Birth Story

Riley Lauren's Birth Story
May 1, 2006 @ 10:11AM
8 lb 6.1 oz ~ 21 inches ~ 37 cm head circ

birthstory

I woke Sunday morning (April 30) at around 5:00AM with contractions and I was getting pretty excited that they were about 6 – 15 minutes apart. Around 10 I started to write them down when I thought they were starting to get pretty regular..... ever heard the saying "a watched pot never boils?"

10:06
10:12
10:22
10:35
10:50
11:07
11:19
11:27
11:37
11:52
*sigh*

When they started to space out further and further apart I figured that active contractions were over and it was probably fine for me to head out to run a few more errands with my mom while Scott stayed here with Reese and played.

My mom and I went by the JCPenny Outlet Mall, walked around a bunch while she tried on clothes.... then we headed over to Wal-Mart and walked around a TON there as well. I did get another look of horror when we were checking out... the older cashier asked "When are you due?" I replied "4 days ago.... but being induced in the morning." "*yikes* I was about to ask because I have never seen a baby out so far!" My mom chimed in "I know, I keep telling everyone it looks like she is standing straight out in there!"

We then headed over to BJ's and walked around a TON there, and I was hoping that the contractions had been at a steady 20 - 25 minutes apart ALL DAY may have started to get closer…. Nope, no change.

After running around it was just about dinner time so we came home and had some grub. I remember we were watching Extreme Home Makeover; however I was starting to have contractions about every 13 – 15 minutes apart. I didn’t say anything to Scott or my mom because no need to get them all jazzed up because this could go on for hours, and I was going to be induced in less than 8 hours. I decided to take a long warm bath to try and slow down the contractions so that I could get some sleep. I was in the tub for about 45 minutes but decided to head on to bed. I remember I watched about 15 minutes of Desperate Housewives, but made myself get some sleep incase something did happen before 6AM. I gave one last lesson on how to use my camera to my mom so she could snap away during delivery. Yup, you read right, my mom was going to be in the delivery room this time!

The first go around I didn’t know what to expect, and wanted to have that special moment with Scott. This go around I was way more relaxed about the whole thing and several months ago I gave each grandma their choice of being in the room. Linda brought up the little question of who was going to watch Reese! DUH! I completely had over looked that part of it. She was wonderful and offered to do it for us, as well as come to our house so as not to disturb Reese. THANK YOU!

Anywho, I went to bed. I woke at right around midnight with INTENSE contractions. I tried to get Scott up and time them for me, but he was so out of it that by the time the next one came, 7 minutes later, he was already back to sleep and had forgotten the first time of the contraction. I can laugh at it now due to the reality of how tired he actually was [continue reading and you’ll hear what happened], but at the time I wasn’t happy in the least because I was so tired from the day’s activities and contracting all day long... my body was tired. It was around 12:45AM when I told Scott to call the answering service to page either Julie or Barbara because I wasn’t sure which midwife was on duty since Barb was celebrating her 29th wedding anniversary over the weekend. Again, Scott was so out of it that he didn’t know what to do or say to the lady, so I had to take over…. I can look back and laugh now, but while going through this, I wasn’t happy in the least. *heee*

Julie called back about 5 minutes later, of course when I was in the middle of a contraction, but she asked me some questions. I tried to answer her as best as I could. “Yes, I’m Sue, 1 week over due and I’m being induced in about 5 hours. 7 minute contractions, coming really hard.” She asked if I had taken any warm bathes recently, and I told her before I went to bed and she wanted to know if it slowed down the contractions, I said yes. She suggested that I get back in the tub to try and slow them down again so I could get some sleep for a couple more hours before I had to head into the hospital for “the real deal.” Julie wanted me to call her back immediately if things changed or didn’t change after the bath.

I drew the bath, but after sitting there for a bit it was starting to hurt, so I finished up relaxing in the shower. When I stepped out I thought that the contractions were coming closer. Scott started to really keep track now…. The shower did nothing but shave 2 minutes off my contractions… in the wrong direction! They were now coming every 4 minutes. This was around 1:30AM. Scott jumped up, I tried to call his mom because he wasn’t thinking straight, yet again, and couldn’t understand that she had to get up, take a shower/get dressed then head on over. In the middle of “Hi Linda….” I had to have Scott finish up the conversation to let her know what was going on. I got dressed, woke my mom to tell her that Linda was on her way over, Scott and I were outta the house by 1:45AM.

