Read Part 1 of my labor & delivery story here: My Unfavorable Cervix
I can break my labor up into three different stages: Easy Labor, Medium Labor, and HOLYSHITI’MDYING.
My Easy Labor started around 8:30pm when my water broke, with contractions that were mild little annoyances but completely tolerable. By the time we got to the hospital it was 11:00pm and my contractions were about five minutes apart but still mild. We were admitted to the hospital’s triage unit where they did a test to confirm that my water had broken, and then we waited for what felt like forever for a birthing room. In hindsight, this was the only time during my labor that my contractions were mild enough that I might have been able to sleep through them, but unfortunately that was difficult to do while we were in the triage area.
We finally got moved to our birthing room around 1:00am and both of us were pretty tired. G settled in to the sofa bed and I settled in to the hospital bed, but unfortunately by then only one of us was able to get some sleep. My contractions were getting stronger–just strong enough that I was unable to sleep through them but I still did my best to try to rest.
After an hour or two my contractions had gotten to the point where laying down felt too uncomfortable and I thought I could manage them better if I was upright and moving around, so I left G asleep in our room and snuck out to start walking the hospital halls. The halls in the wing of our birthing center basically made up one big circle which I lapped countless times. I definitely consider this the start of my Medium Labor. My contractions were still five minutes apart but getting much stronger. I really did find that moving and trying to walk through them helped quite a bit–especially at first. Eventually they got to the point where I could no longer walk through them, but instead had to stop, grip the hallway railing with one hand and my belly with the other, and just breathe through them. I have to admit–it was during one of these contractions that I thought, “This is it. We’re only having one child. I can’t go through this again.” And at the time I meant it.
After a few hours of walking the halls I was exhausted. It was now Saturday morning and I hadn’t slept since Thursday night. I decided to go back to my bed to try to get some rest. Being upright felt better than laying down so I moved my bed into the upright position hoping that would help, but by this point my contractions were three minutes apart and just too damn strong for me to get any sort of rest. I was in a lot of pain, but trying hard to stay focused and breathe through them. I kept reminding myself, “It’s pain with a purpose. It’s pain with a purpose.” I was checked again around 6:30am and was certain they’d tell me I was pretty far along, but instead they told me I was only dilated two centimeters.
Two centimeters?
I’d been in labor for ten hours and I was only dilated TWO LOUSY CENTIMETERS?? Some women are dilated two centimeters for DAYS before they even FEEL their first contraction!
By now it was clear I still had a pretty long road ahead of me and I was absolutely exhausted, so I asked the nurse about my pain relief options. I needed something–ANYTHING–to take the edge off and help me get some rest. The nurse suggested a narcotic and informed me they also wanted to start me on Potocin to try to speed things up. Both required an IV, which of course I wasn’t crazy about.
“Which arm would you like it in?” the nurse asked.
“My left,” I answered. “I’m right-handed so if you put it in that arm I’m afraid I’ll never use it again.”
The narcotic was wonderful. It didn’t take away the feeling of the contractions completely, but it did dull the pain enough that I was finally able to get some rest. An hour and a half later they decided to increase my Potocin. Unfortunately this was also the time my narcotic wore off.
Not a good combination.
Consider this the beginning of my HOLYSHITI’MDYING Labor. My contractions were ridiculously strong and one right after the other. I mostly just remember holding G’s hand and trying to breathe through them, although there were definitely times that I lost focus and just sobbed through them instead. And then there were a few that I just lost all control whatsoever and ended up vomiting through. It wasn’t pretty. I asked for another dose of narcotics, but they informed me I had to wait at least two hours between doses.
Two hours between doses but the medication only lasts 90 minutes?
Even in excruciating pain I could do the math. The last thing I wanted was to be going through this again in 90 minutes.
Enter the epidural.
