It hasn't been long since Fisher arrived (just a little over a month) yet that big day already seems like such a blur. I want to be sure I can recall that amazing day for years to come so I figured recording it is the best idea (especially with my terrible memory.) If it is too much detail for you, feel free to stop reading at any point. I promise there isn't anything too graphic.
Our adventure began on Tuesday, May 15th around 8pm. We checked into the hospital to start my induction process that evening. After getting my I.V. setup and some blood work done, I was given a vaginal tablet (I believe it's called Cervidil) to help ripen my cervix further. I was only dilated 1 cm when I got to the hospital and about 50% effaced so I needed some extra help to really get going. I was supposed to have two rounds of these tablets, four hours apart, but I ended up only requiring one tablet so we started the Pitocin around 4 am on the 16th. (Needless to say, I didn't really get any sleep Tuesday night. At least I was looking good, right?)
My doctor arrived at the hospital at 7am on Wednesday morning to check to see how I was progressing. At that point I was just around 2-3 cm so she decided to use another technique to move me along. They placed a "cervical catheter" which is basically a balloon that mimics the pressure of the baby's head. Since Fisher wasn't down far enough, this catheter (along with the Pitocin) helped me gradually dilate even further. Once I had dilated more, the catheter just fell out on its own.
Once the catheter had been placed, my contractions finally increased. Up until that point I hadn't noticed much more pain than a mild menstrual cramp. I was now having some intense contraction pains and decided to start the process of getting my epidural placed.
Although I definitely appreciated the epidural, the placement process was much less enjoyable than I imagined. The needle to numb the location wasn't too bad, but I had quite a bit of pain/discomfort when the threaded the catheter. I can only describe it as that feeling you have when you hit your funny-bone times ten and down the entire side of your body. It is a very strange feeling (and not a good one). The best part was when the nurse anesthetist realized she had placed it too far to the right and needed to redo it. Lovely, right? So I got experience that "funny-bone" feeling all over again, this time on the left side of my body rather than the right.
Once the nurse anesthetist was finished I still only felt numb on my right side. I could still feel my contractions on the left side so they had me lay on my left side and wait for it to spread. Luckily, that method worked and I eventually felt completely numb on both sides and we were good to go.
The next time I remember being checked I was suddenly dilated to 8 cm which was pretty shocking. I was moving along much faster than any of us expected. (I believe this around 10 or 11 am.) My little sister and Brent's parents arrived around noon and shortly after that the nurse came to check me again and we were at 10 cm! It was officially go-time (also known as freak-out time.)
After a bit of visiting, we kicked everyone out to the waiting room except my mom and got ready for the final "push". We only had to push for about 55 minutes and at 3:04pm on May 16, 2012 baby Fisher came into our world!
It was all much better than expected. I had been terrified of childbirth from the beginning so I was pleasantly surprised by the entire experience. The epidural was perfect. I had no pain, but was able to feel pressure. Even with the epidural numbness, I still knew exactly when my contractions were coming so I was able to feel when it was time to push. To top it off, I had a wonderful nurse, an amazing doctor and completely supportive mom and hubby by my side. Overall, it was great.
My notes to other future mothers-to-be would include:
I am so blessed.
Until next time...
Once the catheter had been placed, my contractions finally increased. Up until that point I hadn't noticed much more pain than a mild menstrual cramp. I was now having some intense contraction pains and decided to start the process of getting my epidural placed.
Although I definitely appreciated the epidural, the placement process was much less enjoyable than I imagined. The needle to numb the location wasn't too bad, but I had quite a bit of pain/discomfort when the threaded the catheter. I can only describe it as that feeling you have when you hit your funny-bone times ten and down the entire side of your body. It is a very strange feeling (and not a good one). The best part was when the nurse anesthetist realized she had placed it too far to the right and needed to redo it. Lovely, right? So I got experience that "funny-bone" feeling all over again, this time on the left side of my body rather than the right.
Once the nurse anesthetist was finished I still only felt numb on my right side. I could still feel my contractions on the left side so they had me lay on my left side and wait for it to spread. Luckily, that method worked and I eventually felt completely numb on both sides and we were good to go.
The next time I remember being checked I was suddenly dilated to 8 cm which was pretty shocking. I was moving along much faster than any of us expected. (I believe this around 10 or 11 am.) My little sister and Brent's parents arrived around noon and shortly after that the nurse came to check me again and we were at 10 cm! It was officially go-time (also known as freak-out time.)
After a bit of visiting, we kicked everyone out to the waiting room except my mom and got ready for the final "push". We only had to push for about 55 minutes and at 3:04pm on May 16, 2012 baby Fisher came into our world!
It was all much better than expected. I had been terrified of childbirth from the beginning so I was pleasantly surprised by the entire experience. The epidural was perfect. I had no pain, but was able to feel pressure. Even with the epidural numbness, I still knew exactly when my contractions were coming so I was able to feel when it was time to push. To top it off, I had a wonderful nurse, an amazing doctor and completely supportive mom and hubby by my side. Overall, it was great.
- Get the epidural without question.
- You might throw-up. It happened to me out of nowhere.
- Let your hubby watch (if he wants to.) I was completely opposed to this originally, but my mind changed as we went through pregnancy and I'm so glad that I allowed him to witness the amazing miracle. He was so happy to be able to watch our son come into the world and there is no replacing that. Remember, he's seeing your baby for the first time...he's not paying attention to your lady parts. (And honestly, by that point you aren't concerned about who is seeing your lady parts anyway. You just want that baby out!)
I am so blessed.
Until next time...
