WARNING: This might have some TMI moments!!! hehe.
It all started on Wednesday July 13. The day before I had just talked to my OB and scheduled my induction for the 14th at 8pm. Everything was all set, and so on the 13th, I had my last maternal fetal medicine appointment (due to my high blood pressure) and was expecting it to be just another normal appointment...a non stress test and ultrasound to make sure that the baby was growing correctly and that all was good with him!
It all started on Wednesday July 13. The day before I had just talked to my OB and scheduled my induction for the 14th at 8pm. Everything was all set, and so on the 13th, I had my last maternal fetal medicine appointment (due to my high blood pressure) and was expecting it to be just another normal appointment...a non stress test and ultrasound to make sure that the baby was growing correctly and that all was good with him!
My best friend ended up taking me to my appointment because Kyle had to work, and so beforehand we decided to stop and get some lunch at a local deli (I am so glad that we did this!) We got to my appointment a little bit early, and sat in the waiting room for a while talking to this cute couple with a little boy. They were there finding out the sex of their baby, so that was neat! When we finally got called to go back, I was excited because I really liked seeing the baby and hearing his heartbeat.
Then it all started: When we got back to the room, the nurse took my blood pressure. My blood pressure was measuring 170/94 which is obviously pretty high. She then told me that she wasn't allowed to let me leave with my blood pressure being that high, and so she would let me do my non stress test and come back to do the blood pressure check again, because it could have just been from nerves from my upcoming induction. When she took my blood pressure again, it was measuring around 160/90 which was still elevated, so she called my OB and told her what was going on...and they said to send me straight to labor and delivery. This freaked me out because first of all, I wasn't expecting it (and was scared to death) and also Kyle was at work and my mom was out of town. All I had was my best friend (not that I am complaining...she was great!)
Once we left the maternal fetal medicine office, we stopped by my house for a split second to pick up my stuff that I had packed for the hospital because I wasn't sure when my husband was going to be able to get there. That took about 5-10 minutes and was on the way to the hospital so it wasn't a big deal. Then, we made our way to the hospital.
Once we got there, they immediately checked me into a room and gave me a robe to put on. They also got all of my insurance information and such, and I had to fill out a little bit of paperwork. After a little while, my mom and Kyle finally got to the hospital and my bff had to leave, so they checked my cervix and decided to get the cervadil (medicine to ripen the cervix) started to get my induction on the road, which was going to take 12 hours. My mom then decided to leave the hospital because there wasn't really anything exciting going on, and so Kyle and I got comfortable and waited it out. We played on our computers and watched movies for a while...until hubby fell asleep and I stayed awake the WHOLE night. I started cramping really bad, but the monitor wasn't picking up any contractions so I didn't think anything of it. During the night, I really needed to use the bathroom, but was so afraid that the cervadil would fall out so I held it as long as possible...but couldn't anymore! lol...(TMI??!) so I finally got to go around 3am.
At 5:30 ish, my nurse came in to take the cervadil out and check my cervix again. She wasn't able to tell how dilated I was if any, but I was happy to have the cervadil out because I was so crampy. I was able to just sit around and chill out for a little while because I was finally going to be able to have some breakfast at 7am (I hadn't eaten since I had lunch with my bff the previous day, so I was quite ravenous). At 7, we ordered some breakfast...I got an english muffin and some frosted flakes.
As I was eating my english muffin, my OB finally came in to say hello and check me. I was actually at a 3 and 80% effaced by this time...which was surprising because we hadn't seen any contractions on the monitor, but apparently the sensor was on the wrong spot on my belly the whole night so they weren't being picked up. She broke my water as she was checking me, and the show really got on the road from there. They then started the pitocin (the induction medicine) and pennicillin because I was group b strep positive.
The morning went on pretty well, I was getting more and more contractions as time progressed. We watched some tv and tried to get some rest, but that wasn't quite happening. I was able to get up and use the bathroom when I wanted to, I just had to take my IV with me...lol. That was a fun experience! My best friend then came back to hang out with me, and that was nice because she really helped with distracting me at some points when the contractions were really bad. I got up a few times and bounced on a yoga ball, which really helped take the pressure off of my tail bone...but then the contractions started to get completely unbearable...it was so painful! So I then decided that I couldn't take it anymore and that I wanted to get the epidural.
Around noon, I called my nurse and told her I wanted drugs...lol...so my OB came in and checked me to make sure my cervix was dilated enough. I was at a 5 and 100% effaced!!! woohoo! So, I was able to get my epidural!!! :) The anesthesiologist came in (who was hilarious the whole time and made the whole process of getting the epi actually fun) and gave me the medicine as my nurse held my hand and helped me get through it and seriously, after that medicine kicked in, it was absolutely AMAAZIIINGGGG! I felt no contractions, and was finally able to get some much needed rest. My best friend decided to leave around this time so that way I could get some sleep...and she said she would be back after the baby was born.
Finally around 5:30pm, my doctor came back to check and see how I was doing. I had been feeling a little bit of pain so I had upped the epidural a few times and was feeling nothing! As she checked me, the thing she said was "I hope you're at an 8!" I completely agreed with her because I was kind of ready to be done...(TMI alert?!) she only went in about an inch and felt a head! I was 10cm and 100% effaced...it was actually time to PUSH! We were both completely shocked at this, because I was progressing so slowly before...but I went pretty quick this time!!! :)
They got me all ready to push, and because of the epidural I seriously felt NOTHING. They told me every time I was having a contraction so I knew to push...but other than that I felt great. I was actually LAUGHING through my contractions because I was feeling so many emotions. Apparently every time I laughed, the baby came out a little bit...LOL! Too funny.
I pushed for about 20 minutes, and FINALLY my son was born at 6:15pm! it was the coolest thing EVER, I had never felt so much love in an instant for something, it was so neat to finally see him. Kyle was crying (something I never see him do) so this made me burst into tears. It was a beautiful moment that I will never forget! The baby actually didn't cry at first, so this worried me...they took him away to make sure everything was alright, but apparently he just was really chilled out and didn't want to cry. He got a 6/9 on his first APGAR test, and then a 9/9 five minutes later, so everything was great! He weighed 7lbs 12oz and was 21.5 inches long! They got him all dressed and finally brought him over to me, and I was able to kiss and hold him for a few minutes while they gave me stitches. They cleaned me up and let me relax with the baby, and FINALLY I could eat again. Since the hospital cafeteria was closed by the time everything was over with so hubby went and grabbed McDonalds and I scarfed down 3 cheeseburgers pretty quickly! My best friend and her husband came back during this time and were finally able to meet the baby...it was neat!
I was able to relax for a little bit with the baby after this before they wheeled me to postpartum, and once we got there we got to just relax for a little bit and get situated and the nurse was able to let us know all about what was supposed to be going on. I was able to nurse the baby and the baby never left our side as we were in the hospital (except for checks and such) which I loved. Our hospital had no nursery, so he just hung out with us...and I loved this because we were able to bond properly. We stayed in post partum until Saturday afternoon, and finally were able to come home then.
I am SO in love with my little man...I can't believe he is FINALLY here!!!! :)