Just like I’d assumed, by this point I didn’t even care what they had to do to me, I just wanted the pain to be over. I remembered from the ten minutes of birthing class I made it through before passing out that the anesthesiologists talk you through the process to make sure you know exactly what is going. Um. No thank you. When my anesthesiologists came in to administer the epidural (this was around 9:00am) I remember telling them, “Please don’t give me the details; just do it.” They told me there were a few things they had to tell me about just so I knew when not to move. Honestly the only thing I felt through the whole process (other than uterine-ripping contractions) were the initial little pricks while they numbed my lower back–it was similar to the little needle pricks you feel when you get your gums numbed at the dentist. Once I was numbed I didn’t feel a thing. I knew they were doing things back there because they kept reminding me not to move, but I didn’t even feel their hands on my back, let alone anything else they were working with back there. The hardest part by far was trying to remain still through the contractions. I just held G’s hand and stayed focused on him and his encouragement.
The epidural was sweet relief and once it kicked in I was able to again get some rest, although it was interrupted quite a bit. I had been in labor for over 13 hours and still wasn’t progressing as much as we’d all hoped so they hooked some straps around my belly to monitor both my contractions and Kate’s heart rate. Shortly afterwards they put an oxygen mask on me–although neither G nor I can remember exactly why. I’m guessing it had something to do with me needing more oxygen. (You can’t buy brilliance like this.)
By 11:30am I had been in labor for 15 hours but had only dilated 4 centimeters. To make matters worse, they had discovered that Kate’s heart rate was dropping with every contraction I was having. They guessed there was an issue with her umbilical cord–that it was either pinched or twisted. It was at this time that our doctor asked us to consider a C-section. He informed us that things were not at the critical point where they would insist on doing a C-section, but the likelihood was high that it would get to that point. However if we wanted to continue laboring to see if there would be a possibility of delivering Kate vaginally I could. The choice was ours.
Everyone left the room to give G and I a few minutes to make our decision. G knew I was hoping to avoid needing a C-section but I thought it sounded inevitable–I could either have a C-section now, or have one later. For me the idea that we could be meeting our precious daughter in just half an hour was way too tempting to resist, so we opted for the C-section. We later found out that the umbilical cord was wrapped around Kate’s leg, acting as a tether which kept her from descending. With each contraction that tried to push her down, her umbilical cord pulled her back up, so there was no way she would have been born vaginally.
Of course a C-section wasn’t something I was mentally prepared for, and once we made the decision I couldn’t help but think of exactly what that entailed: being cut open…while still awake. So of course I vomited. And had I been upright I’m sure I would have fainted. Instead my body decided to start shaking uncontrollably. Everything started happening incredibly fast. I was surrounded by people who were moving me, prepping me, making sure my epidural was effective and I was still fully numb (those were my favorite people)–lots of talking and lots of hands everywhere. I remember thinking it was strange that I was surrounded by so many people, yet no one seemed concerned about my shaking. Could they not see it? Was I not being dramatic enough?? Soon my teeth were in on the action, chattering away, and still no one seemed phased.
“Excuse me,” I finally said. “I’m sh-sh-sh-shaking pretty ba-ba-ba-ba-badly.”
“Oh, that’s normal,” they assured me.
It turns out uncontrollable shaking is a common side effect of an epidural. I’m guessing this is something I would have learned in birthing class had I been conscious for it.
I was still shaking away as they wheeled me into the You’ll Have a Scar for Life Room, with my vomit bag tucked securely by my side. Once G was properly attired and looking all McDreamy we were ready to go.
Here’s a before shot of me, G, and the thin blue sheet of paper separating me from a lifetime of therapy:
The only thing that got me through the procedure without having a panic attack was my wonderful husband. Once again I just stayed focused on him while he held my hand and gave me words of encouragement. I felt lots of tugging and pressure, but of course no pain. Without question the hardest part of delivering a baby via C-section was being able to mentally make it through. I tried my hardest to ignore what was happening to my body, and stayed focused on G and the thought of meeting our baby girl in mere moments.
I’ll never forget the first time I heard her.
G and I were staring in each other’s eyes when we heard our daughter let out one single short cry and then we burst into tears. “Was that her?” I asked, although I knew it was. She soon let out more wails and I wanted to jump right off that table, go to her, and wrap her in my arms. Since I was a little…indisposed…at that moment, G went to her instead. “She’s so beautiful!” he reported back and I couldn’t wait to see her. Luckily I didn’t have to wait long. Around the corner soon came my husband and my daughter.
