My Birth Story (long)

First, I would like to say that I truly had an amazing birth experience. Things didn’t turn out exactly as planned, but they never do…do they?

My baby was measuring pretty large at all the scans and my doctor was worried I wouldn’t be able to push him through my pelvis as it was narrow. I was 40 weeks at the last ultrasound scan. My doctor told me that due to his size and mine, I will probably need a c-section. However, he said that because these scans can be inaccurate, I can attempt labor and a vaginal delivery if I wanted to. We scheduled an induction because it was very likely that my baby was not coming any time soon. I had no real signs of labor starting and I didn’t really want to wait it out and not have a real opportunity at a vaginal birth. After speaking with my doctor and all of my midwives, I decided that an induction would be a good choice for me. At 5’oclock Sunday morning I was admitted to the hospital for my induction. My mother and my sister came with me. After getting checked in and set up by the nurses, my doctor checked my cervix, which was about 2 centimeters dilated. He broke my water and the contractions started immediately. By 7:00am I got an IV with Pitocin as my cervix was dilated and soft. My contractions were pretty tolerable at this point. They were not regular, but they were becoming more regular. My cervix was dilating very quickly and labor was progressing really well. By noon my contractions were a little more than I wanted to handle so I asked for an epidural. I have often heard of epidural insertion being painful, but it wasn’t for me. For me, getting the epidural was the easiest part. The anesthesiologist was a really nice. He made me feel very comfortable and put my mind at ease. He explained the entire process, in detail, before he started. Then throughout the procedure, he explained everything as he when along. As soon as the medicine was introduced, the pain was gone. I felt such relief. I was so tired because I had absolutely no sleep the night before. I took a nap for about and hour and a half. During which time my cervix continued to dilate steadily. By the time I woke up, I was 10 centimeters dilated and it was about 3:00pm. My nurse told me that I can begin pushing when I feel the contractions and get the urge. By this time my epidural had worn off a lot, so I could feel every contraction very well and they were coming on strong. I pushed for about two hours. I was super tired and it felt like I was getting no where. The baby’s head was lodged in my pelvis. His head came down was far as if could. The doctor felt the baby’s head and said that even if his head could somehow get out, he shoulder would get stuck. So the next step to getting the baby was through a c-section delivery.

I was moved to the operating room. The anesthesiologist ran the local anesthetic through my epidural catheter and I was numb from the chest down. I could feel some pressure and what I would describe as a rather strong “tickling” feeling as my doctor made the incision. Then I felt a lot of pressure, pulling, and tugging…and then at 5:44pm the baby was out… all 8lbs 7ozs of his beautiful self. I heard him cry and I started crying. I was so overcome with so many emotions all at once. My doctor held him up over the drape so that I could see him. He was huge! But he was beautiful. My mother and I were so overcome with joy. My heart felt so heavy. It also felt like my heart left my body and moved into this little baby. I really cannot fully describe the moment. It felt like the happiest most accomplished day of my life. Everything I had gone through was so worth it…he was worth it. I watched as he was checked and cleaned, then given to my mother. I was so happy and relieved to know he was completely healthy. My mother held him next to me and he was wide awake and very alert. I looked into his eyes and I was completely in love. He literally took my breath awake. I was also in awe and shock that I had actually created him. I couldn’t believe I made him in my own body. Now… back to the surgery. With all the new emotions I was feeling I started to freak out a little. I started to imagine my stomach being wide open like on those “birth day” shows. As I could feel the pressure of being put back together, I wanted to be asleep. I didn’t want to feel anything anymore. So, my anesthesiologist gave me a hit of morphine to put me out for the ten minutes it would take to end the surgery. I was off in la la land. When I awoke, I was in the recovery room with a few nurses, my mother, my sister, and my new baby Aaron. My mother was standing beside me, holding the baby. She placed him in my arms and said she was going to set up my things in my mother and baby suite. So, after she and my sister left the room, I was there by myself, holding my baby for the first time. This was the happiest day of my life. I was so taken aback by the whole experience. He was so big and chubby looking and just overall beautiful. I began nursing him right away and he latched on without any problems. I couldn’t believe I was actually nursing him. We were bonding and it felt so natural. I was so amazed. He and I spent the next four days at the hospital while I recovered. He stayed in my room with me. The nurses were very helpful with the breastfeeding. They showed me different positions and how to help him latch on properly. I’ve never had so many people touch my breasts before. They were all very helpful and no one insisted that I bottle feed. They encouraged me. The room (or suite as they call it) was very comfortable and my mother stayed with me for the first two nights. I actually really enjoyed myself and when it was time to go, I really didn’t want to leave. I had gotten used to being waited on by all the lovely nurses and it was great just chilling all day with my new baby in my arms. I had a wonderful birth experience and it is something I could see myself doing again in the future. Once I got back home, I realized how much I missed my house and my family and I’m glad to be back. So now I’m still recovering and enjoying my baby more and more everyday. :D