I've been really excited to finally start writing my birth story. Since before I got pregnant, I found it fascinating hearing about other women's journeys to becoming a mother. Every story is different, and you learn something new from each one. My story is a complete 360 than what I anticipated it being. It was more than I could have asked for and I'm so blessed with how it turned out. So, for those who care... Here we go:
It all started in the afternoon on Wednesday October 12, 2011. For the last several weeks of my pregnancy, my husband and I would take these nightly walks at this park near our house. It was a great way to unwind and we were also hoping to get a jump start on labor. On the day of the 12th, my husband came home early, at around noon. We decided to start our walk before dinner that day. So we got to the park around 2pm. We walked about 45 minutes and as we were heading back to the car, I started getting contractions. They weren't painful, just uncomfortable. The closer we got to the parking lot I realized they were pretty close together. We decided to keep walking. We walked for another 30-45 minutes and my contractions were consistently 3-5 minutes apart. We both thought, "This has to be it, right?" I wanted to see if they continued on our drive and once we got home. They did. Craig went and got us dinner and we tried to eat through the excitement. Even though these contractions weren't painful, they were consistent which hadn't happened for me yet in my pregnancy. So we packed our bags and headed to the hospital. You can find a more detailed description of our night
here!
Long story short, I was no where near close to meeting our daughter. I was only dilated to 1 and 50% effaced. We went home exhausted and bummed. My husband went to work the next day and I went about my normal house wifey duties. All throughout the day of the 13th I had slightly more uncomfortable contractions. They were probably 8-10 minutes apart and there were times where I'd stop what I was doing because they were really uncomfortable... but not painful. I pretty much assumed that my body would never go into labor naturally. I'm not sure why I felt that way but my doctor and I even talked about being induced on October 16 if she hadn't arrive by her due date which was the 14th. Craig got home around 6:30pm on Thursday October 13. He had just worked a 12 hour shift and he was exhausted. He asked me how I felt today and I informed him that my contractions felt stronger, but it's nothing we should get excited about. We ate dinner and were in bed a little after 7:30pm. A little after 8:00pm, my contractions started getting stronger... and stronger. I couldn't lay down anymore. With each one, I found it more difficult to breathe through them. Then I was crying with each contraction. I went into the other bedroom and kneeled over the ottoman of our glider chair. I was trying to remember the different positions women in labor would do to help ease the pain. I jumped in the shower thinking the hot water would help. Nothing seemed to be helping. These contractions were 2-3 minutes apart and getting stronger. I started experiencing nausea. My husband knew something was up and kept checking on me. I told him to get some sleep because I knew how tired he was. Worried I'd be sent home again, going to the hospital was the last thing I was thinking about. I've heard stories of women being in similar pain to what I was feeling, went to the hospital, only to be told that she's just dilated to 2 and not in active labor. Craig suggested that I call our doctor. When she called back I gave her all of my symptoms and she simply said, "Sounds like you're in labor, come on in!"
I had unpacked the bag I had just packed the night before. Craig was running around throwing his last minute items in his bag. I could barely walk a couple feet with doubling over in pain or feeling like I needed to throw up. He helped me get my bag packed and off to the hospital we went. The car ride there was hell. I had a roll of toilet paper and a trash bag at my feet, just in case I actually did get sick. I held on to a pillow and buried my face in it with each contraction. Once we got to the hospital, (around 10:30pm) the journey from the parking garage to the lobby was nearly impossible. My contractions were literally on top of each other. I could barely walk. We got to the lobby and before we made it to the elevator, I felt another one coming. I threw my arms around Craig's neck and started crying/moaning all while the security guard and a few janitors stared on. All of a sudden, I realized that I needed to throw up NOW! I ran to the lobby bathroom (which I think they had just cleaned for the day) and got sick. Once we made it to the labor and delivery floor, the lady that checked us in could tell I was in labor. She didn't even mention putting me in a triage room and sent me straight to a labor and delivery room.
We entered the bright room and I immediately had another contraction. Our nurse (who was the sweetest nurse I've ever met) started introducing herself and instructed me on how to breathe through each painful contraction. I was half listening and just wanted the pain to stop. Then I needed to pee. Craig helped me to the bathroom and I was also going to put my gown on at this time. He was helping with my gown and then I felt the urge to vomit again. The nurse handed me a bucket and I proceeded to throw up...half naked, standing over the toilet. On my last heave (sorry) I felt this gush of liquid. I looked down and thought I had peed myself. I just looked at my husband and said, "What was that?!" The nurse said I had either experienced a little urinary incontinence or my water broke. Craig helped me to the bed where the nurse asked if she could check me. Of course I said yes. I was so scared that even though I was in so much pain, there was no change in my cervix and I would still be at 1. She informed me that my water did break and happily said, "Oh, you are 3 1/2 almost 4 cm! Let's get you that epidural!"
