Birth Story: Baby D and the Birth

I have only experienced such relief a handful of times in my life.

Official hospital bracelets

 In case you missed the last blog, I was an emotional wreck the 14 hours prior to actually getting in a hospital room.  Once I was in and thankfully started on an IV (never been so grateful for a needle in the arm) the party began.  I was strep B positive with Henry and with Charlie, which means they need to pump 2 bags of antibiotics in me before I birth a child so he doesn't get sick.  This means we had a good 3 hours of hanging out, drinking free cokes and cookies and crackers (because Becki was awesome and let me eat because I was starving but don't tell the Doctor) and hearing all kinds of awesome stories from our favorite nurse.  It was an awesome, awesome date away from that tiny ball of energy named Henry.  And, I'll be honest, it was great to have a reason to lay in bed and make other people do things for me.

10:40 AM - I had to do the antibiotics for three hours before they would start me on Pitocin. I was only dilated to a 2+ when I entered the hospital, but since labor progressed so fast with Henry the doctor wanted to make sure I got my full rounds of antibiotics before he broke my water and started pitocin.
Then we had 3 hours of hanging out and trying not to feel hungry.  This time I actually wish we'd packed a movie or something to do, but we basically hung out and listened to Baby D's heartbeat and Josh tried to make me laugh because it makes the HR monitor go all nuts.

Nurse Becki.

1:30 PM - Still at a 2+.  Becki kindly called the CRNA before she brought in the Pitocin so I wouldn't have to wait in line and/or experience a disaster of contractions like I did with Henry after starting pitocin.  I'll be honest, too, I was terrified that she was actually starting me on Pitocin without an epidural.  Guys, I don't remember how bad the contractions were with Henry, but apparently my body did because I was crazy kinds of nervous.  And so relieved that I was going to have an epidural early this time!

Epidural line in my spine.  I wouldn't let Josh show me until we got home.

1:50 PM - CRNA showed up to place the epidural.  I experienced that slight moment of "YIKES" when he explained complications and I realized I was actually going to be mentally present for this (out of my mind in pain when I had my epidural with Henry) and how I really don't like needles, but proceeded because of the ever present fear of contractions.  And pain.
2:30 PM - Epidural complete.  It was wonderful.  I have this tendency to really really hype up my fears (like childbirth, epidurals, or PAP smears) and expect the complete worst thing to happen.  So far I've never experienced anything as bad as I expect, so I'm a very happy camper after these HORRENDOUS occasions are over.  Epidural went without complications and then I started to be get very excited about having a baby.
 Doctor came and broke my water.  That is the craziest and (sorry to be gross) one of the coolest, most awesome feelings ever.  I don't remember any pain from the actual breaking, not anything like
having my membranes stripped.  But, of course, I did just have an epidural.


2-3 hours of time disappear into a trying to nap but really really can't because I'm enjoying being at the hospital so much.  It was A.W.E.S.O.M.E. to be hanging out with just Josh and our favorite nurse. I was more comfortable than I had been for the last 6 months of life as a pregnant lady.  No weird shooting nerve or muscle pains in my legs and I got to drink tons and not worry about going to the bathroom (note: I love catheters) and I got to lay in an adjustable bed with four or five pillows all to myself and watch TV and chat with Josh.  I could have stayed there in that condition for at least 24 hours without complaint.  AND it was great because I still had moderate use of my legs and could move around on my own. 
5:00 PM - Dilated to an 8.  Nearly ready to start pushing.  The joke of the day had been that Becki only worked from 6am-6pm so I had to have this baby by 6 or we'd have a night nurse helping.  Not gonna happen if I had anything to do with it!
5:30 PM - 9 cm.  Call Doctor into the room.  I had less than 30 minutes (on my own time clock, not someone else's) to push Baby D out.
5:35 PM - Start pushing on contractions and all.  This was the hard part, because I started to actually feel loooots of pressure and dull pain.  My guess, now, is that the epidural wasn't working specifically where I was feeling pain?  I think that thing sort of happens.  All I know is, I pressed the medicine button every 5 or so seconds even though it gives a dose every 10 minutes (if you press it every 10 minutes).  And I actually was in tears about the pain, which was weird because I don't remember any pain with Henry.
As I pushed on contractions I remember saying things like, "Get this baby out of me!" and "Holy crap this doesn't feel good keep pushing," etc.  I had a mirror up so I could sort of see what was going on, but like Henry, it wasn't exactly perfectly placed so I didn't have to watch everything.  It's nice to know a little bit but not really have to view the horror the whole time.
5:58 PM - Baby D was born!  Celebration because we made it with 2 minutes to spare, and I was finally done pushing, and it felt so good!  Josh cut the umbilical cord and I let the nurses clean Baby D off before I held him.