Early Sunday morning, May 17, I started having contractions. I woke around 3:15 am with lots of cramping and pains. I checked the clock and felt them coming every 10 minutes or so. I could actually feel things opening…sounds funny to write that, but it’s true. I just knew that labor had started and my body was getting ready for this baby to arrive. I debated whether to wake Dennis or not. Since we were due to be at the hospital for 8 am, I decided to do my best to rest and work through the cramping.Shortly before 8:00, I kissed Hayden good bye and off we went! The nurse got my IV started and my doctor came in shortly after 9:00. He asked permission to break my water to help things along. He checked and found that I was already at 4 cm. I knew it! He broke my water (barely a trickle –which was why he wanted to induce me) and they started the pitocin.
By 10:45 things were moving along quickly. Contractions were approximately 2 ½ - 3 minutes apart. I was dealing well with the pains. At 11:00 the nurse checked and found I was dilated to 5-6 cm. I tried to tough things out and go without any meds, but I finally gave in and asked for an epidural. 11:25 I had the epidural started, but it only took on one side. Almost immediately I started shaking uncontrollably. The same thing happened with Hayden’s labor.
My doctor returned to check – 6 cm. I could feel the contractions quite strongly on my left side. Dennis tried to help keep me still and talk me through them. At 12:15 my nurse decided I should be checked. I honestly don’t remember what I said or did that prompted her to do so. She checked and exclaimed that I was 10 cm!!! She said the baby was “knocking at the door and ready to make her appearance.” Wow…from 6 to 10 cm in only 35 minutes!
They quickly paged my doctor who had headed out for lunch. I was instructed to remain still and not to push until the doctor arrived. I stayed calm and relaxed and continued to breathe through the contractions. I think that really helped to allow my body to do the work it needed to do on it’s own. It took almost 25 mins for him to get back to my room. The doctor told me to push with the next contraction. I started pushing and her head was crowning. With the third contraction (honestly…just three!), I pushed and felt her head emerge…and she was born. (12:51 pm) I had the most amazing birth with no tearing or episiotomy. I’m very, very lucky!
6lbs 15 oz, 19 1/4"
Daddy and big brother Hayden
Click here for more pictures!
