- went into labor on the day of scheduled induction
- contractions began at 3:45am
- arrived at the hospital at 6am, dilated 5-6cm
- contractions far apart and things were progressing slowly, between 9-10a they started me on petocin, I got my epidural and the doctor broke my water; contractions finally picked up
- Started pushing at 11:06am and she was born posterior at 11:08am
- BEST ONE YET!
Labor Story - long version
I was disappointed that stripping my membranes hadn't worked as well as I had hoped, but I was good with the new induction plan. I got things with the house ready on Saturday night and left a few things in the morning for me to get done to help pass the time. [I make note of this because I look terrible in all the hospital pictures because I was going to get ready in the morning and look all pretty, but that didn't happen. Oh well!]
I couldn't sleep that night (just nerves, I guess) and I remember being "mad" at Brandon for being able to sleep so soundly. I got a little sleep here and there, but was very uncomfortable and finally stayed awake starting at 3:45a with what I thought might be contractions. At 4:30a Brandon and I started timing the contractions. They varied between 5-7 minutes apart and the pain level was low, but I was bleeding with every contraction (TMI) and wanted to go in soon to make sure everything was ok. (Note to self: after having my membranes stripped, I bled more than I anticipated on that first and second day, but it calmed down on the third.)
It was so nice to have Nancy there so that we could just leave when we needed to. We arrived to the hospital at 6am and the couple that was registering before us gave us some comedic relief that I desperately needed. As we sat in the lobby (my pain level was still ok) we could hear out of the registration office what sounded like very passionate, intimate noises coming from a woman who was clearly in labor, but the sounds told us otherwise. Brandon and I were laughing and after a few more of her contractions/noises, they were shown into triage and Brandon informed me that the husband had a very nice bowl cut. More laughter ensued.
We registered and headed back to triage where we could hear the nurse saying on the phone, "She needs an epidural asap!" (referring to the noisy lady). It reminded me of Andrew's delivery where my nurse told the anesthesiologist, "She needed an epidural yesterday!" However, I was strangely calm all morning and I also wasn't in anywhere near as much pain as I had been in when I got to triage with Andrew. It was also helpful that I was familiar with our triage nurse, Christa (who is a friend of Kasey's ~ later Christa told Kasey that Brandon looked just like Superman, funny!). In triage I was dilated between 5-6cm and contracting every 7 minutes. She reassured me about the bleeding and then we headed back to labor and delivery.
I was relieved that I didn't need to be induced especially since I later found out that because they were so busy, they would have had to push me back, which would have been a huge bummer! In L&D we were just hanging out and waiting - things were progressing slowly. I was surprised by this since Andrew's had gone so fast. While Brandon was out of the room for a minute, apparently bowl cut husband stepped out of his room and said to one of the nurses, "Ummm, my wife would like some hot chocolate." During labor? Or maybe she had just delivered? Regardless, it was funny.
Between 9-10a, they started me on the lowest level of pitocin, got me an epidural and the doctor broke my water (dilated 7cm). With the pitocin, the contractions picked up to every couple minutes. My pain level never really got bad, because I timed my epidural so I got it before I knew it would get bad (I have felt going 7-9cm without meds and never want to do that again - I am a huge wimp). By 10:45a I was 9.5cm, so they called Dr. Huish and I began to get very nervous and started shaking anticipating the big moment. Brandon was great to reassure me and tell me that everything would go great.
Let me explain something about the whole pushing part of labor. I hate it. I dread it. I feel like it's terrifying. After having pushed for 40+ minutes with Rachel (9 lb, 2 oz) and an hour with Andrew (8 lb 1 oz), I was convinced I was a bad pusher and was anticipating the worst. And it has never helped me to hear about all the women who "just pushed once or twice". Frankly, I always felt like punching them in the face (in my nice voice). That being said, a miracle occurred and it only took me four pushes to get little Kendall out (7 lb, 1 oz)!! I started pushing at 11:06am and she was born at 11:08am. I should also make note that she came out posterior, which means she was face up. So now I'm officially convinced that a pound truly makes a huge difference - that plus the fact it was the third time around - it was SO MUCH BETTER than I could have ever anticipated (too bad I did all that worrying beforehand). It was the easiest labor and delivery yet. And now feel free to punch me in the face if you want.