*** Starting where my mom took impeccable notes, SUCH a teacher J I’ll try to fill in the blanks as much as I can remember. I was REALLY loopy after the Nubian ***

2:10AM – Arrived at hospital

They wheeled me from the ER entrance up to L&D where they “were waiting on me.” The two nurses had me get undressed, go to the bathroom and hooked me up to the BP and baby heart rate monitors. My contractions were coming at a steady 4 minute interval… and “doosies” … gosh, wonder where I heard that before? They were lasting a good 1 – 1 ½ minutes each, though these were shorter than with Reese, “they are still long.”

The admittance process began. They asked me for my birth preference sheet and POA information, had to tell them it was all with Scott who was moving the car around and bringing stuff up.

I continued to breathe through all my contractions, which were really waning on my lower left back. Riley was trying to turn more as she was preparing to make her entrance into the world. I continued to answer questions such as last meal, last drink, previous surgeries… that one took a little while to double check, it was already in their system, but they wanted to be sure. Then she wanted to double check my food preferences…”still no milk, no jam/jellies and no cooked fruit right?” I was shocked and said “Yeah! How’d you know?!” She said “already in the system from your first birth.” Man my hospital is good.

Scott was in the room by this time and I asked the other nurse who was in charge of getting me all hooked up in the right places that as soon as I could get Nubian I REALLY would appreciate it. Without missing a beat Scott joked and said “Not messing around this time are we?” I laughed and said “Heck no.” Scott finished answering all the questions that they wanted to know to finish their admittance process as the one nurse went to get me all set up with an IV.

She poked and got an awesome left hand vein first try…. However, I think she was a little new because when she went to do the second process she pulled out the lead!!!!!! I felt the blood gushing and she asked the other nurse who was entering the information to help her out by getting another IV kit. Then my nurse tried in the upper part of my left arm. MY GOD IT HURT LIKE HELL. It was worse than the freaking contractions… which by the way were still coming every 4 minutes and I was at the point of holding up my finger for everyone to get quiet, or stop a medical process, so I could breath through them.

Finally I begged she just take the second one out and try my right hand. Not my preference, but if it got the hot iron rod out of the top of my arm I was all for it. The second nurse, the one who was entering the information, finally went and got a 3rd kit and got a good right hand vein first time, no pain, and I thanked her over and over again. She said “I’m off to get the Nubian RIGHT now.” “You are my hero.” She pumped me full of 10 cc of the “good stuff.” And boy did it feel GOOD! The contractions were way more bearable. This is when they checked me for the first time, but said ‘no matter what, you are staying.” 3 cm dilated, 80% effaced, baby still really high. Not exactly what I wanted to hear, but hey it worked.

I was feeling so good and able to handle the contractions that I got a few z’s. Not much, but at least I was able to relax a wee bit more.

My mom came in around this time and got settled in. I filled her in on the happenings when we got there, etc. She sat in the chair grading her papers and knitting away on Riley’s blanket. It’s going to be a beaut when it’s done!

3:35AM – 4 veils of blood drawn (2 coagulation tests & 2 for blood bank)

3:49AM – Oxygen given

They hooked me up to O2 because they wanted my contractions to keep being steady and it also helped me and Riley out. Not that either of us were ever under any duress. Even during my worst contractions my blood pressure never really went up from all my previous OB visits. Riley hovered between 134 – 156 depending on where I was in a contraction or what time it was. All the nurses were amazed that she was KICKING during contractions. Like as if nothing was going on.

4:35AM – Internal Exam – 4 – 5 cm dilated, 90 % effaced

4:50AM – Barb came in to check on me

We said a hearty “hello!” to one another, we both had a few good laughs because she said I was her best patient because not only did I hold off on not having Riley on Easter, I also didn’t have her over her anniversary weekend, even waited until the day after she got back. I told her it was because both of my children KNEW I wanted her to deliver them. J

She then asked me a few questions about how I was feeling. If the Nubian was working, but by the looks of where I was in labor, it was really working well. She complimented me on how well I was breathing through each contraction but was a little concerned about how high Riley still was in the birth canal. She had me get on the birthing ball to rock through the contractions to see if that wouldn’t open my pelvis a bit more to help Riley move on down. Barb sat behind me and massaged my back through each contraction and was pleased to hear where the pain was because Riley was continually turning down and around.

