daisymommy
08-25-2002, 09:14 AM
Just wanted to shout the good news to everyone that our son Joshua was born last Friday, August 16th (one day before his due date), at 8:25 p.m., weighing 7lbs.3oz, measuring 18 1/2" in length. It's a wild birth story. At my doctors appointment on Wednesday the 14th my doctor did an exam and found me to be 5cm. dialated, and completely effaced, at 0 station. I had no idea, becasue I had no pain or contractions!!! My doctor (head of a midwives practice) actually sent me home, and said the baby would probably be born that night. I went to Babies-R-Us and the grocery store afterwards to get a few last minute items (my husband still thinks I'm crazy). When I got home I called DH with the good news, and he sped home thinking the baby could be here at any time. That's where we were both wrong.
For the next two days I labored without pain, having major nesting instincts, baking cookies, cooking up pounds of food for the freezer, and storming around the house determined that everything had to be perfect. We went to the hospital on Thursday evening, and since I was now at 6-7cm., I was admitted (I still couldn't feel any contractions at this point, and I was so excited because I really wanted a natural child birth experience.) I stayed stuck at this point in labor till the next morning. I ended up having my water broken, which still didn't speed along my stubborn little one. I was given pitocin which had to be cranked up to almost max. to really getthings going. At 8 cm. I stood up and felt a horrible POP! inside and almost ended up passing out on the floor in pain. The next 10 contactions were the most tortorous thing I have ever felt. The wonderful epidural man came to my rescue (I was against having one before labor began.) Three hours later I was pushing baby out with numb legs, and had to have the epidural turned way down low so I could tell what I was doing--and some of the pain returned:'( When baby Josh finally entered this world, we saw what caused the POP! pain inside and horrible contractions--he had his arm wedged up against the side of his head! It looked like he was raising his hand-"Who's birthday is it today?", "Mine!" I went into shock afterwards and had to be put on oxygen. I was unable to hold my little boy or even look at him. I was devasted. This was not at all the labor I had so carefully planned. However, I must continully remind myself now, that my beautiful baby is here, we are home and doing well (sleep deprived, yes, but doing well) and that is all that matters. Joshua continues to insist on having his hands and arms up around his face at all times--which makes for and interesting breastfeeding experience! Thanks for all the great advice that has taken us through this first week at home as a family. I hope to include pictures as soon as they are developed.
For the next two days I labored without pain, having major nesting instincts, baking cookies, cooking up pounds of food for the freezer, and storming around the house determined that everything had to be perfect. We went to the hospital on Thursday evening, and since I was now at 6-7cm., I was admitted (I still couldn't feel any contractions at this point, and I was so excited because I really wanted a natural child birth experience.) I stayed stuck at this point in labor till the next morning. I ended up having my water broken, which still didn't speed along my stubborn little one. I was given pitocin which had to be cranked up to almost max. to really getthings going. At 8 cm. I stood up and felt a horrible POP! inside and almost ended up passing out on the floor in pain. The next 10 contactions were the most tortorous thing I have ever felt. The wonderful epidural man came to my rescue (I was against having one before labor began.) Three hours later I was pushing baby out with numb legs, and had to have the epidural turned way down low so I could tell what I was doing--and some of the pain returned:'( When baby Josh finally entered this world, we saw what caused the POP! pain inside and horrible contractions--he had his arm wedged up against the side of his head! It looked like he was raising his hand-"Who's birthday is it today?", "Mine!" I went into shock afterwards and had to be put on oxygen. I was unable to hold my little boy or even look at him. I was devasted. This was not at all the labor I had so carefully planned. However, I must continully remind myself now, that my beautiful baby is here, we are home and doing well (sleep deprived, yes, but doing well) and that is all that matters. Joshua continues to insist on having his hands and arms up around his face at all times--which makes for and interesting breastfeeding experience! Thanks for all the great advice that has taken us through this first week at home as a family. I hope to include pictures as soon as they are developed.