Medical/Assisted Birth Stories

[flatoutgallop]

Post your medical/assisted birth stories!
(incl, pain meds, induction, c/s, etc..)

Please post stories only, and if you want to ask questions etc... start a new thread for them :)

[flatoutgallop]

My C/S Story...

Hmm, not alot ot say about it really, lol - it was an emergency c/s, because DS had low heart rate, and low blood flow at my 37w growth u/s.
They had me hooked up to monitors etc.. about 2hrs prior to the c/s, and let me walk into theatre - gave me a spinal (which I opted for over an epi), and 3 mins after I was numb - he was out!!
They took him straight to NICU, and spent the next 40mins stitching me back up :)
Recovery was awesome, spent an hr in recovery, until I could feel my body again - but still couldnt feel my feet.

Went to a ward, where they let me rest a while - and about 7hrs later they let me go see DS in NICU.
Unfortunatley - they'd given me too much morphine - and I almost passed out walking the 2 steps from bed to wheelchair..lol

I spent 5 days recovering in hosp (only that long because DS was in NICU) and went home on day 5, and was recovered enough to drive etc.. on day 6, and back doing normal household stuff after that!

[misfit]

My Medicated Birth (copied from my original post):
Well, as most of you know my water broke at approx. 9:50pm Wednesday night (July 2). We arrived at the hospital at 10:10p which is when my contractions began. I wasn't dilated at all but was effaced, just not sure how much. The nurse didn't say. I labored on until about 3am when I requested my first dose of IV pain meds so I could sleep. That wore off around 5am when I got another IV drug. At 7:30a, they started pitocin because I was only 2cm, but 90% effaced. Chris had to run off to feed the cats so I took another dose of IV drugs. By almost 11a, I was 5-6cm and could get my first ITN or walking epidural. It was heaven. The ITN made me really itchy which is a side effect. (I vomited once sometime in all of this-transition) It began to wear off around 1 so my nurse, Jenn, suggested that before I got another ITN to use the bathroom. Well, I couldn't. Thats when we discovered I was 9cm and still 90% effaced! The anesthesiologist hurried back to give me the second ITN because trust me I could feel the urge to push. I was given the go ahead to begin pushing at 1:30p, but before that they inserted a catheter to drain my bladder quick and man was it full from all those IV fluids. I never did fully efface so they had to hold the remaining lip out of the way. Samuel Ian was born at 2:21p July 3, 2008. Less than an hour of pushing!!! He was 7 lbs, 10 1/2 ounces, 21 1/2 inches long. I suffered from a second degree tear so I had to have stitches but its healing well. I love him to death and so does Chris. He's doing great and we are glad to be home.

[mommy&wife]

With my first i started getting contractions at 3:15 a.m. Christmas morning. I went into the hospital at 10:00 a.m. Once i got there they checked me and i was 5 cm dilated. I got my epidural. Layed around and watched football. Everything seemed so great. Then about 3:00 p.m., just 5 hours after i got to the hospital i was fully dilated. I pushed for an hour and a half and nothing. He wouldn't go under my pelvic bones. I didn't know much about delivery, so when the nurses said we could use a vacuum and get him out in no time i was ecstatic. Once the Doctor started pulling the baby out i experienced the worst pain in my life. He was pulling at him pretty hard, i was in so much pain i thought i was gonna die. Finally he pulled him out and i got 3rd degree tears. The Doctor shouldn't have done that. Quite frankly, i am surprised no bones broke in my body. Babies aren't meant to be yanked out of you. But my baby boy made it all better for me once i was able to hold him. :)

[Diane]

Well I personally think that my delivery with DS was horrible and turned me off to having more children until now. I feel very jipped (sp?) because of my OBs decisions and the side effects I have suffered from his delivery. I went through a slight depression off and on over the years because I always wanted more kids but I just couldn't go through that again.

Due date was Dec 3, 1999. He was born Saturday, Dec 11th. On Tuesday, Dec 7th my OB inserted some cervical gel to help thin out my cervix. I am sorry I forgot the name of it. Maybe someone on here knows. My cervix slowly changed over the next few days. On Friday I started having contractions in the morning. Friday evening around 5pm we went to the hospital.

