I'll start with what I wanted out of labor and delivery. When I first found out I was pregnant I was all about having an epidural right off the bat. Then Ryan started doing some research into epidurals and other interventions and started talking to me about them. We decided then that we wanted to have a natural delivery. I was still hesitant out of fear of the pain and the unknown but I knew it was safer for me and our baby to go the natural route. As the pregnancy went on I became more sure I wanted a natural labor and delivery. We signed up and participated in a six week course on natural childbirth. It was extremely helpful in providing us the knowledge we needed to get through the experience. I learned coping techniques and Ryan learned different ways to support me. He became the person that was going to deal with the nurses and doctors in advocating for what I wanted since I am so soft-spoken. We finished this course 2 weeks before my due date and felt ready to tackle labor naturally.
And then I went into labor a week early...
On Thursday the 21st I had my weekly appointment with our doctor. I was hoping to be 1 or 2cm dilated, but after a check the doctor said I was still sealed up tight. I was a little disappointed but also ok with it since I still had school work to finish. I called my mom and let her know it was fine for her to head to Colorado. The rest of the day went as it usually did. Friday started out as a normal day for me. Ryan had gotten me a prenatal massage for my birthday that I had scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on the 22nd. I got up and got ready and as I was bending over to put the dog in her crate I felt a small rush of liquid. It was like I had started peeing but couldn't make it stop. I stood up right away and went to the bathroom. I wasn't really sure what was going on. I thought I had lost my mucus plug, but it didn't look like what I thought that was supposed to look like. At this point I was running a little late for my massage. I decided to just go and call Ryan on my way. I called his clinic and when he got on the phone I said I think my water broke but I'm not sure. I told him the story and asked what I should do. Of course he had no idea! He suggested going to my massage and talking to the people there. My massage was at the same place where we took our classes so there were people there that knew what they were talking about. I agreed and told him I would keep him updated. I should mention at this point that I was still "leaking", but decided to not say anything to the massage therapist. I had the most amazing massage all the while freaking out on the inside about whether or not my water had broken. During my 75 minute massage I decided that I had 4 fairly intense contractions. Afterwards I went to the adjoining shop to pay and pick up the moby wrap. While I was paying I had 2 more contractions, but was to freaked out to ask the lady if she thought I was in labor. I left and tried to call Ryan on his cell phone but he didn't answer. I decided if I was in labor then I should probably eat something since I wasn't sure when I would be able to eat again. The only quick option on my way back home was McDonalds so I went through the drive thru. As I was driving home I had 2 much more intense contractions and at that point I think I finally decided I was really in labor. I got home and sat on my birthing ball and got on the internet to do some research. Ryan called me back and I told him I was pretty sure I was in labor and was having contractions about every 10 minutes. I told him he could stay at work and I would keep him updated. I thought at this point that I was going to be in labor for quite some time and he could finish out his day at work. The next 2 hours went by with contractions getting stronger and closer together. I sat on the ball, switched to the floor, and did some of the yoga positions that we had done in class. The contractions were occurring mostly in my back so I was trying to find a good position that helped ease that pain cause I knew it would only get worse. After a really strong contraction that brought tears to my eyes I decided this was going faster then I expected and Ryan should probably come home. I called his clinic and the receptionist immediately asked if I was okay. I said I was ready for Ryan to come home and if she could get him. He got on the phone and said he was giddy and would leave right away. As I waited for him to get home I had another really strong contraction and was glad I had called him. He got home and we talked about how excited we were and how unprepared we were! We had not backed our bags, had not written out our birth plan for the nurses, had no plans for the dog, etc. When Ryan got home my contractions were about 6 minutes apart so we started getting everything together but still thought at this point it could still be awhile before anything real happened. I should note at this point that my mom (who wanted to be here and I wanted there for the delivery) had just arrived in Colorado to spend Easter with my brother, his wife, and their daughter. We weren't sure if she would try to make it to Kentucky or not so we decided to not call either of our parents until we knew for sure I was in true labor.
Obviously still feeling okay!
Contractions kept getting closer and closer and much more intense in the next couple of hours. At seven we called my dad and Ryan's parents to let them know we thought I was in labor but were not going to the hospital yet. We decided to wait and call my mom when we got to the hospital so she wouldn't be worried. After this phone call my contractions went from painful but tolerable to painful and out of control! I got in the shower and that helped for awhile but as soon as I got out and started walking they went from 4 minutes apart to 2 to 3 minutes apart. I threw up everything I had eaten. At this point I wasn't sure how much more I could handle and started telling Ryan I wasn't sure I could make it. He was wonderful and very supportive in keeping me going. I could not have done it without him. Around 9 he decided it was time to get rid of the dog and called some friends to come pick her up. By the time they arrived I was ready to go to the hospital. I was sure I was at least 7cm dilated and my contractions were consistently 2 minutes apart. We left for the hospital which was only 5 minutes down the road.
When we arrived at the hospital after running one red light we parked where we always park for dr. appointments. It was locked. I didn't know what I was going to do. My contractions were strong and close together. Luckily there was a cleaning lady at the door and we talked her into letting us in. (She didn't want to, but Ryan kind of just pushed his way in) Since we had parked in the wrong place we had to walk down a long hallway to get to the elevators that would take us to labor and delivery. It was the longest hallway! We finally made it to labor and delivery and checked in. We had actually missed the place to check in but the person we found made it work. I was starting to get irritated cause she was asking me all these stupid questions and I just wanted to be checked out. They finally take me to a room and the nurse tells me to pee in a cup! I wanted to punch her in the face, but I just rolled my closed eyes and went into the bathroom. My nurse finally came in and checked me and told me I was only at 4cm! My heart just dropped. I didn't think I could do this for hours more so I asked for the epidural. As I waited for the dr. I went back and forth with myself of whether or not I could do it. Every time I had a contraction though I knew I couldn't. One of the nurses was trying to give me an IV and couldn't get a vein on one hand so she tried the other and apparently my vein was full and exploded all over the place. All I remember from this is her talking to me and cleaning off my hand and all I wanted was her to get the epidural going! After the epidural I finally opened my eyes for the first time in hours and relaxed. I was a little disappointed in myself for giving in to the pain, but I knew in my heart I couldn't do it any longer. After the epidural I went from 4cm to 7cm in a matter of an hour. When we arrived at the hospital Ryan had called my mom and told her we were at the hospital and I was in labor. She called him a liar! He even put the nurse on the phone and she called her a liar! He insisted I really was in labor and we would keep her updated. I still think she didn't believe him! I had to have an internal monitor put in because the external belt was not working and they couldn't track my contractions. After this I went to 9cm in another hour. Ryan and I slept for about 2 1/2 hours before I finally hit 10cm and it was time to push.
It was 4am when I started pushing and I wanted to have him by 4:30 because that is what time I was born. I couldn't feel a whole lot, but I pushed as hard as I could. My doctor was not on call so I had a different doctor, but he was awesome. He was funny and really made me feel comfortable. I think I pushed 4 times when they decided the baby was sitting so low that they would use the vacuum to help pull him out. With one push out he came! It was 4:31am! He cried right away and Ryan cut the cord then they took him to clean him off. He swallowed 3 times as much fluid as they usually do so they had to monitor him for awhile, but I did get to spend 15 minutes with him before they took him to the nursery.
The whole experience was not what I had wanted, but it was what I needed. It was an amazing experience and I am blessed to have this amazing little boy in my life. I would have loved to do it naturally but Ryan and I couldn't be happier to have a healthy baby boy in our lives and that is all that really matters.
-Nicki
