I was originally scheduled to go in for an induction at 9 am August 12, 2010. This really had me nervous because I had gone into labor naturally at 40 weeks with both of my older children. (Also, due to the Cholestasis I was being induced 2 weeks early.) By Wednesday I was pretty anxious…just one more sleep and I would be heading in to the hospital. Cielo and Junior were going to sleep over at my parent’s house Wednesday night so we could get an early start to the hospital because it is an hour away.
Around 4 in the afternoon I got a call from my obstetrician asking if I would like to come in that evening around 9pm for my induction. (There were no inductions scheduled for that evening and at that time there were no other ladies in labor.) After conferring with my husband we decided to head in early. After a quick call to my mom to confirm the change in plans I double checked my hospital bag and packed a bag for Cielo and Junior. I can’t even explain how excited I was…and I was shocked by how calm I felt. I decided to go through with my plan of live tweeting labor.
I didn’t mention it to my husband but I had begun feeling contractions around 3 in the afternoon (so I’m glad I got called in early)…
When you live an hour away from the nearest hospital that delivers babies you feel EVERY bump in the road during contractions.
We arrived at the hospital, got checked in and headed upstairs to the maternity ward. I was so excited because i thought to myself, “the next time I ride in the car I will have 3 children.” It is funny that I dressed in a cute outfit only to change into the extremely glamorous and sexy hospital gown. I decided to leave my bra on (I hate feeling unsupported) and had the panty/no panty discussion with my husband. He suggested I leave them on, which I wanted to do…but I knew that we were getting to the no-panty portion of the evening. (Like conception, but less fun.)
Mama knows...
I was happy we got the big birthing room since I was the only mom in labor. It had big comfy leather chairs, magazines, books, tv, dvd player, dvds, private bathroom and shower and the like. We decided to settle in and await our little one…but then I realized I was hungry. I suggested Nehemias run out and get himself something to eat and to grab me some Subway. Naturally, he complied.
I really was not enjoying all the monitors I was hooked up to…the NST seemed super tight and uncomfortable and I was already tired of getting my BP checked. It was pretty fun tweeting and I was really enjoying responding to tweeple while I waited for the doctor to arrive. (Particularly my SLPeeps)
I admit i didn't check my numbers because I didn't want to know if I had been unfollowed
My Dr was a bit surprised to see me tweeting on my blackberry while I was in labor but he totally rolled with it. After a quick check (80% effaced 4 cm dilated) he decided I didn’t need the insert induction stuff.
gitch=panties
I had blood taken (OMG OW!! That nurse was brutal) and they started my iv antibiotics because I was GBS positive. After looking at the monitors the doctor asked me if I felt the contractions (because I was holding a conversation) and I laughed. I told him, “Yes I feel them but they aren’t horrible.” The Dr suggested I try to get some rest and told me they were slowly going to start a drip to keep my labor going (in case the contractions stopped.) He offered me something for pain and again reminded me that I could have an epidural whenever I thought I needed it. I told him I was ok and thanked him for offering. He left and told me he would be back when I had progressed a little more.
I think my nurse thinks I'm nuts for putting my labor on the internet
So I was settled in…Nehemias came back with my sandwich and I ate it chewing twice as much as I usually do (in case I get sick). I wasn’t able to finish my 6″ sandwich but it was GOOD. He brought Tim Horton’s coffees for the nurses; which they loved. he is such a thoughtful man. It was kinda nice to smile when the nurses all came in to gush.
I remember thinking how awesome the slushy/crushed ice machine is, and that I wished I had one at home. Spent some time filling out paperwork with the nurse and also doing a survey (aimed at First Nations moms). We talked about the states and my time in graduate school. She seemed very interested in Speech Pathology and she got my email address so her daughter could talk to me about it. (Haha I was in total recruiter mode.) The nurse asked me if I needed anything for pain and I told her I was still fine.
luckily i have twitter friends in all different time zones
I even had a “twitter baby shower” with @1BeautifulRenee, @REZ_woman and @dakotadoll. YAY for social networking!
this native was getting restless
I was happy that baby was safe but because of all the machines I couldn’t walk around as I labored (except on potty breaks.) I focused on the positive and tweeted on through the night.
