As I had posted in previous posts, I started having contractions off and on since March 22nd. They were irregular and I was anxiously awaiting for them to get regular and they never did! So, each day since then, every time I would feel a pain, I would think "this is it" only to get disappointed!!! Doug and I were so anxious to meet our little girl so the waiting was driving us nuts!
On April 1, we had our 39 week OB appointment and I was still 1 cm dilated but was 50% effaced! I was so excited that I had progressed a little from last week! But I was sad I did not dilate more. With my recent contractions, my OB was certain that I would labor on my own and very soon! We couldn't wait! That night, we went out and about shopping to get the last few items and I had started to experience some contractions. Nothing major but they did excite me! I kept thinking...this is it but then they never got very strong! That night I went home and had my "bloody show" (TMI, I know!!!) I called mom to talk to her about it and was expecting to go into labor that night....I did not! **and just so you know...the term sounds a lot worse than what it is...it's really just like starting your period haha**
I went to work on Saturday frustrated! I was hoping to finally have this baby and I swear if one more person asked me if I was going to have that baby soon, I was going to hit them =) I was already anxious enough, let alone having everyone ask me!!!
Come Sunday afternoon, I had to work that day at 3pm. I hopped in the shower around noonish and went to the bathroom before and noticed that I was bleeding again. Hmmm...it was more so I kind of panicked a little. We called my OB and talked with her. She was very hopeful and happy for us but I was getting nervous. I ended up calling off of work since I figured I would go into labor any time! I called my SIL, Abbey to talk with her about it and to see if she experienced the same thing. It was nice having someone else close that just had a baby! Doug and I relaxed and decided to go to Jeni's ice cream to celebrate one last time!
Little did I know that this would be our last meal! So happy I had Doug take this pic with my phone! It will be one of the last baby bump pictures!!!
So, we went to bed that night. I was disappointed that I didn't have contractions at all. Throughout the night, I felt a few here and there but nothing to alarm me or wake me much. I felt them usually after I got up to pee. But they didn't seem any different. Then at 5:34am. I woke up to contractions!!! I checked my phone and started watching. I wasn't getting too excited since this has come and gone before. I timed them and they were coming every 9 minutes. At 6am, Doug's alarm went off and I casually told him that I was having contractions. They weren't too strong but by then they were coming about every 7-8 min. He turned his alarm off and came and snuggled with me.
The contractions kept coming. We kept timing them. They were staying a pretty steady 6-7 minutes apart so we figured we should start calling everyone. I texted my mom to let her know and then Doug called his mom and dad since his mom was leaving for Kentucky that day (Great timing on my part haha). Then we decided we better jump into the shower. I was still relaxed and pretty certain that this was not it and to not get my hopes up. But in the shower, they started coming quicker and quicker. Doug finished and jumped out while I continued to let the water hit my back more and to shave my legs of course! Didn't want to go into labor with hairy legs =) As he was drying off, I told him he better start calling everyone to head this way. Our family has a 1 hr to 1 1/2 hr drive to get to us. By now, I was pretty certain, this was true labor!!!
The contractions kept coming!!!! Doug started packing the last minute things for his bag and I was doing the same. He was so cute. He was all excited and a bit jittery! He told me he was getting nervous but excited. I could see him shaking a bit! We packed the rest of our things and loaded up the car! We were at the hospital by 8am!
On the way, I texted everyone to let them know we were heading to the hospital! I waddled in and we found our way to the L&D unit. We checked in. I was beyond ecstatic!!!! I was probably the only pregnant woman in labor who had a huge smile on her face! I was so ready to experience what was ahead of me!
They put us into the triage room! The lady left us and I had to get into a gown. I quickly went pee then waddled back. As soon as I sat down, I felt like I peed more on the bed!!!! OMG! I told Doug, "um...I think I just released something. Get me towels" haha I tried cleaning myself up and then the nurse came in. She hooked me up to monitors and was going to examine me to see if I was dilated. She looked down there and was stunned by my "wet spot" on the bed. I felt like I was 5 years old again and apologized and said, yes, I think I'm leaking something. She went to get the doctor to examine me instead b/c she thought my water broke!!!!
Waiting for the Dr to come in
Showing off my fetal heart monitors!
Heart rate on the monitor!
See my blood pressure?!? I told you I was excited haha
While waiting for the doctor to come in to check me, the med student, Ben, came in! Boy was that an experience! Doug thought he looked like a skinny version of Seth Rogan *lol* He was completely awkward like a new med student would be. I just smiled and answered all his questions. Then the Resident came in to do the exam and good 'ole med student Ben came in for the show! Oh joy! She checked to see if I was dilated and obtained a sample of the fluids to see if my water broke (it will "fern" under a microscope). It was painful to say the least but I was up for plenty more of these checks in the next few hours! I went from 1 cm on Friday to 4 cm!!! 80% effaced!