MUSIC TO MY EARS!! Pre-pregnancy and even very early on, I was very anti pain medication and epidurals. I thought I would totally be strong enough to handle labor pains and desired an "all natural" birth. Turns out I cannot handle pain well at all. I do not regret getting an epidural. It really made the rest of my birth experience so much more relaxed. About 10 minutes after the epidural was placed, I was in heaven. My nurse looked at the monitor and said "Your contractions are right on top of each other and really strong!" I just said "Really? Huh." I couldn't feel a thing! She then told us to get as much rest as we can. At around 1:30am, we both called our parents to tell them I was in labor. They were all 4 hours away and would be on their way as soon as they could.
Craig and I couldn't sleep. We were too excited/nervous and couldn't believe we were actually at the hospital, hours away from meeting our daughter. The nurse came back in at 2:45am to check me again. At this point I was 4, almost 5 cm! She placed the catheter and again told me to rest. Craig went to the gas station around this time to get a Red Bull. Again, we were both too excited to sleep. I was texting all my friends to tell them I was in labor and so was Craig. I think I even posted it on Facebook (oh, the world we live in...) The nurse came back in around 4:25am and I was amazed when she said I was 6 almost 7 cm, 100% effaced and the baby's head was really low. I'll never forget when she said, "Looks like you'll have a baby by breakfast!" I honestly couldn't believe how fast this was going! For a first time mom, I was anticipating a 20+ hour labor. We had only been here 6 hours and I was all ready at 7 cm? Craig and I kept looking at each other in disbelief. This baby was going to be born on her due date! I couldn't believe it!
At around 6:00am, she checked me again and I was at 10 cm!! I think I started crying when she told me. Right around this time, his parents arrived. We all just sat around and chatted about the whole experience. They too couldn't believe how fast this had all went. My doctor finally arrived and my in laws were told to leave because I was ready to start pushing! My nurse got me into position and we started doing some practice pushes. I couldn't feel a thing but somehow, I just knew how to push. I was worried I wouldn't know how, but I did. It felt so empowering that with each push I was closer to bringing our daughter into the world! Craig had the video camera set up behind us with a perfect (and tasteful) view of the delivery. He was holding back my left leg, encouraging me as I was pushing. At one point, I asked for a mirror. I couldn't believe that I did. She brought the mirror over and I could see a tiny portion of my baby's head! It was such a surreal moment. There really is a baby in there! lol The more her head started to crown the more excited I got. I got to feel her head a couple times between pushes. When most of her head was showing the nurse had Craig look. He said, "Looks like she's got red hair!" Again, I started crying. (I cried a lot during the whole experience). My doctor came in and that's when I knew, I'll be meeting her any minute! I continued pushing for another 20 minutes.
At 7:28am, my daughter was born into this world. This sweet little slimy baby was placed on my stomach and I was in such disbelief that she was actually here. I just looked down at her, tears streaming down my face. I remember just wanting to keep her warm. I let her know everything was going to be ok. She looked just like her dad. The nurses said her cry sounded great, which made me happy. I looked up at Craig and we were both speechless. We were actually LOOKING at our daughter. She reached out her arm and grabbed his finger, while looking right at him. He then cut her cord and she was officially breathing and surviving on her own, without my help anymore. After about 5 minutes they took her over to the warmer and weighed her. Craig went with her. I didn't want to take my eyes off of her and I just wanted her to be ok. My doctor then told me that I had tore. I was a little bummed be she informed me that it wasn't that severe and I shouldn't have any problems healing.
After she was cleaned up, Craig got to hold his daughter for the first time. It was so beautiful watching the love of my life hold the daughter we created. I'll never forget that moment. Then, it was my turn. I just stared into her little eyes and told her I loved her.
I was in active labor for 11 hours (9 or which were in the hospital) and only pushed for 45 minutes. I couldn't believe what we had just been through and I was so thankful for a rather short labor and a beautiful, healthy baby. My husband was extremely supportive through everything and I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful father to my child. God really did bless us with our beautiful little miracle.
We love you Eisley Rose.
