Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

Well ladies the long story of how my son Joshua entered the world starts on Tuesday evening March 13th. I went to my regularly scheduled appointment for a biophysical sono (because he was large) and my 36 week internal. The doctor went in reaching for the stars and only gave the glimmer of hope that I was "A whole finger tip dilated". He told me not to get discouraged because I was early and I muttered something to the effect of "I wish YOU walked around this earth with a Thanksgiving turkey putting pressure on top of your hoo hoo!"

With that, I went to the bathroom to urinate for the 1000th time that day. To my shock there was blood everywhere. I know they say that you could have some mild bleeding but this scared the hell out of me since I had never done this before. I called the nurse in and she assured me that it looked "mucousy" so it was probably my plug and not to worry since I had no pain. Sounded logical to me. I went to the receptionist to make my appointment for the following week who laughed at me and said "If you make it that long".

So Dh and I left to hurry off to a charity fundraiser at a local bar for a very dear friend's son. (She was killed in a tragic ambulance accident and her 3 year old son is severely disabled). We were there for about two hours and when we left my pants were wet. Being that we were just in a bar, I thought I sat in something.

Fast forward and hour later to bedtime. Dh and I were shooting the breeze in bed when suddenly I felt the weirdest pop and there was water everywhere! I stood up and out it poured! Being that Im in the medical field and have delivered three babies in the field you would think I would be ok with this. Not a chance! I freaked! "OMG IM not ready. OMG I need to call my sister. OMG I need to call the doctor." Someone needed to slap me cause I could not get a grip! I finally settled down, called the appropriate people, hopped in the shower, and headed off to St. Charles.

We arrived at St. Charles around 1 am and I was treated like a celebrity! They all knew my name, who my doctor was, everything. It was nice to see that they actually cared. My L&D room was all set up and my nurse Ann was awaiting my arrival. Before I knew it I had my IV, monitors placed, and the lights out to get some rest as she assured me it was going to be a long night. I was still only 1 CM dilated. As soon as she left us to get some rest, the contractions started. At first they weren't too bad but by 4am they were 4 minutes apart lasting for 15 seconds. I was still only 1 CM. They seemed to taper off a little on there own but still hurt. For those of you that read some of my previous posts, you all know that an epidural was not going to be in my future because I was completely scared S#!tless. I figured I would hold off on any pain meds until I absolutely needed it. (STUPID STUPID STUPID! If I knew then what I know now, I would have spared myself almost 17 hours of grueling labor without meds.)

Shift change occurred and I now had a new nurse Abby. She was awesome! She was funny, compassionate, and stayed with me for the rest of my delivery process. Everytime she came in she asked as I was gripping the sides of the bed if I wanted pain meds. I would say no and she would say some clever comeback that would make me laugh and it would ease the pain until the next contraction.

As it turns out the OB/GYN group I use only has two docs in the practice. Unfortunately one of the docs had a horrible tragedy in his family and the other was off so the covering physician Dr. Patton came in to see me around 11am. He was very very nice and he was gentle. He didn't like that every time I moved the external monitors would move and he couldn't get a constant tracing of the baby so he placed an internal monitor and felt for progression. I was after 12 hours still at 1 CM. We discussed pitocin and agreed we would hold off for a couple of hours. I was determined to do this naturally. Again, Stupid!

Around 3:30 Abby came in and I was in a lot of pain. Ladies, I'm not going to lie to you. Whoever said that contractions feel like bad menstrual cramps, lied to us! They HURT! She again asked as I'm vomiting over the side of the bed (which I did not know was and indicator or progression), if I want pain meds. I mustered a No. She sat there and told DH "I'll wait for another contraction". They were now coming every 3 mins lasting for 30 for 45 secs. Sure enough another one came and she asked in the middle of it. I caved. Bring on the Demmerol! Did I mention that I LOVED this woman???

I was able to get a solid hour of sleep followed by and hour of "twilight" where I only woke up for contractions but I didn't feel them. They hung the pitocin and before I knew it, it was cranked up to 8. Dr. Patton came back in to check me and I was still after all of that 1 1/2 to 2 CM dilated. Dr. Patton was very kind. He sat on the edge of my bed and said "Sweetheart, I know you've tried your best but there is no way this can be a vaginal delivery". I rolled over and cried hysterically. Abby was comforting me by telling me "It doesn't make you any less of a woman" and I bit back with "I'm mad not scared! I could have been pain free and done and over with this a long time ago but I had to be stubborn!" Then I realized the dreaded epidural was going to be next. OMG! I vomited again because of my nerves. Then I got mad again for being a total baby.

So in walks the anesthesiologist. I told him my concerns about why he wasn't going to get a needle in my back and proceeded to tell him how to do his job. He just chuckled, squeezed my hand, and asked me for just one chance to get it in. I agreed. They gave DH his outfit, told him to change, and kiss me. We would meet up in a few minutes. They rolled me to the OR.

Once in the OR, it finally hit me. In a few minutes, Im going to be someone's Mommy. They swung me over the table and Dr. Patton told me to give him a hug. The anesthesiologist told me to sit still cause this was his shot to prove me wrong (with a little giggle of course). HE WAS MY HERO!!!! The spinal was cake! Again I felt like such an azz because I let my fear interfere for no reason.

