Zoe was born on 2-2-10 at 0634 in the morning after 22 hours of labor and 3.5 hours of pushing. I finally went in to have my water broken on the first because I was 41.5 weeks pregnant and she showed no signs of coming out on her own. (This is where my birth plan flew out the window.) When they broke my water it was meconium stained and I was told that the NICU would be there for her birth to deep suction her. I was only dilated 1cm at that time. I labored for 8.5 hours and finally agreed to Pitocin. After 5 hours of pit I was begging for an epidural. (The nurse was turning it up this entire time.) After 5 hours of pit I was at 3cm. The epidural was a blessing and I do not regret any decisions I made. I was so sure Zoe was going to push her way out my back.
Once I was able to relax I started dilating and at 0245 they told me it was time to push. I was so ready and excited to finally see my baby girl. By this time the epidural was wearing off so I was able to control my pushing. I just had no idea how hard it was going to be to get her out. Remember they thought I was going to have a small baby because my belly had not gotten too big? Boy, were they wrong. Once I was able to get her head out, Dr. Roberts shouted, "This is a really big girl." She weighed 8lbs and was 20.5 inches long. She did have meconium aspiration syndrome, and after the chest x-ray showed a small spot of pneumonia in her right lung. She was in the NICU until last night (2-9). She is now in the progressive care nursery at Henrico Doctors Hospital. They are hoping she will be home with us by Fri or Sat.
This whole experience has just been a whirlwind. I spend all my time at the hospital with her. She is doing so much better. They have taken out her NG tube, finished the antibiotics, and removed her IV. She is only on oxygen now, and hopefully today she will have that removed, too. She is very strong and I can tell she is ready to come home. I have been able to attempt breastfeeding which is going so-so. We have only tried 3 times and are still learning together. My doula Nancy Johns was incredible. I could not have labored so long without her and I am forever grateful that she never gave up on me. Even the L&D nurses were impressed with her. She checks on us each day. Please keep my Zoe in your prayers as she continues to recover.
Postscript: Zoe has been home now for 9 days after spending 15 days in the NICU. She is doing spectular and doesn't seem to have any residual effects of her meconium aspiration syndrome. I am enjoying every moment of being her momma and adjusting to our new life together. Life with her is joy in my soul.
Frannie J