It was Labor Day, 2005. I'm not joking, it was actually LABOR DAY, you know the Monday the rest of the world is enjoying themselves while cooking out, boating, drinking themselves into delirium- yep, that Labor Day. Anyway, I had contractions on and off all day. I diligently timed them- they never got stronger, they never got closer together. They didn't hurt that bad either, which I'll admit, I'll thought to myself, "maybe I truly am just the toughest woman to ever endure labor? Maybe I'll be that crazy story on Dateline of the mom who didn't realize she was in labor and gave birth right there in the recliner." Regardless, with no dramatic breaking of the water, and no life-altering pain, I went to bed.
The next morning I felt... off. So I called in sick to work. The mild contractions continued all day, so finally about 2 PM my mom convinced to head to the doctors office, "just to make sure." I did and they of course made me feel like an idiot for coming in nothing more than a case of "Braxton Hicks." I was feeling chagrined and a little more than disappointed that my stubborn child would not be coming out afterall, when the doctor noticed that I had early pre-eclampsia. She explained what that meant and said
"so, I'll be sending the order to the hospital and they'll start the induction."
Me: "Order? Induction? Ummm, like what... tomorrow, next week? I mean, people schedule these things, right?"
Her: "No, right now. Please drive straight there."
Me: (dumbfounded- I mean, we threw a camera in a duffle bag at the last minute before we left home but that was about it.) "Like, today? Will I have this baby today!!!??"
Her: "Yes today. Well, we'll start the pitocin, there's no telling how long the labor will last."
And there you have it. A few panicky phone calls later to inform loved ones of the news and we were off to the hospital. We checked in at 3 PM. They threw a robe on me and they jump started my labor. And at first things were peachy. I was laughing, I was playing cards. I thought, this labor stuff ain't so bad! Fast forward:
9 PM: I was in a rocking chair doing what laboring moms to- watching the screen for each contraction- seeing just how high each peak went on that little screen.
10 PM: Lying in bed, starting to feel what it's really all about.
12 AM: Writhing in pain. Realizing I had no idea what it was all about.
2 AM: Delirious. Frankly that is the truth. I was in a haze of pain and fatigue. My mom and husband took turns rubbing my back through the contractions. I'm pretty sure that one of them was stabbing me in the sciatic with a straight razor but to this day I can't prove that.
3 AM: The evil nurses kept refusing me any pain medication because I had what they called a "stubborn cervix" that just wouldn't dilate.
4 AM: Water breaks. I don't tell anyone for a minute, thinking I am so delirious I have just wet myself. But, it soon becomes hard to hide. Evil cervix refuses to dilate STILL! I am now pissed at my cervix because it is not catching on to this baby stuff at all.
5 AM: After some serious threats, cervix finally cooperates and goes to 2 cm. Nurse calls the anaesthesiologist.
5:20 AM: I greedily soak in the site of an 8 inch needle about to enter my back. Anything, ANYTHING to stop the pain. Soon, I am in a blissful, painless heaven and I rest my eyes.
11:00 AM: I am ready to push. Jackal doctor is no where to be seen. Baby crowns, nurse literally yells and actually uses the word STAT which I think is cool for a second until I realize this could be bad. He shows up 5 minutes later, strolls in, catches baby and mutters "congrats."
11:28 AM: My world changes forever. I hold in my hands the most precious thing I have ever imagined. She is perfect. She is healthy. She is so round and so pink and I love her more than anything. I am a mother.
And that's how it happened.
The next morning I felt... off. So I called in sick to work. The mild contractions continued all day, so finally about 2 PM my mom convinced to head to the doctors office, "just to make sure." I did and they of course made me feel like an idiot for coming in nothing more than a case of "Braxton Hicks." I was feeling chagrined and a little more than disappointed that my stubborn child would not be coming out afterall, when the doctor noticed that I had early pre-eclampsia. She explained what that meant and said
"so, I'll be sending the order to the hospital and they'll start the induction."
Me: "Order? Induction? Ummm, like what... tomorrow, next week? I mean, people schedule these things, right?"
Her: "No, right now. Please drive straight there."
Me: (dumbfounded- I mean, we threw a camera in a duffle bag at the last minute before we left home but that was about it.) "Like, today? Will I have this baby today!!!??"
Her: "Yes today. Well, we'll start the pitocin, there's no telling how long the labor will last."
And there you have it. A few panicky phone calls later to inform loved ones of the news and we were off to the hospital. We checked in at 3 PM. They threw a robe on me and they jump started my labor. And at first things were peachy. I was laughing, I was playing cards. I thought, this labor stuff ain't so bad! Fast forward:
9 PM: I was in a rocking chair doing what laboring moms to- watching the screen for each contraction- seeing just how high each peak went on that little screen.
10 PM: Lying in bed, starting to feel what it's really all about.
12 AM: Writhing in pain. Realizing I had no idea what it was all about.
2 AM: Delirious. Frankly that is the truth. I was in a haze of pain and fatigue. My mom and husband took turns rubbing my back through the contractions. I'm pretty sure that one of them was stabbing me in the sciatic with a straight razor but to this day I can't prove that.
3 AM: The evil nurses kept refusing me any pain medication because I had what they called a "stubborn cervix" that just wouldn't dilate.
4 AM: Water breaks. I don't tell anyone for a minute, thinking I am so delirious I have just wet myself. But, it soon becomes hard to hide. Evil cervix refuses to dilate STILL! I am now pissed at my cervix because it is not catching on to this baby stuff at all.
5 AM: After some serious threats, cervix finally cooperates and goes to 2 cm. Nurse calls the anaesthesiologist.
5:20 AM: I greedily soak in the site of an 8 inch needle about to enter my back. Anything, ANYTHING to stop the pain. Soon, I am in a blissful, painless heaven and I rest my eyes.
11:00 AM: I am ready to push. Jackal doctor is no where to be seen. Baby crowns, nurse literally yells and actually uses the word STAT which I think is cool for a second until I realize this could be bad. He shows up 5 minutes later, strolls in, catches baby and mutters "congrats."
11:28 AM: My world changes forever. I hold in my hands the most precious thing I have ever imagined. She is perfect. She is healthy. She is so round and so pink and I love her more than anything. I am a mother.
And that's how it happened.
6 comments:
Aww, birth stories are the best. And I knew you would put a great spin on yours.
I was induced with my son - NO FUN!! That picture is precious!
Take care- Kellan
i like this one. :)
you had me laughing and, i have to admit, a little bit teary... :)
Love this post..
and happy belated Mothers day to you
Youch. Seriously.
Great post, but I remain glad I am not pregnant! :) Love ya.
Precious, Precious memories. You are very blessed, as you bless those around you. GB
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