Third baby birth story - first two natural, third vaginal with epidural
So here's the birth story for those intrigued: I had a non-stress test the day before. I was trying to get a tour of the hospital but I never planned one. I had a feeling when I was there that I would be coming back very soon. I think seeing the labor/delivery ward prepped me mentally and allowed the process to proceed. My kids were at my moms house for a sleepover - everything "felt" ready.
I used 3 "natural" induction methods in conjunction to get it going. Black/blue cohosh (15 drops each) in water, nip stim and prostoglandins. I was feeling squeezy before bed but attributed it to brisket and beans for dinner - although they never made me feel that way before. I had to go to the bathroom 3 or 4 times in 5 hours because I kept feeling like I had to go but nothing happened. Then felt a trickle (def not pee because I had been trying for hours to do that) and it was pink tinged followed by a tranquil contraction. I told Harold to sleep more since it was 4 am... then decided - nope, if these get stronger I do not want to be driving 15 extra minutes on a windy road. So I woke up Harold and we started to get ready. Good thing because it took about an hour to finally leave the house as I had an unexpected nesting "let's not forget this and this and this" moment. Went to my mother's house on the way to drop off carseats for the girls and let my parents know - as well as sneak in a few kisses to my sleeping angels. Then we headed to the hospital around 6am since I was expecting it to get stronger quickly.
On the 25 minute drive there I only had about 5 contractions which weren't very long. This was already different than my previous birth where I went straight to 1 minute contractions 2 minutes apart. But I was still wary that it'd go fast so I was happy with getting there ASAP. We did the sign-in thing and were taken to our room. I wasn't too pleased with the state of the room - it felt old and musty and I realized then I was letting the setting get to me so I withdrew and just held onto my IV pole through the contractions(which they insisted to give me fluids since its "protocal" boo). At the 5 hour mark the contractions were slowing to every 4-5 minutes and 45 seconds apart. They were strong - but not really effective because when I got checked I only progressed about 1cm in 3 hours. I talked to my sister in MD about epidurals and after we talked I felt even more intrigued. I didn't want pitocin but I knew this feeling with Zora. The labor came after water breaking but fizzed out and the pitocin contractions were nearly unbearable.
I had felt like I already had my natural birth twice before. I was anticipating a quick 3 or 4 hour labor but it had been 6 hours and I knew they'd want to do pitocin soon and I didn't want my son to be stuck in there for a 30 hour labor like Zora was. So I asked for the epidural.
I HATE needles and the idea of one in my back seemed soooooooo horrible. It was a small prick for the local anesthetic then it felt like something was sliding between my spine - something was - a tube, ewwww. Anyhow once it was in he did a test dose and it felt cold under my skin by where the needle was. I asked them to pleeeeaaasssseee not give me a catheter and they said they had to assess how far along I was first. If I was close then they could avoid it. Of course I was only at 6 so they put it in. I felt that more than I was supposed to but it wasn't bad. Then they gave me the "remote" for my pain which gave 5mL of the fentanyl (topping out at 33mL per hour and it gave 8mL/hour as the base dose). They said I should "load up" by pressing it a few times over the next 20-30 minutes, it gave one dose every 10 minutes. I did it twice then left it alone for a few hours.
I felt the contractions get shorter and shorter but I my focal point (the external contraction monitor chart was visible in a mirror across from the bed) kept showing the contractions sustaining intensity and duration. Apparently this is the first effect of the epidural. Then my legs were getting number - I could move them but not feel them. Then eventually they turned into lead weights and I couldn't move or feel them. I had to use my upper body to twist myself to my right and left sides for contracting.
As expected the epidural did slightly weaken the contractions (something my nurse said would not happen but I didn't take her word for it since it is written everywhere on the internet that such things do occur and the doctor confirmed it). She said "Sorry about that I told you that it doesn't slow them down" - I guess in every profession people tell the client what they want/need to hear. So since they slowed down I agreed to the pitocin. They started with a "sniff" then increased it slightly once I was regular. I remember twisting my tailbone back and forth for my quick birth and how that helped move things along. So I laid on my right side and swiveled my hips right to left at a slow pace then faster as the contraction got faster. I also moaned through them - even though it wasn't really needed I remember these things helping with my previous births. I wanted to still pretend like I was feeling the pain because those instinctual behaviors probably are what shimmy the baby out. I felt shakey from the hormone adrenaline pumping through me. It all still felt like natural birth but there was just 90% less pain.
