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Birth Stories

Anna Jane

I woke up Tuesday morning April 22nd, 5 days past my due date and prayed that today would be the day. I was scheduled to go in Wed. night and was not feeling at peace with the anticipated induction. I had called the Dr. to let them know I was reconsidering and wanted discuss options for pushing the induction date back the following morning which they gladly agreed to. It had been raining for days and I NEEDED to get out of the house. So my mom joined me at the gym as I had decided that I was going to "work" this baby out of there. 25 minutes on treadmill, 25 on the bike and of course some yoga to finish it off. At lunch I was chugging raspberry tea and started to "feel" something. Very excited, I asked for a refill and went on about my day, showered and went to visit Alexis and her baby. I was Willa when I had my first "real" contraction at her house @ 3:30pm. Good thing she had just been through it and was understanding of my quick departure. I got in the car to come back home and barely made it back breathing through every contraction while trying to keep focused on driving. This was for sure the real thing. I drove home for 20 minutes with contractions 4-5 minutes apart.

By the time Ted got home from work a half hour later, they were anywhere
from 2-3 minutes apart at best and practically right on top of each other.
Needless to say, we headed to the hospital and arrived around I think
5-5:30pm. Contractions were full on and we lamazed our way through from 5:30pm that night (starting at 1am and 80-90% effaced) until 8am the next morning. My husband and family were great support. I tried everything...I was on the ball, in the rocking chair, walking the halls, in the shower—you name it I did it. The praise music I brought to the hospital was key for me in getting through the contractions and constant pressure of massage helped a lot too. I actually managed to talk my nurse out of giving me the heplock so I recommend that you definitely ask when you get there b/c it is possible to forego this. I was progressing well, with increased dilation every 1-2 hours by 1cm each time they checked until I got to 4+ and then things came to a halt. I was then being monitored in bed every 20 minutes which was the hardest part by far--not being able to move. They broke my water at 6am and I kept going w/ lamaze until 8am and still just under 5cm no major progress.

At that point they became concerned about the baby's heart beat b/c it was dropping with the contractions and I started to get a fever. At that point, confined to the bed and 17 hours of lamaze, I was plain EXHAUSTED. I knew it was going to take the epidural to get me through this. I received that around 8:30am. Four hours later and still no progress. I believe they started the pitocin around 11:30am and within 1.5 hours I went from 4+ to 9cm and at 2:30pm shell shocked when they said I was completely effaced and dilated and ready to push. I pushed for maybe 45 minutes. They baby was turned sideways facing out towards my hip making it a challenge and heartbeat was dropping still with each contraction. No pressure at all--they said if she doesn't come out with the next push, they would have to use vacuum or forceps. Well you can predict the outcome. I did not want the additional assistance and pushed with everything I had remaining and at 4:27pm, Anna Jane entered the world weighing 6 lbs. 12 oz. and 19.75 inches long. Because of how she was turned, they had to do a small episiotomy and ended with one stitch and 2nd degree tear. When they put her on my chest, it knew it was all worth it and every decision we made was the right one because I had a healthy beautiful baby girl. It was truly the most amazing experience I have ever had and wouldn't change a thing. She recognized my husband right away and we celebrated and bonded just the three of us for a good hour after the birth. She is a blessing and while exhausted, we couldn't be happier with the experience and outcome of the birth. Thanks again to Leslie for all the wonderful advice and breathing that helped get me through and Saturday morning walks.

Wishing you all the best in your pregnancies and deliveries. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share my story. Here are a couple pictures after delivery and next day, mommy and baby get much needed some zzz's. Wow, what a trip! Take care.

Love,
Carol

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