I can't believe it's been two months since I've last written. I suppose I didn't have anything new to share. But now I do! And here's my story... or Baby Girl's story, if you will.
About a week before my due date, the baby moved and planted herself somewhere that inhibited my ability to walk. This made keeping up with Toddler Boy near impossible. My parents came to the rescue and stayed with us while we waited Baby Girl's arrival. At my 40-week appointment, it was clear she was still comfortable. But I was not. After a few tears and complaints that I just didn't feel well, and I couldn't walk, my doctor agreed to induce on my due date. Except while I was in the office, my blood pressure rose significantly high. If my blood pressure remained high, I was to go in that night. My mom checked it that night, and though it was higher than usual, it wasn't dangerous.
So we waited. Because my due date was four days away, the hope was that she would come on her own. (She didn't.) So I attempted to sit or lie down in various positions to alleviate the constant pain. And I watched as my parents had fun with Toddler Boy, wishing desperately that I could just get on the floor and play cars with him, read to him, chase him, go for evening walks. It was a long four days.
Finally, the due date arrived. J had to work, so my sister and brother-in-law were coming over to stay with Toddler Boy while my parents took me to the hospital. I had to be there at 9p. J would meet us there. At 7p, J walked in the door with flowers. He got off work early so he could take me himself. At 8:30, just as we were prepared to head out the door, the hospital called. "Can we have you come at 10:30p instead?" They asked. "We've had quite a few patients come in tonight, and we aren't quite ready for you." So we waited again.
At around 12:30a, I received my first dose of Cytotec. What is Cytotec? It's a little pill the nurse places BEHIND the cervix, which is located right next to your tonsils. Just kidding. But you would think that's where she was reaching. So much ouch. I was beginning to think I made a mistake. And I got to have that done every four hours for three doses. Cytotec "thins you out," so you can begin to dilate.
At noon the next day, my body was ready for the pitocin. I had had pitocin with Toddler Boy, so I knew what to expect. Before I got it, though, I was told to order lunch and take a shower. I ordered lunch and then went in to labor on my own. Holy contractions, Batman. The lunch was left untouched as I concentrated on the strongest contractions I've ever had.
And just like it did with Toddler Boy, my contractions lessened in intensity. So in order to get them back up, I was given pitocin. By 2p, the contractions were so strong, I could hardly take it. And my hips... I've never felt so much pressure. My awesome husband stood by my side the entire time, applying pressure to my hips through every contraction. At 3p, I had had enough. The nurse checked me. Certain that I was a 7 based on the discomfort, she said, "You're a 3." A THREE. I said, "I think I need the epidural now. Even though I'm only a 3. I just can't wait any longer."
When you have an epidural, you have to have fluids through an IV first, which takes about an hour. That was the longest hour ever. After I received the epidural, I was able to rest. But eventually, I could feel the pressure again, and I felt two "pops." The nurse checked for fluid, but there wasn't any. Finally, around 8p, I was almost 10cm. J reminded me how my body reacted when I transitioned with Toddler Boy. And sure enough, the transition was the same: I started shaking (almost like a shiver), and I was ready to push.
What should have taken about 15 minutes ended up taking about 40. Her head was coming out, but her shoulder was stuck, and the umbilical cord was wadded up between her shoulder and her head. Doctor tried the vacuum twice, but was unsuccessful. I watched as he threw it over his shoulder and said, "This is worthless." I heard him get a little frustrated as Baby Girl's heart rate would slow way down through every push. They put me in different positions. And I tried so hard. And while the head was far enough out, he just couldn't grab the shoulder. I heard him quietly tell the nurse to prep the OR. And I was like, no way. I didn't go through all of this to have a c-section. So I told them, "Okay, guys. Another contraction is coming." J encouraged me the whole time, and my mom stayed in the room to coach me on breathing. J assisted a little in the delivery, but because of the shoulder issue, he would whisper in my ear, encouraging me when I felt like giving up.
I pushed without breathing for what seemed like 20 minutes (in reality, it wasn't very long at all), and out she came. Doctor had to try a few times to get her to breathe. And finally, she let out a cry. Our daughter was here. And she looked nothing like I'd imagined. Doctor said, "Your next baby cannot be this big. Your pelvis is too small for a baby this size." J replied, "Next baby?!" She weighed just under 8 lbs. And she was perfect.
She slept for 7 hours that night. And now wakes only once or twice at night to eat. She sleeps about 23 hours a day, latches on like a pro, and is so cuddly. She's pretty much a dream baby.
