It was a cold and dreary night….
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| Me, Anna, at our Lamaze class the week before Cora. |
Ok, not really. I had already been in labor for more than 2 weeks. It just wasn't considered "Active Labor". I was getting close to my wits end because the contractions had remained constant and although they kept getting closer together, nothing was happening. Looking back, the events went something like this….
Week 1- “You are at a 2 and 70% effaced. Your contractions are about 4 minutes apart lasting about a minute each.”
I was given a terbutaline shot to stop the contractions. The effects of the shot lasted about an hour and the contractions came right back.
Week 2- “You are at a 2+ maybe 3 and 80%effaced.”
Yea! I'm showing progress! Contractions are about 3.5-4 min apart lasting about 1.5 min. The hospital was getting to know me quite well, but since we weren't quite to 37 weeks yet and I wasn't progressing in the designated 1 cm an hour, I was sent home.
April 21, 2011- This is where the fun begins:)
1:00 a.m.- I wake up having contractions that I have trouble breathing through. Poor Devin hadn't slept much already so I let him sleep.
5:00 a.m.- Devin wakes up and can see that I'm in pain. We time the contractions and they are about 3 minutes apart lasting a minute and a half long.
5:45 a.m.- Off we go to the hospital to be checked for the 6th time. "You're at a 4 and 90% effaced, and have a bulgy bag. We'll come back and check you in an hour."
6:45 a.m.- "Sorry, the bag has receded and you’re at about a 3 and 90% effaced. The cervix can open up more when the bag is bulgy, but since it went back up its not as big. Here is a prescription for some Tylenol 3. Go home take a warm bath, take the drugs and try to relax. “
Seriously?!? Relax, how is that supposed to happen when I'm having constant contractions! Not to mention that pharmacies don't open for another 2 hours!
Devin takes me to my parents house where I can take a nice warm bath in the extra deep tub that allows water to cover most of me, and has jets. The water is SO soothing!
By 2:00 p.m. I was back home at my house and had taken the tylenol 3 prescribed this morning, and was trying to relax but being very unsuccessful.
About an hour later Clark and Brandy invite us to go to lunch with them. Since I hadn't eaten for quite some time I decided I better fill my tummy, even though I wasn't very hungry.
We get home from eating and I notice that I am bleeding. I was told that this could happen and that it was very normal, but if the bleeding got bright red and/or heavier that I should be checked again.
7:00 p.m. hits and I'm quite certain there is something not quite right so we're off like a hurd of turtles for the second time that day. The nurse comes in and checks me: "You're maybe a 3 but I'd say a 2+ and 85%."
Hold it! I thought once you started progressing there were no take backs!
"We'll keep you for a while and see what happens. There are some concerns with the bleeding but we'll let you know."
9:00 p.m.- "You've been checked quite a few times and that can cause the bleeding, so we're really not concerned about that anymore. You're also still at a 2+ and 85% so there isn't a reason we can keep you. Your contractions are about 2.5-3 min apart lasting about 1.3 minutes so take Tylenol 3 every 4 hours so you can get some rest tonight and your Dr. would like to see you first thing in the morning."
At this point I'm so tired and CRABBY and in the utmost denial. I didn't know what I was going to do. I had decided this traipsing back and forth to the hospital is for the birds and I'm NOT going back until my water breaks. I kept following their directions and they kept sending me home. I was NOT amused.
10:00 p.m.- The contractions became much stronger. I stopped keep track of how long they were lasting because it didn't matter. They were already close together and not making me progress, so what was the point of timing them?
Devin was playing games on his phone and watching t.v. while I was writhing in pain on my side of the bed. I didn't want to complain or say anything to him because we were {again} just sent home only a short time ago. I really thought I was a pansy. Why didn't anyone [Mom, sister, grandmother, friend...?] tell me it would be like this???
Time continued on and I was getting annoyed that I was having to breath myself through the contractions and I was starting to shake. Devin wasn't paying any attention to me. Woe is me!
Devin was playing games on his phone and watching t.v. while I was writhing in pain on my side of the bed. I didn't want to complain or say anything to him because we were {again} just sent home only a short time ago. I really thought I was a pansy. Why didn't anyone [Mom, sister, grandmother, friend...?] tell me it would be like this???
Time continued on and I was getting annoyed that I was having to breath myself through the contractions and I was starting to shake. Devin wasn't paying any attention to me. Woe is me!
11:00 p.m.- I finally gave in and told Devin, "I have to have you put your hand on my back right here!" ( I showed him where the pain was.) The pressure and the heat of his hand made the pain at least somewhat bearable and we continued doing this for a bit longer.