They had me walk around for awhile and around 7pm decided to give me Pitocin. After that they couldn't keep track of DSs heart rate so I had to stay in bed. The pain with Pitocin was so bad that they gave me some kind of pain meds, Statol maybe. Sorry so vague but it was 9+ yrs ago, I was young and I didn't really ask what they were giving me I just wanted it over with. At some point during the night I got an epidural. Thank god!!!

Around 3 or 4am they had me start to push. DS had not dropped into position and so I was not progressing. Around 5 or 6am the hospital staff had the OR team dressed and in my room with a table waiting for the OBs OK to do an emergency c/s. I was begging for a c/s at that point. Instead my OB decided to try forceps and the vacuum. I don't know which she tried first. She also decided to give me a 4th degree episiotomy and she cut me from my vagina to my anus with scissors. I then suffered a 4th degree tear which ripped to the side. My DH was unlucky enough to see all of this happen and he said it was the only time he felt faint.

Around 7am DS was finally ripped from my body and luckily he was OK. They took him to the NICU for observation but he was fine. I suffered a really bad kidney infection from everything that happened and from having 4 catheters while in the hospital. The recovery time was about 4 months of excruciating pain. You have to use the bathroom several times a day and you have to sit. Both tasks were horrifying for me. I have urine incontinence daily and rectal leaking after a bowel movement still to this day. Kegels do not help. Sex still hurts on occasion. Never mind the emotional trauma I have suffered. My Dr not my OB had me on meds for a while after and said I was basically suffering from post traumatic stress. I think it was hard for me because I was young and really was not prepared. Not that anyone could really prepare you for something like that.

So here I am 9+yrs later. DS really wants a sibling and begged us for nearly a year for one. I did some research and found an OB who agreed to do a c/s. He thinks I have too much scarring and problems down there that another vaginal delivery would just make it that much worse for me anyway. I have HBP this time also and so he has agreed that it is better overall for me to have a c/s. Even though I know I am having a c/s and I have support from family and friends I do sometimes think whether I should go through with a vaginal. Every time I think about it I basically have a melt down. It is very hard for me to do a c/s. I know it is major surgery. But I don't think I could handle a vaginal delivery. I wish that I had been able to find an OB who would do a c/s for me sooner because I feel like our family as a whole really missed out.

Having said all of that we are all overjoyed about this little girl! I am very happy that I agreed to do this and I really hope that my c/s goes well.

[pipersmommy]

When I had my daughter (who is now almost 3) I had a very difficult delivery. I had major problems with the epiduarl that has left me feel really anxiuos about my next child birth experience(coming 8/3/09). my BP dropped to dangerous levels, i lost consciousness, and they lost her heartbeat for 5-6 minutes. I personally cant imagine going through labor again WITHOUT and epidural but im so scared to have another one. The actual procedure of administering the epidural was no walk in the park either, i was jumping in pain as the doctor tried over and over again to "find the right spot". Was this a normal experience? Has anyone else had similar problems like this?

[Diane]

The actual procedure of administering the epidural was no walk in the park either, i was jumping in pain as the doctor tried over and over again to "find the right spot". Was this a normal experience? Has anyone else had similar problems like this?

I think this is what scares me the most this time too. With DS I was on so many pain meds because of the Pitocin that I honestly didn't feel the epidural at all. I am assuming a spinal block is similar and I don't know which I am getting yet.

I have had 2 shots in my spinal area of steroids a couple of years ago for a herniated disk. They numbed my skin and I didn't feel a thing. Maybe if they numb the skin first it will be better? Do they even have that as an option? I have to ask my OB. I am not looking forward to this part at all. :ohno:

[Blessedwoman]

