We started my induction at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, October 8, with Cervidil placement. I was already about 1.5 cm dilated and 50-60% effaced. I experienced my first uncomfortable/painful contractions and hardly got a wink of sleep.

The nurse woke me at 4:30 am to remove the Cervidil and let me shower before administering Pitocin. I was dilated to 2-3 cm, which we all took as a good sign.

The contractions became more frequent, but not much more intense. I continued to breathe through them with the assistance of my doula. She kept me moving in the hopes of keeping the contractions productive—we did different positions on the bed, bounced on my yoga ball, etc.

The doctor checked me at 9:00 am and I was now dilated to 3 cm. She broke my water and we were off to the races—or so we thought.

I didn’t initially find the Pitocin contractions to be as intense or as relentless as I’ve heard described. But they bumped up the dosage every so often, and the labor definitely seemed to be progressing. I breathed through some tough contractions for several hours, but my resolve to wait on an epidural wavered around lunchtime when I learned I was only at 4 cm. The pain before the peak of each contraction was getting particularly intense. I cried a bit in frustration.

While waffling on whether to get the epidural for the pain, I had several very high blood pressure readings (I have preeclampsia) that prompted a discussion about administering magnesium sulfate. I pleaded with the nurses and my doctor to let me try an epidural to bring the pressures down instead. The anesthesiologist was a jerk but effective—my epidural was done in less than 30 seconds and the BP readings became less worrisome.

The Pitocin, my epidural, and/or my surging hormones gave me the most terrible shakes, and I was exhausted and feeling disoriented. It took me hours to try and calm my body and return to a more positive state of mind. My doctor checked me around 2 pm and I had dilated to 7 cm and was 90% effaced! We estimated I could be pushing as early as 5/6:00 pm. I dominated the peanut ball and continued with as many positions as I could manage with mostly-numbed legs. My husband was my biggest cheerleader and comforter.

I made it to 8 cm but stayed there, despite receiving almost the max dosage of Pitocin. By about 8/9:00 pm I entered this strange zen-like state—I felt rested and resolved to have this baby. I could feel mounting pressure in my pelvic floor with each contraction, which I was certain meant the baby’s head preparing to descend.

However, the doctor came by and explained in very somber manner:

1. Blood in my urine bag and my description of the pressure indicated the baby was sunny side up and unsuccessfully trying to find a way out (his head was repeatedly hitting my bladder instead). Vaginal delivery in this position is not impossible, but significantly more difficult.

2. I was maxed out on Pitocin and had been laboring quite a while. Continued labor with a

sunny side up baby could result in my uterus failing, causing a rupture or other problems.

3. I was running a low-grade fever that was rising, suggesting a possible infection and shortening the time in which we could continue laboring anyway.

My hubs and I decided to trust her recommendation and have the baby by c-section.

And we are so glad! Minutes later, I heard the sweet, irresistible sound of my baby’s first cry. Every person in the OR started shouting about how big the baby was—an ounce shy of 9 lbs at 37 weeks! I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw him, he was so adorable to me.

I received anti-nausea drugs during the procedure that made me so groggy I couldn’t focus my eyes and had difficulty moving and speaking. I slept in post-op while my husband fed the baby formula—the sight was heartbreakingly precious.

As do some late pre-term and larger babies, mine has low blood sugar issues that are requiring some NICU time. I’ll be in the hospital for a few more days and we hope we get him back before we are discharged. I can’t imaging how some mamas with extended NICU stays do it—it’s so difficult to leave him in there even though I know he is getting excellent, necessary care.

He has stolen my heart and gets cuter by the minute. What a journey—couldn’t wait to share it with you ladies who helped me get through it! Meet Augustus Eugene!