From what seemed like an eternity, the results came back and in deed, my water did break so I was being admitted and was wheeled to my L&D Suite!
By around 9:30am, we were in our room and then my mom and her fiance had arrived so they joined us in my room! The kind nurse hooked me up to my IV and started me on lactated ringers to keep me hydrated! Since I was hooked up, they wouldn't let me walk too far with the IV and heart monitor. I was hoping to walk the halls but wasn't allowed =( So instead, I rocked and stood by my bed. For some reason, I just couldn't lay in bed!
pic of me updating facebook in my rocking chair!
Yes, I was THAT crazy person who updated through labor until the end...you'll find out why later
baby Iris's area...
Happy Doug!
My bed! Was actually pretty cozy!
By around 10:45am, I reached 5 cm! I felt like I was progressing well! By around 11:35, contractions were getting stronger and I was seriously thinking about the epidural now! They kept coming and coming and I was getting pretty uncomfortable. During this time, Iris's heart rate started dropping during contractions (which is normal) but was not recovering quick enough (not normal-I was having late decelerations). Her heart rate would dip down to the 90's and then come back up a few seconds after. They put oxygen on me to see if that would help and place me on my left side. I tried to relax some. Eventually, she was doing better so they let me get comfortable again and took the oxygen off. But then her heart rate really started to dip low and EVERYONE came charging through the door. They kicked my family out and had me quickly get on my left side. One of the doctors quickly started to check me and I swear she shoved her hand so far up me I thought it would come out of my mouth. I started yelling and crying. Doug was right there with me and I just remember locking eyes with him and he kept telling me to breathe. I was panicking at this point b/c I knew there was something wrong with Iris and I was afraid for her. The doctor put an internal monitor on Iris and put another monitor around her to monitor contractions. They wanted a more accurate heart rate and to monitor my contractions better. She also rebroke my water. Apparently, it has pocketed so she re ruptured it. They also gave me a shot of trabutaline to stop my contractions and to give Iris a rest. I swear, everyone was coming at me from all angles. I kept telling them to tell me what they were doing and what they were giving me. Finally, someone heard me and finally started explaining things to me. The medication sped up my heart rate so this increased my tremors (I shake when I get scared or nervous). I swear I was about to shake out of my skin. It was hard to breathe but Doug was right there keeping me calm and I knew everything would be just fine!
With Iris's heart rate back to normal, all the excitement died down and everyone left. I was still crying and shaking in my bed. Scariest thing ever!!! I was relieved that she was doing better and was left now with a new monitor and a beeping noise to watch =( My mom came back into the room along with Doug's parents. They had arrived right before all the excitement hit!
Soon after, the anesthesiologist arrived along with another resident! OMG! This is not the time to be practicing! I was ready to experience my first epidural! It really wasn't that bad. I asked if Doug could stay with me and they were hesitant but allowed it. He sat in front of me and I hung on to the nurse. The whole procedure lasted FOREVER! It seems to go so quickly on TV but man, there is a lot involved! Needless to say, the resident did not successfully do it so the attending had to complete it. Apparently, they had to try a "different approach"??? Whatever. I really only felt a bee sting of a prick initially when they numbed me and some pressure here and there but it truly wasn't that bad. And having it work perfectly was wonderful! What a sigh of relief to not feel the contractions anymore. It was funny to watch the monitor to know you were having one but couldn't feel it other than pressure! woohoo! Will definitely get another one if we decide to have another child!
I had Doug take a picture of it so I could see what it looked like!
I had a little button to push if I needed to give myself another little dose of it! Who ever though of this was a genius!
still updating facebook haha!
So, by 3:30pm, my epidural was in and life was wonderful as I know it! Iris and I were both doing well! I tried to sit back and relax but I was still so anxious and nervous about what was to come. I knew I had to somehow get this child out of me! After the epidural was in, they started me on pitocin to restart my contractions since they stopped them a few hours prior when Iris's heart rate started dropping.
getting things ready for baby Iris!
By 4:49, I was 7 cm dilated. Occasionally, Iris's heart rate would dip down and the nurses would come in. I swear, I would hate it when she would walk in the door. You just never knew if she was coming in to check on me or if Iris was having problems. Eventually, she would smile right when she walked in so I would know everything was ok but when she had a serious look, I got scared! We had to put the oxygen back on a few more times but I kept my fingers crossed and prayed that she was doing well!