Ok, so here is Abby's birth story. What I do remember of it. My DH and I arrived at the hospital late. Not surprising for us really. They took me to the room and said the nurse would be with me. I got changed into the gown and in walked the nurse. She seemed really nice and calmed my nerves. I was a mess the night before. Doctor came in around 8:30 and broke my water. They started the pitocin shortly after. Nurse had said she didn't think I need much since I was having contractions four minutes apart when I came in. I wasn't even aware I was having them. An hour later needing to use the bathroom the nurse
helped me up and noticed that Abby had a bowel movement. She called the doctor to see what he wanted to do about it. They did something with the amniotic fluid to try and flush out the rest of the meconium. Abby's heart rate went down a few times. Each time the nurse flew in the room within a minute. I kept having to change positions. Apparently Abby didn't like me in any position but, my right side. My labor stalled around 4 cm and they gave me an epidural to see if that would relax me. Lets just say
the epidural was not a fun experience for me. The anesthesiologist couldn't find a way in and had to keep
numbing my back. I admit I cried like a big baby. It didn't hurt until he had to try several times. Then it only worked an hour. He came back twice to give me more of it and once to re-adjust it. But, from that point on I felt everything. We had a hard time keeping Abby on the heart monitor so they did a scalp monitor. I'm convinced at one point the nurse was trying to speed things up
because anytime she checked me it hurt like hell. I don't know what she was doing in there but, I wanted to punch her a few times. Other then that she was a good nurse. Around 6:30 the doctor came in and checked me. I still was at 4 cm and he told me it would all be over soon because we were going to do a c-section. Another nurse came in and gave me this stuff to drink to "calm" down the acid in my stomach. Ten minutes later I'm throwing it back up. My sweet DH was holding something for me to get sick in.

An hour later I was in the OR getting my spinal done. It hurt too but, not as much as the epi. I felt it numbing me instantly. At some point my DH came in. I don't quit remember because I was getting extremely sleepy. The anesthesiologist asked me if I was going to fall asleep and I shook my head. He told me I would get taken care of and to rest. But, I was stubborn and fought sleep. I wanted to be awake when she was born. At some point I heard Dr Gorski say we have a little girl. Then something
about her cord being in a knot. I remember asking my DH if she was ok and he said yes. Then I heard her cry and I started crying. Abby was handed over to NICU who was in the OR with us. The made sure any meconium was suction out. I kept falling asleep during that. At one point I thought I was going to get sick again. But, since nothing was on my stomach I just dry heaved. YUCK! I then remember them handing Abigail to my DH and I laid eyes on her. I was in love. For all the pain I went through she was worth it. But, I did tell DH no more babies! Who knows I might change my mind. But, she is enough for me.

[PinKster]

Okay so here it goes!
　
August 20th -

@ 4PM - We went to our OBs to get the stripping, after it was all over and done I was a 6! She told us to hang out in the city, since we live in a rural area and don't want to have the baby in the boonies (or do we) She told me that I will have to be induced next week if baby doesn't make his arrival soon. She also said, hat if I wanted she would send me to the hossy to have my water broken. We figured nature would come on its own. I was worried, since I hadn't had much sleep and was up all night, but I know everything happens for a reason and I wanted to see Ethan so bad. We decided to walk around the local malls.
　
@8pm After discussing it with our doula, we decided to head to the hospital to break the water, since I wasn't contracting enough to know labor was on its way. I would rather have my water broken and have my natural birth, than be induced with pit the next week!

My doctor broke my water and said I was a 7 and 90% effaced. We did have meconium and it changed some of my birth plan, but I wasn't discouraged. We did refuse pit and all medications. My nurses were AWESOME! Except for the intermittent monitoring, getting on the bed with sciatic nerve and having to be on my back hurt more than some contractions! I labored and was excited for the event, the contractions got stronger and stronger and I was so ready for each one. I knew it was only temporary pain and it would end with the result of my baby in my arms.
　
@11PM - The pain was getting stronger, but to me it wasn't pain. It was centuries of nature giving me the life my DH and I created. I was using every technique I had learned to cope, still a 7. I got into the shower and started using some chants. I realized this pain was real, but I didn't fight it. Every time I had a contraction, I told it to take me, that I wasn't fighting and was ready to see my son, and for it to bring him to me. I opened my jaw and relaxed my fingers and let it overcome all of me. I didn't want to fight, but to give into these wondrous surges I had NEVER felt before. The duration of each contraction was a minute with a minute apart. I couldn't catch my breath....I imaged a hill and saw myself getting to the top, knowing I was coming right down. Every hour I almost cried when the nurse tied me down for the monitoring, she wasnt gentle and it impeded on the pain release I was trying to achieve.