I couldn't sleep that night (just nerves, I guess) and I remember being "mad" at Brandon for being able to sleep so soundly. I got a little sleep here and there, but was very uncomfortable and finally stayed awake starting at 3:45a with what I thought might be contractions. At 4:30a Brandon and I started timing the contractions. They varied between 5-7 minutes apart and the pain level was low, but I was bleeding with every contraction (TMI) and wanted to go in soon to make sure everything was ok. (Note to self: after having my membranes stripped, I bled more than I anticipated on that first and second day, but it calmed down on the third.)
It was so nice to have Nancy there so that we could just leave when we needed to. We arrived to the hospital at 6am and the couple that was registering before us gave us some comedic relief that I desperately needed. As we sat in the lobby (my pain level was still ok) we could hear out of the registration office what sounded like very passionate, intimate noises coming from a woman who was clearly in labor, but the sounds told us otherwise. Brandon and I were laughing and after a few more of her contractions/noises, they were shown into triage and Brandon informed me that the husband had a very nice bowl cut. More laughter ensued.
We registered and headed back to triage where we could hear the nurse saying on the phone, "She needs an epidural asap!" (referring to the noisy lady). It reminded me of Andrew's delivery where my nurse told the anesthesiologist, "She needed an epidural yesterday!" However, I was strangely calm all morning and I also wasn't in anywhere near as much pain as I had been in when I got to triage with Andrew. It was also helpful that I was familiar with our triage nurse, Christa (who is a friend of Kasey's ~ later Christa told Kasey that Brandon looked just like Superman, funny!). In triage I was dilated between 5-6cm and contracting every 7 minutes. She reassured me about the bleeding and then we headed back to labor and delivery.
I was relieved that I didn't need to be induced especially since I later found out that because they were so busy, they would have had to push me back, which would have been a huge bummer! In L&D we were just hanging out and waiting - things were progressing slowly. I was surprised by this since Andrew's had gone so fast. While Brandon was out of the room for a minute, apparently bowl cut husband stepped out of his room and said to one of the nurses, "Ummm, my wife would like some hot chocolate." During labor? Or maybe she had just delivered? Regardless, it was funny.
Between 9-10a, they started me on the lowest level of pitocin, got me an epidural and the doctor broke my water (dilated 7cm). With the pitocin, the contractions picked up to every couple minutes. My pain level never really got bad, because I timed my epidural so I got it before I knew it would get bad (I have felt going 7-9cm without meds and never want to do that again - I am a huge wimp). By 10:45a I was 9.5cm, so they called Dr. Huish and I began to get very nervous and started shaking anticipating the big moment. Brandon was great to reassure me and tell me that everything would go great.
Let me explain something about the whole pushing part of labor. I hate it. I dread it. I feel like it's terrifying. After having pushed for 40+ minutes with Rachel (9 lb, 2 oz) and an hour with Andrew (8 lb 1 oz), I was convinced I was a bad pusher and was anticipating the worst. And it has never helped me to hear about all the women who "just pushed once or twice". Frankly, I always felt like punching them in the face (in my nice voice). That being said, a miracle occurred and it only took me four pushes to get little Kendall out (7 lb, 1 oz)!! I started pushing at 11:06am and she was born at 11:08am. I should also make note that she came out posterior, which means she was face up. So now I'm officially convinced that a pound truly makes a huge difference - that plus the fact it was the third time around - it was SO MUCH BETTER than I could have ever anticipated (too bad I did all that worrying beforehand). It was the easiest labor and delivery yet. And now feel free to punch me in the face if you want.
4 comments:
I'm glad it went so smoothly! That's great!
You deserve a great labor!!! Oh she is so darling! I hope everyone is adjusting great and that you're feeling okay recovering!! Congrats!!!
I am SO HAPPY for you that it went well. So glad that you had had to push four times!! I bet with the next one, you will only have to push twice! :) Kendall is so, so darling. She just melts my heart with her cuteness and sweetness.
Whit, you crack me up as always! Yay for the epidural and yay for only 4 pushes! And yay for the guy still sportin a bowl cut! :) Can wait to meet Miss Kendall Olive!
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