Unmedicated childbirth was my goal with both pregnancies. My first labor experience was rough. Baby was sunny side up, which introduced a whole new level of pain and sickness to join it. I ultimately asked for an epidural that only set things back when I couldn't feel anything. Nothing, I couldn't tell if I was pushing when I thought I was and my total PUSH time was 5 hours. My OB let my epidural run out because it only set me back. This was definitely a bigger push to go the unmedicated route with #2.
The morning started like most mornings did at 39 weeks. I was having some contractions that were continued from overnight, but I knew they would stop so I was getting ready for work as I had a formal observation that day. I called my OB to ask when I should go in if contractions continued, and of course word of contractions spread like wild fire through my school and even though I told my team I needed to stay because of my observation, they insisted I go have a baby instead. I apologized to my AP, but I think she would rather me miss my observation than observe me have a baby in my classroom.
On the way to the OB, I could tell my contractions were nothing measurable, but we were already expected to show up so we decided to just go and humor ourselves. She monitored me for an hour or so, and I knew she was going to send me home telling me to come back when something actually happens. When she came back after looking over the report, she told us that my contractions weren't much, but there were multiple dips in baby's heart rate which usually indicates low fluid. Earlier that week I had thought I was leaking fluid, but it only happened sometimes so I brushed it off, maybe I wasn't crazy afterall! The OB said that since I was so far along, it was safer for the baby to be out than in so she was sending me to be induced.
At 39 weeks, you didn't have to tell me twice..let's go!!
(But first, Chic fil A....)
As mentioned before, I really wanted to go unmedicated, but since I was having to be induced due to low fluid levels, I was worried something would go wrong and would have to get an emergency c-section and I wanted to be awake if that were to happen. After a heart to heart with my OB explaining how awful my epidural was with my first, I opted to receive a low dose epidural once labor was strong enough.
The OB broke my water and started me on a low dose of pitocin at 1:00. Contractions started right away and intensified quickly. I didn't bring up the epidural until after 2:00 when the pain was strong and the contractions were coming pretty regular, the nurse was still going through all of the paperwork so it kind of got shrugged off until closer to 2:30.
I'm not sure why the nurse didn't check my progress before the anesthesiologist came to administer my epidural, maybe because it was an induction so she thought I'd be in for the long haul? Anyways, they got my epidural in place and had me lay back down. This was when everything changed in an instant. My pain changed, my demeanor changed. I started shivering and crying and telling the nurse that I hurt, but it wasn't contractions. She FINALLY decided to check my progress, ran out of the room, and when she came back in she flipped on all of the lights and said "we're having a baby!"
My OB didn't even have time to completely suit up for the birth, my body was THAT ready, and it wasn't until after he was delivered that my OB was able to tie his gown. Of course, the epidural worked it's magic AFTER baby boy had made his arrival at 2:45.
Because it all happened so quickly, little guy came out perfect--no bruising, little swelling, not even a funky shaped head. It was the perfect labor and delivery and nothing compared to his brothers long and grueling birth. The whole labor and delivery process lasted only an hour and 45 minutes. From my water being broken at 1:00, to having him on my chest at 2:45. Talk about an efficient labor!
He was an angel baby from the start, and we are so lucky to have him in our lives. We've had 1 amazing year, and I cannot wait for all of the fun times that lie ahead.
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