Baby Number 2 Delivery Story

Arielle was scheduled to be delivered by induction at 39 weeks, however, day 3 of week 38 proved to be Gods plan. I went into the emergency room for an abscess (totally unrelated to pregnancy), but due to my due date being so near, after being evaluated for the abscess, I was sent to labor and delivery just as a precaution.

I got to L&D, got all "strapped in" as I call it, and what do ya know? CONTRACTIONS! I was not feeling anything that felt more than the usual being uncomfortable, few cramps here and there but nothing major, definitely nothing that indicated labor, but sure enough after a cervical measurement, I was already 4 cm dilated. I was then moved from the triage area into my very own delivery room. On top of all of the obvious fears, and anxieties, I was blown away by how beautiful the room was, the hospital did a wonderful job of creating the calm, serene atmosphere needed to begin labor.

The team of nurses all came in one by one, doing blood work, introducing themselves, making sure I was comfy, getting Dad his little corner set up, and it was all happening so fast. I won't bore you with the details, but it was a long uneventful night, as I stayed at 4cm for the majority of my 14 hour labor! Sigh; Around 2 or 3am the contractions got closer, and more painful. My birth plan included an epidural, so I requested we get going with the meds.

The anesthesiologist administered the epidural, told me some signs to look for, and explained how I should feel. At first it seemed I had found some relief... well to my left side at least. For some reason I was only numb on one side of my body. I was told it was due to a mild case of scoliosis, but it was the weirdest feeling ever! Soon there after the left side that was previously numb was no longer numb. The epidural had completely worn off, I pressed the little button desperately, with still no relief. By this time, we began the Pitocin to speed things along, so I was really feeling the pain. My doctor arrived about 7am, and decided the Pitocin needed to be being administered a little faster than it had been. IT WAS ON AND POPPING NOW! I couldn't get a breath in between the contractions, and they were really coming!

At one point I remember begging the nurse to turn the medication down because I simply couldn't bare the pain anymore. I was checked (yet again, I skipped all the time I was checked (cervix) and hadn't moved, or only dilated 1 cm) this time, I was said to be about 8cm, 2 more to go!

Like a ton of bricks hitting me where the sun don't shine, all of a sudden (8cm and all) I HAD TO PUSH! I screamed out to the nurse as I laid on my side in agony on the bed, "HELP ME, I GOTTA PUSH, PLEASE HELP ME!". The nurse looked a bit panicked and said "not yet!", lol, yeah right lady, this baby is coming! I could hear them calling for my doctor, and I Don't remember all the details because I was literally up to my neck, back, and eyeballs in pain. I felt some my doctor put some jelly like substance on the opening on my vagina, then, with my legs being held, I was told to PUSH! I pushed and screamed for a few short minutes, and out she came, kicking and screaming at a whopping 8 pounds 5 ounces, 20 inches long! I did "tear" a bit, so my doctor stitched me up, I got a shot in the leg, said to be for blood loss", the baby was cleaned up and put on my chest, and we were moved to another room literally minutes after. It was over! Finally! Labor was 14 long hours, and with my epidural not having worked for me, I felt most of my hard labor. For some reason, I wasn't immediately tired or exhausted, I guess it was the adrenaline, because I felt energized, and more alive than ever. All I could think was I'm a

Mom again!