We left for the hospital on Friday morning, with an induction scheduled for 8:00 AM. We got there a little early, and we were checked in to our room. My nurse attempted to put in my IV, but without success. Despite having great veins, (she even said so) the first vein burst, and the second "wouldn't thread," whatever that means. A different nurse got the IV in the other arm. Because of the burst vein, the blood pressure cuff that went off every 15 minutes ended up being the most pain I'd experience for much of the day!
They started me on pitocin at 9 AM, and my doctor came in to check where I was starting from. 1 cm, 50% dilated: exactly as I had been for the past 3 weeks. Ryan and I talked and watched TV for much of the morning; thankfully this was the one time where I got complete control of the remote. :) My contractions actually started the minute they put the monitors on my belly, but they were just the "tightening" contractions.. not painful in the least. They increased in regularity, and eventually became uncomfortable in the early afternoon. I had to "rate" my pain level for the nurse, and I eventually got up to about a 4 out of a possible 10.
Throughout the day, my doctor came in to check my progress, but I hadn't made any by late afternoon. She said that she would be back between 5 and 6, and if I STILL hadn't made progress, I'd come off the pitocin, get a good meal, and rest up for the next day. They would also start me on cervadil overnight to ripen my cervix. Obviously, I was hoping for PROGRESS. Come 5 o clock, I told Ryan that if I had been experiencing all of these contractions and still had no progress when she came back, I'd cry. As it turns out, there was still no progress! I didn't cry, but it was incredibly discouraging, and I just wanted to see my baby!
It was 6:00 PM when they took me off of the pitocin, and I was starving by this point, since I hadn't had anything besides an instant breakfast at 6:30 that morning.. if that even counts. Ryan ran out to Panera Bread for me, and I don't think a meal has ever tasted so good! I was exhausted by this point, because I hadn't slept well the night before, (too excited!) and really wasn't able to sleep much throughout the day due to the contractions. I was told by my doctor that I'd be offered a sleeping pill, and to take it, after they inserted the cervadil. As it turns out, I wasn't given the chance.
They put in the cervadil at 9 PM, and my nurse told me she'd bring me the sleeping pill around 11, or else I'd wake up too early. I dozed off and on after that, but my nurse kept coming in to have me switch sides. "Baby doesn't like it when you're on your right side; her heart rate isn't where we'd like it," she told me. So, she propped me up at an angle on my left side. Shortly after, she came back and checked the baby's position, only to find out that she had wiggled herself out of my pelvis! She was head down still, but had moved out of the engaged position. Great. "You won't dilate at ALL if she doesn't get back down in your pelvis," the nurse told me. So, I had to lay on my back in a reclined position for the rest of night. Downside to this position is that it forces the baby's weight onto my bladder, and I had to take bathroom breaks pretty much every hour for the entire night.
It was NOT an easy night. I was pretty miserable, and cried about going through the whole day with no progress, and having to stay overnight. I was exhausted, but couldn't sleep. I was hurting, but couldn't take anything. I was uncomfortable, and wasn't allowed to change positions because she then wouldn't be in the right position for progress.
They unhooked me from everything, and let me get a shower at 6 AM. I was just happy to have made it through the night! They started me on the pitocin again at 7 AM, and my doctor checked me for progress at 9 AM. Thank goodness, I was at 2 1/2-3 cm! The rough night had paid off. :) She decided to go ahead and break my water at that point, so I'd progress more quickly. She also told us that the baby's heart rate was decelerating during contractions, which likely meant that her cord was wrapped around something. Or it could be something as simple as her grasping the cord in her hand, and it tightening during my contractions. Having watched many a Baby Story, I was very worried that I may need a c-section if she went into distress.
I honestly don't know how some women go through labor without pain relief. I tried the methods I knew, but they all stopped working at that point. After my water was broken, the contractions became unbelievably intense, like a fireball of pain. I had wanted to feel what good, hard contractions felt like, but trust me, I never felt like I was above getting an epidural! Each one was worse than the one before it, and I decided at 9:10 to get the epidural. I was told it would just be a few minutes, but "a few minutes" turned into 50! I won't lie... I was in agony, and Ryan was pretty sure I was going to break his hand! Finally, I got the epidural at 10 AM, and have never felt such sweet relief. You don't see anything going on, and I barely felt a thing from it because they numb the area before inserting the needle. It honestly was the best thing on earth!
