Here is my rainbow baby birth story!

Thursday: At my doctors appointment, I was 3cm and 60% effaced. I got a membrane sweep :)

Friday: I had a bloody show that morning and contractions started that night at about 8-10 minutes apart. Since I was strep B positive, I wanted to get to the hospital at a good time so I could get the antibiotics (I wasn’t able to with my last baby because things went too fast). We spent a few hours in triage to be told I was having contractions but they were not dilating my cervix. Went home and they stopped by morning.

Saturday: Had another bloody show. No contractions all day, but as soon as night came they were 8-10 minutes apart again. By morning they were gone.

Sunday: This day felt different. My contractions started around lunch time which was different. They were 10 minutes apart. Throughout the day, they continued consistently at 10 minutes apart. The only thing that changed with the contractions as the day progressed was the intensity and duration of each contraction. I had a feeling it was time. We went back to the hospital and at first I was still at 3cm, but he had dropped and my water was bulging. I felt discouraged because it wasn’t enough to admit me. We walked for 45 minutes and I prayed I would progress. She checked me again and said I was a solid 4cm and they wanted to admit me before my water broke. They started me on the antibiotic and said we had to wait 4 hours before they could help labor progress.

Monday: At 4 am, the nurse checked me and I had progressed to 5cm on my own. I was able to breathe through my contractions that were still only 5 minutes apart at times. My doctor came in at 7:45am and asked to break my water. It was bulging still and preventing my labor from progressing more rapidly. I agreed and she broke my water. Things didn’t pick up too bad at first but then I got up to use the bathroom. When I got back to my bed, I could not get back in it because my contractions got very intense and they were back to back to back. We called the nurse to check me and she said I was just 6cm. I honestly felt panicked and felt like giving up because the contractions would not stop. I said, “I can’t do this. I want an epidural.” The nurse left to get it but we had to call her back within 5 minutes because I was feeling pressure. She said I was now an 8 cm in 10 minutes! She said baby was coming. I climbed on the bed and knelt at the head of the bed. I can’t remember why but the nurse left again and I told my husband I was feeling so much pressure and that I wanted to push. He called the nurse and in came lots of people. I had my eyes closed but I could hear the doctor was here and I could push if I needed to. I started pushing and screaming like a madwoman. I didn’t feel that I could do it but kept on pushing. I felt that weird sensation of the ring of fire and then he was here after only 10 minutes of pushing. I was shocked to hear I didn’t tear at all. I was so sweaty and exhausted but holding him I couldn’t believe what I had done, gave birth to my son without any pain relief. What an experience!

He was born 7lbs 10oz and 21 inches long at 9:41am on June 6th. Calin Chase Finely