My family.
My life.
Our first family portrait:
Forty weeks and 5 days of pregnancy, 15 hours of labor, and one C-section later, our gorgeous girl had finally arrived! Kate was born at 11:58am on Saturday, January 9, 2010, weighing in at 7lbs 2oz and measuring 19 inches.
Every day, every hour, every second–I’d gladly do it all over again for our precious little girl. She was more than worth it!
Your story made me laugh and then cry, congrats to you and your new family. I had 22 hours of labor and then a csxn so I could relate to everything you where going through!
Thank you for sharing! Such a beautiful story. I also had a c-section and I have had no regrets. Kate is gorgeous! She is one month old today! Yay!
Congratulations and thank you for sharing. Kate is beautiful! I also had a c-section after many hours of labor and can totally understand everything you went through. Congrats again and best wishes!
You writing skills amaze me. Your story made me teary.
Excuse me while I wipe the tears away! I too, had a C-section after almost 24 hours of labor, so I can totally relate. Congrats again!
I am 36 weeks and 4 days — I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my own daugther, and like you I know that I will do whatever I have to – because she is worth every single moment.
What a great story. Everyone’s story is so unique. You even brought tears to my eyes but I’m quite the sap these days.
THank you for sharing this. Your story is soooo similar to my own – even down to the no progression, heart rate issues, oxygen mask and shaking. I remember shaking so badly during the c-section that I was worried they wouldn’t be able to make their incisions correctly. The shaking hurt so badly that I couldn’t think about the baby being born. The anesthesiologist gave me something to make it go away finally but my shoulders hurt for days.
I’m so happy you had such a beautiful outcome.
Thanks for sharing your labor story! You had me laughing and crying as well!
Thank you so much for sharing! I am also petrified of needles/hospitals/giving birth, etc. It is so good to know I am not alone in this fear! You have a beautiful baby girl~ definitely worth it!
God Bless the Epidural!!!! I made it thru all my childbirth classes and still missed the shaking and vomiting info… not a fun experience.
Jan. 9th will go do as legendary in your world, not only because of Kate’s birth, but because you, as a woman, found out how strong you really are, mentally, physically and emotionally! Welcome to the world sweet Kate. Welcome to the motherhood adventure Dusty!
Congrats to you both! Hope you are resting and healing up nicely!
I so needed to hear this today. I’m having a c-section tomorrow morning (breech baby) and it is weighing heavily on my mind and heart…. I had really never thought I would have a c-section but you reminded me, it is my family that matters, the end goal, and I’ll do whatever it takes to get there.
What a great story. Glad your husband was so supportive – it seemed like he really got you through those tough times. Thanks for sharing.
Kate is such a beauty. Glad you made it through the c-section and hop eyou have a quick recovery! Thank you for sharing your story in a way that made me laugh and cry. Congratulations.
It sounds like you had a really great doctor. He didn’t pressure you about a c-section for failure to progress, gave you all the info and then let you make your own decision.
I have to ask, did they use the vacuum to help get her out? In that last picture she looks like she has bump on her head just like my son did after he was born. She also looks adorably perplexed
Aw – she’s beautiful – congrats again! I’m so glad everything went as well as it did and everyone is healthy and happy!
Holy crap, Dusty!!! Thanks for sharing this with us. Insane and amazing…you did such a great job. I’ve always had a weak stomach and a history of fainting, so I have a feeling I’m going to suck at labor:)
wow! thanks for sharing. my friend just had a similar situation happen to her. She was in labor for 27 hours and then had to get a c-section. y’all are troopers!
Aw – this made me cry because I thought about my c-section and hearing my son cry for the first time. I had many flashbacks while reading your story! I had about 12 hours of active labor, plus 2 hours of pushing before they realized my son wasn’t coming down past the bones. So I finally opted for the c-section.
I also had the uncontrollable shaking. It was awful. I had it for about 2 hours after the c-section.
Great birth story!
What a beautiful story…good thing I didn’t do my make-up yet, because you had me all teary eyed!
I read you daily and this made me cry! I am so happy for you. Isn’t it amazing what modern medicine can do? What would happen to all these babies 100 or more years ago? Amazing. MIRACLE. Enjoy that baby girl.
