The Birth Story

I think I'll start a couple weeks before the big day.

I went to the U for my Utah prenatal care. So, I had a resident doctor (RD) and a attending doctor (AD)

For a while now, I had problems with protein in my urine. That was pretty much consistent except one visit in early June. My blood pressure was fluctuating quite a bit and "kissing the dangerous zone," as my doctor put it. So, they had me on watch. I actually started going in twice a week at 37 weeks--just to be safe. Even after my appt on July 16th (Monday) with the RD, my AD called me July 17th (Tuesday) and asked for me to come in. She was talking about inducing me, and wanted to see how far along my body was in preparing for labor. This wasn't a surprise because they had mentioned it ever since they figured I was at risk for pre-eclampsia, and to be honest it was welcomed. I had been really, really nervous about the baby. I have had a miscarriage in the past and for some reason in these last few weeks, the idea of losing another baby was scaring me to tears.

Anywho, something my doctor had mentioned about the due date being so important in this decision, I thought I'd mention that my first ultrasound ("most accurate") actually set the due date to August 2nd and my Arizona doctor changed it back to what nature said because of the ultrasound he conducted. After some investigation time-including an internal exam in which I was 50% effaced and 2 cm inside the cervix and 1 cm out-we decided to wait. She scheduled me for an induction July 25th, and put me on the waiting list (1st in line) July 23rd. I had an appt with her Thursday, July 19th. This was the line. I had been having headaches, and my blood pressure was back up. We discussed induction, and I expressed that I would be fine with it. I had a good feeling (although I was nervous). And like I said, it was pretty much welcomed. I just had experienced too many scares the past week. So, we went home to make sure we had everything and grabbed some Arby's on the way there. It was expected to take 24 hours to even start active labor, and they said they only let you eat ice chips in the hospital until after birth.

Here's the frustrating part. So, I guess it wasn't a shoe in that I be induced that day. When we got to the hospital around 3, I knew they hospital was going to monitor me. But the vibe we were getting was that I wasn't going to be admitted. I was very upset. I was hooked up for 3 hours when finally after all the comments making it sound like I was going home, a nurse came in and said I was being admitted. Hallelujah!! We grabbed our stuff and walked over to labor and delivery.

It took a while to get situated with the IV and all that wonderful good stuff. They said they would be "ripening" my cervix before actually starting me on the drug that actually induces (it starts with a "p"). At 7 they administered the ripening drug. It was a nurse, and I don't think she did it right because nothing happened within the 4 hours of waiting. Good thing though was I got to watch Ever After and have lasagna (They lied. You can have food just as long as you aren't in active labor.). Steven went home to take a shower and some other stuff. Anyways, 11 o'clock came around, Steven was back and it was time to administer cytotec again because I hadn't changed and was still high. Around 1, I decided it must be working and I wanted the edge to be taken off. So, they used an IV painkiller because I was unsure of an epidural. It worked the first hour for 30 minutes, which was enough for me.

Then they did it again at 2 but it didn't do anything this time! I had already thrown up my lasagna (luckily in the trash can), so I quickly began discussing the possibility of an epidural with Steven. I was having contraction 1 minute apart and it just felt like really hard, severe cramps. Needless to say, the doctor came to give the epidural at 2:30 am. It was a scary experience because my body had produced so much adrenaline that I was shaking. Big needle that can paralyze+shaking=no good. Luckily, it came in waves and I could tell when I would start shaking. This is where I actually used labor breathing the most. At 3, they checked me and I was 4 cm and Emily had dropped a bit. At 4:09, I woke up (that's right. I took a nap. And it was beautiful) to a "pop" and thought I felt water but wasn't sure (epidurals are great that way.) I had read about women actually hearing their water break, so I called a nurse in and sure enough! P.S. I think hearing my water break was one of the coolest things ever. Sad part of this was Emily pooped at some point, so they called the pediatricians to be in the room when delivery started. They said they would be back in an hour to check my progress.

Well, thank goodness they only waited 40 minutes because I was ready to go! I was at 10 cm and Emily was +2. Didn't feel a thing. Did I mention how good this epidural was?  Wonderful. They asked if I could hold it until my doctors could get to the hospital. So we waited. They got there probably around 20 minutes later. At 5:36, I was clear to push. When 5:47 came around, we welcomed Emily to the world. Of course, we didn't decide that was her name for sure until way later. The delivery of the placenta took longer than the actual baby! I love those heated blankets they have. Best thing ever! I was shaking from adrenaline again and they helped a bunch.

Anyway. Favorite part: Pictures!

 Meeting each other for the first time!

 Daddy getting to hold her for the first time. Isn't he a cutie, too?

 Excuse my "black eye"-it's just mascara. Promise!

 Family visits-we had such a fun time seeing grandparents and aunts/uncles!

 First bath

 She always sticks out her tongue! It's so cute! Her left side was bruised from the whole birthing process--sorry, baby girl!

Coming home from the hospital

Use caution when reading. I did this for my own sake and to remember what I think moms to be should know.

Myths vs Facts

Facts:
Have somebody come and help you. You will feel so much during that first week; Having somebody there to help with the baby or just there to talk is wonderful. (Thanks, Mom!)

Any sort of freezer meals help. Even if you expect some meals from friends, family, or church members.

Although resting is good, get up and walk around as much as you feel comfortable (+a little more) while in the hospital. It helps with healing.

Hospital pictures will be precious until you are off the drugs and realize how hideously tired and ridiculous you actually look. Get over it. Nobody's turn out like they probably want unless they prep forever for it.

Myths:
You will love your baby right away. I didn't hate my baby, but she just felt like a stranger. She was cute and logically I knew she was mine and I loved her. Emotionally, not what I expected.

You need to pack you whole house. I pulled up a bunch of online lists of hospital things to pack. I already weeded through them taking out things I didn't think I needed. Thank goodness I did!! So the stuff I thought, "Yeah, I probably could use that," (such as puzzle books) I didn't even touch them. I didn't get dressed until we left. I slept for most of the time, or ate, talked, watched TV. Things I didn't need to bring. I would bring a change of clothes, bathroom stuff (including shampoo and conditioner!), and a computer to update facebook if you so desire. This also served as entertainment for the hubby. Oh, and a journal. That way you can record little details. We were so tired that we didn't even remember the times of everything that happened. So happy Steven took the time to record it while it was happening!

(This one may be too much info) You bleed a lot and forever. It wasn't true for me. I bought all these pads because people told me how much and long you bleed. I only used one package, and I probably didn't even need to. After 2 weeks, I bought panty liners. Just sayin'. This was obviously a happy myth for me to bust.



Tip:
If they give you lortab, take 1 pill every 3 hours rather than 2 every 6 hours. I feel like I didn't even witness the first day of my child's life because it made me SOOOOO drowsy. Luckily the second day nurse recommended this every 3 hours trick. Also, the morning (before new nurse came) my doctor came, he told me later he thought I had depression because of how I was acting with 2 Lortab at the same time.