Labor & Delivery Story

I always wondered what would happen when I finally went into labor... where would I be? How would it feel? I had no idea that the story of my son's birth would go the way it went...

I went to my 39 week appointment on Monday, January 4th... my due date was January 7th and there was no sign of baby coming anytime soon. My doctor decided that I should schedule to be induced because of how big my son was supposedly measuring. I scheduled it but wasn't happy and was hoping that I would still go into labor naturally.

Just before 3am the next morning, I woke up to some annoying cramping and lower backaches. They continued as I tried to sleep...

Tuesday, January 5th

7:30am- I lost my mucus plug

10:30am- mild contractions started so I called my doctor's office and they told me to come in.

1:45pm- 1-2cm dilated and 70-80% effaced; it was official- I was in the early stages of labor! my doctor said she was pretty certain she would see me at the hospital later on that night.

9:00pm- called my doctor... the contractions were more intense and pretty close together so she told me to head to the hospital.

9:55pm- arrived at the hospital and checked in; 4cm dilated, 100% effaced and at a -2 station

Wednesday, January 6th

6:15am- 7cm; got an epidural 

6:30am- my doctor broke my water before she got ready to leave the hospital.

6:38am- about 5 nurses and my doctor came rushing back in the room, went straight to the monitors but didn't say anything; baby's heart rate dropped, my blood pressure dropped and it was a rush to get us both stable ASAP. the meds I was quickly given worked but something made me very sick... I couldn't keep down the "clear diet" items I had been allowed to have. I also required oxygen from this point on.

9:30am- I was still only dilated to 7cm, baby was just at a -1 station and his heart rate wasn't accelerating with his movements so the doctor on call suggested that I start thinking about a c-section

10:30am- still no change in my status so a c-section was the best decision... I was beyond terrified of surgery so I was in tears; I was prepped for surgery and was taken in within the next hour. I was given more epidural meds in the operating room but could still feel the doctor touching me- he tested my numbness by pinching me, which I could feel... I'm glad I said something because they were about to start the c-section and I would have felt them cutting me!

11:44am- I heard the nurse mention that time but had no idea why... I asked the doctor if my son was out and he said "he's out" but there was no cry... and I didn't even get to see my son. I had no idea where he was or what was going on because I couldn't see him (I'm not sure they wanted me to). At this point I began to panic and pray and just kept saying "come on, AJ... mommy needs to hear you" and after 3 long minutes, I finally heard a cry... and the more he cried, the more I cried.

Nothing about this delivery went the way I wanted- my birth plan went out the window because of his health. However, I will never forget the events leading up to his arrival... from going into labor naturally as I'd hoped, to both of us being in danger and then finally hearing and meeting my son after 3 minutes of the doctor and nurses working to save his life. It's a miracle... and I'm blessed to be able to look at this miracle every day.