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
My live birth journey was anything but ordinary, a testament to how birth plans often go out the window! When I first envisioned meeting my little one, I certainly didn't picture battling preeclampsia, an epidural allergy, and ultimately, an unmedicated delivery when I thought I was fully covered. But looking back, every twist and turn made my story uniquely mine, and it taught me so much about resilience. The preeclampsia diagnosis was a huge curveball, leading to an early induction at 36 weeks. The anxiety of managing high blood pressure during such a vulnerable time added another layer of stress. It wasn't just about the labor itself, but the constant monitoring and the underlying worry for both my baby and myself. Even after delivery, the battle wasn't over. I spent an additional week in the hospital, tethered to a magnesium drip, to stabilize my blood pressure. This postpartum recovery was tough; it felt like a marathon after a sprint. If you're facing preeclampsia, know that advocating for yourself and understanding your body's signals is paramount. Don't hesitate to ask questions and lean on your medical team. Then came the epidural saga. I went into labor thinking pain management would be straightforward, but my body had other ideas! Being poked six times in the spine was excruciating, and then the uncontrollable itching from a fentanyl allergy was truly bizarre, especially when numb from the waist down. It highlights how important it is to communicate every little sensation you feel to your nurses. They worked tirelessly to find a solution, but ultimately, the epidural wasn't meant to be my pain relief. When I discovered it had run out just as it was time to push, it felt like the ultimate cosmic joke! It forced me to dig deep and find a strength I didn't know I possessed. For anyone whose pain management plans don't go as expected, remember that your body is incredibly powerful. Focus on breathing, find a rhythm, and trust your instincts. Sometimes a cold cloth or, honestly, even some TONS OF POPSICLES! can offer small moments of relief in the midst of intensity. Learning that being a natural redhead might have impacted my anesthesia needs was another wild revelation. It's fascinating how our individual physiologies play such a role in medical experiences. It made me realize that open communication with your care providers about your unique health factors is so crucial. My birth story became a masterclass in flexibility and letting go of expectations. It wasn't the calm, medicated birth I'd planned, but it was raw, powerful, and incredibly fast – welcoming my baby in just 15 minutes of pushing! Every live birth is a unique miracle, and while mine had its dramatic moments, the joy of meeting my little one made every single challenge worth it.
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!