Desiree's Birth Story
Desiree Rose was born on 8/11/00 at 3:00 p.m. She was 8 lbs. 10 1/2 oz. and 20 inches long. Friday I was starting to get contractions at about 5:30 in the morning. I was sleeping and they kept waking me up. At around 6:00 Don woke up to get ready for work. Because of the ctx being 8-12 min apart at that time Don decided he would stay home with me just to make sure I was okay. By 8:00 the ctx were coming every 3-6 min apart. I called the Dr. and he told me that if they continue for an hour at that pace to go to the hospital. By the time 9:00 rolled around they were steady at 3 min apart. When we got to the hospital I was at 4 cm and 80% effaced. Which really surprised me that this was real since only 2 days prior I was finally at 1 cm and 60% effaced. Anyway, I kept getting the ctx and breathing through them. Don was really great at keeping me focused. I started having them so intense that they gave me some Stadol or something. They checked me 5 cm 100% effaced. Didn't really help the ctx at all but made me fall asleep between the ctx. It got to a point that I couldn't handle the pain anymore and gave up and asked for an epidural. At that point I was 8 cm. When the Dr. finally came in to give it to me I felt like I had to poop, and really badly too. He gave me the epi and I had 3 more ctx before they checked me again. At that point I was complete. The epi had only started working a little. I could still feel every contraction in my bottom but it was starting to get better at the top of my stomach. They told me to start pushing. Once they said that I was so relieved. In only 4 contractions she was out. Honestly if I had known how I really was right there I wouldn't have gotten the epidural. So I feel kinda guilty for giving in especially since I was so against getting it. And now I have to deal with this ache in my back from it. Don says that he wishes he had a video camera to tape the whole thing and that he would have donated it to other childbirth classes because I just had that perfect labor. The breathing through every contraction and the coaching that Don did and the way I stayed focused on the whole thing. Made me feel better that he was so proud of me, I sure don't feel like a failure with him around. I love him so much for that. And OH MY GOSH!!! I am crying right now as I type this.
Oh another thing I thought was rather interesting. Especially with all the talk about so many of women actually being induced these days. When I was in labor the nurses and the doctor all asked me "How far along are you?" Well when I told them that I was 39 weeks and not due till next Friday, they ALL responded with "Okay, So why are you being induced then?" Hello?!?!?!?!? Did I tell any of them that I was being induced? NOOOOOO!!!!!! I started getting an attitude with them and told them "I am not being induced, I am here on my own with natural labor!" I just thought it was pretty bad that with all the inductions they do now a days they just assume you are being induced now and not even think that it could be a natural labor.
