Birth Story

Okay so, here is the birth story... I have been having Braxton Hicks contractions since about 14 weeks. Around the beginning of July (31 weeks, maybe?), they became more and more frequent. So since the contractions were growing more intense and becoming more frequent, I figure my body is preparing for labor! I am waking up in the middle of the night with them. But at my 36 week check, my cervix is thick and closed. I went for my 37 week check on Monday (8/5) and the same thing -- thick and closed.

Friday morning (8/9/13 - 37w1d), I woke up with the most intense contractions. I got out of bed at 4:30a because I just couldn't lay there any more. I felt like my pelvic bone was going to break in half at my tail bone and public bone. It also felt like the baby was coming out of my bum! The contractions were ten minutes a part. I timed them for a couple of hours and they never progressed. I went about my day -- even got my hair done -- but felt completely lousy. The Hubs and I went out to dinner. When we got home, my contractions were getting stronger, but still 10 minutes a part.  Hubs started timing them. My back labor was terrible. After each contraction, I felt like I needed to rush to the bathroom. Hubs wanted to go to the hospital, but I told him we couldn't go until the contractions were 3-5 minutes a part for an hour. That's what we learned in birthing class, after all. 

By midnight, they were coming every four minutes and I was miserable. I gave in and let Hubs call L&D, even though I hadn't reached the 3-5 for an hour thing. They told us to come in for assessment. I was NOT convinced I was in labor. J wanted to pack the car...I told him all I needed was my purse and insurance card because they were going to send us home! Thankfully, he didn't listen to me. He packed the car while I changed clothes. I never even checked my hospital bag. 

We make it to the hospital and I am put in an observation room on a gurney that I am quite certain was made out of concrete and formerly used as a medieval torture device. The nurse checks me and I am at a two. It is at this point I decide that maybe I AM in labor! She calls the OB on call and he says if I make any change after an hour, they will admit me. Longest. Hour. Ever. I just cried and cried because I felt like my body was breaking a part at my joints. That bed was so so uncomfortable. After an hour, I have progressed to a tight four. I am admitted and moved into a room. As soon as I was in that bed, everything became more bearable. The nurse started my IV and called for my epidural. Fifteen minutes later and I was pain free for the first time in 24 hours! Getting the epidural was a weird experience, but not terrible. The pressure of the needle is just a strange sensation. Once the catheter was placed, I never knew it was there. 

At this point, we decide to make some phone calls. DH called our moms and my sister. We had company by 3:30a or so. By 7:00a, I had progressed to a 6, but my contractions weren't as effective, so Pitocin was started. My nurse had me laying on my side and rotating every half hour. I felt like a rotisserie chicken. The OB came around 9:00 to check on me. I was feeling pressure in my tailbone and bladder at this point. He checked me and I was a 9.5. He broke my water and that relieved the bladder pressure. Charlotte was still pretty high, so we did a few more position changes. Around 10:00a, I felt the urge to push. I pushed for almost an hour and a half, but we got into a nice rhythm. Hubs was great. He held my leg and back and coached me through. Then he gave me ice chips.  My mom held my other leg and counted while I pushed.  My sister was the official photographer!

At 11:23a, Charlotte Faye was born, I never felt the "ring of fire" or the 1.5 degree tear. It was a whirlwind experience, but I wouldn't change it.