As I have written before, everyone has their own labor and delivery story; and here is mine and my son's:
The final weeks of being pregnant became a little daunting, not because I was extremely uncomfortable (I was a little uncomfortable), but because I was anticipating being able to meet my new little one. A few weeks prior, I crossed over from being anxious and nervous about delivery to more excitment and anticipation. I knew that labor was inevitable, so was determined to look past what was coming and look forward to holding a new baby, my baby.
My parents were scheduled to arrived in town Saturday afternoon, but were actually in the state by Thursday evening. Their plan was to see me Saturday as pregnant as ever and then I could have this baby. My plan was not to wait any longer whether my parents were here or not. Well, our little one decided to listen more so to grammy than his mother (I hope this doesn't mean it will be like this all the time). We picked my parents up around 3:00 in the afternoon where they dropped their rental car. They were excited to see us, especially to see my really pregnant belly. We arrived back at the house and let my parents settle in, took a few pictures, and sat around and chatted about what our plans would be for the weekend. Not having prepared dinner we dicussed where to go out for dinner; Mexican it was! Around 6:00 p.m. I began feeling contractions, these contractions were different than the ones I'd been feeling for weeks, these ones were lower in my abdomen. I secretly wondered if they were the "real thing" but was afraid to voice my thoughts as if I said it out loud, it would not be true. After a few rounds of contractions both my husband and my mother caught on and asked if perhaps we should stay home for dinner. i declined the offer as I was determined not to sit around and wait for this baby, besides what if they weren't real. So a large Mexican meal I ate (if you know anything about delivery, the last thing you want to do is have a very full belly!). During the meal I progressively became uncomfortable and I my mother secretly began timing my wincing facial muscles. We joked at dinner about the reality of baby coming within the next 24 hours. Once we got home, rather than sitting and staring at one another in anticipation, we went for a long walk. I was walking to try to move baby, my husband and parents were walking simply to support my efforts. We played a game on our walk, to see how many contactions I could have in one block. There were pleanty.
By 9:00 that night it was pretty clear this was the real deal, the contractions were much more intense and much closer together. I was determined to get some rest so attempted to go to bed around 10:00. Laying in bed did not last long as it was so uncomfortable. After moving into several different positions around my bedroom, becoming jealous of my sleeping husband I decided to go out to the kitchen area. I knew my mom wasn't sleeping as she was so excited. I labored for a short bit in the kitchen area, my mom my support, timing my contractions, before she was certain I should be on my way to the hospital. I called the on-call doctor and sure enough we were told to get up to the hospital (a half hour drive). My anticipation at this point gradually turned into a little fear; oh my gosh, this is the real deal, and this is really painful!"
Two possible routes to the hospital, one construction, the other the Hwy. We figured the highway would be easiest. As we pull up to the intersection to get on the on-ramp both my husband and I shared a few curse words as our eyes focused on the red tail lights, backed up for miles. Neither of us had ever seen the highway at a complete stand still. Irritated, in a lot of pain, and determined to get to the hospital quickly, my husband flipped the car around, back tracked, then drove the construction route. Fortunately, no one was working on a Saturday night and there was no traffic, we made it!
We checked into the hospital and I was dialated to a 4! Yes, a 4 is way better than a 1, 2 or 3. We spent about 45 minutes in the registration room and they checked me again before moving up to a labor and delivery room. Dialated to a 6...wow in just 45 minutes, this baby is coming fast!
Once we got into our room the nurse brought in the anesthesiologist to prep me for the epidural. Anticipation and pain grew, so I was ready for an epidural. Well, let's just say, thought I was ready. Needles don't really scare me, so I wasn't too worried, I was just looking forward to a little relief...but full relief I did not get! Let's just say the experience of getting the epidural was not a pleasant one. There is nothing like a nurse holding you down in a crouched position while the doctor is pin pricking your back and both are repeatedly saying "don't move, just don't move." How can I bloody not move when I feel a contraction coming on, and wait, you just hit a nerve and now I have shooting pain down my right leg! Needless to say, the epidural was administered, only to work on the right half of my body! I'll spare you the details, other than two things; one, I felt half the contractions on my left side the whole time, and two, if the anesthesigiologist says something won't work, try try again! My only relief came when my wonderful husband suggested they turn me on my left side to hopefully utilize gravity to get some of the medication to my left side. He is a miracle worker!
Well, as predicted, the epidural slowed down my contractions to the point my husband got a goo nap in and I lay there in a dark room in anticipation. In the morning my parents arrived at the hospital. They joined me in my room and gave my husband a break to run and go grab some breakfast. Good thing he wasn't gone long. He got back to the room as I was beginning to feel some pressure. My parents left and the nurse decided to check me. Sure enough, she said it was time to push! The words I'd been waiting all night, all nine months to hear. So push I did and about an hour and 15 minutes later our son arrived.
This was an amazing feeling, so sureal and miraculous. It was amazing. We were in awe and in love immediately. The nurses were great and left the three of us alone to "bond" for nearly two hours before we decided it would be nice to get him weighed and measured!
Would I do it again...for the prize at the end, of course. Would I get another epidural...I initially hesitate, although hands down would have an epidural again. There is nothing like being about "rest" between pushes, and being able to talk with my husband and nurse and focus thoughout the whole thing. I just hope that next time the epidural will work on both halfs of my body! :)