Ok so to wrap this saga up, they brought in DH and went to work. DH asked if he could look over the curtain. They originally said no but then told him to stand up and watch. At 8:30 pm Joshua Jr. was born weighing in at 8lbs 10oz and 19 3/4 inches long! So much for having him 3 1/2 weeks early!

I've done a lot of joking through this story but on a serious note, the next few moments are the most precious moments of my life. The second that DH saw Josh Jr. coming out of me, he looked at the baby, looked me in the eyes, looked back at him, and when the baby cried he collapsed in hysterics on the stool behind me. He bawled more than the baby did and kissed my forehead a million times and thanked me for making his dream come true. I have never been more in love with that man than at that moment. There was nothing sweeter than watching DH cut the cord and bring me my baby. Abby was there and someone sang Happy Birthday. I'll never forget it.

After this whole long story, I'll wrap things up by saying a few last words:

1) St. Charles ladies, you have NOTHNG to worry about! They were phenomenal from checkin to checkout.
2) Don't allow fear to dictate your experience. If I could have gotten over myself, it would have been a lot less painful. We've already decided that baby #2 will be a scheduled C-section. See it wasn't that bad, we're already talking baby #2. LOL
3) Enjoy every minute! It goes by so fast!

Message edited 3/25/2007 1:52:59 PM.

Re: Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

Wow, what a fantastic story, and a fantastic experience. I give you credit for trying your hardest to have it happen the way you wanted to. Unfortunately, your little one didn't want to cooperate, and I agree, it doesn't make you any less of a woman for having to change plans--you had to follow 's plans now, instead of what you wanted!!! Congrats to you and your hubby!!!

Glad to hear the great reviews of St. Charles, I'll be delivering there and have heard excellent things about them!!!

Congrats again!!

Re: Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

What a wonderful story!!! Congratulations!!!

Re: Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

Amazing birth story! I got all teary eyed at the part about your DH. Congrats!

Re: Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

What a beutiful story! Congrats on your early arrival! I loved your story, and I cried at the end!! Just can't wait to go thrut he birthing experience, as scary as it can be!!!

Thank you for sharing!!!

Re: Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

congrats and thanks for sharing the story

Re: Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

what a story!!!! congratulations mommy

Re: Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

What an amazing story. I am all tearful (must be the hormones!!). I am glad you were honest about the whole process. I know my sister tried to hold off too and ended up with a c-section after 36 hours labor and pain, like you said, for nothing.

Congrats!!!!

Message edited 3/24/2007 8:07:26 PM.

Re: Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

Congratulations! I am teary too - men crying get to me each and every time!

Re: Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

wow...what a looooooooong story.

very sweet and such a wonderful ending! i can picture your dh and it almost made me cry! i imagine mine doing the same and it just makes me melt. i am so happy to hear that you overall had an amazing experience!

and hey, my contractions really did feel like menstrual cramps....tells you how awful my periods are, huh? [my last period before getting pregnant, i looked at DH in tears and said: "i'd rather be giving birth right now." little did i know i'd be eating those words 9 months later!]


my first was delivered by a complete stranger as well...my dr. [solo practice] was out of town [i wasn't due for another week] and the "on-call" delivered. absolutely wild experience...man walks into a room, shakes woman's hand, checks out her hoo-hoo and then hands her a baby. little bit funny.



enough about me...

CONGRATS [again]!!!!

Re: Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

wow what great story!! congrats again!!!!!!

Re: Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

so sweet! congrats.

Re: Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

great story thanks for sharing

Re: Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

You have my tearing up over here! Congratulations!!!!

Re: Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

what a great story, congratulations! I'm actually in tears right now reading about your dh's reaction so sweet!

Re: Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

Congrats!!!

Hope you're enjoying your new baby boy!

Re: Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

The part about your husband made me cry. What a wonderful experience you two had at that moment! Congratulations to both of you

Re: Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

Wow! What a wonderful Birth Story! The part about your DH getting teary eyed reminds me when my niece was born and my brother was also crying a river. Too Sweet! Congratulations!

Re: Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

OMG, you just brought tears to my eyes! Congratulations to you and your husband! Enjoy every minute of your time with your new little baby!!!

Re: Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

Oh geez, you made me cry. Great story!!!! I'm now more relieved about delivering there. I actually have heard about Abby before. Congrats!!!!

Re: Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

Posted by waterspout4

Oh geez, you made me cry. Great story!!!! I'm now more relieved about delivering there. I actually have heard about Abby before. Congrats!!!!

Re: Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

All that matters is that you are both ok! Congrats!!!

Re: Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

Great story, I am wiping away my tears....still so emotional after giving birth 2 1/2 weeks ago!

Congrats!

Re: Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

OMG what a fabulous story! I'm in tears reading about your DH's reaction. I am so happy for all of you. We're also delivering at St. Charles in June and will be having a c-section. It's good to know we will be in good hands. Congratulations again!!!

Re: Our birth story( VERY VERY LONG)

that was so sweet