if the shoe fits?: Ethan's Birth Story

As I mentioned in my Bumpdates, I had been very uncomfortable for weeks so when my doctor asked if I wanted to be induced at 39 weeks, I gladly said yes. I was already a little dilated & effaced & the doctor didn't think I'd have any problem being induced.

My doctor scheduled me to be induced on Monday, January 14th at 5 am. Michael & I spent the weekend preparing & enjoying the last moments as a family of three. We went to dinner on Sunday evening knowing it would probably be awhile before we'd have the chance to go out again. Right before we left the restaurant, I noticed I had a missed call on my phone. I had a voicemail from my doctor telling me I was actually scheduled to be induced on Tuesday, not Monday. Sunday had been a little nerve racking for us - I think the anticipation was starting to get to us. When I told Michael, he said - I can't take another day of this! My doctor called again on the way home to make sure I got the message & explained she had gotten sick on Friday. Even though she was feeling better, she called the hospital to see if she could move my induction to Tuesday to be safe. The hospital told her I wasn't scheduled for Monday. Apparently I had been scheduled for Tuesday all along. Not that I wish illness on anyone, but thank goodness she had gotten sick or else we would have shown up on Monday morning & been sent home!

Monday ended up not being too bad. We kept busy with some projects & I didn't start to get nervous until Monday night before bed. I was induced with Alex & it went really well but every birth is different. I was worried this experience would be less than stellar since no one gets two great birth stories!

Michael & I got up ridiculously early since we had to be at the hospital by 5:00. My sister spent the night so she could get up with Alex in the morning & take him to daycare. I went in Alex's room before we left so I could see him one more time before we became a family of four. I also took one last belly picture.

We got to the hospital without any problems & got checked in. My friend Ashley bought me a pretty pusher to wear instead of a hospital gown. It's a disposable delivery dress. It's not something I think I would have bought for myself but I really liked it. It was a big hit - the nurses, my doctor & family members all commented on it. Anyway, back to that morning... The nurse started my IV. Ouch. Then she hooked me up to the belly monitor. I was already contracting on my own. I had felt a little discomfort during the night but I wasn't sure if it was nerves. She started the Pitocin & antibiotics for Group B Strep. My doctor came in to check me & told me she wanted to wait a little longer to break my water to give the antibiotic time to get in my system. Then we waited. My contractions picked up but they were manageable. My parents, Michael's parents & my sister arrived. My doctor came back around 10 am to break my water. With Alex, my contractions really got painful after my water broke so I told my nurse I was ready for the epidural. The anesthesiologist arrived about 30 minutes later & by that time, I was ready for some relief. I decided to just have the nurse (and the anesthesiologist) in the room. That's how I did it with Alex since Michael is way too squeamish. My mom was willing to stay but I felt comfortable with my nurse. (By the way, my nurse with Alex was pregnant & my nurse this time was too! I took it as a good omen.) The epidural went fine - the IV hurt more than the epidural. It didn't take long & I was nice & comfortable. I continued to progress while we all hung out in my room. Please note, I did not eat any purple popsicles this time!

I can't remember exactly when but sometime around lunchtime, I started feeling the tightening of the contractions. They weren't painful but I could tell when I was having one. With Alex, my epidural couldn't keep up with my progression & I ended up having to get a stronger medicine. I was worried that would be the case with this baby, too (and especially worried the epidural would stop working during delivery). Everyone decided to grab some lunch at the cafeteria. Michael was going to stay with me but I sent him with the others. I didn't mind being alone. Fashion Police was on TV - ha. While they were gone, I started feeling pain during the contractions. It started out being very mild but slowly got more painful with each one. I called my nurse - she had me push more medicine through my IV twice & wait 15 minutes each time. It didn't provide any relief, so she called the anesthesiologist. He came back & gave me the stronger medicine. About 10 minutes later, I was all good & very numb. It's a good thing I didn't wait long to ask for the stronger medicine because about 15 minutes after, my doctor checked me & said it was time to push. Everyone but Michael & my mom cleared the room while my nurse & my doctor got the room ready.

There were supposed to be several nurses & techs in the room but it ended up being just my doctor & my nurse. Apparently all the pregnant women decided to deliver at the same time! We waited for a contraction & the doctor told me to push while she counted. We were all a little surprised when he was almost out by the time she got to ten. One more quick push & Ethan was here! I pushed for nineteen minutes with Alex, which I thought was pretty good, but Ethan shattered that record with less than a minute of pushing! The doctor held him up & Ethan immediately peed all over me. Little stinker! They wrapped him up & put him on my chest. I was so relieved everything went well. Michael went to tell everyone in the waiting room - they couldn't believe Ethan was born so fast. Soon they all got to come in & meet him.

The rest of the day was a blur - finishing up in the labor & deliver room, moving to my post partum room, Ethan getting cleaned up... As you probably remember, flu season was really bad this winter so no one was allowed in the nursery area for the baby's first bath. Michael had to watch behind the window like the rest of the family. I don't think he minded, though, and it was obviously to protect our little guy & the other babies.

My dad went to pick up Alex. I got a little emotional when he came in the room. I was still hooked up to my IV & I think he was a little overwhelmed by the surroundings. He was just a little quiet. I sure was glad to see him, though. Then we brought Ethan in the room. Alex did a good job holding him (it lasted about 10 seconds but what else do you expect from a two year old - ha).

It was an amazing day & we couldn't have asked for a better experience!

I already posted some pictures from the day, but here are a few more.

Last belly pics...