Barb then asked how my pain level was because it was getting to the point of “no return” when it came to an epidural. I knew that at the rate I was going I could do this without any further medication, however, as she pointed out “You are on the highest level of Nubian we give patients.” I said “Ok, well then, I’m at the conundrum of where will the Nubian wear off vs. when is the last possible moment I can get an epidural.” I weighed my options but knew that when I got an epi with Reese my labor progressed REALLY fast because I wasn’t fighting the contractions. My body was completely relaxed… so I opted for the epidural.

5:50AM – Anesthesiologist came in to start epidural
6:20AM – Epidural In – Anesthesiologist Left

This wasn’t Chris; I forget this Doctor’s name. He was ok, not as good of a bedside manner as Chris, but hey, he was there for only one purpose at the time…. Make the pain go away. Mom commented after he left and she came back in “he wasn’t very personable was he?”

He asked me a bunch of questions, went over all the side effects, etc. I signed a waiver and away he went. Barb was in front of me talking me through it, having me arch my back and breathe through any contractions. It was rather weird to not be in complete agony while it was being admitted. I was almost second guessing myself on getting it, but in the end, THANK HEAVENS.

This epi was the strongest thing I’ve ever had in my LIFE. Instantly my left leg went numb, the right took a wee bit longer… but by the time it was all said and done… I was a forced paraplegic. I could not feel one darn thing from my hips down. The nurses literally had to grab each leg, pull blankets, etc. to get me to move. Glad I have really good upper body strength. I was able to help move myself UP just not turn over. I wasn’t too thrilled with all of this, but the pain was gone and I was able to relax… and hopefully SLEEP!

6:20AM – Internal – 6 cm dilated

YAY ME for getting to 6 on my own! Scott was asleep in the lounge on a love seat with his feet propped up on a chair. The cleaning lady had draped a blanket over him. He didn’t remember any of this. [Please refer back to where I was a wee bit agitated at him for not keeping awake during contractions and not lucid when calling answering service/Linda]

I also fell asleep. Deep sleep, I remember having some weird dreams. Think it was a combination of the Nubian and epi, who cares. I got some z’s!

7:05AM – Barb comes back to check on me, she and a nurse help turn me over to my other side to get the epi equalized.

7:15AM – New Nurse, Kathy came on shift

I LOVE HER! She was one of my favorite nurses with Reese.

7:45AM – Catheter Put-In

Normally this would be one of the most awful things, but with no feeling from my waist down I was completely ok with it, and it actually did relief a lot of pressure. Kathy told me it would be removed right before I started pushing.

7:47AM – Pitocin given in IV

Barb came back to check on my contractions and progress. The contractions had started to slow down, not stay continuous like she would have liked to have seen. Again, if this was with Reese I would have been a wee bit freaked because I remember how awful the contractions were and they were coming every minute and I was only at 4 cm! However, this go around, no worries. I was actually glad to have that feeling back to know that something was going on. Too bad it was in my right rib cage. Riley was using that as a pushing off point. Good god that hurt like heck when she’d do that. I could always tell when a contraction was coming. That area would start to hurt and I would just breath through them like I would a regular contraction to continue to give Riley and myself oxygen.

7:55AM – Nurse helps me to turn on my other side again.

8:25AM – I’m still sleeping, Kathy comes in to check contractions after the Pitocin was given

8:53AM – I’m still asleep, Barb and Kathy talk about my progress, see if I’m comfortable how I’m laying, etc.

9:10AM – Water broke!

Kathy came in to turn me once again and I remember I was still in a deep sleep coming out of it when I heard her say “Oh, your water has broken.” Huh? When? What do you mean? I didn’t feel a darn thing. She said that she’d go get Barb to check me to see how far along I was.

I remember that turning was from my right to my left. I dreaded going on my left side because it made me feel so sick to my stomach!! Kathy guessed that the umbilical cord was on that side and it was a “mom’s intuition.” Riley HATED me being on my left side as well. Her heart rate always dropped a wee bit and she was a little distressed. They only ever kept me on that side for a short time… or until I was almost at the point of puking. Basins were my friend.