April 22 2011
12:00 a.m.- I ask Devin to give me a blessing. In the blessing, I was told that I would be able to deal with the pain of the labor for however long necessary, and when baby was born, no matter what happened, she would be alright.
1:00 a.m.- I didn't think I could take anymore of this. Devin's hand on my back wasn't helping as it had to begin with and I was shaking so violently I could hardly breath. Devin called the hospital and was told, "She was in only 4 hours ago. She hasn't slept in 24 hours.... When did she take the Tylenol? ... 3 hours ago? ... Ok, Give her the Loratab at 2am and go see your doctor first thing in the morning. "
1:30 a.m.- I start to tell Devin that I feel like I need to use the restroom. {However, I feel to lousy to get up and do so!}
2:00 a.m.- Devin gave me the Lortab even though I argued and told him if the Tylenol 3 wasn't doing anything what would ever make him think the Lortab would help? I still need to use the bathroom.
2:15 a.m.- That's it! I need to go use the bathroom no matter what. I need to have a bowel movement and Emily (my sister) said that would happen before my labor would really progress anyway.
I strip down to my birthday suit because I'm hot and sticky. Not sweaty, just sticky.
I proceed to use the facilities in the comforts of my own home. I take a seat minding my own business waiting for the contraction to stop when I feel this phloosh. No water, but there was definitely a drop.
I slowly check my southern regions and feel a squishy bag and a hard spot inside the squishy bag.
"DEVIN! We have a problem!" I yelled from the bathroom. "What's wrong? Get in the car! We'll go now!" he tells me.
I strip down to my birthday suit because I'm hot and sticky. Not sweaty, just sticky.
I proceed to use the facilities in the comforts of my own home. I take a seat minding my own business waiting for the contraction to stop when I feel this phloosh. No water, but there was definitely a drop.
I slowly check my southern regions and feel a squishy bag and a hard spot inside the squishy bag.
"DEVIN! We have a problem!" I yelled from the bathroom. "What's wrong? Get in the car! We'll go now!" he tells me.
I quickly respond back. "We don't have time for that. I don't think I'd make it if you drove. Call 911."
"Call 911, are you sure!?!"
"Devin, I can feel her head and the bag of water! CALL 911!"
As Devin is doing as instructed I have this sudden urge to push. I yell to him that I have this urge to push and the Dispatcher, on the other end in her calm voice is yelling "DONT LET HER PUSH! They are on their way and will be there in about three minutes."
Devin starts to run downstairs to let them in when I scream, "Where do you think you're going! You can't leave me! I need to push!"
Devin comes rushing back and tells me not to push then hands me the phone and tells me to talk to the nice lady while he lets the EMTs in.
Again, I tell him not to leave me so instead he wakes up Brandy to let them in and comes back to help me breath through my pushing urges.
At this point I realize that I am still completely naked and I tell Devin I needed something to wear! Quickly he takes his own shirt off, that says, "Life is Good in Newton!" and throws it to me. I get it on just as the EMTS get there.
The paramedic in charge checks me and says, "Good the water is still intact and we're going to keep it that way. I don't want to deliver a baby tonight. We can't the gurnie up the stairs, do you think you can walk?"
I get help up and walk down the stairs with an EMT on either side while another EMT holds the "Life is Good in Newton!" shirt down so I stay somewhat modest.
Once in the ambulance they quickly and efficiently hooked me up to all the monitors and started an IV.
"Your contractions are about a minute apart, and lasting about 2 minutes," said the EMT. I, again, have the urge to push so I start breathing the way I was told in my Lamaze class just the Monday evening before.
The EMT looks at me in the eye and says,"Anna, look at me. You can't breath like that. Breath with me. In through the nose, deep breath, out through the mouth slowly."
Devin starts to run downstairs to let them in when I scream, "Where do you think you're going! You can't leave me! I need to push!"
Devin comes rushing back and tells me not to push then hands me the phone and tells me to talk to the nice lady while he lets the EMTs in.
Again, I tell him not to leave me so instead he wakes up Brandy to let them in and comes back to help me breath through my pushing urges.
At this point I realize that I am still completely naked and I tell Devin I needed something to wear! Quickly he takes his own shirt off, that says, "Life is Good in Newton!" and throws it to me. I get it on just as the EMTS get there.
The paramedic in charge checks me and says, "Good the water is still intact and we're going to keep it that way. I don't want to deliver a baby tonight. We can't the gurnie up the stairs, do you think you can walk?"
