Birth story

We had planned an induction for Wednesday night. I was supposed to go in around 8 pm to get the first dose of antibiotics administered (because I tested positive for group b strep), 4 hours later they would administer the second dose (around 1am) and then they would give me pitocin to start labor. The reason for all this trouble, I have a history of rapid labor and I was nervous of not getting antibiotics in time.

Wednesday rolled around and I woke up around 6am, went to the bathroom, and lost my mucus plug. With Evie I believe I lost it about a week before going into labor, so I didn't think too much of it. Evie woke up and we went downstairs to watch Mickey and eat applesauce. I ended up falling asleep on the couch for about 15 minutes. Jason came downstairs and reminded me of a couple of things that needed to be done that day. His mom was on her way down from Montana (left at 6:30am) so someone could be with Evie while Jason and I were in the hospital.

 --a side story, Evie had a fever two nights in a row so I took her to the doctor on Tuesday. She got tested and had strep throat. Another reason we were glad to have Jason's mom come down. Everyone we know here has kids and neither of us wanted to expose anyone, especially their kids when Evie was contagious. Evie and I got her antibiotics on our way home from the doctor and she got her first dose around 6pm--

Jason left for work and Evie and I got to work cleaning and making sure everything was ready for when Rita got here. We did laundry, cleaned the kitchen, cleaned the bathrooms, then headed to Walmart to pick up some snacks for Jason. We got to Walmart and got our items, on the way out of the store (about noon) I got what I thought was a contraction. With Evie, my contractions started out intense, long, and ridiculously close together. About 5 ish (maybe 7) minutes later I got another one. They didn't last very long and weren't super close together. We got home and I made Evie a sandwich for lunch. Jason called and told me he was thinking about coming home for lunch. I told him I thought I was having contractions, but wasn't sure. Evie and I went downstairs to switch the laundry and I got a couple more contractions by this time. So I texted Jason and told him he should maybe come home because I thought I might be in labor. We went back upstairs and Evie didn't eat her sandwich. I tried finding her something to eat, but she wouldn't tell me what she wanted and kept saying she wanted to "eat some nummy food." Jason got home, Evie ate a go-gurt and I did the dishes. When she was done I took her upstairs, brushed her teeth, read her a story and put her down for her nap and had some contractions during the process). I went back downstairs and started another load of laundry and had a contraction. Jason said maybe I should call the doctor and explain my situation with being gbs + and having a history of rapid labor and if I should go into the hospital. So I called and the nurse told me to head to the hospital (about 1:30ish). I went downstairs and told Jason that I should head to the hospital. He asked if I wanted him to take me to the hospital... The hospital is literally across the freeway from us. It's about a 5 minute drive, including getting stopped at lights. Plus, Evie was sleeping and we couldn't call anyone to come over to watch her (again with the friends with babies). I figured it would be fine for me to drive there because of how close the hospital is and because my contractions weren't that bad. I grabbed my hospital bag, camera, and tripod and headed to the hospital.

I had a contraction on the way to the hospital (in our parking lot on the way out). I got to the hospital and found a parking spot decently close to the door. Got my stuff out and headed in. I had a contraction as I was walking into the hospital (not as bad as with Evie because I was still able to walk during contractions). Went up to labor and delivery and they said they had gotten a call about me (this was about 1:55pm). I had a contraction at the desk, but was still able to somewhat talk with them. They took me to a room and had me pee in a container and change into a hospital gown. I put the camera on the tripod and then the nurse came back in and checked me. I was dilated to a 2 the day before and when she checked me I was at a 5. I was a little shocked, but happy. She said he was floating (not engaged) and that my bag of waters was bulging and she needed to be careful so she didn't pop it because I needed to get my iv, and they couldn't do the iv until I was admitted to the hospital.

Another nurse came in and they both asked me questions. It must have been slow because we all chatted, while the one nurse was asking me questions to admit me. Turns out my nurse, Max, and I share the same birthday, just about 40 years apart (that's what she said). I told them about my first birth and how quick it was and how I was supposed to go into the hospital that night to be induced so I could get the antibiotics so I wouldn't have to stay in the hospital for 48 hours. I had to get a new set of orders so we waited for those and when those finally got in, we were still waiting to get me admitted. The first nurse started the iv in my hand so that when the orders came in I would be able to just get hooked up to it. She tried getting the iv in my left hand, but she couldn't get it, so I got stabbed again in the right hand... Not the most fun, but it wasn't too bad. Then they hooked up the fetal monitor to my belly and took my blood pressure.

