My birth story
My birth story is a fun one!
I had been working so much, and kept telling my husband about that I was going to end up going into labor early due to work stress.
Well about 3 weeks before my due date, I got home from work and was super anxious. The nursery was done, but the car seat was not in the car yet. I told my husband it was going in today, no matter what. He put the car seat in and I felt so relieved. I took a shower and sat down on the couch to finish charting from work and that is when my water broke. My poor husband what about to go to sleep early because he was on night shift, but baby boy had other plans apparently. My husband was so shocked that my water broke so early, that he aimlessly wandered the house for about 20 minutes until his mind was clear enough to pack his bag. We finally head to the hospital. Once there, the nurse is determined that my water has not broke. She says I most likely just peed on myself 🙄 I said, respectfully no 😂 and luckily my water was still gushing and she could re-test it. She stated that my water did break and I was one centimeter dilated. Which was about the case for 12 hours 🙃 no contractions, no pain. Just waiting. I finally get put on Pitocin. The worst thing in the world. That was about another 12-16 hours. But this time, I felt the contractions. Not unbearable at this point. The doctor comes in and says I am still only 1 centimeter dilated, so they switch me to another medication to induce. This one reallly intensified the contractions. About another 16 hours later and it is unbearable. I tell my midwife to please check me. There is no way I am still only 1 centimeter dilated. Well I wasn’t. I was 2 centimeters dilated 😂 she tells me that she feels like my water did not break fully and that they have to go in and break it again. At this point I felt like I had to take the epidural. I wasn’t sure how much longer this process could take and was hoping I wasn’t taking the epidural too early. so I get the epidural before they go to break my water. Everything goes smoothly with that thank God. I did not even feel it. And it was such a relief. The best part was having a catheter so I didn’t have to worry about getting up to pee every 10 minutes in between contractions and bringing my IV pole with me 🤣 they come in and break my water. Turns out baby is not in the best position so they have me lay on my side with my leg up. And I decide now is probably a brilliant time to nap because I haven’t slept in almost 2 days. My husband had to go home to feed our cats 🐈 because somehow my friend got locked out of the house and was unable to get in. I told him to go now because who knows when this baby could come. So as I’m about to finally sleep, the midwife comes back to check a couple hours later and turns out baby is ready! Of course my husband is not there. 🙃🙃 I call him very calmly and tell him do not rush! But the baby is on the way. Of course he does the opposite and rushes and breaks his glasses running into the hospital. Which is probably for the best because he would most likely be the one to pass out during the labor. At this point has been about 50 hours since I was admitted to the hospital. So many text check ins from family! Wondering if the baby was ever going to come 🤣 and he entered the world at 4/29/2022 at 905 pm. He entered the world with a vengeance because he wanted to stay a little bit longer! And he screamed for about an hour😂 my little stubborn Taurus.♉️
When I look back at my 50-hour birth story, it really highlights how unpredictable labor can be! While every journey is unique, understanding the general stages of labor and delivery can sometimes help manage expectations, even if your body has its own timeline like mine did. I found myself in a very long latent phase, where my water broke but contractions were minimal. This is often the first stage, sometimes called early labor, where the cervix begins to thin and open. For me, it felt like an eternity of waiting on that hospital bed, hoping for progress. It’s crucial during this time to try and rest if you can, stay hydrated, and communicate clearly with your medical team about what you're feeling. Then came the Pitocin, pushing me into what felt like active labor – where contractions become stronger, more regular, and the cervix dilates more rapidly. This is usually the stage where things really pick up, and for many, it's when they head to the hospital or when pain management options become a real consideration. I remember the pain intensifying significantly before my amazing epidural provided such relief. After that, it was a waiting game again as I moved through the transition phase, which for me, was mostly about rest and waiting for my body to catch up. The transition can be intense, but knowing it's often the shortest phase and leads directly to pushing can be a huge motivator. My baby's arrival at 37 weeks was a surprise, but it's important to remember that babies born at this gestation are generally considered full-term and healthy. While it's a few weeks before the typical 40-week mark, a 37-week baby is usually ready for the outside world, with developed lungs and the ability to feed efficiently. Seeing my little newborn baby wrapped in his blanket in the hospital bassinet after such a long wait was truly heartwarming, and all the discomfort melted away the moment I saw his face. If you're facing a long induction or a labor that isn't progressing as quickly as you hoped, my biggest advice is to advocate for yourself and your comfort. Don't be afraid to ask questions about pain management options, or even just for a warm blanket. Having that epidural was a game-changer for me, allowing me to rest and conserve energy for pushing. And definitely pack a bag for your partner, because they might be wandering aimlessly like mine was! Also, don't forget the essentials for bringing your little one home – making sure the car seat is properly installed before labor starts is a must, unlike my last-minute scramble! Those first moments holding your baby, whether they arrive quickly or after a marathon labor, are truly magical and make every minute worth it. Even after a long haul, the immediate postpartum period, holding your newborn baby, is a time of immense joy and connection. It’s a powerful reminder of what your body is capable of and the incredible journey you’ve just been on.
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