Labor Story Time
-I kicked off my labor by being induced at 36 weeks 6 days pregnant. I was initially sent to labor and delivery because I didn’t pass a stress test. So after running some tests they decided to keep me since I was going to be induced at 37 weeks due to late preeclampsia.
-After starting the Pitocin nothing really happened. I want to say this was around 3-4 in the afternoon. By midnight I was awoken by intense pain. To find out I was still 1-2 cm dilated. It was to my doctors’ discretion that I get my epidural done soon after because of how painful it was and how high my blood pressure was.
-Picture 3 is the epidural aftermath! I have needles so having this baby was a blast for me lol! But I was poked 6 times in the spine! It was terrible and mad for a while. Anywho, a short while after receiving the epidural I started itching uncontrollably on my legs and stomach. Mind you my body is all tingly and numb from the medication. I was itching to the point I looked like a crackhead.
-Turns out I’m allergic to the fentanyl in the epidural. Fantastic! So in attempts to calm the intense itching they gave me Benadryl which only allowed me to nap for a little while. As I was napping they whipped up some epidural cocktail. I don’t exactly remember what it was called but it seemed to do the trick!
-After all that I still don’t progress throughout night and at by this point I’m at 4-5 cm. It’s about afternoon time on the third day of the hospital and the doctor comes in and tells me that if I don’t start dilating within the next couple hours I’m going in for an emergency c section because I’ve been in labor for too long and it was unsafe for me and baby.
-I was terrified and I wanted anything but to have a c section! Thankfully somehow someway I dilated from a 6-9 in an hour!! When my doctors came in she’s like oh it’s time! So back to the epidural the pharmacy had to make. Not sure again what it was but I know it takes forever for them to make because you won’t believe what ran completely out at push time!
-Yup! If you know me you knew I was getting that epidural I was going to try and relieve the pain as best I could for myself! But no!!!! So I gave birth all natural which isn’t what was intended. And tell me why the anesthesiologist hooks it up half walk through push!
-Not to toot my own horn but I had him out in 15 minutes! It was hard work. I was in the hospital for an additional weeks because I failed all my blood pressure tests due to the preeclampsia. I was out on a magnesium drip to help with it.
-My doctors and nurses believe the original reason my epidural didn’t work was that it had to do with me being a natural redhead. For some reason gingers require more anesthesia or whatnot than other people because we’re more resilient to it.
#lemon8challenge #pregnancystorytime #laborstories #birthstory #momvibes
Every labor journey is unique, and understanding the variations can help expectant mothers prepare mentally and physically. Induction can be necessary for various medical reasons, like preeclampsia, which poses risks to both mother and baby. Women often have different experiences with pain relief methods such as epidurals, with some developing allergies to medications like fentanyl. Many redheads, like myself, may find that they require more anesthesia due to genetic differences in pain tolerance and medication processing. It’s vital to communicate with healthcare providers about pain relief preferences well ahead of labor. The emotional rollercoaster of labor, including unplanned c-sections or natural births, reflects each woman's unique path to motherhood. Sharing stories not only fosters community among mothers but also provides valuable insights into navigating this incredible life event. No two experiences are the same, and by talking about it, we can support and learn from one another.
Not my ginger ass reading this, and heading for induction on Friday lol! But toot ALL your horns girl! You did it, allergies, med issues, BP issues, aside!!! Get it ginger queen!