Monday, October 12, 2015

baby James- a birth story {pt 2}

Suddenly I felt tingling across my forehead and other weird sensations through my body as they gave me different meds. I could feel my body stabilize as I steadily felt better. When I opened my eyes again my nurse said, "I've never had anyone drop that low, that quickly!" with a nervous laugh. My doctor's reply? "I'm really surprised she didn't throw up!" Thank heavens I didn't throw up... I can only imagine how much worse that would have made things, ha ha! A few minutes later, after making sure I really was stabilized, the room cleared out except for my doctor and two nurses. My doctor got right to work with performing the version to flip baby boy. It felt like he was massaging my belly (so weird to feel that even with my epidural) when I suddenly felt the baby turn (but no pain) and saw the movement through my belly. Weirdest thing ever! My doctor wanted to immediately break my water to help prevent baby from turning back to breech, but I had to be on an antibiotic for 4 hours before he could, so the nurses strapped a girdle to my belly and then the waiting game began.


During those 4 hours I was able to relax and rest my eyes (but I never fully fell asleep which was a bummer), Eric watched TV, paced our room and snuck out for a bite to eat. We were bored out of our minds, ha ha! My doctor came in at 11:30, checked me and I was still at a 3 (depressing!) then broke my water. I asked him how much longer he thought this would take because I REALLY wanted lunch. "Do you want something to eat?!" he asked. "No way! Can I have something to eat?!" He totally got my hopes up for a split second until he said, "well, probably not..." ha ha. WHAT THE HECK, MAN?! My nurse smacked him for me ;) But then he asked me if I wanted any apple juice and normally I wouldn't want that, but I was starving so it actually sounded amazing! I told him no though, because I thought that would be the right answer, ha ha. He explained that the glucose might feed my muscles a bit and help speed up delivery when the time came and told my nurse to get me some juice, otter pops if they had them or jello, then he left. I have to write this all out because that conversation lasted less than 2 minutes but I can't even tell you how heavenly that juice and jello was, ha ha! It totally made life happier for a couple hours for me ;) As soon as he walked out of the room I suddenly felt a ton of fluid gush out. Disgusting, I know! But for those few minutes after he broke my water, nothing really happened. My poor nurse... the fluid just kept coming! We were SHOCKED! But she said it totally explained why he was able to turn so much at 39 weeks "he was probably doing backstrokes in there!" she joked. She also referred to his "Olympic size pool" awhile later... It was such a surprise (and really gross) to have that much fluid come out, especially since my belly wasn't measuring any bigger (in fact, the nurses all kept commenting on what a tiny, little belly I had), but it was kind of a relief for me to understand how and why he was still flipping all around in there!


Just as Eric and I were about to lose our minds from boredom, my doctor came back around 3 to check me. I was SO discouraged to learn I had only progressed to a 4. Then he broke the bad news that he probably wasn't going to be able to deliver my baby since he had been at the hospital for 24 hours. Break my heart! (Am I the only one who gets attached to a doctor during all those months of pregnancy? Ha!) He told me he had some paperwork to do so if it was go time before 5, he would come back and deliver! I told my nurse that we had to do something to get the show on the road because 5pm was my new goal to have this baby! I was extremely mobile even with my epidural so she told me to change positions every 20-30 minutes. I alternated from laying on one side, sitting up straight and rocking side to side, then laying on the other side. My epidural ran out during this and my nurse had to change the bag. Shortly after that I started noticing pain with every contraction instead of just the pressure. I let some time pass before calling my nurse to see if the pain would go away but it only got worse. I called her in and she explained that my metabolism was probably burning the epidural off a lot quicker because of how active I was, instead of most women who just lay there (because they are too numb to move) She showed me how to push the button for an extra shot of meds, and told me to let her know if I didn't feel any change after pushing it 3 or 4 times. Oh boy, did I feel change! Not the change I wanted though, the pain became more intense! It was shift change so my previous nurse told me she would send in my new nurse and go find the anesthesiologist. My new nurse came in a few minutes later just as I started to cry during a contraction. I don't know how, but I managed to feel embarrassed through the pain about crying in front of her... what a good first impression I was making, ha ha! But seriously, who cares about first impressions during labor?! She told me she would go find the anesthesiologist and quickly left the room. At this point I was a hot mess, curled up in the fetal position on my side and telling Eric how badly this sucked! I tried squeezing his hand through one contraction, but that brought me no relief and actually hurt him, so that was out. I asked him just to touch my arm through each contraction because it somehow helped to feel the reminder that I wasn't alone in that room through the pain. I was NOT prepared to handle this pain, especially since I had experienced no pain from the very beginning. UGH!


The tears kept flowing as I tried to breath through each contraction and I really couldn't have been a bigger mess! The new doctor (my doctor's partner) came in just then to tell me that my doctor had called to check in at 5 and apologized again for not being able to be there to deliver, introduced himself and who knows what else he said. I basically told him to leave me alone... I couldn't even see straight (my eyes stayed closed as much as possible) let alone talk through the pain... He reminded me to breath through the contraction and told me he was going to check me. If I was at a 10 we would start pushing, if not, he would find the anesthesiologist. I thought I was crushed before when I found out I hadn't progressed much, but when he told me I was only at a 6 I seriously wanted to cry! Oh wait, I was already crying ;) ha ha! I felt so defeated and so... weak! How do people choose to do this natural?! Why was the pain so great to me when I was only at a 6?! Why was a I paying for an epidural when it wasn't doing it's job?! THIS SUCKS! (I never swore once during this process, but "this sucks" came out of my mouth a lot, ha ha!) The doctor told me he would go find the anesthesiologist with an apologetic tone of voice then left the room. He was the third person to tell me that... WHERE WAS THE FREAKIN' ANESTHESIOLOGIST?!