9:12AM – Started puking.

Kathy stayed with me and kept saying that this was probably because I was in the transition stage. I remember feeling a lot of pressure “down there” before my last turning and had dismissed it as a side effect from the epidural that left me completely numb. Kathy went and asked Susan to come in and help her move me onto my back.

I asked my mom to go get Scott. I knew that “the time” was getting close.

9:22AM – Requested to please be moved on my right side

I was hoping that it would STOP me from throwing up. It worked, for now.

9:24AM – The “Shakes”

I got HORRENDOUS shakes. I wasn’t cold. Just uncontrollable trembling. I felt like I was having a seizure. I hadn’t had anything like this with Reese… but the nurses said that this was all part of the transition stage.

9:30AM – Internal – “Don’t push!”

Barbara came in to see how I was doing after Kathy had informed her that my water had broken. She checked me and said “Oh my! The baby is RIGHT there! I can feel her head and see the hair!” I said “You are kidding me!” I had slept through my ENTIRE labor. It was a flurry of people wheeling things in to the room, mom getting situated in the corner. Me signing a signing a wavier to not have any “inappropriate shots” taken… I said “don’t worry, we’ve already discussed no crotch shots!” Scott was taking his position as the nurses were getting me into mine. They had to help lift me as I helped move myself back.

Barb grabbed my right leg, and Scott grabbed my left. Barb doesn’t believe in using stirrups and after having Reese stirrup free, I was all for it this time as well. I couldn’t feel when the contractions were coming except for when I would have the aching pain under my right ribs where Riley was using them as a pushing point. It was awful, but a good queue that things were coming.

With each contraction I concentrated really hard on curling and pushing for 3 sets of 10. I did really well this go around holding my breath. Barb couldn’t believe how well I was pushing for having no feeling what so ever in my lower extremities. Kathy asked how I was pushing, and I told her “As if I’m having a bowel movement.” She said “Good, that’s exactly what we wanted to hear!”

I think at about contraction number 3 there was this low “Please switch with me.” I peaked open my eyes and saw Scott making a rapid hand off to Kathy of my leg and he made a bee line for the counter on the other side to get a sip of water. He was PASTY white. Everyone ordered him to sit down. Though he wasn’t “sick” he was definitely on the verge of passing out. I hadn’t seem in that white since when they broke my water with Reese with him in the room. A nurse brought him some juice and crackers. Apparently, Scott was hypoglycemic after not eating in about 18 hours and lack of sleep. [Please refer to the start of this story, and Scott sleeping in the lounge area] We all chuckled to ourselves, but knew he had made the right decision. Barbara said it best “It’s the real man that knows when to sit down.” Scott made a HUGE joke out of it and said “Well, from where I am located now, I’m definitely in the splatter zone.” LMAO!

After laughing a bit at this, yes, I am still pushing mind you, I started to throw up again. I am not sure how long this went on, but it was for a few minutes, and a couple of contractions. After I felt well enough to be able to take a few breaths and push again, I was back at the 3 sets of 10 counts. Again, that awful pain under my right rib cage. Susan, who was helping me on my right said “She’s got those monkey toes wrapped around there.” I chuckled, this was getting to the “end of pushing.” I remember recovering from pushing and laughing and said “Who on EARTH laughs during this stage?!” The room rumbled softly with laughter and Chris, who at some point came in, said “yeah, I know, this is just sick!” Now we all erupted with giggles.

I am not sure how many more contractions I had… but before I knew it I could FEEL that Riley was about to crown! I mentioned to Barb… I can’t feel the burn this time! She was shocked and said “Really?!” She even told me “Do you want to feel her head?’ I said “Sure!” I reached around and I could feel her! It was amazing! Slimy gross amazing, but it was still cool!

10:11AM – SHE'S HERE!!!!

