My detailed labor story

Wow I can not believe I am writing this… its still so surreal. I had posted on Monday that I was going to be induced on Tuesday, Nov. 7th. That night I joked with DH saying I decided I didn’t want to do it and could I just back out? So we left the house at 5 am and my parents and sister got up to say goodbye which was really thoughtful of them ( We’re staying at my parents house while we’re waiting for our co-op to finally close).




The ride there was fun, I videotaped a bit of it and we were both nervous and really excited. I got to North Shore and they were already waiting for me in the registration. As soon as I walked in, the girl said “Hi Beth, here are some forms for you to sign then you can just head upstairs, they are waiting for you” It nice to know that everyone was prepared for my arrival. Upon walking into the labor area, again the women knew who I was and set me up in room #1.






This part was frustrating b.c the Dr told me to get there at 5 am and when we did, they didn’t do anything for 2 hours b/c of a shift change. I was just sitting around waiting for the induction to happen. I did get to answer a lot of questions that they typed into the computer about family history, pregnancy etc. though haha.
The resident Dr.s came in and checked me a few times and they were all really nice. After getting the pitocin, I had a bit of back pain but really wasn’t feeling much and the monitors didn’t seem to show any contractions. My doctor came in and said in 3 hours they would come back and decide if they would do a second induction etc. So 3 hours go and the resident Dr. comes in and examines me. He can’t feel the head and is really confused so he asks a nurse to get the sonogram. Just as the sonogram machine rolls in, my Dr. flew into the room and asked him what on earth that was for? Im not sure why, but she was really annoyed that he got the sonogram machine and said that once she saw it being rolled into my room she knew something was up. So she examined me herself, even though the resident Dr, started explaining what he saw and how she didn’t need to examine me… she said “I know whats going on- the baby is in North Dakota” Then she looked at me and my husband and said “Listen, I want to have a serious talk with both of you” and waved all the people out of the room. She went on to explain our 3 options. I could go home and come back in a week and try this again, I could try the second induction now, or get a c-section which in her opinion was inevitable since the baby wasn’t even close to coming into my pelvis. We both immediately responded C-section, but she said she would give us a few minutes to think it over. Later on we found out we definitely made the right choice. Within minutes they were prepping me and DH for the c-sect. He got into his scrubs which I thought were so cute

(he is nervous in this pic)


They wrapped a blanket around me and I walked into the OR with Dh in tow. He had to wait outside while I got the epidural and they set me up. My Dr. had me hold onto her hips while the anesthesiologist stuck the needle in and she talked to the nurses about Greys anatomy to distract me – am I the only person in the world who doesn’t watch that show? It really didn’t hurt at all, just a lot of pressure and it was odd feeling. I was then told my operating theme song would have to be this jazz CD b/c it was the only thing in the CD player- I’m guessing they do that so I cant hear what they are saying during the operation? I don’t know… So jazz was playing and I was laid down and a big sheet was put in front of me so I couldn’t see anything. Then my DH came in and sat down right next to my head and held my hand.


Next we could smell burning skin- gross right? And then my DR leans over the sheet and starts explaining to me that they have called in a second Dr about where to make the inscion. She said they see that I have a fibroid as big as the baby’s head and that’s why she had not descended and wouldn’t have been able to bc it blocked her. It was obvious that this was an extremely rare happening. They had to decide where to cut me b/c of the postion of the baby And the fibroid. When the baby finally came out, they put her over the sheet to show me and then quickly moved her over to the little bassinet that was in the corner of the room on my left. We heard one of the nurses screaming “get the fellow” and then it seemed like there was 60 people around her and we couldn’t see what was going on, but could hear the panic in everyone’s voice. My DH saw them take out a CPR kit and we squeezed eachothers hand and were SO nervous and scared. Finally she was breathing. The Dr. explained to me that I had lost a lot of blood- almost 2.5 liters and did I know I was anemic? (no actually I didn’t) and the baby had taken in some of that blood and couldn’t breathe. They were worried she was anemic too and she was whisked off to NICU where she stayed for a few days … I didn’t get to see her again until the next day.
Before they took her, the nurse was kind enough to make sure we got a pic


Then they took out the fibroid. I asked the Dr if I could see it, and they laughed “sure!” and showed it to me in a plastic bag. It was a huge ball and I asked if I could touch it and that got an even bigger reaction, everyone laughed and said “is she cool or what?” so I touched it and it was hard. Immediately DH asked what it felt like and then confessed he wanted to touch it too, but felt stupid asking. I cant believe this giant tumor was growing inside me and NO ONE saw it. I had quite a few sonograms, both at this Drs office and at another one when I was trying to get a good 4D pic. No one ever said anything. Its really scary. The only fortunate thing is that my Dr said I would have had to get this surgery anyway so at least we got both done in one shot and now I know why I had such bad abdominal swelling and terrible back pain. She told me I will never be able to have natural birth, but as long as everything else is OK, I could care less. Then she tried to talk to me about getting a transfusion which I was really not going for. Again I was given the option- transfusion and I would feel better in a few days, or wait and do it on my own and it could take a few weeks. Maybe I’m crazy, but I told her I would take a few weeks if we could. (btw this led to them taking blood from me almost hourly during the next few days to see how my count was doing- ouch!)

I was wheeled into recovery and I stayed there for quite a few hours. They put this blow up heating blanket on you, its like a giant cushion of hot air around your body






The nurses were so kind, they felt bad that I didn’t really get to see her and wouldn’t be able to for so long and brought in a Polaroid picture of what she looked like. I don’t know if they do it for everyone but it’s a really nice idea.