Around 6:10, they checked me and saw that I was 9 cm dilated. My right side of my cervix was completely thinned but my left side was not so they had me lay on my left side to help with that. My OB finally came (they come at the end to catch the baby haha) and she was happy with my progression and was going to have me push soon but wanted to wait on that left side to thin. We tried laying on the left side for awhile and then she had me sit up in bed completely. This made the contractions come stronger and even pushing my button wasn't helping. I was just going to tell them to call the anesthesiologist to come back and increase my epidural, when I started puking! They called my OB back in and laid me back down in bed. My OB checked me and saw that my left side of my cervix was not thinning and was now getting swollen. During this time, Iris's heart rate was not doing well at all. The contractions were coming to quickly for her and even slowing down my pitocin didn't have any effect. I started to panic more. Dr. Pool had me quickly get on my back to apply oxygen and move into different positions to increase her heart rate and possibly take pressure off her cord. Nothing was working. I could hear the beeping become slower and slower. I kept telling them to tell me what the numbers were and seeing the scared look in Doug's eyes and my mom's, I knew something was wrong. Her heart rate went from 80's down to the 30's and eventually stopped. By now every medical professional was in my room and it was not looking good. I just started crying and became numb. Doug stayed strong for me while I just became a mess. Dr. Pool looked me straight in the eyes and said "this is the time we start talking about a c-section and now." I knew it before she even said it. I knew I had to go so they grabbed everything and quickly had me get on my hands and knees in bed (to help with cord compression) and wheeled me down the hall to surgery. I just bawled. My head in my hands with my butt up in the air. I didn't know what else to do. I had no control over anything at this point and all I could do was pray that Iris was going to make it. I remember passing the waiting room and saw the shocked look on Doug's parent's face. They had no idea. They had stepped out of the room just before the Dr. came in to check me. Everything was fine when they left and now, everything was not fine. Doug was forced to leave at this point to get into his scrubs while they wheeled me away. I don't remember who took him but later he said his mom and my mom quickly helped him get dressed.
In the surgery room, they had me crawl onto the table. I was numb from the waist down so that was interesting but I eventually scooted across. I remember lots of people being in the room and everyone quickly setting everything up. I have seen a c-section before in nursing school and knew what was about to happen. They laid me down and strapped my arm down to the table. I was still crying and shaking like a crazed woman! I even started puking again. Try puking laying flat on your back with your arms tied down. Not fun! Another anesthesiologist was there at my head pumping drugs and more epidural into my body. He helped turn my head to the side and used gauze to wipe the puke away and dry my tears (such a nice man!!! Thank you!) I 'm not sure what he gave me. I kept asking him to tell me what they gave me b/c I started feeling loopy and my shaking stopped. Dr. Pool was in front of me going over the consent for the c-section and explaining it to me. I remember her talking but I don't think I was listening! I signed the consent and had full faith in her that she made the right decision and that we would be fine. After I signed it, she said she was going to get Doug and talk with him quickly. She said that he looked scared. God bless her for being so nice!!!
Everyone was getting everything ready. I was strapped down and the drapes were going up. Doug eventually came to my side and we just stared at each other. I could tell he had been crying but he hid it. With his hair net on and mask, all I could see was his eyes but that's all I needed! We locked eyes again! There was a lot of commotion but I felt so relaxed by my "secret" medications. I even started to feel sleepy. They asked if I could feel anything and I said "no." I remember the anesthesiologist saying she's fine and then the next words were, "they are getting ready to pull her out now." I had no idea they had even started cutting! I asked "are you kidding me" and then I heard the most beautiful sound ever...Iris's first cry! I remember saying "oh" and started crying! At 7:15pm, they pulled her out. Doug cut the cord and held her. I got to kiss her little head and then they took her away. I told Doug to follow them over and that I would be fine. I just sat and listened to her cry and I knew she was fine! Doug left and stayed with Iris while they stapled me up and I went to recovery.
My baby girl!
poor thing had a cone head after being squished!
6 lbs 3 oz 19 1/4 inches long
My healthy baby girl! Just fine!
Doug relieved as ever!
Apparently, my pelvis is too small, she was face up, and had the cord wrapped around her neck! A triple whammy on why we had an emergency c-section! Iris was trying to tell us that she wasn't fitting! =)
While in recovery, everyone came to tell me how beautiful she was! I couldn't wait to see her again and hold her for the first time!!! I was having pain control issues and eventually needed a PCA pump of dilaudid to help control the pain but by the time I was ready to get to my room, the pain was controlled and I felt better.
By 10 or 11pm, I was heading up to my room! I couldn't wait to see Iris and hold her! Finally as soon as I was in my bed, the wheeled her in and I got to hold my beautiful daughter for the first time!!!
The happy Family! =)
Instantly in love!
My mom, Iris, and I
Grammy with Iris
My sister with Iris
Grandpa Steve with Iris!
Shortly after, everyone left! Doug and I were now alone with this beautiful baby girl!!! We had no idea what were were doing but all we could do was smile and hold her and love her!!!
I couldn't wait to do kangaroo care (skin to skin)
one happy (and tired) momma!!!
Iris LOVES to suck on her hands!!!
one of the nurses checking on Iris
Proud papa watching over his daughter!
Thankfully, we had amazing nurses the whole stay!!! I was in the hospital until Thursday around 5pm!
We are so thankful for the wonderful staff at OSU Medical Center. We had quick responsive nurses and medical staff and everyone helped bring Iris into our lives safely and quickly!!!