I had to... I had to stop it here! Things got very intense for me after this and there is still a mouthful to share! But I promise that the next segment of James' birth will be the final segment :)

27 comments:

Jamie @ The Jamie's + 1 said...

Bless your heart. But still so glad the story ends well! :)

Pamela {Sequins and Sea Breezes} said...

Oh girl, so sorry to hear you were in so much pain! And boo to the doctor for getting your hopes up that you could have something to eat then only offering apple juice and jello! Can't wait to hear the rest of the story and glad it has a happy ending! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes

Ashley Brickner said...

Oh, sweet girl! I can relate so much! YES, about getting attached to your own doctor! And YES, to being starving the entire time! So not fair that we can't eat!

Can't wait to hear part three! XO

BLovedBoston said...

Oh my goodness - you are such a champion!! I love all the beautiful photos of James- he's perfect! xo, Biana BlovedBoston

Christina Lea Loves said...

Sorry that it was so painful for you but loved reading and so happy for your growing family!

KelseyB said...

I seriously cannot wait to read the rest (even though we know the happy ending). Birth stories are my favorite. I am so sorry you were in so much pain, especially with your epidural. I never had an epidural, but I think I would be pretty frustrated too!

Whitney @ Work it Mommy said...

Both times Ive had my water broken by my doctor and never have I had the experience of gushing lol. Though I was warned by a friend that it was like a waterfall. This is some intense laboring. Im so glad you both are healthy!!!

Courtney [Sweet Turtle Soup] said...

My epidural about half worked. I still felt everything and it all came back before the end. Labor sucks. "this sucks" is a good phrase for it.

Amanda Elizabeth - Meet @ the Barre said...

I loved reading this. James is absolutely beautiful! I'm sorry to hear your epidural didn't last and seriously where are those Anesthesiologists half of the time???

According to Kiki said...

I don't wish a rough labor and delivery on any woman. Sounds like though it all, you remained very much level headed. I can't imagine having a baby breech and having to worry about them tumbling around in there. My epidural didn't work either. That damn thing cost $800? After insurance?! haha. Can't wait to read part 3!

Foxy's Domestic Side said...

You are Killing me! haha, oh gosh that does sound like a rough labor. I think I had your pain level, but mine was only for 2 hours and then baby was here, I can't even imagine going through that! And I have no idea how people chose natural delivery on purpose! So painful!

Kristin said...

Oh girl! I feel exhausted just READING this! You are a super star! Can't wait to read the final chapter. :)

Our Pretty Little Girls said...

Haha and hear I thought I would catch the end. Can't wait for part 3!

P!nky said...

Oh wow, friend!!!! I wish I could give you a hug, you are champion!!!! I can't wait to hear the third part. [ps. I totally plan on saying THIS SUCKS, when the time comes]!

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to let you know that I love reading your blog and following you on Instagram! Can't wait to hear the rest of the story!

Summer said...

Sorry about all that pain you felt♥ Your little one is so cute♥♥

summerdaisy.net

Krista said...

When a labor is natural, the pain starts small (generally) and then gets worse, and then you have the baby (generally). I think it's much different than having no pain and suddenly lots of pain. Plus, if a woman chooses a natural labor, she is probably somewhat prepared for the pain mentally.
Your labor this far sounds quite yucky, but of course it ended well! Can't wait to read the rest!

Evelina said...

Ah your story totally sucks me in. I really hope somebody was able to find that anaesthesiologist asap!!! Can't wait for part 3

lori said...

Bless your heart little mama!!! I'm sorry you had so much pain and frustration during your labor. I totally understand getting attached to your doctor... I choose mine not only because I love him, but he is the only doctor in the practice and literally lives like a block away from the hospital, so he came there, at 2am, to deliver Carter. he broke my water as well, and I have to tell you I was not prepared for the amt of fluid that I had... There were several gushes and it was the weirdest sensation of my life! My doctor was making jokes about it and the nurses were running for more towels... Awkward. Can't wait to read the rest of the birth story... And I hope you are adjusting and recovering well!!

Elizabeth [Chasin' Mason] said...

Umm you are a ROCKSTAR. Seriously. I would probably be f-bombing left and right if that happened to me. Oh and don't feel bad... my labor was just as glamorous. I threw up in the tiniest bowl they could have found me (what the heck???), probably scarred Seth, then let's just say fluids came out, and I scarred Seth, and then the baby came out, and he looked and he scarred himself. But then we had a baby and it was all worth it. My goodness. Girlfriend, I can't wait for part 3.

Anonymous said...

haha I can only imagine the pain you were in. It's amazing how fast/slow it all goes at the same time.

Jessie said...

I am dying here! What an adventerous birth story. And beautiful pictures too.

Brittany said...

Yikes! I'm both terrified by and so interested in birth stories! Keep it coming!

Mandie said...

My goodness such a long process for such a lil fella. :)

The Siberian American said...

I love reading your birth story! It's so intense. I hope that anesthesiologist came quickly! Can't wait for the last part. :)

Ellen A. said...

Can't wait to hear the rest! I keep checking back in 😉

Unknown said...

love that you're doing it in parts! labor is serious business and i think you should be proud of yourself. with claire, i progressed well, but the pushing was long and treacherous. pitocin is hoorrrrible!!!! congrats on your beautiful baby boy <3 can't wait for the next part! xoxo

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