My Dh was able to go see her a few times and tell me that she was OK and breathing etc. Then my parents just decided to show up at the hospital even though no one had called them. I started crying when I told them what had happened. At that point, I still didn’t know if she was anemic and going to be OK. I later found out that they had waited at the hospital for hours and would wait some more while I stayed in recovery.

Finally I got a room. If you go to North Shore Manhasset, make sure you get a window room, there is a huge difference between the beds by the window and the beds by the door. The window has a lot more space and is private since you have to walk past the door person everytime you go out of the room or to the bathroom etc . So after midnight sometime, they came in and said if I could go to the bathroom, I might be able to go see my baby in the NICU. Well I didn’t make it very far, b.c of my blood loss I passed right out. I thought I was doing so great too and they were even asking me if this was the first time I got out of bed b/c I forced myself right up and did anything I could to make sure I would be able to go see my baby. Well my body didn’t care and out I went. The nurse started taking hot water from the bathroom and putting it on my face and I remember thinking it felt so good- I was in heaven- and then the smelling salts stuff came and I wanted to yell ‘ get that out of my face!” the smell is so strong it actually pained me.

My DH told me I was out for quite a few minutes and everyone was screaming “stay with me Beth!” It was quite a scene. My roommate then was this asian woman who didn’t speak English. For some reason she kept closing the door to the room (she had the door side and wanted privacy I suppose) and so when I passed out, the nurses SCREAMED at her b/c they had closed the door and the other nurses couldn’t hear them yelling for help. Luckily I only had that roommate for 2 days b,c closing that door made the room feel like 100 degrees. She had her mom and her husband stay with her while she was there and no one kicked out her mom- but I didn’t say anything b/c I didn’t really care and since I don’t speak their language, all the talking just droned out and put me to sleep.

Anyway, after they got me back to bed, her mother came out and said” she…… OK?” so at least I know they were caring even if they did get in the way.

Finally the next morning I passed a few more getting up tests and was able to go see my baby in the NICU.



you can see how white her skin is



and then the next day, she graduated into second NICU room and this meant she was only there for observation- we were so excited b/c we got to hold her!







She was in there a few days and we would go visit her. I cant imagine how people do this for months, its so stressful and when people would come to visit it was frustrating b.c they couldn’t see the baby and I was exhausted.



Sorry this one is turned

Message edited 11/17/2006 3:26:46 PM.

Re: My detailed labor story

Then one of the times we went to the NICU they said she was going to be out and brought into the nursery. So I fed her and we went upstairs to welcome more guests. All of a sudden the nurse wheeled in our baby! It was so exciting I almost leaped out of bed.

So that’s my story. Breastfeeding has been going really well. I was on the fence about it and leaning more towards not doing it, but once she was in NICU and they said this is the first time she will be fed, do you want to breastfeed her or give her a bottle- so I got the lactation consultant to help me… I felt confident, she did really well and I felt like I was doing the right thing. The second and third day of BFing is really hard and I truly debated giving up, but then it got easy again and now its not a problem at all. When she was only a few days old and my milk had not come in yet, she did not have the energy to really work for the colostrum to come and it tries on your patience. Now, I’m sore and I have to get up and feed her all the time and all that, but it still just feels right. I’m happy I did it and even happier I had a supportive husband during those first few days.


Amelia Eloise

Re: My detailed labor story

Wow, what a detailed story.

it seems the care was phenomenal.

Congrats on your little girl, she is beautiful !!

Re: My detailed labor story

More details please...
Boy Momma, that's great that you have all your memories down. Love the new picture of Amelia!!

Re: My detailed labor story

OH i forgot to add, we havent heard yet if the fibroid (tumor) was benign, but 90% of the time they are

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Wow! thanks for the story. she is beautiful! Thank God you are both okay!

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Wow what an amazing story. Thank you for posting! Your daughter is beautiful

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WOW! Your story was so emotional- I should not have read it at work- You poor baby- how overwhelming.

Your daughter is absolutely gorgeous! I love the last picture- she is beautiful.

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OMG, what a story

I'm a big fan of NSUH at Manhasset. I am so happy you were there if all of that had to happen, you were in the best of care.

I'm so glad everyone is safe and sound now
You're daughter is beautiful.

Re: My detailed labor story

WOW, such an amazing birth story! Im so emotional...I got teary eyed!

You are blessed with a beautiful little girl She is precious!

Congratulations!!! All the best with your little girl!

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She is absolutely beautiful!!!
Congrats!

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Congrats Beth..sorry you had to go through that scare. She is BEAUTIFUL

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Wow, what a story. Glad everything is OK now. DD is adorable and has a beautiful name.

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WOW - what a story. I am so glad everything is okay with mommy and your baby daughter. She is beautiful

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congratulations, she is beautiful!!

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Great story, thanks for sharing, she is beautiful.

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Wow - what a story. Congrats on Amelia - what a great name!

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Congratulations!!! She's very beautiful and her name is so pretty!

I'm sorry you had a such a scary experience but very glad that you had great care and a great outcome. I hope the fibroid test comes out okay!

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Great story! I am glad you and the baby are OK! She is beautiful!

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that was some story, brought tears to my eyes, your daughter is beautiful, thank god you are ok...NSUH Manhasset is great, I delivered there as well and would do it all over again.
Congratulations!!

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What a detailed wonderful labor story Congrats!!

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Congratulations Beth! She is absolutely beautiful...perfect little face. I am so happy that you are both doing well - I've been searching this board to see your story. So very happy for you and your family! I wish you lots of love!!!!

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I'm so glad that you and your daughter are ok. Congrasts - she is precious!

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congratulations Beth! She's GORGEOUS! I"m so glad all worked out and so happy you gave so much detail since I love hearing about birth stories at NSUM since thats where I'll be giving birth.

congrats again!!!

Re: My detailed labor story

wow!! congratulations!
she is gorgeous!