So we'll call this part 1: The Birth Story. Stay tuned to read about the days that followed, Toddler Boy's reaction, and an analysis.
About a week before my due date, the baby moved and planted herself somewhere that inhibited my ability to walk. This made keeping up with Toddler Boy near impossible. My parents came to the rescue and stayed with us while we waited Baby Girl's arrival. At my 40-week appointment, it was clear she was still comfortable. But I was not. After a few tears and complaints that I just didn't feel well, and I couldn't walk, my doctor agreed to induce on my due date. Except while I was in the office, my blood pressure rose significantly high. If my blood pressure remained high, I was to go in that night. My mom checked it that night, and though it was higher than usual, it wasn't dangerous.
So we waited. Because my due date was four days away, the hope was that she would come on her own. (She didn't.) So I attempted to sit or lie down in various positions to alleviate the constant pain. And I watched as my parents had fun with Toddler Boy, wishing desperately that I could just get on the floor and play cars with him, read to him, chase him, go for evening walks. It was a long four days.
Finally, the due date arrived. J had to work, so my sister and brother-in-law were coming over to stay with Toddler Boy while my parents took me to the hospital. I had to be there at 9p. J would meet us there. At 7p, J walked in the door with flowers. He got off work early so he could take me himself. At 8:30, just as we were prepared to head out the door, the hospital called. "Can we have you come at 10:30p instead?" They asked. "We've had quite a few patients come in tonight, and we aren't quite ready for you." So we waited again.
At around 12:30a, I received my first dose of Cytotec. What is Cytotec? It's a little pill the nurse places BEHIND the cervix, which is located right next to your tonsils. Just kidding. But you would think that's where she was reaching. So much ouch. I was beginning to think I made a mistake. And I got to have that done every four hours for three doses. Cytotec "thins you out," so you can begin to dilate.
At noon the next day, my body was ready for the pitocin. I had had pitocin with Toddler Boy, so I knew what to expect. Before I got it, though, I was told to order lunch and take a shower. I ordered lunch and then went in to labor on my own. Holy contractions, Batman. The lunch was left untouched as I concentrated on the strongest contractions I've ever had.
And just like it did with Toddler Boy, my contractions lessened in intensity. So in order to get them back up, I was given pitocin. By 2p, the contractions were so strong, I could hardly take it. And my hips... I've never felt so much pressure. My awesome husband stood by my side the entire time, applying pressure to my hips through every contraction. At 3p, I had had enough. The nurse checked me. Certain that I was a 7 based on the discomfort, she said, "You're a 3." A THREE. I said, "I think I need the epidural now. Even though I'm only a 3. I just can't wait any longer."
When you have an epidural, you have to have fluids through an IV first, which takes about an hour. That was the longest hour ever. After I received the epidural, I was able to rest. But eventually, I could feel the pressure again, and I felt two "pops." The nurse checked for fluid, but there wasn't any. Finally, around 8p, I was almost 10cm. J reminded me how my body reacted when I transitioned with Toddler Boy. And sure enough, the transition was the same: I started shaking (almost like a shiver), and I was ready to push.
What should have taken about 15 minutes ended up taking about 40. Her head was coming out, but her shoulder was stuck, and the umbilical cord was wadded up between her shoulder and her head. Doctor tried the vacuum twice, but was unsuccessful. I watched as he threw it over his shoulder and said, "This is worthless." I heard him get a little frustrated as Baby Girl's heart rate would slow way down through every push. They put me in different positions. And I tried so hard. And while the head was far enough out, he just couldn't grab the shoulder. I heard him quietly tell the nurse to prep the OR. And I was like, no way. I didn't go through all of this to have a c-section. So I told them, "Okay, guys. Another contraction is coming." J encouraged me the whole time, and my mom stayed in the room to coach me on breathing. J assisted a little in the delivery, but because of the shoulder issue, he would whisper in my ear, encouraging me when I felt like giving up.
I pushed without breathing for what seemed like 20 minutes (in reality, it wasn't very long at all), and out she came. Doctor had to try a few times to get her to breathe. And finally, she let out a cry. Our daughter was here. And she looked nothing like I'd imagined. Doctor said, "Your next baby cannot be this big. Your pelvis is too small for a baby this size." J replied, "Next baby?!" She weighed just under 8 lbs. And she was perfect.
She slept for 7 hours that night. And now wakes only once or twice at night to eat. She sleeps about 23 hours a day, latches on like a pro, and is so cuddly. She's pretty much a dream baby.
So we'll call this part 1: The Birth Story. Stay tuned to read about the days that followed, Toddler Boy's reaction, and an analysis.
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