural was in full effect on BOTH sides and I was completely comfortable and very sleepy. Epidural = my new BFF. Julie checked my progress and I was pretty disappointed to only be at 4cm. After all those painful contractions, I really felt I should be farther along. Then again, I knew as a first time mom, labor can go on for a long time.
Over the next few hours, we napped, ate ice chips, and just chilled out in low lighting. Around 2:00, Julie came back to check my progress and I was skeptical that anything had happened. Much to my surprise, I was at 8cm and baby was very low! Holy cow! We were almost there! This is where things started to happen really fast. Julie changed my position to what she called "Queen" position....which essentially was just me sitting up in the bed like I was on a thrown (or toilet), with the lower part of the bed dropped down. It was pretty uncomfortable, since I couldn't feel my lower half, however, I had to dig my heels into the bed to stay upright. Giving birth is truly glamorous!
Again, couldn't tell you how long I was sitting this way, but I know it wasn't too long before I started having this really uncomfortable feeling. It wasn't pain, but definitely discomfort. Christopher called for Julie and this seemed to get her excited. She said my body was kicking in and the feeling was the pressure from the baby (in her words--like I was going to need to take "a serious bowel movement." Yum) and I would start feeling this with each contraction. Nurses started bringing baby birthing paraphernalia in our room and setting a few things up slowly. The way Julie had talked, I figured we were in for a waiting game to push, and then for a long pushing process. Even though I was telling myself this, I began to grow increasingly uncomfortable , to the point where I didn't know how I could not NOT push. The feeling was so incredibly intense! I remember turning to Christopher and telling him "I really feel like I've got to push this kid out of me!"....and this time I called the nurse.
You could hear Julie come running down the hall, as she had seen the contraction I was feeling. After a quick check......it was time to get moving! Things from here went so quickly, it's hard to remember all the details. Julie and two other nurses came in and at 3:50, we started pushing. I never knew how much your body really takes charge when it is time to get that baby out. While I didn't love feeling the pressure (again, not true pain....but hard to explain), I feel like it made me much better at getting the job accomplished. During the entire pushing process, everyone would get really excited and tell me how great I was doing--which I wasn't sure if they were just trying to make me feel good or if I was legit doing an adequate job. After about 45 minutes of pushing, Julie's count downs started getting a lot faster (I found out later that it was because the doctor was caught up in a C-section...and they were trying to stall me). Dr. Mullaly finally came in and the nurses hurried her to me. Two contractions later and I heard the doctor say, "Look at your beautiful baby!" Grayson Christopher entered this world at 4:50 pm, 7 pounds, 14 ounces, 20.25 inches long, healthy and perfect.
I'm still overwhelmed with how blessed we are and how well our labor went.
We are so in love and so very thankful!
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| Our little family. |
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