I continued to have my phantom contractions - They felt like strong Braxton Hicks contractions coupled with a stomach ache. Then the epidural wore off a bit and I started feeling more of it and being able to move my legs. This was around 9 cm but my cervix still had a lip where it was inflammed but was swipeable. I was at 9cm for about 3 hour having the phantom contractions. Then after the doc birthed the other ladies baby she came over and told the nurse to start pushing and try to push back that bit of cervix. I pushed for about 10 minutes holding onto my legs and curling my chin into my stomach. It took me 2 pushes to remember how to push but then she responded "YES! THAT ONE! THAT'S A GOOD PUSH" - Those words definitely made it far more encouraging! Now I felt equipped. The doc had said before she asked the nurse to start pushing "If the baby can't clear that cervix its going to be bad" - something she really shouldn't have said but I guess she had to prepare me mentally. And those words, despite their negative conotation - were equally encouraging. "EFF THAT" I thought in my head - time to really push! They told me to hold my breath/push into the posterior point of my cervix for 10 seconds, take a fast, quick breath then hold my breath again for 10 seconds pushing again. I did as instructed and then by 15 minutes there was a POP! My mom was holding up my left leg and saw the head and she started to get all teary eyed. The doctor was called for from the nurse's station and another 3 or 4 people rushed in with her. The nurse then shrieked "OKAY STOP ONE SECOND - DON'T PUSH" I guess she wasn't feeling up for catching the baby (probably not permitted to actually). And then after the next contraction came I pushed 3 more times and he came out with the cord twisted around his body like a seatbelt. This dulled vaginal delivery felt very similar to my others. There was a HUGE release like a water balloon popped inside me and exploded out my yahoo. I could say it in more poetic terms but its not a poetic thing - its quite primal. I felt all my organs shift and plummet back into place where they belong. I suppose if someone gutted you it would feel similar - like a massive weight inside your body fell out. Sorry, still not poetic! Maybe next time I'll scream "FREEEEDDDDOOOOOOMMMM"
They put him on me after a quick aspirator suckout and they heard a few cries and he looked so much like his sisters did by first glance. He was all bloody and cute, barely opening his eyes. The placenta came out quickly after. Everything beyond that point (fundal massaging, iv removal, and other hospital protocols) was rather mundane, unexciting, and strategic. As soon as he came I was pretty much ready to leave. The room for postpartum was hot (AC was malfunctioning), the staff was sweet, our methods of parenting were challenged, and in the end we got home safe and sound with our new little prince. Total weight: 8lb 4oz, weight @ discharge 7lb 14oz, 20.5" long! My shortest, fattest baby yet. Total labor length after waters broke: 16 hours
I used 3 "natural" induction methods in conjunction to get it going. Black/blue cohosh (15 drops each) in water, nip stim and prostoglandins. I was feeling squeezy before bed but attributed it to brisket and beans for dinner - although they never made me feel that way before. I had to go to the bathroom 3 or 4 times in 5 hours because I kept feeling like I had to go but nothing happened. Then felt a trickle (def not pee because I had been trying for hours to do that) and it was pink tinged followed by a tranquil contraction. I told Harold to sleep more since it was 4 am... then decided - nope, if these get stronger I do not want to be driving 15 extra minutes on a windy road. So I woke up Harold and we started to get ready. Good thing because it took about an hour to finally leave the house as I had an unexpected nesting "let's not forget this and this and this" moment. Went to my mother's house on the way to drop off carseats for the girls and let my parents know - as well as sneak in a few kisses to my sleeping angels. Then we headed to the hospital around 6am since I was expecting it to get stronger quickly.
On the 25 minute drive there I only had about 5 contractions which weren't very long. This was already different than my previous birth where I went straight to 1 minute contractions 2 minutes apart. But I was still wary that it'd go fast so I was happy with getting there ASAP. We did the sign-in thing and were taken to our room. I wasn't too pleased with the state of the room - it felt old and musty and I realized then I was letting the setting get to me so I withdrew and just held onto my IV pole through the contractions(which they insisted to give me fluids since its "protocal" boo). At the 5 hour mark the contractions were slowing to every 4-5 minutes and 45 seconds apart. They were strong - but not really effective because when I got checked I only progressed about 1cm in 3 hours. I talked to my sister in MD about epidurals and after we talked I felt even more intrigued. I didn't want pitocin but I knew this feeling with Zora. The labor came after water breaking but fizzed out and the pitocin contractions were nearly unbearable.
I had felt like I already had my natural birth twice before. I was anticipating a quick 3 or 4 hour labor but it had been 6 hours and I knew they'd want to do pitocin soon and I didn't want my son to be stuck in there for a 30 hour labor like Zora was. So I asked for the epidural.
