Birth Story - 5/5/2021

Things have settled down, so I can finally write this out.

Due to low fluid level and worries about baby’s growth, I was due to be induced on 5/5. They were going to call us when they had an opening but Baby decided that wasn’t in the cards. My mom came up in 5/4 to take care of our dog and two cats. We made dinner and I started spotting.

Called my doctor who told me eat a big meal, and try to get some sleep. Started having contractions literally as soon as I got off the phone. Hubby started tracking and I tried to get though dinner.

Wasn’t happening so I went to take a shower. Contractions were coming fast, but by no means consistent. Shower didn’t really help and I couldn’t speak through the contractions so we updated my doc and headed to the hospital.

My contractions were now about 4-5 apart and excruciating. When we got to L&D, I could barely speak and I think the nurses thought I was being over dramatic, until they checked me.

6 cm.

I immediately asked for an epidural and they said they would do their best but there might not be time. They moved my room and by the time we got settled less than an hour later, I was at 9cm. I was shaking uncontrollably the entire time.

Birthing class breathing wasn’t working, and I just kept asking for the epidural, and the nurses kept telling me there might not be time. At this point, I told them I was not doing this without it, so they finally got the anesthesiologist in and gave it to me. They told me it might not kick in fully before, but at this point, my labor slowed and I felt a sense of relief. Still at 9cm.

Got to sleep for 2.5 hours, partly with a peanut ball between my legs, and by 2:35, they broke my water.

Baby was sunny side up, pushed for 4 hours. My doctor was very no nonsense, and ran a tight ship. She was very encouraging but also honest, telling me they might have to get the vacuum and cut me because baby’s heart rate kept dipping and they needed to get baby out.

Hubby was amazing and supportive the entire time.

Our beautiful little girl was born at 6:30 am. 6 pounds, 9 ounces. 19 3/4 inches long.

They whisked her off to check her out and the doctor was honest with me again. My placenta was stuck and she had to get it out, so things were going to get gross and she was sorry. I don’t really remember a lot at this point.

She worked fast and eventually got it out, double checked it to make sure it was whole and sewed me up. Finally got to hold our sweet baby and fed her as soon as possible.

Baby had to stay in the NICU an extra day after they discharged us, due to jaundice, which was overwhelming but she responded well, and we finally went home Saturday after.

My regular OB came in to check me and told me I was lucky to get the doctor I had while delivering. Most of the doctors would have given me a C-section instead of being patient and coaching me though it.

She’s doing well, gaining around a ounce and a half a day, hitting her birth weight less than a week after birth.

They sent my placenta away for testing and found evidence of possible placenta accretion, hence why my placenta was harder to remove. I was lucky as in some cases you can have hemorrhaging or other complications.

Labor did not go in anyway I was prepared for, but I would do it again a thousand times.

As you can tell, our animals are obsessed with her, as are we.

Thank you for reading!