What a beautiful story! Congratulations, she’s gorgeous!
Thank you for sharing your birth story. I’m sorry things didn’t go as planned but what an beautiful outcome! Don’t you feel kind of part of a club now, with your own birth story? Well done, hon. You’re a trouper.
Ummm, I started sobbing at “I’ll never forget the first time I heard her.”
I don’t know if it’s the pregnancy hormones, me thinking back to the first time I heard my son, a combo of the two… or just you’re completely beautiful story. But I’m crying. At work.
Congrats on your beautiful daughter. You just made me so much more excited to meet mine.
PS- My doc has already started talking about a c/s this time (due to complications after birth with my son, pre-e, and the fact that I have large monster babies) and I can’t wrap my head around it. I don’t know how I feel about having one. I’m scared to death.
So reading your story, I can’t imagine having a c/s without even being mentally prepared for it. But thank you for saying it was worth it. Of course it is.
aww what a wonderful story! Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl!
This is fabulous! I think I laughed most of the way through this just because your delivery is hilarious.
I learned some things too which was fun!
And the moment when you said, you’ll never forget the moment you heard her for the first time… chills…
This is such a great post and I’m so happy she came the way that she did and is filling your world with such joy!
I’m so happy for you guys!
You did it! I am so proud of you. And of course, now I am crying too. “My Family. My Life.” Ugh, you are such a good writer!
And seriously, thank god for modern medicine.
Hugs to all of you.
jbhat
LOVE the post! What a beautiful story. Can’t wait to hear about the rest of the hospital stay, and what it felt like in those first few days!
And I’m crying…thanks so much for sharing your L&D story. I am 22weeks pregnant with our first child (a girl!) and am already nervous about labor. I loved reading your story though. Now, I am thinking I can do it, I can do it…
I hope you and Kate are doing well. I enjoy reading your blog!
what a great story! thanks for sharing! and i love that you have pictures at the hospital!
Awesome story. I was laughing and crying. Congratulations on your gorgeous baby girl!
Great story! Very similar to mine! Found out my pelvic area was too small and my son was not fitting through my hoohah so I had to get an emergency c-section. I hated the horrible shaking and the chills! I was soo cold!!!
Kate is adorable and congrats!! Hope your recovery is easy and quick!
You had me laughing and crying at the same time! My story with baby #1 was nearly identical — water breaking, long labor, epi and pit, no progress, emergency c/s, turns out the cord was wrapped around his neck. I can STILL remember precisely how it felt to hear his first cry and look into his bright little eyes for the first time — and I just registered him for kindergarten yesterday! (BTW, I went on to have two gorgeous little girls, both VBACs, and honestly, my c/s birth experience and recovery were in many ways the easiest of all. I have NOTHING but happy memories of the day my son arrived.)
Congrats, Dusty! She’s gorgeous!
What a great story! It is so happy, but so sweet and heartfelt.
Thank you so much for sharing this story!! It’s nice to know what to expect one day (not that I’m having kids soon). Ya’ll are a beautiful family! <3
Made me cry too! I’ve been through 2 c-sections and I 100% agree with you. Getting through them mentally is the hardest part.
You brought tears to my eyes!!
Oh, how adorable she was from the get go! I had a C-section after 47 hours of labor only dialating to 1 cm. Incompetent cervix was a term thrown around. I was just like get her out already!! I shook in recovery so hard my pulse ox slipped off my finger and when it started beeping, I asked the nurse if I was dead. It’s funny now.
Hi Dusty, I loved your birth story! I didn’t realize you ended up with a c-section, I am so proud of you, especially because of your fear of needles! Your little girl is beautiful! My labor was horrendous too but I have to agree with you that I would do it all again for her. Take care!
Karen
SO glad Kate is here! It’s so easy to say “it’s not so bad”,but it will take time, maybe years to forget all the details. You soon will only remember her “first little cry” Great story….All my love,
JamieMLsna
Bless your heart, that was a long labor to have to endure, but she is beautiful. My little man arrived today so our babies are exactly 1 month apart.
I hope I’m as strong as you when our baby arrives in May!
Congratulations! I’m so glad everything went okay!
