I can't tell you how many stories I've heard about the delivery experience and how awful it was...or how painful it was...or how long it was...or how the epidural wasn't effective...or...you get the drift, I'm sure. I don't think people share those stories because they want other women to be scared of the process and I certainly don't think they see it as a means of competing to win the most sympathy. I do, however, think that it is therapeutic to share such an emotional and unique experience with others so I tend to listen to them...My story was not like any of the above mentioned scenarios. If I could bottle my delivery experience and give it away to every other pregnant woman on earth I would do just that.
My due date was April 17th, 2009. Everything had gone as planned. I had a smooth pregnancy. My quad screen came back normal. I (eventually:) passed my glucose test. We were pretty positive that we were having a girl. We had passed our parenting class (even got a certificate to prove it). And, we even had the car seat properly inspected by a car seat specialist at the hospital four days before we had Sophie. By my account...we were as ready as this girl was going to be. Our friends and family threw us a beautiful shower two weeks before our due date and two days later we had gone in for a check up. By this point we were going every two weeks. Things were moving along...but slowly. So, I initiated the conversation with my doctor about inducing me if I had not gone into labor by that day. She was all for it! Woohoo, let's get this party started! That was on April 6th, one week before we had Sophie.
So, the plan was that I would check into the hospital on Easter Sunday at 6pm and then induction would start at 6 am the next morning. Good plan. We were able to get together with our family for an afternoon Easter dinner. It was great. Our parents, the Rawls, and Clem and Pam were there and my sister and Jordy were on their way down from St. Louis. The calvalry had been called in and they were ready to help us celebrate! The most difficult part about that day was not realizing that I would soon be in labor, but leaving Bama, because I knew I wouldn't see her for at least two days...and I knew that she would no longer be the only "child"...she had been with me for six years and I knew that from that point on her life would be changed, too. So after a hormone induced cry session after leaving her at my in-laws, we were on our way to the hospital. (You will hear me refer to my husband as a good sport often...and this was one of those times).
We had toured the hospital a few weeks prior to D Day so we knew what to expect. We were given a brand new labor/delivery room that was awesome, except for the sleeping apparatus for the guest, aka, my wonderfully supportive husband. But he survived. One of the coolest things about the room was my bed...the picture on the side of the control panel was of a preggo stick person! I know, I know, I'm easily amused. The room was huge...and we knew ahead of time that there was a three person limit during delivery. But they were very cool about visitors. And I had plenty! Sunday night, after we were all set up and just in "hurry up and wait mode", I got a call from some good friends who were at Coldstone Creamery. "Want some ice cream?" Yes! Tiz and Erin (and Robyn and Shags who waited in the car) brought us delicious ice cream cupcakes. There were several left over so really it was the best-case scenario...I got ice cream in the delivery room and the staff did, too...so they were really nice to me!
The nurse woke me up at about 5:30 am and the D Day plan was in full effect. If you're not familiar with the induction plan, it's pretty basic. There are a series of steps, the first (for most) is the application of a substance to thin the cervix. This is done the night before every four hours. Then, the next morning the petocin is started to bring on contractions. For me, my plan included the ever popular "E" word before the petocin. The "E" word correlates to my irregular digestive system...so I'm sure you can figure that out. So glad I opted for that. Although I will tell you...that was the worst part of my delivery experience! Everything was smooth sailing after that...no kidding!
My nurses were all terrific. I had opted for my epidural as soon as they started the petocin. So I really only felt contractions for about 10 minutes. And let me tell you, they were enough. My anesthesiologist was well, how shall I say it...God-like. He was in and out of my room in under ten minutes. I didn't really feel pain. And beyond that, it began working immediately. And worked until post delivery (as my legs fell off the bed more than once). I was able to experience the entire delivery without pain and in the presence of my family and an occasional brave friend!
The first six centimeters came somewhat slowly in relation to the last four. By noon I was only at 4cm but I had Sophie at 2:03! The best part about it was that I had my husband, mother and sister right there with me. It was so very special. And other than realizing that my doctor was M.I.A. and my nurse was delivering two babies at the same time, everything was smooth...we did find my doctor who literally ran in the room to catch Sophie and my nurse called for backup so she could stay with me. It all worked out. We also had some awesome music playing for our listening enjoyment...a blend of Van Morrison, Bob Marley, and other favs. "Don't worry 'bout a thing" was actually "the" song when Sophie was born. How fitting is that?
Sophie's cord was wrapped around her neck, which was a little scary, but Dr. Callison wasn't worried about it. She was stealth and before I knew it, Sophie's color was good and she was letting us know she did not appreciate the bright lights. She was perfect. Dr. Callison told us back in December that she thought I would have about an eight pounder. And before Sophie was born everyone was guessing, as well. Dr. Callison's guess was 7 lbs. 14 oz. before she even saw her. She was 7 lbs. 15.7 oz. Is she good, or what!
