Baby Story #3

I realized I hadn't gotten around to typing this in yet, so Here Goes!  Birth Story for Baby #3.

Friday, November 19, 2004 was my last official day of work before my maternity leave for baby #3.  It was a rough day.  Around 3:00, it was hurting for me to even walk.  After work, DH wanted to take the kids to see the new Spongebob Squarepants movie.  I...did NOT.  I was just so uncomfortable.  He talked me into it, "It'll probably be the last movie you've get to see for a while."  I picked up some fast food for the kids (I had had a really late lunch, so I wasn't hungry).  DH was going to meet us at the theatre.

While killing time at home, I decided to go ahead and pack an overnight bag for the kids since I was woefully unprepared for that part when I went into labor with kid #2.  I quickly threw together a bag and set it aside with my hospital bag.

We all went to the movie.  Supreme silliness, but the kids enjoyed it.  I munched on leftover Halloween candy and popcorn at the movies.  The movie let out around 8:45.  We got home, and I got K to bed around 9:30 (ugh).  I then let M crawl into bed with me while I read the appendices to The Lord of the Rings and relaxed.  I was completely EXHAUSTED.  Around 9:45 I felt my first contraction!

I quickly put M in her own bed (she wasn't happy since I never got around to reading her the book she'd picked out.  "Sorry, honey.  Mommy doesn't feel well.")  About ten minutes later, I felt another contraction.  Another ten minutes, another contraction.  Then seven minutes.  OK.  Time to start keeping track.

DH was downstairs playing a video game.  I told him the situation, but I added that the contractions really weren't very painful yet and that I hadn't seen a bloody show yet.

Within minutes, the bloody show and mucus plug appeared.  Wow--it may really be time!

For the next half hour I timed my contractions while sitting next to DH while he played his game.  While they were coming around every 2 to 4 minutes apart, they still weren't that painful yet.  I could still talk and everything.  After the half hour, I called the answering service.

My favorite doctor, the one who had delivered K, called back within minutes.  She said to go ahead and come into the hospital since chances are, I'd go pretty quickly.  She also seemed surprised my contractions weren't too painful yet.

It was just after 11:00 at this point.  I called our friend--and she answered!  We got the kids up and took them over (wow--foresight on packing that overnight bag, huh?) and were back on the road within minutes.  No further obstacles like the labor with K--we didn't get pulled over, and DH even ran a stop light!  It was a very smooth drive to the hospital.

After we checked into the hospital, and I got into my hospital gown, I was checked by a resident who was happy to inform me that I was four centimeters dilated and 80% effaced.  Yay!  I was really in labor despite what seemed to be light contractions!

The nurse (we really liked her--she was quite amusing) had me start drinking juice to wake up the baby a little.  We weren't in triage very long.  There was a couple already there and five more coming in.  Our nurse rushed us back to get us one of the "good" delivery rooms with the Jacuzzi.  LOVED her!

While we were waiting for the OK to get in the tub, we watched TV, and I was doing my slow chest breathing.  The contractions still didn't feel as bad as they did with babies #1 and #2.  DH mentioned that maybe it was because of that kidney stone I'd passed three months prior (augh!).  That pain was so INTENSE that maybe everything else paled in comparison.  I think he was right.

The nurse kept asking me if I wanted Nubain for the pain.  I kept having to tell her that I was FINE.  I went without meds for #2, and since these contractions didn't seem to be that intense I KNEW I could do it for #3.  And I was counting on this labor to be just as "quick" as #2's, also.  Really, seriously, Nurse!  I'm FINE!

After the baby woke up enough to satisfy the nurse, I was finally able to get into the tub.  There is NOTHING like it.  I highly recommend it for ALL!  I was in there for quite some time.  DH watched a little TV, but he kept peeking in on me every now and then.  I was still doing well with just slow breathing and the comforting warm water.  Since I was doing so well without his coaching me, DH said he was going to doze off for a few minutes and let him know if I needed him.  When I started to feel nauseous and somewhat faint during my contractions, I knew it was time to get out of the tub.  It wasn't too long after that I started to feel a little pressure--a little urge to push.  I knew it was getting close.  (So much for his nap!)

I summoned DH to help me with my breathing.  I needed the faster goofy-sounding "hoot-heet" method now that I had the urge to push.  I know we probably sound hilarious while we're doing it, but hey, it WORKS.

In a little bit, the resident walked in.  As soon as she stepped in the door, I told her, "It's getting close!"  "OK, I'll go get the doctor!"

The doctor, nurse, and resident came back in.  The resident checked me--sure enough, I was at eight centimeters.  Time to break the water!  And of course, there was merconium in the water again.  Every time!

Everyone started setting up for the delivery.  We all knew it would probably be quick.  And this time I remembered to ask for a mirror.

Next thing I know, the doctor is telling me it's OK for me to push.  For some reason, I was having problems.  I would get one really good push out and then couldn't manage to get a deep enough breath to do another one.  The doctor, remembering what I good pusher I was with #2--even asked if I was holding out a little bit.  "Well...."  I admitted that I was a little bit scared because I knew it was going to hurt (I had NOT forgotten the "ring of fire" from baby #2!).  I also think I just sort of forgot how to push.  And I was worried about not getting enough air and maybe hyperventilating like with baby #1.  It must have been obvious, because at one point the doctor told me to stop and take a few breaths "just for you".

After some good coaching from everyone, I was able to get some good pushes out and even see the baby's head crowning in the mirror.  Oh, my GOD!  I didn't really look after that.  *shudder*

I remember the doctor saying that the head was out, and I kept asking her and DH just to make sure!  DH had to help coach me to stop pushing so that they could suction out the baby's nose and mouth (NOT pushing after finally getting the hang of pushing mid-labor is SO WRONG!)

DH said it only took a total of four or five good pushes (why does it seem like more to me?) and the baby was out.  And I sat up to look--and saw my newest little girl.  (Ha!  I KNEW it was a girl!)  The ped nurses grabbed her to check her out, and I finally got to relax.  And, she was just fine and wonderful.  It was 3:07 AM.  She was 7 pounds, 6 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long.

My doctor kept saying how great I was at having babies.  I said, "I don't care how good I am at it, this is the LAST ONE."  (HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA--JOKE'S ON ME, huh?!!!!)