Baby G | A Birth Story Part III

At 5 am the nurse came back into my room and checked me. I was at a 3 ½ - almost a 4 and still 50% effaced. I was hoping that magical number would have been a 4 or 5 but Ill take a 3 ½ any day if that meant that I could have some pain medicine. The nurse let me know that I was far enough along to get an epidural if I wanted it – and boy did I want it! 

It was about then that we called my mom and let her know that I was at a 3 ½ and they were going to get the anesthesiologist.  Within that next hour the anesthesiologist came in and introduced himself to me and asked that everyone leave the room with the exception of one person. Thomas decided that it would be better if Mom was there with me so he excused himself.

I was a little nervous about the epidural but I knew that I would definitely want it. The nurse asked me to bend over as far as I could and relax my shoulders. I remember thinking to myself… this is going to hurt! Next thing I know the nurse whispers that it’s almost over. A minute or two later the anesthesiologist said I was all set. It was so not that bad at all! Moments later the nurse was leaning my bed back and propping me up so that the medicine distributed evenly. My legs were starting to get super heavy. But finally there was a little relief.

By now it was about 8:00 and Dr. Tyre came by to check on me. I was at a 4. She got me started on some Pitocin and antibiotics. I am GBS positive. Its not something that effects me as much as could effect Mason during delivery. He could get really sick so they treat me to protect him. About 15 minutes later Dr. Tyre broke my water; hoping to get things moving! Thomas walked in just as she was leaving. He had been down eating breakfast with his dad. I think he was a little sad when I told him that she was here to break my water because he missed it. This is when they decided to place an internal fetal monitor on Mason because we were struggling to get a good read on the normal monitor.

Around 10:00 I was starting to get a little uncomfortable. I just thought it was how I was laying so I tried to move positions. About an hour later the pain was getting pretty bad. I asked Thomas to get the nurse who in turn got the anesthesiologist.  I explained to him that I was having pain in this specific area. It was deep in my hip and felt like I was getting stabbed over and over again in the same spot. The anesthesiologist said that sometimes when the medicine goes in there is a “pocket” in either of the hips. He ended up giving me a shot of medicine straight into my epidural IV – instant blissful relief. I actually ended up falling asleep for about an hour if I remember correctly. When I woke up I had a lot more visitors than I remember having when I fell asleep. It was nice to see so many friendly faces.

Talking to Missy on the phone 

At 12:30 or so the nurse came in to check me – I was at a 5 as of now. I was progressing about 1 cm every 2 hours. I felt like it was taking forever. The nurse called and gave Dr. Tyre an update – the thought of a c-section was starting to sound a little bit more like a possibility.  I didn’t love the idea but I was committed to doing whatever I needed to do for Mason. We updated Sarah, our birth photographer, and she decided to come down early to get some shots just in case I ended up needing to have a c-section.

About an hour and a half after my first shot I started to have some severe pain again. I kept telling everyone I would be okay if it wasn’t just in this one spot. The contractions started coming quicker and closer together. My mom was holding my hand and rubbing my head during each contraction. I tried to breathe but the pain was getting pretty crazy. I could feel the tears welling in my eyes. Around 1 pm I had gotten to the point where the pain was so intense; again.. just in that ONE spot, that we got the anesthesiologist in there again. Crying between shallowed bereatheing I tried to be tough. At this point he gave me the option to either get another shot or redo the epidural. In fear of the second epidural not fixing the problem I told my mom I wanted to try another shot. Shot went in – legs went completely numb – happy Sam.  

 

{Now… I want this birth story to be accurate as possible which is the only reason why I am including this next part. During this entire time I have to just put it out there my normally amazing and wonderful husband had a lapse in judgment and thought that mid labor would be a great time to take a nap – peacefully he slept between both his Mom and Dad on the couch in the birthing suite. I could have pinched him really good in the thigh if he was closer. As his wife lay across the room in pain. I think there may have been some angry tears shed at this point.}

About 2:30 came around and the shot was wearing off. The pain was stronger and harder than it had ever been. Thomas was standing by my bed side and I was cringing. I wasn’t breathing as well as I should and would almost hold my breath when a contraction would get too strong. I remember my mom trying to keep my calm but the pain was too much. Thomas decided that it was time to get the anesthesiologist in here to just take out and redo my epidural. My nurse was busy helping with another delivery so a random nurse came in to check me before calling the anesthesiologist I was at a 6; plenty enough time at this rate to get the doctor here and epidural taken out and redone. The doctor went and did another epidural for a patient and then would be in.

 

All of a sudden the pain changed. There was this horrible pressure and I felt like I had to go #2. The urge was not going away. I remember getting a contraction and yelling out, “I have to poop.” Everyone looked at me funny. Thomas ran and got the nurse. He wanted to tell her I needed a bedpan. The nurse came in running and checked me – within less than a half of an hour I went from a 6 to a 10 and Mason was coming!  

Sending the "He's coming" text to family 

In case you missed Part I you can find it here and Part II here.