First off, I’m so glad that the L&D staff were understanding that if my mask slipped off my face during labor no one freaked out and forced it back on to my face. It’s hard enough to breathe and walk or sit with a mask on. It’s another to be in active labor. This is also probably because I tested negative so that reduced concern too. Anyways, enough about COVID and all the precautions. We are ALL over hearing about that!
July 13,2020 I woke up early for my OB appointments. The first was at 7:45a and the second at 9:30a. The high risk OB was first and girlfriend was still SUPER low, per ultrasound, but was looking good. My regular OB said I had NOT dilated any further than 1cm which was the same as last week. We discussed the induction and coming in July 22 to do some preparations at the hospital and getting admitted. I left my appointment, alerted family and friends about the most recent update and then talked to Devin and my Aunt as I drove home.
Devin was off from work so he was running errands and would be home later. I was a little disappointed I had not dilated further especially since it felt like she had dropped more and my right hip was becoming more and more bothersome making it very hard to walk but it was what it was. Girl was just not ready to make her entrance into the world yet.
I got home and started the pre registration process for the hospital for July 23 and made some phone calls about the 22nd too. As I was on hold with labor and delivery, I felt a gush and then wet. I looked down and thought “Man, that’s a lot!” So I stood up and more rushed down my leg. By this time, I was no longer on hold with labor and delivery but I wasn’t listening to one word the lady on the phone was saying.
When she was done talking I said , “Yep uh huh so I think I’ll be seeing y’all sooner than expected because my water just broke!”
The lady on the phone replied, “ Oh my gosh really?!” I said, “Oh yes!” She took my information down and said she would see me soon!
I called my OB and they were still at lunch so I informed the answering service so they could let my OB know. The answering service employee I spoke to was shocked how calm I was. She kept asking if I was first time mom or not and then would compliment me as to how calm I was. Haha I called Devin and told him my water just broke and to head home now! Then, I texted family in a group text to alert them. Devin did not want to get off the phone until he got back home in case anything changed. Such a good husband.
I tried to walk around the house when I thought the fluid was done leaking out and putting last minute items in our “GO” bag, but I had to sit down because more and more fluid just kept coming out.
When Devin came into the house, it was like the doors just opened automatically for him! He came rushing in through the laundry room from the garage and was like, “OK! What do we need?” I had already made a list of the things to grab to add to the bag such as wallets, toothpaste and toothbrush stuff like that that’s used on a daily basis. He knew the list was pinned on the wall by the door in our bedroom so when he went to look it wasn’t there. I had it because I had tried to put some of that stuff in there before I had to sit back down. He yells , “ Where is that list at?!” I replied, “ I have it babe,” as I’m hysterically laughing.
As Devin collected things to put in our bag, I sat at the dining table continuing to HYSTERICALLY laugh! I could NOT stop. I don’t know if it was nerves or what but I was crying laughing. Anything Devin said or did was just the funniest thing ever. To me, he was frantically going in and out of rooms and grabbing things and taking the dogs out before we left. He says he wasn’t frantic that he was just trying to grab things fast so we could leave. Okay... haha
I ate something for lunch since I hadn’t eaten yet while he packed the car. I go to put the leftover pizza back in the fridge so we can leave and he tells me to leave it out because he is going to eat some. He proceeds to take the whole bag of 7 pieces of pizza. I said, “ Are you going to eat all of that?” “Oh,” he says and takes out 1 slice. I,again, cannot stop laughing. I can tell Devin is getting annoyed with me laughing so much but I seriously couldn’t stop. I tried thinking about other things than what he was doing but it was as if I had no control over myself. We rush out the dirt and get in the car.
I have NEVER seen Devin drive so fast other than being on his drag bike. On the every day road, he is all about staying the speed limit so him going at least 10 over the limit the entire way made me laugh more!
It was a weird traffic day too. A train on FM 78 hit an 18 wheeler for the millionth time and so the supply of mayo and pickles the 18 wheeler was carrying was all over the place! Fire trucks, EMS,and police had been there since I drove by for my OB appointments earlier and now it was 2pm. 35 south had an accident where a delivery truck caught on fire so we had to go around it as well.
When we arrived at the hospital, we pulled into valet parking. Devin’s mom was waiting for us at the entry of the hospital outside to give hugs before we went in. Only 1 support person was allowed in with me due to COVID so of course Devin was going in with me. At first, I was nervous about that, but as time went on I realized it’s better for many reasons why it should just be Devin and I in the delivery room.
We went to triage for L&D and checked in. They took us back right away. We were the only people back there. They checked and made sure that my water did break. They did labs, COVID test, and set up an IV and IV fluids. I was in a room by 5pm and Pitocin was started since I wasn’t having contractions and my water had been broken since 1pm. As the Pitocin dose increased, so did my contractions.
By 6:30pm, I could feel them pretty good. The nurses had given us various tips and Devin was being a huge help by rubbing my back. He figured out how to read the monitor to see when a contraction was about to happen and when it would end. He would even pay attention to baby girl’s heart rate and when it was time for my blood pressure to be taken. He was on it and in fully daddy mode!