so glad my nurse was nice
I’m proud my spelling and use of to/too was still good.
boom chicky wow-wow
Things were starting to get intense. I had told Nehemias to try get some rest and that I would wake him at go time. I could tell Diego was getting closer and closer. By the way…I HATE INTERNAL CHECKS!! I tell you, I was thankful for my family, my blackberry and the internet…these things kept me sane. The contractions kept getting stronger and stronger, and closer together.
it was getting serious up in there y'all (and by "there" I mean the room and not my uterus)
At this point I really wanted the nurse to stop offering me drugs. She seemed to always offer them at the peak of a contraction so I was proud of myself for telling her I was fine. Then she offered me gas and I started to laugh. She then said Nitrous Oxide and I told her I had it when I had my wisdom teeth removed. She asked if it hadn’t worked and I told her that I hadn’t even noticed when they took them out…but I still remained med free (except for antibiotic and the induction drip–which was already stopped.)
Once this lady gets sick its GO TIME!!
The sound of me retching woke Nehemias so fast. He jumped up and ran over to me as I struggled to sit up and stay in control of my stomach. He brought me the garbage can and I puked used it. (SO glad I had chewed my food extra well.) The nurse came rushing in and saw me holding the can in my lap with my head hanging in it and I heard her call the doctor back.
When he arrived he apologized for his hair and clothes (my dr is a total metrosexual.) He said the nurse told him he had to get here quick or miss the baby. He offered me an epidural (which I declined) and other meds. I jokingly told him that I’d take some vicodin to go and he laughed. He was surprised that I could still tweet, Facebook and text. After another painful internal check he said I was at 7 cm and my water was broken. (That gush is so unladylike.)
I typed this during a contraction when he announced my dilation. Everyone was shocked when I said, "gimme my blackberry!"
I asked for a mirror. Well, I thought I asked, apparently I demanded a mirror. A second nurse said they didn’t have one and I said, “YES YOU DO I USED ONE WHEN I DELIVERED MY OTHER TWO CHILDREN IN THIS HOSPITAL!” My original nurse was shocked because I had been so sweet and polite, my dr looked annoyed with the second nurse and told her to go find a mirror…NOW. She returned with one minutes later and I thanked her and everyone else sweetly.
Can I just say there is nothing like seeing your baby be born? I don’t watch the whole time but it only seems fair, I mean everyone else gets to see. I could see the top of Diego’s head and I could feel my eyes filling up watching him. The bed I was on is pretty neat, I hadn’t even realized that the dr and nurses had put their rubber aprony things on over their scrubs while the bed converted to chair like status. Motorized furniture is cool.
Nehemias was amazing, he always knows exactly what I need from him when I’m laboring. Diego’s head came out with my first push…and he was crying already. My second push and he was out…and was he ever mad!!! The sound of your baby’s cry is the most beautiful thing in the world.
as you can see it was a few minutes before I could get this posted
I was so exhilerated afterwards and so thankful to everyone I tweeted with on this journey. In no particular order, thank you to:
@BellzJourney @creehawk @melissacop @aweshumsauce @StutteringMe
@iheartmyanthony @dakotadoll @PuppyMcGee @SLPTanya
@albrechtjn @TammyOfsanik @namastebyday @LRJD @1BeautifulRenee
@REZ_woman @fli_wife @JulietLD09 @The_Daver
@starsintheskies @RhiannanW @Miiiiu @MontanamarySLP @justTip
@stutterdude @SHYOBI @KoltonMonte @wbahner @CASLPA @OCSLP
@atomiclemonade @djhein70 @mom2cassnnat @amazing_flora @RezNDNGirl
I have the best twitter friends ever, trust me if you need great followers any and all of these wonderful people are highly recommended.
I had been up all night but it was worth every second
Pain med free! **ROAWR**
Diego Zachary, born 5 am August 12, 2010 - 8 lbs 13 oz, 22" long
He was one day old here…haha I took him shopping in Walmart when he was brand new.
As an aside I ended up not sleeping til like 9 am, but that is another story. 🙂
Ndnspeechmom 