August 21ST -
　
@1AM - I was losing focus, so I stared at Ethan's HR and told myself since he can do it so can I! I started to realize this is what its all about. I labored and was still a 7 - I tried reminding myself, there is always change, even if its small!I was SO tired, I was trying to sleep in 1 minute intervals...which wasn't possible. I was given oxygen at that point. The monitoring was worst than the contractions, I would be in agony for 2o minutes! I told myself to focus on Ethan's heart and how strong he was, but I just wanted to break the machine. Every time I heard her coming, I almost cried.:ohno:
　
By 4AM I was feeling intense progress(pain), getting the urge to push but was still a 7. It was hard to try and avoid it. I wanted to give in, but I knew every new minute was another minute I could make change and I wanted to so bad. I pictured my vagina getting so BIG and making the changes. I was checked and still a 7, I almost passed out, I was losing control....I just needed to sleep. I had faith, my body knew what it was doing….I had to hang in there, no exceptions.
　
5AM I was shaking uncontrollably and decided after over 9.5 hours of being a 7, I was going to opt for pain relief. My doula and my husband reminded me what I wanted, and I told them, I WAS and AM very proud of myself for my strength and what I have accomplished. I wasnt’t giving up or in, but deciding another route to my son. They helped me on the bed for the epi and I started screaming louder than I had done the entire time, the pain and urge to push was SO intense, the nurses immediately forced me down and checked me and I was STILL a 7!!!!! I was happy with my decision but did however decline pit. I was reminded that I had to deliver in 24 hrs epi or not, I refused pit to be allowed to flow through mine or my sons body.
　
I got the epi and slept for 2.5 hours where then, I was ready to go. My doctor, husband and doula were smiling. I was so excited. I delivered my son in 2 pushes. He had the most beautiful cry and I joined him!!!! He was taken by the NICU nurses and suctioned - everyone told me how wonderful I had done. I think Ethan is the one to be proud of!

:hooray::hooray:@ 9:16AM ETHAN JAMES 7LBS 6 OZ 22 INCHES!!!!:hooray::hooray:
　

I have so much more respect for birth - we are amazing - our bodies!

[Hfrush]

Well I guess I should start out by saying that I totally denied that I was in labor because it was 10 weeks before my due date.. on Thursday October 15th my DH and I were eating dinner and after I started getting stomach cramps, mentioned them to him and he said his stomach felt upset also so I chalked it up to bad food. The next day, Friday, I had a ton of stuff to do. I had just been diagnosed that week with Gestational Diabetes and was told that it was uncontrollable with diet and that I had to go on insulin. I woke up early and went to an insulin class to learn how to use it and after that I had to go and pick up my step son from school so he could visit for the weekend. That entire day my stomach and lower back hurt and I had horrible pressure. I thought that I had to have a BM and every time a contraction hit I would go and try to use the bathroom. Later that night I was at my mom's with my SS and my mom kept telling me that she thought I was in labor.. I was denying it. Later that night the contractions were coming about 3 minuets apart and my DH would no longer just let me lay in bed so we went to the hospital. The midwife of call checked me out and told us that she could see my water sack bulging and that I was dilated to 5! Everyone there complimented me on my pain tolerance for having been in labor for well over 24 hours at that point.
I was put in the Labor and Delivery room and given Procardia to slow my contractions. Since the baby was coming early they wanted me to have two steroid injections at 24 hours apart to mature his lungs. At around 4 am Saturday morning the contractions got the better of me and I broke down and asked for the epidural. It took the anesthesiologist 3 tries to get the epidural in but it wasn't bad because he had numbed my back up pretty good before he started. Come mid-day Saturday the doctor came in and checked me and told us that I was dilated to 9 1/2. They told me that I wouldn't make it to the next steroid injection. They kept giving me more and more procardia to stale the birth, I made it to the next injection but at that point I was pretty upset because I hadn't ate or drank since Friday mid day and they weren't going to let me eat or drink until after I gave birth because they had told me that after my water broke there would be a chance that my cord would come out first and if that happened I would have to have a c-section so I was NPO. When Sunday finally rolled around I was up at 4 am moaning and groaning with the worst pain in my life.. the epidural had pretty much stopped working and the contractions were super close together. My DH slept through most of it and at about 10:30 am the doctors finally came in and checked me and told me it was time! They rolled me to the O.R. and broke my water. After my water broke the contractions slowed way down to about 5 minuets apart. When a contraction came I pushed and when I wasn't pushing the Doctors, nurses my DH and I joked and talked about random stuff. I gave about 9 sets of pushes before he came out. The whole ring of fire thing wasn't as bad as I thought it was be. It was a slight burning and I felt like I had to pee really bad. All in all the delivery process took about 40 minuets. It was the best 40 minuets of my life! It was nothing like I thought it would be. I've seen women cry and scream and say that they wanted to give up but it really wasn't like that at all. When we were done I told my DH that I was ready to have another one!
He was 4 pounds and 3 ounces, 17.5 inches long.

