Pregnancy Journal

finally arrived on August 15, 2008 at 11:30pm.  He was 7 lbs 13 oz and 19 inches long.  It was definitely a crazy day! 

The doc finally told me that she would induce me on Friday.  On Thursday I went to the doctor for a check-up and she said that since I was already dilated 5 cm I would not have to go into the hospital Thursday night to get the 1st induction drug to help with getting the cervix to dilate.  On Friday I called the hospital at 6am to see if they had any beds available but they had too many deliveries.  I was told to call back at 9am.  I was so antsy considering I couldn't sleep the night before and was up at 4:30 to get ready!  My mom arrived for the big day at 9 and I called the hospital again.  They told me they were STILL busy and to try back at noon.  By this time it felt like this pregnancy would never end!  At 11:45 I finally received a call saying that I should come on in around 12:30.  Yeah!  Mom followed Brad and I to the hospital (or should I say 'tried to follow'.....father-to-be was a little anxious!). 

Once we got there and completed all of the paperwork and initial check-in tasks they began giving me Pitocin to start contractions around 2ish.  (My sense of time and what exactly happened is a little hazy so I'll try my best to re-create the day!)  Apparently I was having contractions every two minutes but I wasn't feeling a thing!  Gayle arrived at the hospital around 2 to keep us company as well.  It was another long waiting game!  When I started to get a little depressed Gayle, Mom, and I danced to Hot in Here while Brad covered his eyes so he wouldn't have to watch our little performance!  (The song is now a Cubby Bear/Lauren song AND a hospital labor song.  Who knew the possibilities??) 

Around 7 (I think) they checked me and I was 7 cm dilated and about 60% thinned out.  Remember...10 cm and 100% thinned is key!  They were finally able to break my waters b/c the baby had moved far enough into my pelvis to not be a threat.  They broke my water and about 1/2 an hour later I started feeling the contractions.  I had mom and Gayle leave b/c I couldn't handle anyone in the room anymore besides Brad and my wonderful nurse.  Brad was awesome in the delivery room and helped me switch positions to find what was comfortable.  He also massaged me until the contractions were too low to be reached by the lovely tennis ball. 

About that time I decided to try the warm bath.  This worked wonders!  I was able to sit down (which was my preference because I needed to keep pressure on my bottom) and the hot water was great.  I was able to relax for a little bit while using my own breathing technique when the contractions hit.  After a little bit they started getting worse and I needed Brad’s hand to squeeze during the contraction.  It wasn’t really pain that I was experiencing but intense pressure and discomfort.  About that time I asked for the IV meds.  I got out of the bath and they checked me.  I was already 9 cm dilated and 100% thinned!  I could begin pushing at anytime.  They gave me the IV meds but they really didn’t take the edge off of the pain for me.  What they did do was put me to sleep between the contractions so I could rest a little.  I ended up not getting an epidural which made me happy.  I really didn’t want one so I’m glad that I could endure the pain I was having without getting one in the end.

At first I tried pushing on my back but it wasn’t moving things along.  Next they wanted me to try my side but it was way too painful/uncomfortable.  I tried all fours as well but that didn’t really work either.  Finally I was back on my back but using this contraption that I put my legs on and grab the towel in the middle to lift myself up to push harder with each contraction.  Finally, something worked!  All in all I only pushed for little over an hour which isn’t too bad.  However, it is the worst part and it doesn’t feel like any progress is being made while you are working.  You don’t feel the baby move down the birth canal at all until the last push when he slides out.  Apparently I wasn’t breathing enough during contractions so Brad had to give me an oxygen mask during the downtime for the baby.  I was trying not to get an episiotomy b/c I wanted to tear naturally and thus heal easier, but that didn’t work.  I ended up tearing AND having to get an episiotomy because his heartbeat was slowing down.  I would just get cut next time!  I was able to push him out in about 3 pushes after getting cut.  Luckily there is so much going on that you don’t feel the cut at all.  You do feel kinda a scraping while you are stretching though.  Brad was soooo good during the whole delivery.  He definitely gave me confidence to continue pushing and kept me going until the end with his words.

And finally he was born!  The worst part actually was after when they had to check you out.  I also think the first week after was worse than delivery b/c I couldn’t really walk or move around and I was in pain from the stitches and everything.   

Now everyone is doing fine!  Mom and Dad are very tired and we are trying to figure this whole baby thing out.  We are getting there though!  J This concludes my pregnancy story!  I’ll be putting together a blogspot at some point to post pictures.  I’ll email that to everyone once it is up and running.  Thanks again for all of your love and support over the past year!

I had my latest doctor's appointment today and it went very well.  I am a good 5 cm dilated now and 70% effaced/thinned out.  The head of the baby has dropped (which is great) but it is not fully engaged yet.  My cervix has moved closer to the front of my body which is great as well.  The doc used an Apgar chart to predict how effective an induction would be and I scored very well.  She used this to determine if I would need to go into the hospital today or tomorrow.

Basically there are two hormones within your body, ocytocin (sp?) and prostaglandins (sp?).  Ocytocin is the hormone that creates the contractions and the prostoglandins dilate and thin the cervix.  If my cervix wasn't dilated so much and thinned out I would have to go into the hospital tonight to get synthentic prostoglandins to dilate and thin my cervix before they give me the synthetic version of ocytocin (which is pitocin) to start the contractions. 

Tomorrow I will be calling the hospital around 6am and they will let me know when to come in.  As long as there aren't a ton of women going into labor or emergencies I should get in right away to start the induction.  The doctor said that my body is ready for labor it just needs the jump start to get things fully moving along.

Fears:  Most women who are induced get the epidural b/c it is more painful since the contractions aren't naturally produced by your body.  You have more time to get used to them when labor happens naturally.  I really didn't want to have one, but I'll be playing this one by ear.  I will be on a fetal monitor the whole time to make sure the induction isn't hurting the baby.  There is always a possibility of a c-section with first time moms who are induced so cross your fingers for me on this one. 

Next time I post Bryce will be here!  :)