I get help up and walk down the stairs with an EMT on either side while another EMT holds the "Life is Good in Newton!" shirt down so I stay somewhat modest.
Once in the ambulance they quickly and efficiently hooked me up to all the monitors and started an IV.
"Your contractions are about a minute apart, and lasting about 2 minutes," said the EMT. I, again, have the urge to push so I start breathing the way I was told in my Lamaze class just the Monday evening before.
The EMT looks at me in the eye and says,"Anna, look at me. You can't breath like that. Breath with me. In through the nose, deep breath, out through the mouth slowly."
"What do you mean I can't pant. That is what they taught me in Lamaze!"
"Listen to me, you can do this, breath with me." He repeats totally ignoring what I just told him.
I decided it was better to listen to him and complain later. Once on the main street I heard the sirens go on. Why sirens are needed at 2:30 in the morning I have no idea, alas they were on anyways.
They got me to hospital bypassing Emergency, and took me straight to Labor & Delivery.
The nurse assigned to me quickly checks out the situation and says, "You're at a 9 1/2. How do you feel about a natural delivery?"
This didn't upset me at all because it is what I wanted from the beginning.
"Well, I better get the delivery stuff out and call the doctor." she says.
The nurse started pulling out everything as the EMT finished up paperwork with Devin, who made it to the hospital before the ambulance did.
I was admitted at 2:47 a.m. My parents arrived very shortly after I arrived at the hospital as well. (Brandy had called them to let them know I was having a baby for sure this time.)
Mom and Devin helped me breath through the contractions as the nurse continued to get ready for the doctor.
After 15 minutes when we hadn't yet heard from Dr. Firth the nurse, Dee, picked up the phone to call again. Just as she started to dial, s Dr. Firth walked in and said, "I had a feeling it was you."
He checked me and smiled saying, "Let's get this baby here!"
He quickly donned the Dr. Delivery outfit and broke my water.
I felt this immediately relief. "Oh that felt so good," I sighed.
Then the next contraction started. "Can I push!?" I squeaked.
"Not yet." was my answer.
I was allowed to try on the next contraction then told to stop. Just for the record, trying to stop pushing after you start is near impossible. I had to breath through another two contractions.
"Ok start pushing." ~ I blew out all my air instead of taking a deep breath and had to start all over again.
I decided it was better to listen to him and complain later. Once on the main street I heard the sirens go on. Why sirens are needed at 2:30 in the morning I have no idea, alas they were on anyways.
They got me to hospital bypassing Emergency, and took me straight to Labor & Delivery.
The nurse assigned to me quickly checks out the situation and says, "You're at a 9 1/2. How do you feel about a natural delivery?"
This didn't upset me at all because it is what I wanted from the beginning.
"Well, I better get the delivery stuff out and call the doctor." she says.
The nurse started pulling out everything as the EMT finished up paperwork with Devin, who made it to the hospital before the ambulance did.
I was admitted at 2:47 a.m. My parents arrived very shortly after I arrived at the hospital as well. (Brandy had called them to let them know I was having a baby for sure this time.)
Mom and Devin helped me breath through the contractions as the nurse continued to get ready for the doctor.
After 15 minutes when we hadn't yet heard from Dr. Firth the nurse, Dee, picked up the phone to call again. Just as she started to dial, s Dr. Firth walked in and said, "I had a feeling it was you."
He checked me and smiled saying, "Let's get this baby here!"
He quickly donned the Dr. Delivery outfit and broke my water.
I felt this immediately relief. "Oh that felt so good," I sighed.
Then the next contraction started. "Can I push!?" I squeaked.
"Not yet." was my answer.
I was allowed to try on the next contraction then told to stop. Just for the record, trying to stop pushing after you start is near impossible. I had to breath through another two contractions.
"Ok start pushing." ~ I blew out all my air instead of taking a deep breath and had to start all over again.
I pushed for all I was worth for about 20 minutes (mom says only 5 contractions) and at 3:31 a.m. Cora Adeline Reeder was born weighing in @ 5 lbs. 12 oz. and measuring 18 1/2" long.
I couldn't believe it. I had a baby! I did it naturally and she was beautiful. That was the Labor and Delivery of our little Cora.
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| Cora Adeline, just a few minutes old. |
I couldn't believe it. I had a baby! I did it naturally and she was beautiful. That was the Labor and Delivery of our little Cora.
woohoo!!!
ReplyDeleteYou need to continue on an put up the picture of dr. firth