[Iloveteaching]

The last month of my pregnancy I was on bedrest. They were monitoring me for pre e, I had high levels of fluid around the baby, and my white blood cell count was extremely high. I was getting u/s every week, blood draws sometimes 2 times a day, and seeing a hematologist. It was not the experience I thought I would have, especially after an easy pregnancy. Anyway, my due date was August 16th. I went to the doctor's on August 7th for an U/S and check up. My bp was high as normal and I still had high levels of fluid but I was closed tight and at a big fat ZERO in terms of dilation. They checked my bp again and it spiked the highest it had ever been so off to the hospital I went for monitoring.
At 11 am they started monitoring me. My bp finally went down to a normal level but because of the amniotic fluid being so high they decided to induce me. I had to wait until 11 pm for a labor and delivery room to be available. Then, they started me on cervidil. I asked for a sleeping pill and IV pain meds. I got about 3 hours sleep. The cervidil was supposed to stay in for 12 hours but at 5 am the nurse checked me and said I was at 3 cm. She took the cervidil out and started me on pitocin. I refused an epidural at that point because I really wasn't in much pain.
Around 8 or 9am I was checked by a new nurse who told me I was at 1 cm and should not have been started on pitocin or have had the cervidil taken out. I was on the pit all day and by 9 pm I was still at a 1. They took me off the pit and put in cervidil again. I tried to sleep but by 3 am Sunday morning, I felt like someone was stabbing me in my back and twisting the knife. I never felt a contraction in my stomach, only my back. I was now really at 3 cm so they took out the cervidil and started the pit again. I asked for an epidural. My DH had to leave the room. I don't remember feeling any pain from the needles but I was stabbed about 5-6 times. The dr told me he didn't know if it woud work because my spine was set further in my back and it was hard to find a spot.
My 9 am I was crying from the pain and insisiting I could not do this. I remember saying that I never thought I would have to do this without medication. The epi was not working at all. 2 more anesthesiologists came in and upped the medication to the highest it could be but I still felt everything. They lifted me up and the needle, plastic thing, or whatever it was in my back, I believe ignorance was bliss so I asked no questions about that, was out. A new doctor gave me a new epidural and at 11 pm I finally felt relief. They tried to break my water but could not find the bags. My bed was wet from all the meds leaking out so they assumed my water had broken. I swore I felt something pop.
By 3 pm Sunday, I started to push. At 3:42, August 9th, Jodi Lynn was born and my fluids flooded the delivery room. :)
My labor was not what I expected. They only thing I would changed is that first nurse who said I was at 3 cm when I wasn't.

[sobeit]

a few words from the wise John Lennon...

with baby at my breast i will give you a brief over view of our birth.

basically my birth plan did a 180 degree flip! what started out as a planned unmedicated birth with a midwife and doula (in hospital) ended in an emergency c-section. wow, did not see that coming. but the end result is the same, my beautiful little boy. my body, however is a 'tad' sore...