I HATE needles and the idea of one in my back seemed soooooooo horrible. It was a small prick for the local anesthetic then it felt like something was sliding between my spine - something was - a tube, ewwww. Anyhow once it was in he did a test dose and it felt cold under my skin by where the needle was. I asked them to pleeeeaaasssseee not give me a catheter and they said they had to assess how far along I was first. If I was close then they could avoid it. Of course I was only at 6 so they put it in. I felt that more than I was supposed to but it wasn't bad. Then they gave me the "remote" for my pain which gave 5mL of the fentanyl (topping out at 33mL per hour and it gave 8mL/hour as the base dose). They said I should "load up" by pressing it a few times over the next 20-30 minutes, it gave one dose every 10 minutes. I did it twice then left it alone for a few hours.
I felt the contractions get shorter and shorter but I my focal point (the external contraction monitor chart was visible in a mirror across from the bed) kept showing the contractions sustaining intensity and duration. Apparently this is the first effect of the epidural. Then my legs were getting number - I could move them but not feel them. Then eventually they turned into lead weights and I couldn't move or feel them. I had to use my upper body to twist myself to my right and left sides for contracting.
As expected the epidural did slightly weaken the contractions (something my nurse said would not happen but I didn't take her word for it since it is written everywhere on the internet that such things do occur and the doctor confirmed it). She said "Sorry about that I told you that it doesn't slow them down" - I guess in every profession people tell the client what they want/need to hear. So since they slowed down I agreed to the pitocin. They started with a "sniff" then increased it slightly once I was regular. I remember twisting my tailbone back and forth for my quick birth and how that helped move things along. So I laid on my right side and swiveled my hips right to left at a slow pace then faster as the contraction got faster. I also moaned through them - even though it wasn't really needed I remember these things helping with my previous births. I wanted to still pretend like I was feeling the pain because those instinctual behaviors probably are what shimmy the baby out. I felt shakey from the hormone adrenaline pumping through me. It all still felt like natural birth but there was just 90% less pain.
I continued to have my phantom contractions - They felt like strong Braxton Hicks contractions coupled with a stomach ache. Then the epidural wore off a bit and I started feeling more of it and being able to move my legs. This was around 9 cm but my cervix still had a lip where it was inflammed but was swipeable. I was at 9cm for about 3 hour having the phantom contractions. Then after the doc birthed the other ladies baby she came over and told the nurse to start pushing and try to push back that bit of cervix. I pushed for about 10 minutes holding onto my legs and curling my chin into my stomach. It took me 2 pushes to remember how to push but then she responded "YES! THAT ONE! THAT'S A GOOD PUSH" - Those words definitely made it far more encouraging! Now I felt equipped. The doc had said before she asked the nurse to start pushing "If the baby can't clear that cervix its going to be bad" - something she really shouldn't have said but I guess she had to prepare me mentally. And those words, despite their negative conotation - were equally encouraging. "EFF THAT" I thought in my head - time to really push! They told me to hold my breath/push into the posterior point of my cervix for 10 seconds, take a fast, quick breath then hold my breath again for 10 seconds pushing again. I did as instructed and then by 15 minutes there was a POP! My mom was holding up my left leg and saw the head and she started to get all teary eyed. The doctor was called for from the nurse's station and another 3 or 4 people rushed in with her. The nurse then shrieked "OKAY STOP ONE SECOND - DON'T PUSH" I guess she wasn't feeling up for catching the baby (probably not permitted to actually). And then after the next contraction came I pushed 3 more times and he came out with the cord twisted around his body like a seatbelt. This dulled vaginal delivery felt very similar to my others. There was a HUGE release like a water balloon popped inside me and exploded out my yahoo. I could say it in more poetic terms but its not a poetic thing - its quite primal. I felt all my organs shift and plummet back into place where they belong. I suppose if someone gutted you it would feel similar - like a massive weight inside your body fell out. Sorry, still not poetic! Maybe next time I'll scream "FREEEEDDDDOOOOOOMMMM"
They put him on me after a quick aspirator suckout and they heard a few cries and he looked so much like his sisters did by first glance. He was all bloody and cute, barely opening his eyes. The placenta came out quickly after. Everything beyond that point (fundal massaging, iv removal, and other hospital protocols) was rather mundane, unexciting, and strategic. As soon as he came I was pretty much ready to leave. The room for postpartum was hot (AC was malfunctioning), the staff was sweet, our methods of parenting were challenged, and in the end we got home safe and sound with our new little prince. Total weight: 8lb 4oz, weight @ discharge 7lb 14oz, 20.5" long! My shortest, fattest baby yet. Total labor length after waters broke: 16 hours