When my best friend had her baby, I got in to see her after the epidural. And she looks over at innocent, childless Val and this same woman who’d been nagging me to have a baby since the moment she got pregnant says to me “It hurt so bad, Val. It was like the worst menstrual cramps you ever had…with a knife.” And she grimaced and she did this little twisting-the-knife gesture. Followed by a chipper, “But I’m fine now!” Officially scarred for life.
Congrats Dusty! I’ve been looking forward to hearing the rest of the birth! So glad you had a healthy daughter! And I second the comment about modern medicine! Also, it was kind of nice to hear another story of someone who didn’t want an epidural, and then was like, “whatever to make the pain go away!” That was totally me! Sorry for the shaking – never experienced it so didn’t know about it. LauraC
You’ve got me crying. What a beautiful story–and wonderful first pictures.
Wow!! what a great birth story, minus the inevitable C-section. she is beautiful. i am so happy for you both!
Wow–I know it is sooo worth it~~now with the kids nearly 11 and 13 I can remember being in labor like it was yesterday–I was in labor for a very long 5 days though and still decided it would be worth it to do it all over again. Only next time I thought it would be better to just schedule the c-section in advance, it makes the recovery sooo much better!! Can’t wait to meet Kate! Hope to see ya both soon, Amers
Awww, congratulations!! She’s beautiful!!
I cried when I read this. It reminds me of my labor and csection. Congratulations on your beautiful little girl!!!!
That made me cry at the end! I was shaking with you during the shaking part. I could only imagine. This scares me now haha! She is soo cute!
What a GREAT story! So many women seem to carry around guilt from having a c-section…I think it’s great that you have such a positive view of the situation. Whatever it took to get her here, you’re right – totally worth it, and the end result is all that matters!
I could literally take your post and make it my own. I think when I had the emergency c-section i’d been in labor 16 hours and was dilated to 5. I remember the pain, I remember the epidural (and yes, the sweet relief of rest), I remember the teeth chattering and remember the decision being made for the section. And I remember his little voice as he made his way out into the world. I’ve got tears right now and it’s almost 6 years later. I also was not prepared for having a section, but gosh, they sure have pretty heads don’t they?
And his was wrapped around his belly. On the second one I elected for a section based on my doc’s advice…the cord was around that one’s neck four times. God itervened there, I was going to do a VBAC. Anyway, congrats. She’s a lovely little one!!
I continue to love your honesty! Thanks so much for sharing your story
I’m a lurker, delurking, to tell you that I’m a known passer-outer at needles myself, and I SO relate.
In fact…it’s embarrassing to even admit this…but my main fear of having children? The IV in my hand during labor. Not the labor itself, mind you, but the IV.
You make me feel more normal. Thanks! Your daughter is beautiful.
Thanks so much for your comments everyone! All your kind words mean so much to me and many of your comments brought me to tears, so I guess we’re even! Thanks to all of you who also shared your L&D experiences. I think a woman’s labor and delivery–no matter how it happens–is a badge of honor. It’s something that’s extremely personal, yet something you take pride in sharing. Thanks to all of you for sharing with me!
Regarding having a C-section–it was certainly not something I had planned on, but I have absolutely no regrets. About a week prior to having Kate my sister and I were talking about her upcoming birth and she asked, “What if you need to have a C-section?” I replied, “If that’s what needs to happen for our little girl then I’ll gladly do it. Hell, if they told me cutting off my left arm would be what she needed, I’d say go for it–and take the right one too if you think that’ll help!” Like many of you said–all that matters is that she made it to this world safe and sound, and I’d gladly do it all over again.
@(another) Kate–First of all, love your screen name, lol! And no, to my knowledge they didn’t use the vaccuum on her. I’m guessing we would have been told and/or heard it if they had, so I’m not quite sure why her little head is peaked like that. Maybe from my pelvis?
@Jen–Fear of needles was also my biggest fear about having children, so I can totally relate!
Precious precious precious. Words can never capture the beauty of having a baby, but yours seemed to so well. It’s been wonderful following this journey and I’ll be looking forward to many more posts on new mommyhood. It’s all consuming for awhile so bask in the joy of it all. I’m just going to sit back and live vicariously.
