My birth story

When I found out I was pregnant with #2, one of the first things I thought of was, please let me have an easier birth experience than my 65 hour induction with DD1. As I sit in the hospital for the 8th night in a row, I only wish this experience went as smoothly as my first.

I regularly see MFM doctors over at stony brook but if they are out, they have a nurse practitioner take over their patients. I do not like her and try to avoid seeing her as much as I can. She told me I passed my 2 hour exam, walked out of the room, came back in an said- whoops we just changed the numbers for passing and you failed. . When I saw her next time at my 36w appt, she started talking induction. After my previous induction, I was not interested. I saw my regular MFM the following week and he didn't even mention anything. He said everything looked great and he would see me the following week. Well there was a schedule mix up and I ended up being scheduled to see the NP. I had a panic attack that morning, knowing she would mention induction again. Sure enough, not only did she mention it, she had my BP taken about 7 times and beyond the first number which was fine, she wouldn't tell me what they were and that they were just high so we should schedule an induction. I stood my ground and refused so she said to come in for a BP recheck in 4-5 days. Fine. I go to make the appointment with my regular MFM a and was told that the NP was covering for them as they were all scheduled to be on vacation for the last 2 weeks in August. I managed to get an appointment with an actual dr. If I needed a medically necessary induction, I wanted an actual dr to tell me. I went to the appointment and my bp wasn't super high but it was elevated. I reluctantly agreed to let her schedule an induction for the following weekend and just hoped I would go into labor on my own. I walked, ate spicy foods, used EPO suppositories, had sex, etc. and nothing worked. I got the call my induction was scheduled for 5pm on Friday august 28th.

Got to the hospital Friday around 515 with DH. We were put right into a room in L&D and already it felt promising. They did an internal and I was about 1cm dilated but my cervix was hard and long. Cervidil was finally inserted at 11:20pm. Overnight I started experiencing some contraction pain so they gave me stadol which allowed me to sleep through it. Nurse removed cervidil at 11:30am and eventually a dr came in to see if it worked. Still 1cm, a little softer, but still a very long cervix. I was given the option of pitocin or a foley bulb. After my previous foley bulb experience, I didnt want to do that. But, I was also having pain during contractions so we decided after doing a cervix recheck and me being now 2cm but still only 30% effaced that we'd go forward with pitocin and an epidural. Got the epidural which is annoying but wonderful and started the pit. We did that for awhile and eventually I was checked again and still didn't make any progress. They then talked me into doing the foley bulb which since I was numb from the epidural, I was willing to try. Definitely a better experience when numb. Eventually they took it out and rechecked my cervix to find that it was about 2.5cm but still only 30%effaced. Overnight Sunday into Monday, I ended up getting to 3-3.5cm. The dr then decided to break my water in hopes that it would help move things along. It took 2 Drs to do this because the amniotic sac, and DD were up behind my pubic bone. It took a bit and it got a little hairy for a minute bc DD's heart rate dropped, but they gone it back up In no time.

So now it's Monday and my water has been broken. They upped the pitocin and I was definitely having contractions but they weren't developing a pattern. I was checked again and was about 5-5.5cm and 50% effaced. The dr came In and said we needed to start talking about a c section. I immediately started to cry. I was now 3 days into an induction and didn't want to have a c section. I thought of DD1 and how if I had a CS, how I wouldn't be able to pick her up for a long time and I was just upset about the whole thing. My bp was also starting to creep up so they put me on an iv of magnesium just In case. There was a shift change right after that and a dr who was there the night before said she would let me keep going for a little while longer. They upped the pitocin again and they manipulated the bed so I was in an upright seated position with my legs hanging down in hopes it would bring the baby down. At about 4am, she came in to check me and didn't have good news. I had been stuck for hours at about 6cm, baby was still very high and behind my pubic bone, and my water had been broken for over 24 hours. At that point I felt so defeated and so angry that I went along with the induction. My bp was mostly good throughout the induction, especially once I was on the epidural. So, at that point we just had to wait til there was an OR available. I was given a nice top off of the Epi which allowed me to sleep for the few hours before we were to go in.

They started prepping me at just before 8 on Tuesday morning. Made sure I was numb and all the fun stuff. The c section itself was a horrifying experience. I hated it. The pressure and the pulling and not knowing what's going on even though you're alert the whole time. It's awful. But, at 8:56am, Lila Avery was born and hearing her cry made me cry. I was able to see her from a distance and eventually they brought her over so we could take pictures as the surgeons were finishing up with me. I don't know what they were doing but I started experiencing an awful gas pain in my abdomen. It was so unbearable I could barely breathe and I believe I was passing out from the pain. Never have I felt anything more excruciating. Eventually it went away and they were done. I was wheeled into recovery where DH and DD were. The pain was unbearable. I couldn't even speak bc that hurt too much to do. I was given iv pain meds to help with the pain and it slowly started to get better. Eventually we were able to move up to a room and I was finally able to hold Lila for the first time on our ride up.