After that, I settled back down, and was even able to nap a little bit. My doctor told me that epidurals can either slow down progress, or speed it up since your body is relaxed. It was definitely the latter for me! Around 2 PM I was at 7 cm, and I went all the way to 10 cm within an hour!
I started pushing at 3:10 PM. Keep in mind, Ryan and I had been told by EVERYONE at the hospital that this was going to be a very big baby. I was terrified of the idea of pushing for hours, and having to get a c-section anyway due to her size, not to mention I didn't want her to go into distress. Needless to say, I really was motivated to get her out as soon as possible! They had turned down the epidural enough that I could feel when each contraction would start, so I knew when to push, but I felt no pain. My nurse was incredible, and I was so thankful that SHE was the one I delivered with. She had taught childbirth classes before, and really knew all the right things to say, and knew how to motivate me.
Once the head was down far enough, they wheeled around a mirror so that I could see how close she was! Even though Ryan had said over and over again how he didn't want to watch the actual process, but rather stay up by my head, he completely changed his mind once the time was here. Around an hour and a half of pushing, I was able to reach down and feel her head, which was so incredible!
After an hour and 50 minutes of pushing, at 5:01 PM, Brooke Avery came into the world. I think I will always remember vividly what she looked like as she came out; she was absolutely gorgeous. They put her on my chest for a few seconds, and I just bawled. What a miracle! They took her to the warmer, and began giving her oxygen. Apparently, her cord had wrapped around her neck, twice, and she was a little stunned. Quickly after, she was crying, and was getting cleaned up. It seemed like forever before they let me hold her, but her daddy was right there watching her and recording the whole thing.
They weighed and measured her... 7 pounds, 12 ounces--NOT the huge baby they all had predicted! She was 21 1/2" long, so she didn't even look chubby, but rather long and slender.
She wanted to nurse immediately, which I was very happy about. (She's been a champ ever since!) As I held her, I just studied her every feature... her big, blue eyes, her long eyelashes, (like her daddy's) her long, slender fingers and toes, (like her mommy's) her delicately shaped lips and cute, button nose. She was perfect, and she was ours. It's truly amazing how quickly you fall in love, and I still can't believe what a miracle she is. Our beautiful Brooke Avery.
Needless to say, I have my hands a little full over here, but here are some pictures to tide you all over. :) THANK YOU for all the of the support and love! I'll get around to reading all of it soon, and I'll also be typing up my crazy, long birth story while it's still fresh in my mind. :) She is so absolutely worth everything I went through!
7 pounds, 12 ounces -- NOT the huge baby they were all saying she was!
Well, Ryan and I are off to the hospital! I barely slept at all, and I am so unbelievably excited to meet our daughter! It's amazing to think that the next time we are home... we will be bringing our baby girl home with us. :)
The induction is at 8 AM.. please pray for the three of us! Being induced wasn't my first choice, as I've mentioned, but I've gone as long as they will let you go "waiting it out." Everything happens for a reason, and I am trusting that this is the best possible delivery for baby girl and I. :)
My Mom will be posting about our baby's arrival after she is delivered... your guess is as good as mine when that will be, though, depending on how my labor goes. Since she's my first, I'm not anticipating a quick labor, but I guess you never know. :) Either way, I'm preparing for the long haul!
Friday at 8:00 AM, if she doesn't make her grand entrance before then! My doctor's office finally called me this morning with the date, or I would've let you all know sooner. August 24th sounds like a good birthday, doesn't it?
