Tuesday, December 16, 2008

My Labor Story

There is a lot that has been going on that I want to blog about (because I have seriously been slacking) but Chloe is almost 2 months old and I haven't written down my labor story yet! I didn't want to forget and I write more on here than in my journal, so I decided to add it. It's probably going to be REALLY long (because I don't want to forget ANYTHING!..and I would make it really long in my journal journal) and mostly just writing...So if you don't want to read it I won't be offended!

On Thursday, Oct. 23 around 3:00 pm I started having pain in my lower abdomen. I was watching Stardust so I was distracted and didn't think too much about it. Around 5 I started thinking about what to make for dinner and got up to start my search. When I stood up I realized it hurt a lot more than when I was sitting. I kept moving around a lot and by the time Cody came home at 6 I was standing at the oven, bawling my eyes out! I was in so much pain in my abdomen and lower back. It still hadn't really clicked that I was in labor -- everyone always said "When you're in labor you'll KNOW!" --And I didn't know! I called my doctor and they said I could go to the hospital if I wanted to but maybe just wait until the next morning to go in. Then I called my mom. When I told Cody I was going to call her he said, "She's just going to say to go to the hospital!"
But I wanted someone to say that so I would feel justified in going and know that I wasn't a wuss for hurting-I was having a baby!


Cody and I got our stuff together and drove to the hospital in IF. Our nurse started monitoring me and after a few hours said they were going to admit me because I was having a lot of contractions and moving along pretty well.By then I was at a 4 and although Grey's Anatomy was on I didn't really get to watch it because it wasn't my biggest priority at the time. And our room door was open and I didn't want to turn it up really loud (I couldn't hear it at all) because I was scared of other people getting annoyed with me!

I fell asleep around 1 am and when I went to sleep all my contractions stopped! Well, they didn't stop but they got a lot weaker and more sporadic. Around 5 am my nurse told me they were going to either send me home or induce me because everything pretty much stopped. I got up and started walking around and sitting and bouncing on the birthing ball but the contractions didn't really pick up. Cody and I were both a little worried about inducing - we wanted her to come when she was ready and we didn't want to do anything "wrong" - but at the same time we really, REALLY didn't want to go home without a baby. I just wanted the whole thing to be over already! We said a prayer together and decided to go ahead and be induced.

Soon after I got a new nurse, Stacey. She was so nice and I really liked her a lot more than my first nurse. She was friendly and supportive of everything we wanted to do. At 8 am they induced me. At first it wasn't bad - just contractions that were about the same as the night before. After about 30 minutes, though, I couldn't take it anymore! The contractions were so, so awful and I would've (honestly) welcomed death. I've NEVER felt like that before! During the contraction I would hyperventilate and right after it was over I would pass out. Cody was right by my side the whole time, holding my hand and talking me through it. He would tell me to open my eyes and look at him but I could only do that a couple times. It helped me more to have them closed and just have everything be black. He told me parts of my body to relax and would always tell me to relax my legs and ankles first. I started to get really frustrated because I always felt like they were relaxed and I didn't know how to relax them more! I wanted him to tell me other parts to relax but when the contraction was over and I would be able to talk-I was out!

I eventually stopped breathing in between contractions and Cody would YELL at me to wake me up to tell me to breath. He asked our nurse why I wasn't breathing and she said it was because I was hyperventilating so my brain wasn't telling my body to breath. I was totally out of it, but I remember barely hearing her and thinking, "I don't think that's ok...I think I'm supposed to be breathing."

After a couple hours, around 10:30 or 11, I asked Cody if he would be mad if I got an epidural. He said ABSOLUTELY not! I kept thinking about what my Amy had said--"When I'm in pain, it's natural for me to want medicine!!!" so we called Stacey in and she said she would let them know I wanted an epidural. She then came back and said-The anesthesiologist isn't here but will be in about 20 minutes! I made it until he got there and didn't feel a THING! It was the best thing EVER. I was so happy I got one. It was honestly the best choice we made! Afterwards I slept until about 1 pm (So did Cody-he had been up ALL night) and I was so happy to look at the moniter and think-I'm having a contraction right now..HAHA I can't feel it! I'm better than you, stupid contraction!

Cody told me he was so glad I got an epidural because "I know you were in pain, but so was I!" He said it was really hard for him to be ready each time and know what to say and do to help me. He was really stressed and he said I was rolling his knuckles so it hurt! Good thing he didn't tell me that earlier, though! If he had compared his knuckle pain with my pain...It would've been bad news bears.

Stacey came in and told me that since I had gotten the epi I had progressed and was now at a 9! Because I was relaxed my body was able to do it's thing and we were going to have a baby soon! She had me start pushing...But I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I couldn't feel anything! I kept asking-Am I doing it?

