My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

Brady William was born on Thursday January 24th at 11:41 am. He weighed 6 lbs and 15 oz and was 20 inches long. He is napping peacefully now so I am going to post my birth story. I am warning that it is long. There are two parts to my story...one very good and one not good. I was debating whether I should post the good and bad but figured it was best to be honest about my experience.

At 35 weeks I had an internal and was already dilated 2-3 cm. At 36 weeks I was dilated 3 cm and 36W6 days I was dilated 4 cm. I was not getting any regular or strong contractions but my Dr was concerned that when I went into labor it would be very fast. So I saw her this past Wednesday (36w 6d) and she told me if I had any cramping or contractions at all to come into the hospital. She was on call that night. So I start having irregular mild contractions and I call her and she tells me to just come into the hospital. I go into the hospital Wed night and I am 4-5 cm dilated. They admitted me at 8 pm. My doctor decided to monitor me through the night and see if the contractions would regulate themselves if not they were going to put me on Pitocin at 5 am. They gave me a sleeping pill which knocked me out. They woke me up at 4:45 and said that the contractions were not getting stronger but I was still continuing to dilate and was at 5-6 cm Thursday morning. Well as soon as they put me on Pitocin (within 20 min) my contractions were 2-3 min apart and a would say a level 5 on a scale of 1-10. I was holding off as long as I could for the epidural. At 7:00 they gave me Nubain (sp) a drug to relax me. Well it definitely worked because I still felt the contractions but I didn't care because I was so relaxed by the medication. At 7:30 the contractions were getting stronger and I was 7 cm dilated so I got the epidural. It worked immediately and I did not feel another contraction. I slept for the next two hours and they came in and I was dilated 9 cm. At 10:00 I was dilated 10 cm but they wanted to wait another half hour to see if the baby descended any further on his own. I started to push at 10:40 and he was born at 11:41. I never felt any pain just pressure during the pushing.

The was the good part of the story...the second part is the after. Warning...Maybe TMI...The epidural was amazing but in retrospective was too good because I had no idea of the strain I was putting on myself. When the epidural wore off I was in excruciating pain. I also was bleeding very heavily so they gave me a heavy pain killer and a pill to stop the bleeding. Well from the combination of blood loss and pain killer, I almost passed out in the bathroom. I had about 5 Rn's in the room, two nurse assistants and 2 OB's because I was bleeding so badly and they needed to try to stop it. Well they gave me a shot to stop the bleeding which seemed to work but put me back into full force contractions. I then had another pain killer which finally kicked in but I was then put on bed rest for 12 hours. This all happened within the span of 4 hours. By Friday I was feeling better and the bleeding issue was resolved. I was released with my beautiful boy today and I feel better but am in a great deal of pain still. Poor DH has been taking care of me and DS. All in all my experience was pretty bad but totally worth it to have my baby boy. Just a warning to all that just because the epidural numbs the pain doesn't mean that you had an easy labor.

Re: My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

congrats on your baby.
i know what it is like to both go early and have a crazy birth experience- but you have your DS and can focus on him now!!!
congrats again!

Re: My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

Your exact feeling about epidural is why I choose not to get it. While many women have no side effects or problems with an Epi, there are ones who do. And I know I would be one of them. Kind of stinks that you had it pretty good in the beginning but had to suffer in the end.

However, on a very bright note....

Congrats to you and DH on your precious baby boy!!!

Re: My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

thanks for sharing both the good and the bad. congratulations and welcome brady!

Re: My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

I am glad that you chose to share both the good and the bad parts of your story Heather.

I as well will be choosing no epi if I can endure.... I all the time that this won't be an issue.

God bless, and I'm glad that your came out with no issue! I'm equally glad that you came out of the bad part of your labor after all that drama.

Enjoy, and we can't wait to see pics!!!!!!!!!

Re: My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

Welcome home to you & your !!

Rest & get well!!

Message edited 1/26/2008 10:04:39 PM.

Re: My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

congratualtions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for sharing

Re: My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

what's his name?

Re: My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

So glad to hear you posted the good and bad!!
I'm glad everything worked out well and you now have your precious baby boy!!!

Re: My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

congratulations on the birth of your son. And yes, I agree just b/c you get the epi doesn't mean you don't feel pain during or after. For me after delivery the pain of recovery was very difficult... Good luck!

Re: My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

Thank you for sharing the bad with the good! I am glad that everything worked out and now you can enjoy your !!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Re: My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

Heather, first off, Congratulations!!!!

I appreciate your honesty. I hope that you continue to heal, and enjoy your new addition!!

Re: My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

This is why i'm not entirely sure I want the EPi.. i'm going to try to get through with out one and see how it goes if i can tolerate the pain..
but anyways congrats to you and your new family!!

Re: My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

Congrats!!!
Glad to hear you are home and doing well!!

Re: My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

wow! well glad you are feeling better. Congrats to you!!!!!!!!

Re: My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

Thanks everyone. I will post pics when I have a chance

Re: My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

Congrats on the birth of ur baby.

Re: My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

Congrats!!

Sorry to hear about your rough recovery. Rest up and feel better!

Re: My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

congrats. I think we were both due on the same day. I ended up having my ds on tuesday. Wish you all the best.

Re: My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

Congratulations to you and your family
Glad to hear all is well!!

Re: My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

Congrats on your new baby !

I hope you are feeling better soon!

If I may ask, what would you have done differently, would you not have gotten an epi or the pain meds?

Re: My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

Congrats on your little boy!! Hope you feel better.

Re: My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

congratulations and I'm glad you are better.

Re: My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

Congrats and thanks for sharing!!!

Re: My DS arrived early---My Birth Story...Warning very long...

Congrats and I am sorry you had a rough time afterwards. Glad you and the baby are doing well!!