Finley's Birth Story

I never really shared Finley's birth story back when she was born and before I go through another labor and delivery, I wanted to make sure I remembered the details unique to her. 

I was 8 days past my due date and was to be induced at 8am on Monday, January 18th.  We arrived at L&D floor at Unity Hospital around 6:30 for check-in.  We were shown our room and signed the necessary papers.  My IV was started (honestly one of the more painful parts - which is odd to me) at 8am, I was hooked up to the monitors, and shortly after Dr. Lawson came to break my water - super crazy sensation like I was peeing except that I wasn't.  Every time I would get up to go to the bathroom or move in bed it was like I was peeing.  I couldn't get over how weird it was!  I couldn't imagine this happening out in public.

 My nurse, Joan, was a bit on the socially awkward side, but attentive none the less.  She came in every 30 mins to check on my contractions.  We watched the Today Show and Price Is Right.  I could tell via the monitor that I was having contractios, but didn't feel anything until noon.  Moosh came by for a visit late in the morning, brought Pat lunch while I ate a few popcicles.  By the time Pat and Moosh were eating, I was getting contractions strong enough that I wasn't interested in conversing with anyone anymore.  Mostly it just felt like bad menstrual cramps, but those have caused me to pass out in the past so I was getting a little antsy about the pain.  Dr. Lawson came 1-2 more times to check on me and I was progressing nicely.  I buzzed Joan for some pain meds (which I had previously discussed with Dr. Lawson indicating that I only wanted a half dose of anything because I am so sensitive to pain medications).  I believe I was dilated to about 4 of 5 at this point.  She came in with a small dose of Nubain and told me to lay down while she put it in the IV.  I thought it would take a while to kick in, but straight into my circulation and in about 5 seconds I was on a magic carpet ride.  I've never felt anything like it.  I could still feel the contractions and they were still painful, but dulled somewhat so that I had about another 30-45 mins of tolerable contractions while laying on my side.  Moosh left once I started turning a little green and got up to go to the bathroom and my broken water splashed onto the floor - she'd had enough! 

The pain started to get worse, so I buzzed Joan again to ask about the epidural.  About 20 mins later, the anesthesiologist showed up and put the epidural catheter in.  I don't remeber freaking out about this or thinking it was painful because I was still on my Nubain carpet ride, although it was wearing off.  I was dilated to a 6 or 7 prior to the epidural and when I sat up shortly after it was placed I noticed my first less painful contraction.  Joan said to me "just buzz me if you feel the urge to push" and I said "I feel that right now".  So she checked, and sure enough - 10 cm dilated and a view of baby's head.  She instructed me not to push until she could get Dr. Lawson over here STAT!  Anybody that's felt the urge to push and then was told not to knows how impossible that is.  It's like against human nature!  And in the midst of this - shift change :)  So at about 3:30pm, my new nurse Kevin (yes, a middle aged man) came in to introduce himself.  We wasted no time getting me in position to push for when Dr. Lawson arrived, which was about 15 minutes later.  Kevin was a stellar coach before the Dr. arrived.  With each contraction, Kevin and Pat cheered my on and in between contractions Pat and Kevin chatted about sports, etc!  It was comical.

  As baby's shoulder's were getting ready to exit, her heart rate kept going down when I'd push.  I remeber the most intense burning pain I've ever felt.  I kept saying, no body told me it would burn so bad and Kevin said something about the skin stretching and this being a good thing.  Ouch!Dr. Lawson told me that he'd likely need to do an episiotomy to get her out quickly - which I had no issue with.  I was nervous for a second, but caught in the middle of the action I just wanted her out safely/healthy.  The plan was the next push I would get an injection of anesthesia at the proposed episiotomy site and then the next push he would cut.  Well, the first push happended and out popped her shoulder.  It was all pretty rapid after that.  In total, I pushed for about 50 mins and Finley was born at 4:05pm.  

I was shocked it was all over so quickly - I guess I just imagined the horror stories I've heard about pushing for hours on end.  I got to hold her right away after she was suctioned.  The baby nurse asked me how much I though she weighed and I said 8 pounds.  Man was I shocked when she topped the scale at 9# 14oz.

After the birth, I felt so amazing - definitely on an adrenaline high.  I was like "I could go get in my car and go home, I feel so good".  But, by the time we were moved into our hospital room, I felt so crappy.  I was so flipping hungry and ordered a bagel and juice, but by the time it got to my room I was so nauseous, I didn't eat anything.  My legs were so shaky, I was afraid to get up to go to the bathroom all night.  At this point, Moosh and my Dad were visiting and hoping that I wouldn't puke while they were there.  By bedtime, I felt much better and got in some quality snuggle time with the baby after watching her first bath.  The nurse had to track down some size 1 diapers since Finley was too big for the newborn size : )

That was our first day - so magical.  Overall, the birth far exceeded my expectations and if I have to be induced again I can only hope it turns out this well.  From starting to feel contractions at noon, to 4 hours later holding her on my chest.  Although, Pat would love the more typical labor experience - you know getting the call while he's at work, rushing us to the hospital, etc.  I'm not so sure!