i am 44, first pregnancy, and ended up getting overdue. i had had a very healthy pg up until that pt, no issues. so at 1.5 weeks i had a cervidil inserted, baby's nst was fine at that point and all the way through till the delivery. fluid level was on the low side. i did start some early contractions that nite, but my vaginal opening was on fire so i took out the cervidil thinking i would keep going, but they stopped. next day, another insert (1-2 dilation) and that nite 10pm cntx came on like in active labor. started to get intense, kept cervidil in. next morning, dilation still only 1-2, but more effaced. decision to break water and start pitocin. it never occured to me to just try breaking waters and see what happened. my MW checked me during a cntx and i cried like a baby! because my cntx were getting intense and close together. so there i was, after 12 hrs of what i thought was active labor and i was only 2cm. from there it got unbearable, no matter what i tried. i usually have chronic low back pain, related to degenerated discs, and now this area was on fire. it did not let up for a moment, while the pelvic pain did. i tried without meds to keep going, but i never had the 'rest' between cntx. and every hour the pitocin level was upped. after a few hrs, i started talking epidural, and even my MW encouraged me to get one. but it was about 5 hrs before that was accomplished. OMG the relief!! my back relaxed and i could sleep . i was so tired from 3 days of 'labor', and i needed a rest to keep going. i had some fentanyl before the epi. the rest was great but then the left side started to wear off. again, excruciating pain both front and back. we reset the epi but eventually it wore off. i tried nitrous oxide which helped, and did this until i got in a position to push, i was 9 cm. before midnite. at midnite, i was 10 cm with a cervical lip part being pushed away by my MW.
the only thing i could not feel was my perineum, everything else screamed. cntx were about every 30 sec. i tried different positions with little descent of baby. very hard work, i could not keep up. i asked to take breaks with gas, MW did not want me too. but i could not get into a different position quickly enough before a cntx came, and then manage all the parts to a good push. i insisted for the gas, and tried to explain a break could help me to re energize. the whole time i was aware of the pitocin pump..it seemed so artificial, i evern asked that it be turned down! but i was also aware that with a natural labor, i could not turn it off, but i think mother nature also gives us a resting phase during the pushing part, to help up take a break. anywho...i had been pushing for about 3 hrs with some gas breaks when i asked "what next?" vacuum? forceps? the MW called the OB GYN to come in, but still wanted me to continue pushing the baby down for that procedure to work better. made sense, but i was completely finished. i used the gas until the MD got there, who determined the baby still too high up for extraction vaginally. she said we should do a c-section. my MW was great, she switched gears fast to get me ready. my doula too, was great the whole time. so by this time, i was in active labor for 18 hours. at this point i said "NOW can we turn off the evil pitocin?!" i kept having contractions until i was in the operating room, then they stopped.

because i had the epi, the MD could not place the spinal catheter correctly, so i was given a general. scary for sure, i have had it before (thank god) but now i knew i would not see my baby for a while. but i remained calm the whole time, whatever it took to get my baby out. but they had a hard time intubating me, which meant a decrease in O2 for me and baby. still, baby was fine. way to go little one! i also had a lot of uterine adhesions from a surgery 20 yrs ago, that they had to work through, and i lost a lot of blood. so, that day i had to have my first blood transfusion, as well as anti biotics, morphine, constant ringers lactate and a bladder catheter. i finally met my baby 3 hrs after he was born. the nurses were very respectful...they came into the recovery room to ask if they could feed my baby boy formula. i started to cry. of course they could! i was planning to breast feed so they used a little cup..and that is how i found out i had a boy, and that he was handsome, and cute, and had a big tongue! all the things i had wanted to see for myself before others did. but that is how he came into the world. i work at this hospital as a nurse and it was very different to be a patient, but i was well taken care of (although i had to stop taking care of all the IV lines myself!) i met my baby and tried to breast feed. well, he is a champ! got it right away. it was very hard to take care of him and deal with two pumps i had to move around, and try not to pull out my catheter. and the pain from the surgery was intense, due to all the extra adhesions. my MW thinks these adhesions may have contributed to my pain levels. but i was so so glad to have my boy. the extra time on the unit really helped me to learn about baby care, because after 4 days i am back home, just me and baby. my ob/gyn was super, she said i was really brave to go through what i did. she wants me to do some follow up with her, and she made sure i could stay longer and get the meds i needed to come home with.

so 'medicated birth'. yes, i had numerous interventions and meds, and you know what? my baby came out alert, awake and strong. and we are bonding fine. i had so many expectations of my 'natural' birth. but in the end, the way he presented his head into the birth canal wasn't a good fit. i always thought i could handle the pain of labor, and thought women who chose epidurals were not giving themselves a chance to have that 'real experience' without meds. i really wanted to feel that urge to push, and thought it was so bizarre that others did not. i literally got my a** kicked on that thinking! so judgmental. there are some things i need to go over with my MW this week, so we do not leave the experience with any regrets. she continues to follow my care at home. i am truly grateful for her help. oh, i forgot to mention, after all that work to 'bring the baby down' during the surgery, she had to push the baby back up so they could bring out the boy because he was stuck! now that is a great midwife! she also made sure i got to keep my placenta.

hope you enjoyed reading. it is good for me to release my story and move on. hope you are all well.

sobeit. and now you know the reason for my screen name.

so. be. it.

[Flowrgrl]

I love reading everyone's story!