Big hugs
Kate
Phew! I feel much less dorky now. Thank you! I am resting a little easier knowing that when it comes time I.just.won’t.care! Thank you!
Beautiful story! I’m sorry your labor resulting in a c-section. I never went into labor with my first, they said he was going to be big so we scheduled a c-section. My second baby is due next month and we’ve scheduled another c-section after the latest U/s showed I am probably going to have another little butterball. I really wanted the whole vaginal birth experience but it’s just not in the cards for me…and when it comes down to it. It just doesn’t matter. As long as my baby is fine and I am fine I’m happy!
Congrats again! I’ve enjoyed your blog and perhaps you can stop by and say hello sometime! Best of Luck with Kate and I look forward to seeing her grow!
Your story was wonderful! I also had a lot of shakes and vomiting with the epidural for my first birth experience. I told the nurses they should write a book about what really happens to your body during the whole event, people would be amazed! Congrats on your beautiful baby girl!
I can relate to so much of what you’ve described. But you did so much better than I did! I lost it in the OR, told them I could not do it…then I was calm until they took the baby out (ironically), at which point I became extremely lightheaded and promptly fell into a major anxiety attack. The anesthesiologist had to pump me with some sort of anti-anxiety drug which made me feel agitated and sick in the recovery room…on top of that, the shakes began for me after the surgery, so my memories of the recovery are very dim and unpleasant. So I give you major credit for your mental strength and control! I’m still trying to figure out a way to talk about my experience on my blog.
That is so sweet! I said the same thing when I heard my firstborn wail during my c-section “was that him?” ok, so ALMOST the same.
Congrats on your Kate!
I think my favorite thing (aside from the obvious thing – Kate) is this line: I wore a bra tank from Express on my top, and my modesty out the window on my bottom.
You are a wonderful champion!!
I burst into tears while reading this at the same time you and G did in the story. You are wonderful parents already and I am proud to know you. XOXO, Merry
@Kate–Thank you so much for such a sweet comment. You make me smile.
@Jen–Happy to help! And no worries; you’ll be great!
@Stacey–I giggled at “butterball.” Good luck wtih Baby #2!
@Meg–So true! Although truth be told, I wouldn’t have read it, lol. I avoided reading about labor and delivery while I was pregnant b/c I didn’t want to read anything that would make me more anxious about it. But now that I’ve been through it I won’t be shying away from L&D stories anymore (…hopefully).
@Good Egg–Oh no, you poor girl! Your story reminded me that they did give me something for my nauseau before we went into the c-section room. It was a little cup of fluid and they said, “Drink this. It will help with your nausea and keep you from throwing up.” Immediately after I drank it I threw up.
@ChocolateAddict–Aww, that’s so sweet.
@Mel–Heehee! You know me! 😀
@Merry–Thank you so much sweetie. Your comment means so much to me. Thank you so much for all your support and love throughout my pregnancy! :bighug
I can’t remember how I stumbled across your blog, but I am glad I did! I had my first child, Cooper, on January 14th of this year.
My birth story is a little different – I was induced due to pre-eclampsia. Did you get shooting pains in your arm from the pitocin? Oh dear me, the pain was unbearable. No one warned me about it and I thought I was having a heart attack. I was doing just fine, no pain, until they broke my water. Then it escalted to OH MY GOD proportions within minutes. They started the pitocin at 8:00 and I delivered him at 3:55 so I guess it could have been much worse. I was fine the whole time but the minute they came in to do the epidural I lost it. I don’t know why – it didn’t hurt. I think I had an unusual reaction to the epi. I was so detached! I don’t remember much about the laboring process, and when I did have him, I remember thinking “huh, that’s cool.” My husband said he said to me “oh, isn’t he beautiful?” and I said “he’s ok looking, I guess.” HAH! I don’t remember any of it.
Like you, I recently returned to work and it has been so difficult. I never imagined it would be so hard to leave him behind.
Off to explore more! I’m glad I found you!
Beautiful.
Kate is a lucky little girl. I’m sure she will treasure having such a well documented pregnancy, birth, and first years!
Bravo, Mommy.