She told me to hold onto the backs of my legs to push but that was so hard because I had to hold up dead weight! Then she gave me a sheet and she would pull and I would pull at the same time. I felt like that way worked a lot better. She had Cody hold one leg or hold the sheet sometimes, and I was always so worried! Everyone always said the guy shouldn't see anything because it's so awful looking! I kept yelling-Close your eyes! Don't look at me!! I was pretty worried he would have horrible images scarred in his brain. Oh well, he got over it.

Around 2 or so Dr. Merrill, came in. She wasn't our original dr, but she was the one that was there. She kept yelling at me to push harder and push harder. I was getting so mad at her because I didn't know if I was pushing at all! She also had me hold my breath 4 times for 10 seconds. That was hard, too! I can't hold my breath very long and anytime I would start breathing she'd yell at me!

After about 30 minutes, and during the yelling to keep pushing, I had my eyes closed and when I opened them to take another breath, I saw a baby's head! I had NO idea that she had come already! I didn't feel anything. I do kinda wish I could feel her, but I don't regret anything for a second! Two seconds later she was on top of me and Cody cut the cord! I couldn't believe it! Chloe Catheryn was finally here! Her cry was so adorable and I just looked at her with such amazment that she had really been inside of me! They took her to weigh and measure her and clean her up and then brought her back. It was the best experience ever!

16 comments:

LynnEl Springer said...

Wow! I'm glad you posted that. I had no idea about much of that! It's so nice to have it all written down! Be sure to change IF to Idaho Falls, tho - because someday, you might not remember what that means!! Be sure to print it out too, so you have can have a hard copy of it to put in Chloe's baby book! We love you! And Chloe and Cody!

April said...

Sounds like you did good! And there is nothing wrong with getting an epidural - I wish I could have!
I love her red christmas dress - so cute.

Patti said...

I love that last picture of her little finger sticking up. I have a baby picture of Catheryn doing the same thing. She's in a pink sleeper on a blanket with autumn leaves all around her.

Jo said...

When I was induced my labor pains were terrible too...they never really came down, so I didn't ever have a break. Having an epidural was the best choice for me...and I'm glad I did it because then I was able to relax and enjoy the experience.

Lani said...

Great job, Stacey! Pitocin contractions are killer. My friends who've been induced say Pitocin is evil. I'd be screaming for an epidural... no doubt in my mind! Awesome job!! Isn't labor surreal? I know what you mean about closing your eyes... it helped me to just zone out and sort of leave the world behind too. But that's scary that you stopped breathing! I'm glad you were able to relax with your epidural and progress.

Congratulations!

Fig said...

Some of these mental images made me giggle a little bit, sorry to say. Like thinking to yourself that you were supposed to be breathing, and Cody yelling at you to wake you up, and you telling him not to look. :-) Sorry, I know it's not supposed to be funny.

Anyway, thanks for sharing the story, plus all the gorgeous pictures of Chloe. She is such a pretty baby!

Jenna Marie said...

All I have to say is after 3 days of labor I am so glad I had an epidural. I am also very glad I didnt have to push, I was scared at first about getting a C-section but im so glad i did. Your story is funny, I love the part about Cody seeing you, I would think that would be the last thing on your mind. Your Cute!!

the milners said...

I know birthing stories are not meant to be humorous, but I was seriously entertained by your "Stacey commentary" of every step! I especially LOVED that you mentioned Grey's - I told you you wouldn't have the mental capacity to watch it! That was a great story and one to treasure no doubt!

~Cmac~ said...

Oh Stacy, she's so beautiful! Good job! I'm definitely getting an epidural. :)

derek and michelle said...

Aw that was a great story. Im so glad your doing great. Shes just so cute. We will be up there soon. I think we move new years day!

Shaylen said...

That was a good story. If the doctor was yelling at me I think that I would have been so irritated and tired that I think I might yell right back. lol. But I am glad that everything turned out ok. lol

jonandalicia said...

Thanks for sharing the story and the cute pics! I love the one of Chloe in her Christmas dress! Jon and I are so glad that we were able to go to the hospital and see Chloe! We miss you guys!

Ash Kelley said...

she's adorable stacey! and way to go on the birth!! You are quite the trooper! I hear induced labor pains are WAAAY worse then the natural ones. so an epi is what i would of gotten for sure! and i love that you asked cody if he would mind if you got one!

Katie said...

Great Work! Thanks for sharing. I very much enjoyed hearing all the little details. I remember asking Seth all these questions when we found out you were in labor. He didn’t have any answers!! All my questions were answered here though. You did awesome and your little one is just adorable!

erin said...

i'm glad you "caved" for the epidural. though i don't describe that as caving. i would call it "logical".

Cheryl said...

Your labor story made me laugh and tear up! Isn't it amazing that we moms think after going through all of that labor it's the best experience ever?!?!? Chloe is a doll! Good job Stacey!

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