It was a dark and stormy night...
Oh wait, no it wasn't. It was a cold and snowy morning. I'd been having contractions for about 4 days, and my amniotic fluid was leaking. I had a scheduled doctor's appointment, so we set off for Dr. Wheeler's office. I was thinking that I would go out shopping with my mother and the kiddos that afternoon (thinking maybe walking would help the baby come).
When we got to the doctor's office (after some waiting and watching the Backyardigans). I was informed that my membranes would be stripped that morning. Then I was checked, I was still at two centimeters, despite all of the contractions. Then the doctor stripped my membranes (ouch!). Then he performed an ultrasound to see how the baby was doing. Baby Naomi was just fine, and in the right position (thanks for your prayers). But my amniotic fluid was low, and Dr. Wheeler knew that if he did not get me into the hospital soon that there would not be a room left (there was only one available room in Labor and Delivery). Plus, he didn't want to risk the baby turning backwards again. He predicted we would have the baby at 5 o'clock.
So he sent us straight to the hospital with a note that told the nurses to start pitocin and break my water at 11:30. When we got to the hospital, I told Paul to park in the parking garage. Then I proceeded to take the longest possible route (that was at least sort of reasonable) to the labor and delivery floor. I was hoping that the walking would make contractions pick up.
After arrival at L&D, we were sent to a room where I was made to put on a lovely hospital gown (designed by Mr. Seymour Hiney). Then I sat on the hospital bed while the nurse hooked me up to monitors. Then I had to answer a bazillion questions, but my nurse got called away to assist another delivery. We could here the woman screaming... it didn't sound fun.
Paul tried to distract me from the screaming by drawing pictures on the white board. Since it was about a week before Christmas he decided to draw a nativity scene. The baby Jesus looked kind of like a crippled goat.
My new nurse finished asking questions, then she attempted to start an IV. The endeavor ended with an IV specialist being called.
But eventually my IV was started and the pitocin drip. It didn't take long for the contractions to become stronger and closer together.
I found sitting upright to be the most comfortable position, but for the rest of the day nurses kept coming in and making me lay down so the monitors would read better. After they left, I would wait about a minute and sit back up. The only time I really got to move around was when I needed to use the potty. (this is one of the worst things about induced labor)
Then the nurse attempted to break my water. All she was able to do was snag it. Three times. So we were stuck waiting for that until the doctor arrived (and he ended up being an hour late).
By the time Dr. Wheeler arrived I was at 4 cm. And the baby had descended considerably.
About this time I start forgetting the details. It was painful. My mom showed up around this time (Papa took off work to watch the kids).
She brought Paul lunch.
The nurse wondered how I was doing. I told her I needed drugs. She gave me some nubane.
I like nubane. It made me really happy (and sleepy). So I would fall asleep and wake up every few minutes for a contraction (they still hurt but not so bad).
The next thing I remember the contractions were intensely painful (the nurse kept upping the pitocin). I said I needed an epidural. She checked me and said I was 6 cm.
The anesthesiologist came in. So did Dr. Wheeler. He checked me and told me to go ahead and get the epidural. About this time I started feeling really cold and shaky. And like I was going to die. So the anesthesiologist got the epidural set up. Then Dr. Wheeler came back and told the nurse to prep for delivery. It turns out that when Dr. Wheeler had checked me I was at 8 cm already (he just didn't tell us). So there I was at 10 cm, already pushing. Having been given an epidural, but not having a drip on for it. It hurt, but it all happened really fast. When she was actually born it felt wonderful. Then the doctor put Naomi on top of me and handed Paul scissors. Paul cut the cord, in the process spraying blood all over me.
This didn't get cleaned up for about an hour.
And there was my beautiful precious Naomi. Born at 6:03 PM.