Recovery has been a b!tch, First day was rough between the surgery and still being attached to the iv and catheter. The gas pain was the worst part. I couldn't even touch anywhere on my belly without it hurting so badly. Every day since has been a series of progresses and set backs. On Wednesday late afternoon, I had the catheter out, the iv removed, and I was finally able to shower. when the nurses came around to check vitals, they noticed my temp was up. They kept checking and I ended up needing to go on a 24 hour course of antibiotics. That finally ended Thursday night into Friday. Friday morning came, doctors checked me out, gave me discharge instructions, and I called DH and told him to bring the car seat bc we were going to go home! Well, as he was on his way, they checked my vitals again and sure enough, I had spiked a fever. It finally broke around 1:30 this afternoon and I've been ok since so they have held off on another course of antibiotics. As long as I remain fever free, We can go home sometime Saturday!

Recovery from the failed induction/c section has been one of the most difficult experiences in my life. I would gladly redo DD1's birth and recovery from it any day over this. I feel like my insides are not back where they should be. I hate the extreme pain I feel every time I need to get up or sit down or walk even just a few feet. I hate that I can't pick up or hold DD1 and that I've been in this hospital for so long that I just hope she doesn't think we've abandoned her. She's not even 18 months yet so she doesn't fully understand what's going on and whenever she visits and reaches up at me and says uppies mommy, it kills me. But to see her interact with her baby sister is amazing.

Message edited 9/5/2015 2:46:47 AM.

My birth story

Wow, so sorry your induction didn't work. I saw your post in another thread and read your first birth story and was hoping it would work this time.
Congratulations! What a beautiful name.

My birth story

Oh my gosh, what an ordeal!!! I'm so sorry you had such a hard time, but congrats on your new little lady!! LOVE her name.

My birth story

It sounds like you had a really rough time, I'm so sorry! Congratulations on your little girl though!

My birth story

Crashing the board but wanted to send you a big COngrats and hugs!! You're one tough momma!!

Re: My birth story

You are a FREAKING TROOPER!!!!! I'm so sorry to hear that you had an even more difficult delivery this time around. But I promise you - the pain of the csection will go away. Use a belly band and take it easy. Try to walk as much as you can. With DD, I had my catheter in for two and half days, so I couldn't try to walk until almost three days after the csection. I honestly thought I would never walk again. But YOU WILL! I promise! And soon you'll be running after Hayley while wearing Lila in no time!!!!!

Re: My birth story

Wow so sorry you went through all of that but happy to hear everyone is healthy. Beautiful name!

I understand what it's like with dd1, but I promise they're s lot more resilient than we give them credit for and you are giving her the best gift ever...a baby sister. If will warm your heart watching her interact with her.

Re: My birth story

First off, Congrats!!!
Second, OMG
Third, OMG OMG!!!

My fear of being pregnant is the birth, and what a story you have. I hope your recovery speeds up and you can enjoy both your girls again really soon!!!

My birth story

congrats

My birth story

She's so beautiful just like her big sister.
I'm sorry it's been so rough.

Re: My birth story

That's a rough course!
The no lifting is tough, but will pass soon enough.
Enjoy your new baby!

My birth story

I'm so sorry you went through all that! C section recovery definitely sucks. Hoping now that you are home things will go more smoothly for you!

Re: My birth story

Congratulations! C-sections can be tough. I had a c-section first for my twins and then for my 3rd. My twins were 17 months old when my 3rd was born so I know what you mean when you say how hard it is to not pick them up. Sometimes when I would hold the baby, they would try to push him off for me so I could hold them. This on top of not feeling so hot while recovering from the surgery.

Just remember it is surgery and even when you start to feel better, don't pick your old one up. I know it's so hard, but I've heard too many horror stories of stitches splitting. All was ok with me, but I did not pick them up until the doctor gave me the all clear (about 2 weeks).

Hang in there. Each day I felt a little bit better until finally one day I was like wow I am walking like a normal person, not like a 95 year old.

Hope you have a smooth and fast recovery.

Re: My birth story

Omg!! Congrats are definitely in order and you are amazing for that experience you went through!! I wish you a speedy recovery so you can fully enjoy your two girls

Re: My birth story

What a story! I hope your recovery gets better. Congrats!

Re: My birth story

Congratulations!! Was hoping you would have an easier go of it this time around. Hope you are feeling better and enjoying your girls!

Re: My birth story

You are a TROOPER my friend! I'm glad that you're ordeal is over and you have your healthy, happy DD!

Re: My birth story

Dear God that was a total sh!t show. I'm sorry you had to endure all of that. I'm so glad the baby is doing great and you are on the upswing. I hope you have a quick recovery and get back to normalcy soon.

So...are you going to try again for the boy? (I'm totally just kidding).

Re: My birth story

Thanks for sharing your birth story, and congratulations! I love her name. It sounds like such a scary experience, I'm so sorry it was that difficult. I hope recovery comes quick for you.

My birth story

I'm so sorry you had to endure all of that- you sound like such a trooper! Congrats on your baby girl !!

My birth story

Jeez, I'm sorry you had to go through all that but in the end, you have a healthy baby. Congrats!

My birth story

Thanks everyone! It was quite the ordeal but with the best possible outcome. Lila is just like her big sister was at that age, it's crazy! Seeing my 18 month old interact with her sister just melts my heart. It's extremely difficult not being able to pick her up and she's too little to understand when I don't pick her up but I pick up the baby. It's getting a little easier. Thankfully it's only temporary.

My birth story

Congrats!!!!!

Re: My birth story

Posted by FirstMate

So...are you going to try again for the boy? (I'm totally just kidding).

Re: My birth story

OMG your profile pic - its kind of small, but looks soooooooo sweet.