September 17, 2015
1:19 pm
8lbs, 11oz
21 inches
As (potentially) my final pregnancy, I wanted to do it the "right" way. I wanted a natural birth, and I pictured myself laboring at home and heading to the hospital ready to push (possibly even giving birth on the floor of my new minivan). Because I have had longer labors and poorly positioned babies, I decided I needed to hire a doula to help me during labor. With Maren, I just hit the wall hard, and the epidural caused my labor to stall, not progress. I used the same OB/midwife group as I had with my VBAC. My plan was in place.
My blood pressure this pregnancy was well-controlled throughout. I passed all my NSTs at my regular office. Everything looked great, and then everyone started getting twitchy as I passed my due date. Then I passed one week overdue. OBs don't like overdue moms, especially ones with high BP who are VBACs and AMA. I had very few contractions despite a membrane sweep and an hour of "baby come out" acupressure/massage. Then I had an ultrasound at 8 days overdue and it showed my fluid was low (4.5). It had been on the low side the week before as well. Off to the hospital for an induction. I felt okay, but it was not starting out like I had hoped.
We checked in to the hospital around 3:30 and the midwife came to break my water around 4:15pm. She told me that she was "sure" breaking my water would put me right over the edge, as I was 3+ cm dilated and 75% effaced. I was told I could decide when I felt like I was ready to augment my labor; they would make me augment after my water had been ruptured for 24 hours.
It did not put me over the edge.
I had very few contractions, and I was now stuck in the hospital. I had to be monitored for 10 minutes out of every hour. The rest of the time I was free to move and walk. It was a long night. I was a million months pregnant in an uncomfortable bed, on a clear liquid diet only, and getting up to the bathroom at least every hour. Sometimes I tried to be positive but I mostly was not, crying occasionally and just picturing my future cesarean around 11pm Thursday night. My attitude was terrible. They wanted to start pitocin around 6am and I told them I was going to take a shower and a walk and they could start it after day shift came.
Pitocin was started around 7:30 and contractions started right away. The nurse upped it every 30ish minutes from 2 up to maybe 14? The contractions were close together, allowing little rest, and they peaked early. They were short, though, lasting only 30-45 seconds. The labor was all in my back. As it got more intense, Chris called Christy (the doula). My mom came at some point too. When they checked me around 11:30-12, I was 6cm dilated, almost completely effaced (pitocin off around this time). Christy did some counter pressure on my back and gave me some peppermint oil to breathe to help the nausea. She did just as I had hoped and gave me the extra push I needed to avoid the epidural. I leaned on Chris and had a lot of trouble switching positions because I had such a short time between contractions. My body felt very hot and stiff, almost frozen. Shortly after I was found to be 6 cm, I felt Maggie change position and come down. I needed to push. The nurse came to check on me, told me it was time, and called Dr. Adams (whom I just adore!). I couldn't stop pushing and only pushed a couple times (on my side). I pushed too fast, I guess, because I did end up with a second degree tear and stitches.
I felt pretty great right after, and recovery has been relatively easy. There isn't time for a relaxing recovery when you have two big girls who have places to be! Our family and friends have been amazing. We are lucky.
Maggie is spectacular, sweet and gentle and peaceful. This pregnancy was hard, with its constant nausea, and it made me state nearly continuously that THIS IS IT. But holding this tiny girl makes me think, I have to do this again: meet a new person for our family. We are all so in love.
Final note: I have given birth three different ways. This one was the best, but they are ALL. HARD.
About 41 weeks pregnant:
The torturing of poor Mags begins:
The sweetest little face (don't you LOVE newborns?!):
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