The Birth of Ella Avrie:

We went into labor thinking it would be an all natural unmedicated experience.

12am May 4, 09: I was climbing out of a relaxing bubble bath when I felt a sharp pain in my lower back. My first thought was that I pulled something when trying to get out. I walked to the bedroom and snuggled into one of DF's soft old shirts then crawled into bed. A few minutes later I had another intense stab of pain, once again my lower back. It didn't even dawn on my that this could be the start of labor despite the fact that I was 8 days overdue. As I lay there in bed trying to sleep the pain kept coming in back every 5 to 10 minutes, each time more intense then the last.

3am: I got out of bed and waddled to the living room where my MIL was asleep on the couch in case I needed her. She had been spending the night for about a week as DF works nights. I told her about the pain and she began to time. Sure enough it was every 5 minutes. I called DF home from work. I was in pain but it wasn't too intense so we decided to eat, sit on the birth ball and go for a walk. The cold night air was so relaxing! The pain kept increasing.

8am: I was tired from being up all night so we decided to try and get some rest. I would nod off for 5 to 7 mintues after every contraction but could no longer sit or lie down during them. For what seemed like hours I rocked back and forth on my hands and knees during every wave to try and ease the pain and pressure in my back.

12pm: I couldn't handle the pain any more. Contractions were still 5 to 7 minutes apart. I told DF I thought it was time to go to the hospital but wanted to shower first. An hour long shower later we finally headed out the door. The 45 minute drive there felt more like days. Sitting in the front seat was excruitating.

2pm: Finally arrived at the hospital. A nurse checked me into triage only to tell me that I was 2cm dilated and send me home. I cried the whole way back.

5pm: Arrived back home disapointed and not handling the pain well at all. Tried to eat but nothing would stay down. Walked, rocked, danced, showered and tried everything to move my precious girl down and closer to my arms.

2am, Tues. May 5: After a sleepless day and night I once again insisted DF take me to the hospital. The contractions were coming every 2 or 3 minutes and lasting 30 seconds to a minute. I had spent most of the afternoon in tears thinking that I couldn't do it but had found my resolve and had established a good pattern for every wave.

3:30am: Checked into triage and the nurse said I was only 3cm! My resolve broke once again and I balled. She suggested I get in the tub to try and urge things along. It was four hours of bliss. The warm water washing over me with each contraction felt like it was erasing most of my pain away.

7:30am: They admitted me to labor and delivery and hooked me up to the monitors. I was only 4cm. A nurse made the comment that she had never seen such strong contractions so close together and no dilation. I wanted to kick her a$$. The doctor came in and we decided to brake my water.

10am: Still no progress. Ella's HR had dropped a few times and I was now not allowed off the monitors. They set up my IV site and started to administer fluids as I was pretty dehydrated. Lying in bed was the worst pain I had experienced and made the pressure on my back almost inbearable. I broke down and had DF ask for Fentynol. It knocked me right out. I woke up 45 mintues later not sure what was going and bawling over the pain. It took me about a minute to remember what was going on and right then and there I swore I would never take any type of medication like that again.

2pm: Finally made progress to 6cm! Doctor came in and mentioned the possibility of a C/S as E's HR had dropped a few times and I was so exhausted that she wasn't sure I would have the energy to push and they didn't want to risk E getting stuck in the birth canal. I cried and was disapointed in myself. She told my I could have the epi and see how thing went first. I agreed. It was instant relief and I was happy she had made the suggestion. We let in a few visitors and then decided to sleep.

7pm: No progress. Doctor decided to start some pitocin. I fell back asleep.

2am, Wed. May 6: The pain was coming back in my back but I swore to myself that I COULD DO THIS! With much support from DF and a ton of back rubbing I found some relief. I was now at 8cm and able to get some more sleep.

6am: I WAS A 10!! FINALLY! I was given the go ahead to push but with no urge had no idea what to do. With DF holding one leg and a student nurse holding another, the first nurse held my hand and demonstrated what to do. She was an excellent support and help!

7: 58am Wednesday, May 6, 2009: ELLA AVRIE ARRIVED! Weighing in at 7lbs 11oz and 21in. She was placed immediately on my chest and given all shots and exams right there on me. It was wonderful, exhilliarting and I cried so many happy tears as did DF. Within twenty minutes of birth she was eagerly nursing!