My birth story (10 days later)....

I can't believe it's been 10 days since she was pushed into the world!! One word of advice- it's true, SLEEP when the baby sleeps. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you've had a few hours of sleep.

We checked in at the hospital at 6 am on 6/15. I was hooked up to the monitors and they told me I was contracting on my own (but I didn't feel anything). While I was waiting for them to hook up the pitocin, her heart rate dropped when I sat up in bed. Alll these people came rushing in and had me change position a few times and her heart rate came right back up. They said her cord had likely gotten compressed but that all seemed well if I stayed on my left side for awhile. I was hooked up to the pitocin at 7:30.

My contractions started to get stronger and closer together right away. So much so that they turned the pitocin down. At this point, I could definitely feel them, but was able to breathe through them relatively easy. They were coming every minute and lasting about 90 seconds. They checked me at 11 am and I was 4cm dialated and 80%. My doctor came in and broke my water- and we found out there was meconium in the fluid- so my doctor said, "It's a good thing we decided to induce today." . I was feeling very uncomfortable at this point, so I asked for the epi.

What a wonderful thing! The actual insertion was nothing, except I had to breathe through a few strong contractions which made holding still difficult. The pain went away immediately and I was able to rest for awhile.

At 1pm, the nurse decided to check me. She stuck her fingers in and the look on her face was priceless. Her eyebrows shot up and she said, "OMG- you're at 9cm already!!!" I was like, "What does that MEAN?" and she said, "You're having this baby!!"

10 minutes later, my Dr. came in and checked me again and started putting the stirrups up and I said, "What's going on?" and she said, "You're ready to push- the baby is right there, you're cervix is gone, and you are at 10cm." I looked at my husband like So he ran out to get my mom and sis and I started to push.

And push. And push. And push. 2 and a half hours later, I was still pushing. Pushing is by far the most exhausting work I've ever done. I could feel I was pushing correctly, but she just wasn't coming down further. It turns out that her shoulders were holding her back. Up until this point though- I only felt the pressure to push- but absolutely NO pain. We were actually having some pretty entertaining conversations with the dr. and nurses in between the contractions.

At around the 2 and a half our mark, I developed a fever and actually puked a few times (NOT fun.... but it did help move her down a bit). Finally though, the dr. decided to break out the vacuum. I was terrified, but at this point, I was so drained and ready to be done that I just let it happen.

I can't lie about this part at all. That vacuum and her being pulled from me was by far the most pain I've ever felt in my life. It took my breath away when she was half in/half out. I felt like I was being split in two and screamed bloody murder. And I still had to push her other shoulder out. My husband was amazing and was able to get in my face and calm me enough to pull myself together to push out her other shoulder with the next contraction.

When she was out, the relief was unbelieveable. I had my eyes squeezed shut the entire time and all I could hear was my DH and her crying. She was a MESS- her poor little head was so misshapen and she was covered in baby poo- but I fell in love regardless.

I have to be honest though- that love was not instantaneous. I was so exhausted and relieved to be free from that awful pain, that I felt almost indifferent at that moment. I just wanted everyone to leave me alone for awhile. Thankfully, they quickly took her to be checked out. I sent DH over to be with her so I could just lay there alone and relish being pain free. My doctor looked at me and said, "You've never felt such relief, have you?" I had to agree.

I did tear a little, and I cannot BELIEVE how swollen things can get *down there*. The recovery was rough, but it's a week later and I feel like myself again (well, myself with Porno-Boobs). BFing is a little rough- she's had a difficult time latching on, so I'm using a nipple shield for some feedings. Otherwise, she nurses like a champ and has already gained past her birth weight.

I've missed you guys. I can't believe how fast the days fly by and how EVERYTHING revolves around this little person!!

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Re: My birth story (10 days later)....

Awww. she is beautiful....congrats. Sorry you had a rough time...I got to 10cm really fast too and then had to push for 2 1/2 hours and had to have an episiotomy to get my DD out...pushing sucks!

Enjoy your little one and any rest you can get.

Re: My birth story (10 days later)....

Congrats on your little one...sorry you had such a rough labor/delivery.....Get some rest momma!

Re: My birth story (10 days later)....

congrats!! she is absolutely beautiful!

thanks for sharing your story.

Re: My birth story (10 days later)....

Amy what an incredible story. I have to say I laughed a little at the part when you looked at your DH like: b/c I did the same thing when they told me it was time to go. You know it is going to happen, but the minute the nurses told me it was go time I was freaking.

Your DD is adorable, and it sounds like your DH was a champ too!

Congrats again!

Re: My birth story (10 days later)....

Thank you so much for taking the time to post this story! Sounds like you had a rough time But from the looks of the pics it was ALL WORTH IT!!!! WHAT A CUTIE Congrats to you and DH

Re: My birth story (10 days later)....

She's gorgeous! Congratulations!

Re: My birth story (10 days later)....

Thanks for sharing your story! Congratulations and she's adorable!!!

Re: My birth story (10 days later)....

What a story - you had me going - I couldn't wait to see what happened.

She is so beautiful!!! I bet you must be so happy to be home!

Re: My birth story (10 days later)....

great story...she's absolutely beautiful!!! congrats!!!

Re: My birth story (10 days later)....

wow that's some story! She is so cute! Congrats.

Re: My birth story (10 days later)....

Congrats on having your little girl!!!!!

Re: My birth story (10 days later)....

She is amazing!!! Just beautiful

Re: My birth story (10 days later)....

AWH... what a beautiful little girl!!!! Congratulations!

Sorry you had to endure all the pain!

Re: My birth story (10 days later)....

What an experience, what a cutie pie!

Re: My birth story (10 days later)....

Congratulations and thanks for sharing

Re: My birth story (10 days later)....

OMG she is gorgeous. Congratulations

Re: My birth story (10 days later)....

what a cutie and what a story, I am glad you are feeling better

Re: My birth story (10 days later)....

She's beautiful!

Re: My birth story (10 days later)....

aww, she is so cute....thanks for sharing your birth story

Re: My birth story (10 days later)....

Thanks for sharing your story, sorry it was so rough.
Congrats on your beautiful little girl.

Re: My birth story (10 days later)....

Thanks for sharing your story.


She is ADORABLE!!!!!!
YOu must be so proud!!!!!

Re: My birth story (10 days later)....

She is beautiful!! I'm sorry about your rought labor and delivery but it looks like she was worth it

Re: My birth story (10 days later)....

She's adorable!! Well worth the effort! Congrats!

Re: My birth story (10 days later)....

Congrats mama! You're a champ and she's beautiful!