Start at the beginning

The best place to start is the beginning. I guess this started on August 7, 2012 (really nine months earlier but that is a whole nother chapter). I was scheduled to be induced because of high blood pressure, and so I called the hospital at 5 AM to see what time they wanted me to be there. I was told to get there by 7 and so I went to sleep for another hour and got up at 6am to get showered. We arrived a little late and then it took some time before they took us back to the labor and delivery room. We were both so nervous. Chad couldn't sleep most of the night, and I couldn't hardly eat breakfast even though Dr. Martin told me to eat that morning for strength. Once they took me back I changed into a gown and then they started my IV and pitocin. After that it was pretty uneventful for a few hours. At lunchtime Dr. Martin came to see about breaking my water. I wanted to wait and try to let it happen more naturally so we agreed that at 3 the nurse would check me and if I wasn't progressing more then we would break the water.

So at 3 I was only dilated maybe another mm so I allowed them to break my water. OMG. Immediate, earth shattering, cry like a wolf pain. What?!? They said it would likely get worse in about 30 minutes. Apparently the amniotic sac was some sort of heavenly barrier between me and real labor (not really since pitocin induced labor is not the same as natural labor). Immediately I knew I was done with the whole natural thing. I told Chad, "I don't want to endure another 5 minutes of this even". I asked to get an epidural ASAP. I was seriously worried about how I would be able to endure the mind bending pain until the anesteologist got there. About 10-15 cruel minutes later my nurse Jayme came to tell me I was third in line for the epidural? WTF? There was a run on epidurals and you chose the one on pitocin with HTN to be last?!? Arg. So about 30 minutes later they come to tell me there were 3 people ahead of me and there are still 2 waiting so it will still be awhile. My blood pressure is now approx 240/140 through the contractions (normal is under 120/80 and anything over 160/100 is getting to be too high) and my husband kept mentioning I'm in danger of stroking out. I'm a little concerned now as well as the 3 nurses who are now hovering around my room. So and hour and 15 minutes after I asked, the most wonderful relief, the nurse anesthetist arrived. Hooray! "Why didn't she get a epidural sooner with her pressures being so high?" she asks. Yeah I'd like to know that too I think. They kept wanting to give me pain meds and again wanted me too so I could hold still for the epidural but I didn't want my baby to be high on drugs so I promised to not move a mm. Husband claims the needle was super scary and had to have hurt but all I know is I was focused on getting through the contraction and didn't care a thing about my back. And sweet relief came almost immediately. No more big bad scary contractions.

The next hour or so is bliss. I can breathe and think again. When they came to do the epidural they asked about medication and allergies and I honestly couldn't process what they were asking me. I told Chad he would have to answer. The nurse then told us she had never seen a pitocin induced woman who had her water broken not have an epidural. I might have rethunk the natural thing if I knew that. I claim to be super woman but I know I'm not really. Anyways, a little later I realize I'm shaking a lot and ask the nurses and they say that's normal. Shortly after I realize the shaking comes with the contractions and oh my I am starting to feel them again. They say sometimes you can feel the pressure of the baby and so that's normal. Finally I explain this is NOT pressure, I am feeling everything almost as intense as without the epidural. So finally they get in contact with the nurse anesthetist again and redo my dosage. Eventually the pain begins to subside and shaking goes to a minimum. Finally it is around 6 when the Dr was supposed to come after work to check on things and maybe deliver the baby. By 7 o'clock I know I am dilated completely and effaced because I can feel the baby's head pressing on my pelvis. Dr. Martin finally gets there and it's go time. Time to start pushing.

This is where the magic happens. It seems like it only took 3 pushes but I think it was more like 7-10 but really it couldn't have been much easier. I was ready to meet this little man. I was a little too eager because I don't think the doc was ready to catch him yet, and I tore myself up pretty good considering he was less than 6 lbs. But I did push out this little miracle weighing 5 lbs 15 oz. He was so amazing and when they put him on my chest after he was delivered all I could think was nothing ever felt so right.. Definately love at first sight. At the hospital they let you have the first hour with your baby with as few interruptions as possible so everyone left me, Chad, and baby boy to be together. It was great. One of the best times in my life. After that enter baby drama...