Barb told me to not push, just relax and let Riley do her thing. With the next set of pushing OUT came her head!!!!! Barb was getting the suctioning and said “She looks like someone I knoOooOoOwwwww!!” I was thinking “Oh my goodness, wonder if she looks like Scott? Or me!?” Riley started to scream! The next push, ALL OF RILEY COMES OUT!!!! She’s facing me and I said with tears streaming down my face “SHE LOOKS JUST LIKE REESE!” Barb said “Told you I knew who she was!” Riley was the most beautiful slimy thing. She went directly onto my chest where she was vigorously being dried off, screaming her head off, I heard Chris say “10:11! Great color! So alert! That’s the way we like to seem them come out… screaming!” WOO HOO! I couldn’t stop looking at her…. Kissing her slimy forehead. It was so amazing. Susan was moving back quickly, not sure what was going on until after wards, seems that there was a LOT of amniotic fluid that followed Riley, and managed to pool/puddle where she was… disgusting, but funny in hindsight. The things nurses have to put up with! I was overwhelmed with emotion and tears.

30 minutes of pushing …….but only 9 of that time were actually “pushing” contractions! The others I was either puking or recovering through other contractions. WOO HOO!!! And Riley had a 2 cm bigger head! Doesn’t seem like much when you look at ruler, but when it’s coming out of our body… who different measuring scale!!!

After the cord stopped pulsing Barbara clamped Riley's cord and handed me the scissors! I got to cut the cord because Scott didn’t want to do it. It was REALLY weird. Like cutting a garden hose. I am glad I did it. I continued to hold Riley while everyone was suctioning and warming her up around me, and Barb waited patiently for my placenta to “be born.” Not to gross everyone completely out, but this go around I was interested in seeing it…. And so was my mom. She’s such the biology teacher at times. I must admit it was rather cool to see it. Especially the signs of Riley being over due, but not by much with the presence of little white spots throughout. Scott cracked a joke about it looking like a raspberry, which we all laughed and gagged at the same time. Can you tell we all have a sense of humor at the most inopportune times?

Kathy then took Riley from me over to the heating station to get checked out. I heard Chris talking with her and filling out his paperwork…. Riley got a 9/10 APGAR! WOO HOO! Barb had to put in “one stitch” in my previous tear, but since it was in previous scar tissue I wouldn’t have very much discomfort at all. YAY!

After I was taken care of, Riley washed off, foot printed, weighed & she was then handed back for me to try nursing for the first time. I was SO nervous about this part, this is where it started out so great with Reese, but then went rapidly down hill. NOT WITH THIS KID. Holy crap, she nursed for an hour! During this time Chris came back in to take out my Epi.... It was a 2 man opperation! Riley wasn't happy because she got "popped off." It was a good distraction for me.... I wasn't looking forward to having it taken out!

By this time Scott and my mom were moving around things into my recovery room and chatting amongst themselves. I asked her if she was able to see everything and enjoyed being in the room, etc. She LOVED IT. She complemented Barbara on how well she did everything. “Very kind and patient person, I really liked her.” Now she too understands why I was so defensive about wanting to have a midwife to help deliver my children. Good experience all the way around!

I also started to get some feeling back in my right leg, my left from the knee down was dead weight. It was such a weird feeling, loved being relaxed during labor, but hated that I was that numb. We took this time to take our first “family” photos. Riley just sat there, looking around and dosing off.

Tom came in around this time. He was SHOCKED that I was already done! When Linda came by later with Reese she said “Tom was amazed at how great you looked and chipper!” I told her “Thank my anesthesiologist.” *hehe* He got to hold Riley and we took some photos before he had to head back to work. It was great seeing him and he’s totally immersed himself in the roll of “pah.” I love it!

Riley was calm and happy in my arms until Kathy came in to give her her first bath! I had forgotten just how much babies HATE to be washed. But she sure was a cutie! After the bath, she was as snug as a bug in a rug and the nurses came in to help me into my wheel chair to get me back to my recovery room. One nurse on each side, when I tried to stand, BLAM, into Susan I went. I couldn’t stand if my life depended on it. Everyone laughed… Including me.

I was wheeled out of the room first with Riley being pushed by my mom behind me. It was such a wonderful feeling to finally have Riley here. Our lovely family of 3 definitely has more than enough room for the love of 4!