The nurses asked if I was going to get an epidural. I told them I didn't have one with my first because of how quickly labor progressed with her and I figured I didn't need one this time. They kept telling me if I wanted to get one I needed to get it right then, and that the person who gives the epidurals is really good. I told them I didn't think I would need it, the contractions weren't too bad yet and they weren't as painful as with Evie. Jason was texting me at this time telling me if I wanted the epidural I needed to get it asap. Somehow it came out that Jason wants to be an anesthesiologist and a little less than 15 minutes later (after the first nurse left to check on the antibiotics again), the nurse anesthetist came in. "I heard your husband is going to be an anesthesiologist and you aren't getting an epidural! I had to come in and give you a hard time!" That made me laugh and we chatted for a couple of minutes. She kept telling me if I wanted to get one my husband could watch and experience it happening to his wife. I was texting my siblings and Jason. Jason said his mom had arrived (2:52 pm) and he needed to get a couple of things together (including grabbing some things I forgot).  She had to leave and the antibiotics were finally ready, so the nurse came and hooked them up (probably about 2:45). I had asked to make sure I could get up and walk around as soon as I got the antibiotics in me, they had told me I would be able to before, but I wanted to be sure. Jason arrived at the hospital close to 3:15, and I was able to get up. With Evie Jason was putting counter pressure on my lower back because I had back labor with her. This time I didn't need counter pressure so he was studying (or reading espn on his iPad) while sitting on a chair talking with me. The nurse asked if I wanted the bouncing ball thing so she pulled that out and I got to bounce on it. By the time I got up my contractions were a little more intense. The nurse asked me to let her know when I felt like I was getting close to needing to push. I told her I would try to let her know, but wasn't sure that would be enough time. She said the doctor who was supposed to deliver me (my doctor had the day off and another doctor in the same building was the one who admitted me), was across the street so I needed to give her enough time to cross the street.

I went pee and lost more of my mucus plug. I came out of the bathroom and told Jason. I sat on the bouncing ball again and leaned on the bed, I lifted it up so I could lean on it better. The contraction was really intense. I told the nurse I thought I needed to push, and as I was telling her, my water broke. There was a LOT of amniotic fluid! A HUGE puddle on the ground right at the foot of the bed.

Jason got up out of his chair and came over. The nurse told me to get on the bed. I went to the side and leaned on it because I was having another contraction. She lowered the bed and I got up. She went to check me and I told her I needed to push. Jason was holding my hand and telling me to relax and try not to push. The nurse checked me and I was at a 9 1/2. She told me not to push, she hurried and called people in. She kept telling me I couldn't have the baby yet because there wasn't a doctor in there and she couldn't deliver the baby. The doctor who was supposed to deliver didn't make it in time, and the on call doctor in the hospital didn't make it in time, but the midwife made just in time (same thing happened with Evie). I couldn't hold the pushing anymore and pushed his head out, then the rest of his body. As soon as he was out they put him on me and I felt warm liquid slide down my side. He peed and pooped on me. They broke the bed down and the midwife and nurse had me scoot to the edge of the bed, Jason and the nurse helped me. They pulled out the pads underneath me and wiped me up. I told Jason to take pictures. I pushed out the placenta and then got stitched up. After I got stitched up they told me they were going to give me pitocin to help my uterus contract faster.  The pain from the uterus contracting was worse than giving birth after having Evie, so I was fine getting that sucker back down to size quicker. The on call doctor and the doctor who was supposed to deliver me came in and the nurse called someone to come clean the floor. After the extra nurses and people left, the cleaning person came in to mop up the floor. We nursed and then the nurse took the baby to the other side of the room and weighed him and I sent Jason to take pictures because I was still in the bed and couldn't see that well. They took his measurements and gave him a bath then gave him back. Jason headed out to go pick up Evie while I changed into a dry gown and got ready to head over to the other side (recovery/ mother and baby, I can't remember what it's called...), which we did after Jason got back and Evie got to meet her baby brother. She didn't really seem to care that I was there, when she came in the room she asked, "Is that my baby brother?! Can I hold him, can I soft him? I love him!" So we had her wash her hands, hold him, and soft him (pet him gently), but no kisses because of the strep.

setting up my tripod with my remote. (I didn't end up using it, other than this picture. P.s. look at my huge belly next to my hand!)

Probably getting stitched up. Ouch!

 Still getting stitched up.

 Getting weighed

My big baby boy

9lb 4oz

21 1/2"

3:42pm