Since Nathan was measuring so big at our 40 week ultrasound (10lbs 8 ounces) our specialist, Dr. Damsel, decided we should go ahead and be induced. So, the next day, Saturday, we waited around for a call from the hospital to come in. Apparently, they were really busy that day so we didn't get called in until Sunday. At around 10am cervidil was inserted which is an induction method that is supposed to 'ripen' the cervix and get it ready. Once the cervix is ready, pitocin can be started which actually causes contractions. It takes 24 hours to work so on Monday we went to the hospital again. The doctor on call said it looked like the cervidil had worked as I was 1.5 cm dilated and 50% effaced, ready enough to start pitocin. When you start pitocin a nurse has to be by your side the entire time. Unfortunately for us, the hospital was under staffed again that day so we had to wait for a nurse. Well, we waited all day, pacing the floors of the hospital waiting to meet our baby. Then finally at 5:00pm another doctor came on call. I was examined by her and, once again, we were disappointed as she felt things were quite ready enough. So, she inserted cervidil once again that evening. She wanted me to stay overnight and since we were in a double room Justin had to leave so I was left all by my lonesome.
The next morning she examined me again and since I had to wait another 12 hours I asked if I could go home to wait. So around 10am on Tuesday we left. Around 12pm (only 2 hours later) I started having contractions. Now, when people say that you will know when the real thing happens, you will know. They hurt. So, off we headed again to the hospital. Around 3pm the doctor broke my water and that's when things really picked up. I've heard a lot of people describe contractions as feeling like period cramps..well they're not...they're way worse. I spent the first hour after that in the shower which actually really helped. Then, the nurse suggested I give morphine a try since they thought it was a little too soon for an epidural. Well, this I would not suggest. The pain was just as intense but I was so groggy that I couldn't walk or even sit up at this point. Every time I opened my eyes I saw double. I persevered until around 7pm and asked for an epidural. At this point I had reached 8 cm. Well, once again the hospital is understaffed and the epidural didn't come until around 11:00pm. Those few hours were such a blur. I was in so much pain but still so groggy from the morphine. She checked me again at 11:00 and I was still at only 8cm.
The epidural felt like heaven...I couldn't feel a thing. So after 12 hours of intense contractions I was finally able to relax and even sleep. I woke up several times in the night because I started to feel my contractions again. And every time I would lean to a side I could feel the contractions on the opposite side. Then at 6:30am the next day, I was checked one last time and still at only 8 cm. By this point I was mentally ready for a c-section.
Of course, it couldn't be easy; there was a complication with the spinal. At 7:00am it was inserted and within seconds I was feeling nauseous. Then I found that I couldn't breathe normally. The anesthesiologist put an oxygen mask over me but it became worse. All of a sudden not only could I not breathe but I couldn't speak. Then, I only remember her saying she had to put me under.
The next thing I know is that I was awake with my mom, Justin, and my new baby by my side. They immediately put us skin to skin and let me breastfeed. I was tired and groggy but I was so unbelievably happy at the same time. He was perfect. All 9lbs 4 ounces of him. Oh, and did I mention he was born on MY birthday!!!!!!! What a present!!!
