Birth Story - Part 2

We arrived at the hospital around 4:00 am. They hooked me up to a monitor to see if I was actually having contractions or not. And lo and behold, I was! They were coming every 4-8 minutes, and I was dilated to 4 cm! I was in active labor and far enough along that I didn’t have to be sent home. I was relieved to know that I wasn’t imagining the pain, but I was kind of in shock that I was actually going to have a baby on that day! It seemed to be happening so fast. I was ready for her to get here, but it was taking awhile for me to process that my March baby would be born in February.

The nurse asked me if I wanted an epidural. I had planned on trying to have a natural childbirth, without any drugs, but also realizing that I could change my mind if I wanted to. Well, my “plan” didn’t go as planned. I opted for an epidural ASAP. The contractions HURT, and I wanted to enjoy the experience as much as possible and I couldn’t do that through the pain, so I reneged on my natural childbirth plan and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. After the epidural kicked in, my body and mind were able to relax and I started to get really excited about getting to meet our daughter! It was a fun morning as Carl and I spent the last moments alone as a couple.

Things did get a little scary when the doctor came in and told us the baby’s heartbeat was dropping with each contraction, and she was in distress. I was put on oxygen and monitored closely. Around 8:30 am I was 5 cm dilated, so they decided to break my water in hopes to get things moving. They wanted to get the baby out of me as soon as possible, as did I. When my water broke the doctor also noticed there was meconium in the fluid.

We progressed quickly, and by 9:00 am I was fully dilated and ready to go. I was feeling a lot of pressure down below, and I remember telling the nurse that I felt like I am pushing out a poo…she assured me that I was not pooing.

At 10:10am I started pushing. I do not remember much else, except pushing really hard, and feeling a lot of pressure. Carl has more graphic details about this part as he had a front row seat and was fully alert. At about 10:50 am her head was out, and the cord was wrapped about her neck. As the doctor tried to take the cord off, it snapped and blood SPLATTERED everywhere! I could tell they were beginning to panic a little and they had me push one last time to get her shoulders and the rest of her out. Della Plum was born at 10:52am and was rushed to the warming area where the NICU nurses worked on her and made sure she didn’t breathe in any of the meconium. She started to cry about a minute later. Carl didn’t get to cut the cord, because it had already snapped, but they did give him a little section to cut for tradition’s sake. After they cleaned her off, I finally got to meet my baby! She was perfect and healthly!

 

 

 

 

A few things about her birth surprised me. I had thought in my head things would go one way, but they came out completely different. For example:

-         I thought I was going to have a HUGE baby, when she actually was very teeny at 6lbs, 5 oz.

-         I thought she was going to be overdue, and she was early

-         I thought I could handle the pain, when in fact I could not

-         I thought she was going to have a lot more hair than she did.

So, I’ve officially learned my lesson, that babies are unpredictable and my daughter is no exception! For example, just when I think she is going to sleep, so that I can too….she reminds me that she makes the rules!

Comments

[Lindsey]

She is incredible! What an awesome story. Even though it wasn't written on this part, I giggled again thinking about "deliveries" at the hospital! Keep us updated on everyone's progress!

[jenna]

she is beautiful! Congratulations, glad the delivery went well!

[natural childbirth]

Well, it's really a cute baby. Thanks for sharing your experience here.

[Bobby]

Wonderful story!

[Becky]

She's too cute! Congrats again!