My due date was April 17th, 2009. Everything had gone as planned. I had a smooth pregnancy. My quad screen came back normal. I (eventually:) passed my glucose test. We were pretty positive that we were having a girl. We had passed our parenting class (even got a certificate to prove it). And, we even had the car seat properly inspected by a car seat specialist at the hospital four days before we had Sophie. By my account...we were as ready as this girl was going to be. Our friends and family threw us a beautiful shower two weeks before our due date and two days later we had gone in for a check up. By this point we were going every two weeks. Things were moving along...but slowly. So, I initiated the conversation with my doctor about inducing me if I had not gone into labor by that day. She was all for it! Woohoo, let's get this party started! That was on April 6th, one week before we had Sophie.
So, the plan was that I would check into the hospital on Easter Sunday at 6pm and then induction would start at 6 am the next morning. Good plan. We were able to get together with our family for an afternoon Easter dinner. It was great. Our parents, the Rawls, and Clem and Pam were there and my sister and Jordy were on their way down from St. Louis. The calvalry had been called in and they were ready to help us celebrate! The most difficult part about that day was not realizing that I would soon be in labor, but leaving Bama, because I knew I wouldn't see her for at least two days...and I knew that she would no longer be the only "child"...she had been with me for six years and I knew that from that point on her life would be changed, too. So after a hormone induced cry session after leaving her at my in-laws, we were on our way to the hospital. (You will hear me refer to my husband as a good sport often...and this was one of those times).
We had toured the hospital a few weeks prior to D Day so we knew what to expect. We were given a brand new labor/delivery room that was awesome, except for the sleeping apparatus for the guest, aka, my wonderfully supportive husband. But he survived. One of the coolest things about the room was my bed...the picture on the side of the control panel was of a preggo stick person! I know, I know, I'm easily amused. The room was huge...and we knew ahead of time that there was a three person limit during delivery. But they were very cool about visitors. And I had plenty! Sunday night, after we were all set up and just in "hurry up and wait mode", I got a call from some good friends who were at Coldstone Creamery. "Want some ice cream?" Yes! Tiz and Erin (and Robyn and Shags who waited in the car) brought us delicious ice cream cupcakes. There were several left over so really it was the best-case scenario...I got ice cream in the delivery room and the staff did, too...so they were really nice to me!
The nurse woke me up at about 5:30 am and the D Day plan was in full effect. If you're not familiar with the induction plan, it's pretty basic. There are a series of steps, the first (for most) is the application of a substance to thin the cervix. This is done the night before every four hours. Then, the next morning the petocin is started to bring on contractions. For me, my plan included the ever popular "E" word before the petocin. The "E" word correlates to my irregular digestive system...so I'm sure you can figure that out. So glad I opted for that. Although I will tell you...that was the worst part of my delivery experience! Everything was smooth sailing after that...no kidding!
My nurses were all terrific. I had opted for my epidural as soon as they started the petocin. So I really only felt contractions for about 10 minutes. And let me tell you, they were enough. My anesthesiologist was well, how shall I say it...God-like. He was in and out of my room in under ten minutes. I didn't really feel pain. And beyond that, it began working immediately. And worked until post delivery (as my legs fell off the bed more than once). I was able to experience the entire delivery without pain and in the presence of my family and an occasional brave friend!
The first six centimeters came somewhat slowly in relation to the last four. By noon I was only at 4cm but I had Sophie at 2:03! The best part about it was that I had my husband, mother and sister right there with me. It was so very special. And other than realizing that my doctor was M.I.A. and my nurse was delivering two babies at the same time, everything was smooth...we did find my doctor who literally ran in the room to catch Sophie and my nurse called for backup so she could stay with me. It all worked out. We also had some awesome music playing for our listening enjoyment...a blend of Van Morrison, Bob Marley, and other favs. "Don't worry 'bout a thing" was actually "the" song when Sophie was born. How fitting is that?
Sophie's cord was wrapped around her neck, which was a little scary, but Dr. Callison wasn't worried about it. She was stealth and before I knew it, Sophie's color was good and she was letting us know she did not appreciate the bright lights. She was perfect. Dr. Callison told us back in December that she thought I would have about an eight pounder. And before Sophie was born everyone was guessing, as well. Dr. Callison's guess was 7 lbs. 14 oz. before she even saw her. She was 7 lbs. 15.7 oz. Is she good, or what!
There are so many minute details that I remember about that day...like how antsy I was to get up to the room to see everyone...only to be a bit overwhelmed to see everyone...how our pediatrician kicked everyone out of my room when he made his rounds...how moved I was the first time Sophie and I bonded through nursing...how nervous I was to hold her in fear that I would break her...how beautiful it was to see Wyatt holding his brand new baby girl...how proud our parents were of their granddaughter...but most importantly, how thankful I was to God for the gifts of friendship, family and love that he had given us on this special day.
Thanks to everyone who was there with us, either in person or in spirit. I truly believe that Sophie knows that she is loved by all of you. I know that Wyatt and I do.
That bed was awesome. And it was the best day!
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