I sat on a birthing ball around 7:30p and would walk off and on in the room. About 8pm, the contractions were getting stronger and starting to be more unbearable. My nurse had to be with her other patient so other nurses came to check on me and checked that I was 3cm dilated. Even when my water broke and triage first checked me, I was still 1cm so at least the Pitocin was working. The nurses asked if I wanted the epidural now. We discussed if it was too soon, if I do it now will it last til I have her, etc. I decided to go ahead and get the epidural at this time but the anesthesiologist was in the middle of a c section. Devin looked at me and said, “ of course you choose to do it when he’s in surgery.” Haha Typical.
As we are waiting, we hear a baby cry near by so we knew a baby had just been born. Some time goes by and then we hear a lady scream to the high heavens. I looked at Devin scared to death. He looked back at me in shock. We both spoke to each other without speaking. I was nervous now that I was going to sound just like her.
At 10:30pm, I was finally able to get the epidural. They made Devin sit down for it. They didn’t even give him a chance to see if he wanted to stand and let me squeeze the crap out of his hand. (FYI He did fine through out the procedure and didn’t even think about passing out.) I had a HUGE contraction come right as he was about to insert the needle after numbing. The poor L&D nurse. I grabbed her jacket so tight that it probably felt as if I drug her down to the ground by her shoulders! Everything went well with the epidural. I wasn’t a fan of the anesthesiologist but that’s another story.
At 10:30pm, I was finally able to get the epidural. They made Devin sit down for it. They didn’t even give him a chance to see if he wanted to stand and let me squeeze the crap out of his hand. (FYI He did fine through out the procedure and didn’t even think about passing out.) I had a HUGE contraction come right as he was about to insert the needle after numbing. The poor L&D nurse. I grabbed her jacket so tight that it probably felt as if I drug her down to the ground by her shoulders! Everything went well with the epidural. I wasn’t a fan of the anesthesiologist but that’s another story.
The anesthesiologist said it would take about 10 minutes for the medication to kick in. I could already feel my legs and toes going numb. It was such a weird sensation seeing that you have legs but not being able to feel if you are moving them. I felt like Ariel in little mermaid when she first gets legs! Haha
Within 20minutes, I felt extreme pressure! I mean pressure that you have never felt unless you have had a baby. I told the nurse I felt like I had to push and if I couldn’t we were going to have BIG problems! She said to hold on and checked to see where I was dilation wise. When she said the number out loud, Devin and I couldn’t believe it! 9cm! I was at 9cm. She said,” It’s okay go ahead and push. I’m gunna call the doctor.”
I pushed who knows how many times. It felt like an eternity and that I was going to pass out from the shear amount of pressure and discomfort I was feeling. I didn’t think I could keep breathing and pushing long enough for her to come out and the OB wasn’t even there yet. Devin kept looking at me and telling me “You can do it.” He didn’t even know I was doubting myself and my ability to be able to push out a watermelon. Haha
The nurse stayed at the bottom of the bed until the OB finally came in. I figured the nurse was staying at the end of the bed because baby girl’s head was in sight.
Within 20minutes, I felt extreme pressure! I mean pressure that you have never felt unless you have had a baby. I told the nurse I felt like I had to push and if I couldn’t we were going to have BIG problems! She said to hold on and checked to see where I was dilation wise. When she said the number out loud, Devin and I couldn’t believe it! 9cm! I was at 9cm. She said,” It’s okay go ahead and push. I’m gunna call the doctor.”
I pushed who knows how many times. It felt like an eternity and that I was going to pass out from the shear amount of pressure and discomfort I was feeling. I didn’t think I could keep breathing and pushing long enough for her to come out and the OB wasn’t even there yet. Devin kept looking at me and telling me “You can do it.” He didn’t even know I was doubting myself and my ability to be able to push out a watermelon. Haha
The nurse stayed at the bottom of the bed until the OB finally came in. I figured the nurse was staying at the end of the bed because baby girl’s head was in sight.
( Per Devin after delivery, yes that’s true)
The on call OB arrived after who knows how long. It felt like an eternity since I was so uncomfortable but I know in reality it was less than 20 minutes. She had a medical student with her that I gave consent to be in the room hours prior. A group of people flooded the room setting everything up ready to deliver baby girl. All I could think was, “ I NEED to push!”
Once the OB was all dressed ready to go, I pushed 3 times and baby girl was here. Devin and I just looked at each other in shock. Wow. We really have a baby. This really just happened. I was also feeling huge relief because the pressure/pain was completely gone. Devin cut baby girl’s umbilical cord and walked over to watch her get all her measurements taken.
When she was done getting checked out, the nurse wrapped her in a blanket and Devin brought our daughter to me. I was in so much shock that we really had a baby after years of trying I thought I was dreaming. Nurses who helped me through out my labor and delivery stay came in to congratulate us and told us how shocked and impressed they were by how fast I delivered as a first time mom. Honestly, we were shocked too and couldn’t believe she didn’t come on July 14th.
We were able to spend the first hour of baby girl’s life just Devin and I. It was sweet, amazing, and peaceful. Baby girl just lay quiet on my chest taking life in. Our phone’s are going off as if a million state wide alerts are in place. Devin is taking pictures as if he is paparazzi. It was pure bliss.
We were extremely lucky and were able to get a suite on the postpartum floor without paying an extra fee because it was the only room available by the time we were released from labor and delivery. Devin and I couldn’t believe this room. It was literally like a hotel suite with a separate room where a couch, mini fridge and coffee pot were.
After 2 1/2 days at the hospital, baby girl and I were released with clean bills of health and ready to meet family waiting for us at our house.
She is absolutely perfect and extremely spoiled and loved already.
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