So...... I feel I must turn back time and post Harper's birth story and give this blog a real start.
For all intensive purposes let's pretend that the date of this post says Friday June 4th, 2010:
Short: Harper Monroe born 6/4/10 at 5:53 pm, weighing in at 7lbs 15oz, 19.75in.
Long: I went for my "normal" appointment on Thursday the 3rd. I am using quotes around normal because I was 41 weeks and 5 days pregnant!! It was because of this fact that I was also scheduled for a non-stress test and ultrasound to check on the little miss. Aaron and I were already prepared to talk induction, something I had hoped to avoid this time around.
I left my appointment a bit shaken. I called Aaron from the car and told him that I would be induced the following morning and that I was on my way and we needed to talk. In true hormonal fashion this was followed by me balling in the car alone.
I had found out that I had almost no amniotic fluid left, that my placenta was near expiration,and that the umbilical cord was wrapped around Harper's neck twice. Normally the cord issue is not a problem, but since there was no fluid this could cause compression on the cord- cutting off her blood and oxygen supply. I was instructed to call at 6am to see if a bed was available.
Once home we made all of the necessary phone calls, packed all the bags, went out for one final dinner as a family of three and just tried to keep it low key. I was a nervous wreck, and I'm sure Aaron was too, he just handles it better.
Fast forward to 6am on Friday June 4th. I called L&D promptly at 6am only to be told that there were NO BEDS, sorry try again at 8am.
8am.....no beds, sorry try again at 10am.
10am...no beds, sorry try again at 12pm.
I made it to 11am and demanded to speak to my midwife. I was in full pregzilla mode. I explained that I was having contractions on my own and that I would prefer to be hooked up to the monitors so we could track her heart rate. (I was at risk for fetal distress because of the wrapped cord.) Aaron and I ate quickly and headed over to the hospital. (I later learned that 7 babies were born this day, instead of the usual 2, maybe 3)
I had to wait in triage until a bed was available. It was PACKED!! There were three woman waiting-one who came complete with an orange jumpsuit and two sheriffs, waiting on a c-section. Hey, even jailbirds need to give birth too.
We didn't get a room until about 3pm-in fact it was the same room that Landon was born in. Fifth floor, birthing suite 5. I was immediately hooked up to my IV, given antibiotics. Then the pitocin started....yuck. Pitocin and I have a love/hate relationship. I love the fact that it gets the baby out, but hate the contractions that it gives me.
The rest goes fairly quick.
I did one lap walking around the floor.
I asked for the tub to be filled.
Stood in the shower while it filled.
Got in the tub and lasted about 5 minutes, aka ONE contraction.
The pain was just too much, too fast.
DRUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please, now!!!!
We were thinking that this whole induction thing would take a long time. Landon's labor lasted 36 hours! Nope, I couldn't be more wrong.
The longest part was placing the epidural. Three failed attempts and I wasn't even numb, except for a grapefruit sized patch on my thigh. Enough was enough and I said we needed to move on because it was time to push. Sure enough I was right. The scramble began. One thing a woman in labor never wants to hear is, "Don't push!"
At 5:53pm I was screaming bloody murder while Harper Monroe entered the world and it was the most wonderful feeling :)
