Labor and Delivery

Things started at around 3 p.m. on 6/15 when I noticed bloody show. Not having had this with Caleb, it was a bit alarming even though I an idea of what it was. So, I called Joanna to make sure it was normal. She's had her girls within 48 hours of having bloody show and thought I was already in early labor. Woohoo!! I suppose I should have already known this, but it my contractions with Caleb were immediately painful, no BH contractions, and that is what I was waiting for... the pain.

I had just promised Caleb that I would take him to the playground, so we left after I hung up with Joanna. We were at the playground for about 15 minutes when I had my first painful contraction and decided it was not a good idea for me to be out by myself with Caleb. So, we went home and Shane got home soon after.

At first we weren't timing my contractions because I'd been in labor for about 18 hours with Caleb before they became consistent. But, they seemed to be coming regularly, so we started timing at about 5:30 p.m. After an hour they were 5 to 6 minutes apart. My doctor had told me that I'd need to go in when I was 10 minutes apart for an hour, so I called the hospital, thinking we were going to be heading in.

The nurse asked me some questions and thought that I was dehydrated so told me to drink 32 ounces of water in 15 minutes, lay down for an hour, and then call her. After drinking the water, the contractions slowed down to 15 to 20 minutes apart. The nurse said that they actually have woman with their second babies come in when they are 3 to 5 minutes apart!!! I asked if this was the case for me even though I had an hour drive and needed antibiotics for the GBS. She said that she thought it would a good idea if I came in when I was 10 to 15 minutes apart. I just needed to be aware that there was a possibility they could send me home.

We continued to time the contractions and called in again at about midnight, when my contractions had been 7 to 10 minutes apart for an hour and a half. We thought for sure they would be ready for me to come in. But, I spoke to a different nurse, Olga, as the one I had previously spoken to was no longer on shift. She seemed hesitant to suggest that I should come in, repeating their normal procedure of having woman come in when they are 3 to 5 minutes apart and pointing out that my labor was 36 hours long with Caleb. I was getting very confused. The contractions were painful at this point, I couldn't walk or talk through them. She suggested that I take a hot shower and lay down and relax for another hour.

At 1:30 a.m., I called back and told her we were coming in because my contractions were now 4 to 6 minutes apart. And to my surprise she was still not agreeing with me that it was definitely time. But, I didn't ask this time what she thought, I just told her it was time and we were leaving.

So, we woke Caleb up and were off within 15 minutes. Shane drove quickly and there was no traffic so we got there in 45 minutes. My contractions the entire time were 3 minutes apart. I was also throwing up. Once right before we left and again right before we got to the hospital.

At 2:40 a.m. we were in the ER.

At 2:50 a.m. we were in Labor & Delivery.

At 3:00 a.m. the midwife came in to officially admit me. It wasn't until then that they could order the epidural for me. The pain was excruciating at this point. Olga asked me what my pain level was on a scale of 1 to 10. I said "10", which I have never said before. Olga actually snickered when I said "10". I didn't like this lady at all. I said "Well, this is the worst pain I've ever felt!" And the midwife said, "It's interesting that you say "10", because that is how far you're dilated! You'll be having the baby now."

Excuse me?

And I said to her (knowing full well what the answer was), "Does that mean it's too late for an epidural?" And she said, "I'm afraid so."

I wish I could say that I took this news with courage and confidence. But, I did quite the opposite. I flipped out and a fear like I've never experienced took over. I looked at Shane in a way I'm sure he'll never forget. And kept repeating "No!" and "I can't do it!"

The midwife was great though, she was very calm and tried her best to assure me that I had already suffered so much and taken it so well, that of course I could do it. As soon as she checked me, she said "You're water will break and then you'll need to push. We'll get the room ready." She turned, I had a contraction and my water broke.

I remember some discussion about whether to have me push where I was (in a prep room) or to get me to an actual delivery room. During the next contraction, they got me into the delivery room.

Then, with the next two contractions, I had pushed her out! Just like that and it was over! So, within 20 minutes of getting to L&D, I had given birth!

It hurt like heck, but the pushing part was actually not so bad compared to those non-stop contractions.

Unfortunately, Shane had to stay with Caleb and wasn't there for Ana's birth. But, it's hard to have regrets (or even be really upset at Olga's attitude), when things worked out so well. It could have been so horrible if we had left just 30 minutes later and had the baby in the van. Ana and I are both healthy and my recovery has been amazingly easy, especially compared to the horrific tear I suffered with Caleb, which took me (no joke) a year to recover from. After the first round of Motrin, I didn't need any pain killers! How amazing is that? It's great motivation to go without the meds the next time, even if I do have a choice.

Ana is perfect. And there's nothing more I could want.

And, now I get to brag about having given birth with no meds. I know you're all impressed :)