I "slept in" this morning, because I was awake several times during the night with contractions and bathroom breaks. I've been contracting semi-regularly since I got up, too, but only a few of them have been somewhat painful. I'm pretty much just expecting them to up and disappear as they always have thus far, but Ryan is hopeful that I will deliver TODAY! I guess you never know. One way or another, though, she has to come out... so there's really no use worrying over it. :)
In the meantime, I've discovered half.com on eBay, and was able to post the still-current books from my college days. I posted them on Saturday afternoon, and 4 out of 8 have already sold! I'm sure the little bit of extra money will come in handy for things like, oh, diapers. :)
I completely forgot to mention what the doctor said about our baby yesterday. She felt my stomach to determine the baby's position and size, and estimated that she's "an 8 pounder." Ryan told me afterwards, "okay, maybe it would be a good idea if you get the epidural." :) I know that doctors don't always get it right, and that they could be off by as much as a pound or so either way, but I was NOT expecting our baby to be 8 pounds! I think Ryan was only 7-something, and I probably would've been right over 7 pounds had I gone to term. (I was born 6 weeks premature) We'll just have to see!
So, that's my news for the day. Hope you all are doing well!
5 days overdue now. Ryan is convinced she's going to be just like me, because she's already running late! :)
I had my doctor's appointment this morning, which went well. Ryan went with me again this week for moral support. :) I'm bordering 2 cm, which is better than Thursday at least. She went ahead and stripped my membranes, which was very uncomfortable, but I was open to anything! Just in case that doesn't get things moving, (she said her "success" rate with getting labor started is pretty good) they put in an induction form, and will be calling me sometime today with the soonest available date at the hospital. It will most likely be scheduled at the end of the week sometime. I'll update again once they call with a date. :)
In the meantime, we've been enjoying ourselves. Ryan took me out for a "date night" on Friday night, and we went to see the Bourne Ultimatum at a really nice, brand new local theater. (they have leather seats!) Surprisingly, ticket prices were cheaper than the other theater in town, which is at least 10 years old. The movie was GREAT! I tried to look at the bright side, and told Ryan that if our baby girl had come on or before her due date, we wouldn't have been able to go see the movie. :)
My Grandpa and his wife are in town, and we all got together for Sunday dinner yesterday. Later, they stopped by to see our new place. I haven't seen them since the wedding, because they live down in Texas. Needless to say, it is so great to have them here! We're all going out together for dinner at Outback tonight, then they will be heading home tomorrow morning. I was really, really hoping to have at least delivered before they leave, but it's not looking like that will be happening.
Well, my hubby should be getting home anytime now. He's going to be working from home this afternoon, which will be really nice. I'll update again soon! Hope you all are having a great day. :)
Nope, no baby yet. Actually, not only is there no baby yet, but according to my doctor at my appointment this morning, I've made "very little" progress. (her nice way of saying no progress)
I actually thought our baby girl was going to be born yesterday. I really did. I was convinced I'd be one of the 5% of women who actually deliver on their due date. I had woken up at 2:45 AM yesterday morning having contractions every 10 minutes until 4:45 AM, when I must've fallen back asleep. (they weren't painful, but they made me feel really sick) Once I finally got up, though, they gradually dwindled away into nothingness, and I only had them sporadically throughout the day. I was definitely having the due date blues.
Ryan and I went for a long walk last night, and I was having some VERY painful contractions towards the end of it. Sad to say, I didn't wake up feeling any contractions last night, in spite of our efforts, and today I'm actually feeling pretty good aside from some waves of nausea here and there. I'm just bummed, honestly, but am trying to make the best of it! She has to come out eventually. (right?)
So, the plan is that I have another doctor's appointment on Monday morning, IF I haven't delivered yet. If I make it to the appointment, she will schedule an induction date. So! There is an end in sight, at least. :) I'm not crazy about the possibility of being induced.. but then again, I'm not crazy about being pregnant forever, either. I'm pretty much open to just about ANYTHING at this point.
It's really weird, too, that when I'm asked when I'm due, I have to say, "Yesterday." It just sounds so wrong.
Okay, I can't even THANK YOU all enough for all of the sweet comments and introductions you've all left for me! Please bear with me as I try to get around to you all, but I'm bookmarking you all as I go along, and I'm so happy to have "met" so many new people because of it. :) I'm blown away by how many of you are so excited for Ryan and I, and anticipating meeting the newest little addition to our family. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Well, I'm off to lunch and a movie with Mom to turn this rainy, no-good-news days into a good day. :) I'll let you all know if there is any more news! Hope you all have a great day~
