On Monday, March 14th, I posted this on facebook:
"I told my husband I'd wait until Monday to have a baby so he could finish his lectures, paper and start his March madness picks contest. I am hoping that since I was so kind to wait until today that my wish would be granted. Only one week left today."
Some might argue that the picks contest was the most important task on his Spring Break to-do list.
My contractions started sometime around 11 a.m. on Monday. I was working on a baby project and was down on the ground cutting material when the contractions started. I figured they were labor induced and would go away once I stopped working. They weren't that painful and I decided to work through them to finish my project. I didn't even mention them to Blake who was sitting on the couch working at the time.
After resting a bit, and having the contractions get closer, I decided that this was the real thing. I quickly made some mac-n-cheese and put on some make-up. Around 1:30 p.m. my contractions were 8-10 minutes apart and I decided to call my OB office. I hadn't progressed any from my appointment 4 days prior and was still 3 cm dilated and 100% effaced. My OB told me I didn't look like I was in enough pain and told me to go home since I wasn't in active labor yet.
We thought about going to the hospital anyways, but eventually decided it would be better to just go home now then to be sent home later. I was told to head to the hospital when my contractions were at least 8 minutes apart. We get home and my contractions completely stopped. Then about an hour later they started again and were consistently 9 minutes apart. Over an hour later, around 5:00 p.m. I had one contraction at 6 minutes and then they jumped down to being 3 minutes apart. We decided that NOW was the time to head to the hospital. We arrived at the hospital shortly after 6:00 p.m.
We get there and I am STILL 3 cm dilated and 100% effaced. I was in so much pain that was the last thing I wanted to hear. I was so irritated at this point and just wanted my epidural so that my pain would go away. To add to my frustration, EVERYONE in hospital insisted on talking to me. Nurse #1 asked me 100 questions, nurse #2 asked me the SAME questions, the hospital on-call doc with her med student asked me the SAME questions, the med student on her own asked me the SAME questions and my OB asked me the SAME questions. Do they not talk to each other? I was so annoyed and in so much pain at that point.
My nurse did do her best to work as fast as possible so I could get the epidural I wanted. Around 8:15 p.m. I was finally ready to get the epidural, but suddenly felt the need to start pushing. My nurse checked me and told the anesthesiologist to hurry. While getting the epidural my leg went completely numb and I thought it was starting to take effect. I mentioned how good it felt and I guess the anesthesiologist got this terrified look on her face. Apparently, I had not yet received the epidural but she had hit a nerve while inserting it. I hated having to stay perfectly still while having this overwhelming urge to push. I DID NOT want to deliver a baby without it. I got the epidural at 8:30 p.m., my water broke on it's own at 8:32 p.m., Addie Kay Ashby arrived at 8:43 p.m. and the epidural took effect at 8:45 p.m. I got the epidural but still had to deliver a baby without any pain medication.
What I learned during labor:
1. I have no patience for EVERYONE talking to me while I am in labor.
2. I have an awesome husband that allowed me to forcefully rub his hand during every contraction for almost 2 hours straight.
3. I never want to deliver without an epidural ever again.
4. I have heard of "the woman next door" screaming during her labor and I am officially the woman next door.
5. After it was finally over, the pain didn't seem so bad. Even minutes after the delivery I completely forgot how much pain I was in because Addie was perfect in every way. I still don't want to do it without an epidural.
Now for some pictures.
My wish came true! Addie Kay Ashby was born at 8:43 p.m. on Monday, March 14th.
My contractions started sometime around 11 a.m. on Monday. I was working on a baby project and was down on the ground cutting material when the contractions started. I figured they were labor induced and would go away once I stopped working. They weren't that painful and I decided to work through them to finish my project. I didn't even mention them to Blake who was sitting on the couch working at the time.
After resting a bit, and having the contractions get closer, I decided that this was the real thing. I quickly made some mac-n-cheese and put on some make-up. Around 1:30 p.m. my contractions were 8-10 minutes apart and I decided to call my OB office. I hadn't progressed any from my appointment 4 days prior and was still 3 cm dilated and 100% effaced. My OB told me I didn't look like I was in enough pain and told me to go home since I wasn't in active labor yet.
We thought about going to the hospital anyways, but eventually decided it would be better to just go home now then to be sent home later. I was told to head to the hospital when my contractions were at least 8 minutes apart. We get home and my contractions completely stopped. Then about an hour later they started again and were consistently 9 minutes apart. Over an hour later, around 5:00 p.m. I had one contraction at 6 minutes and then they jumped down to being 3 minutes apart. We decided that NOW was the time to head to the hospital. We arrived at the hospital shortly after 6:00 p.m.
We get there and I am STILL 3 cm dilated and 100% effaced. I was in so much pain that was the last thing I wanted to hear. I was so irritated at this point and just wanted my epidural so that my pain would go away. To add to my frustration, EVERYONE in hospital insisted on talking to me. Nurse #1 asked me 100 questions, nurse #2 asked me the SAME questions, the hospital on-call doc with her med student asked me the SAME questions, the med student on her own asked me the SAME questions and my OB asked me the SAME questions. Do they not talk to each other? I was so annoyed and in so much pain at that point.
My nurse did do her best to work as fast as possible so I could get the epidural I wanted. Around 8:15 p.m. I was finally ready to get the epidural, but suddenly felt the need to start pushing. My nurse checked me and told the anesthesiologist to hurry. While getting the epidural my leg went completely numb and I thought it was starting to take effect. I mentioned how good it felt and I guess the anesthesiologist got this terrified look on her face. Apparently, I had not yet received the epidural but she had hit a nerve while inserting it. I hated having to stay perfectly still while having this overwhelming urge to push. I DID NOT want to deliver a baby without it. I got the epidural at 8:30 p.m., my water broke on it's own at 8:32 p.m., Addie Kay Ashby arrived at 8:43 p.m. and the epidural took effect at 8:45 p.m. I got the epidural but still had to deliver a baby without any pain medication.
What I learned during labor:
1. I have no patience for EVERYONE talking to me while I am in labor.
2. I have an awesome husband that allowed me to forcefully rub his hand during every contraction for almost 2 hours straight.
3. I never want to deliver without an epidural ever again.
4. I have heard of "the woman next door" screaming during her labor and I am officially the woman next door.
5. After it was finally over, the pain didn't seem so bad. Even minutes after the delivery I completely forgot how much pain I was in because Addie was perfect in every way. I still don't want to do it without an epidural.
Now for some pictures.
This is the only belly picture of me. We took this right before I went to the OB office.
Many hours later, in the hospital, when I was still happy.
The proud daddy.
Me with Addie. I look pretty darn good considering what I just went through.
Tiffany and her little sister.
Tiffany started giving her kisses without us telling her she should.
Addie in her going home outfit.
Mommy Daughters time at home.
The following day.This girl sure loves to cuddle and would rather sleep with me than anywhere else.
Daddy Daughter Time
So basically you have to pay the anesthesiologist for nothing! Haha Glad she got here despite your pain and I hope I can see you all soon!
ReplyDeleteThat was a great story! Thanks for sharing it! Sorry the whole epidural thing didn't work out like you needed, but it's amazing that you survived! She is beautiful by the way!
ReplyDeleteShe is SO SO cute! What a doll. That stinks about the epidural. Don't worry about the screaming thing! I always thought those women were crazy, until I was in labor with Ethan without medication and it was the only thing I could manage to do :) I love the pictures. You look great!
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