Post Delivery

Linda, Tom and Reese came by around 1. Mom and Scott were going to head out to lunch, but wanted to wait and see Reese’s FIRST reactions at her baby sister! She first saw me and wanted to climb up on the bed, then she saw the bassinet beside me, and peered in!! “Bah… Bah…” “Yes, that’s Baby Riley.” She was very gentle about touching her, but reaching in but within 2 inches of touching would pull back and look at me. Then she got the nerve up to touch her head… pat her back and then she found her suction bulb! She pointed it at Riley’s nose! Then at her own! It was so so cute!

Scott then handed Reese her gift bag of items from Riley to her. Her “night night” [back up blanket] was great, but boy oh boy, when she saw the Dora the Explorer Light Chaser, it was all she wrote. She LOVES that thing. Riley was mince meat after that, but did take the time to try and offer it to Riley. Melted my heart. Linda picked Riley up to hold and see her and Reese peaked back into the bassinet and pointed to it as if saying “wait, she is supposed to be in here!” She then hopped down to go check out Riley in Linda’s arms. I asked Reese if she wanted to hold Riley and she immediately looked at me, made her “uhh uhhh uhhh” sound with her arms out stretched towards Riley. Linda helped her in the couch. It was SO SO cute. Reese is definitely the mothering type.

Before leaving, Reese made her “mmmmm” face/voice and asked to be picked up to give Riley a kiss and even me! I love that gal. No worries, as of yet, in the baby sister department!

After Linda and Reese left mom and Scott followed soon after. Mom wanted to take Scott out to lunch before they left. We said our heart felt goodbyes, but knew she’d be back on the 18th. Riley being a week late was a little sad, but at least she was able to spend a lot of time with Reese, Scott and I. So it worked out.

The next 2 days at the hospital were wonderful! The nursing staff was great, though super busy! The hospitals birth rate has really picked up, which is a good thing! I even had 2 nurses, one of which was my at home nurse visit (too darn bad they don't do it for subsequent children!!!) came by to visit with me! Gloria and Jennifer. It was so nice to see them! Gloria actually came by TWICE to see me. She even gave Reese an extra diaper bag for her to carry around. I love those gals!

My only postpartum issue was CRAMPS. Uggg!! They were horrendous! I was told by every nurse, and Barb, that with each subsequent child, cramps are WORSE. Especially if breastfeeding. Great. I was on constant Motrin 800 mg & Tylenol with Codine for a good day to day and a half... with a water heating pad constantly going.. which four days postpartum the medicine ended up breaking me out in a heat rash. Barb said it was nothing, just something takes a little while to go away.

Riley continued and CONTINUES to be a champion nurser! My milk came in within 36 hours of giving birth! I was so stress-free in that department it was WONDERFUL. I finally knew what it was like to be happy about bringing home a baby and enjoying a hospital stay to its fullest!

Scott and I had our “Memory Meal” aka date night Tuesday night. I had an awesome steak with rice pilaf, salad and a wonderful slice of coconut cream pie! Scott enjoyed his chicken cordon bleu, rice pilaf, salad and chocolate midrange pie! He and I both were stuffed! It was great to sit and chat, and have a few good laughs.

Before I was discharged on Wednesday night I had the BEST thing EVER. A 30 minute massage!!!!! It’s now part of the birth package!!! I almost didn’t do it because it wasn’t until 7PM. But Scott said “Sue, you have a built in baby sitter here, I’m watching Reese and we’ll be by to pick you up afterwards. Stay.” Didn’t have to twist my arm! I have never had a massage before… oh my god. I felt like jello afterwards. My aching back and muscles were so glad I did it!

Again, another wonderful birthing experience!! Though I loved being pregnant with Riley, 5 days over due was more than enough to get my fill of pregnancy. Now to enjoy Riley’s new milestones and Reese’s discovery of a built in playmate.

We were discharged at 8:30PM Wednesday. Riley had only lost 8 oz (7 lb 12 oz) with a clean bill of health after waiting almost 24 hours to urinate, which had the pediatrician on edge because newborns aren’t allowed to leave until they have at least one wet diaper. But no worries, she had gone several times by the time we were ready to leave. She was a little jaundice, but nothing that nursing and a few hours in a sunny spot of a room wouldn’t fix.

Riley was changed into her going home outfit, we took some family shots, I was wheeled out to the front of the hospital and helped into the van where we road off into the night for the first time as a family of FOUR!!!