On Valentine's Day I had an appointment to determine when my induction would take place. I would either be going in that night (if my body was showing little to no signs of progress) or on Saturday, February 15. I had spent the most part of the week in bed, so any sign of contractions pretty much went unrecognized. I simply got up enough to shower, use the restroom, and grab any food that appealed to my appetite. To my surprise, I was 4 cm. dilated and approx. 80% effaced. My orders were given and I was told to arrive at the hospital at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday.
So....... after not sleeping very much due to being uncomfortable, a full moon, an earthquake, and knowing I was meeting my little boy...Michael and I were up at 4:00 and headed to Athens by 5. Thank goodness I wasn't really "in labor," because Michael was so tired and drove very slow. I had to keep talking to him to be sure he wasn't falling asleep (looking back I probably should have been the one in the driver's seat).
Once we arrived at the hospital, the night shift nurse got my IV started and had me read for the induction. When the day shift nurse arrived (the same sweet nurse that took care of me when I went the week before) the pitocin was started. Shortly after 9:00, my OB came in to check me. I was at 6 cm, so she broke my water. The contractions went from tolerable to "knock my socks off" painful! I couldn't breathe through them and sent Michael on a hunt for the nurse. I needed an epidural and needed it NOW. About an hour later I met my BFF (the anesthesiologist). Once the epidural was in, I instantly felt the warm cozy feeling. I was able to rest for a few hours. The nurse came in to check on me about every 30 minutes. My OB was in constant contact. She came in to check me around noon and told me it wouldn't be long. An hour later I was told it was time to begin pushing. I pushed for a little over an hour with NO progression. Sweet Fowler wasn't coming down the birth canal. I couldn't feel any contractions and was being told when to push. I didn't even know if I was really doing it right. My OB decided that it was best to try to let gravity take it's course and let me rest for a little while as I was weak from the flue and Fowler's heart rate had dropped some. I was given an oxygen mask which totally freaked me out and told to rest. An hour later we were back at it! I pushed for about 45 more minutes and was making very little progress. My body was beginning to swell around Fowler's head which caused concern. I could tell by my doctor's face that she didn't want me to try much longer. She kept asking how I felt and told me to let her know if I was just too tired. She tried to be very positive when I would ask if he was coming down any. He just couldn't get under my pubic bone. By this time they had turned the epidural way down and I was feeling contractions enough to know when to push. I was giving it everything I had and just simply couldn't do it. So...my options came. We could try to suction him out with the help of pushing and if it didn't work I would have to have an emergency c-section. I really wanted to deliver simply because I had already been trying so hard and was already sore (if you know what I mean). My doctor told me she would give me 3 pushes and if he didn't come that was it. I pushed once and NOTHING...on the second push I felt a big pop and out came Fowler's head, and one push later I saw and heard the most precious little boy! I do have to say that when I felt the big pop I raised my arms in the air as if I had one a gold medal....and yes, I believe I did win gold with Fowler.
Fowler Samuel Adams arrived into our lives at 3:50 pm on Saturday, February 15 weighing 8 lbs and 2 oz and measuring 21 inches long. He was given a perfect score on the APGAR test. We just love our precious "little brother" and could not be more blessed!
1 Sweet Notes:
awww! So glad you were able to deliver vaginally after all that hard work! I definitely know what you mean. He is so perfect! :-)
Post a Comment