We had our final appointment on Monday April 9th. My OB decided I would be induced on Wednesday the 11th.
This was a joint decision and some people may not get it or understand but I completely trusted my doctor. He was not able to even check my cervix because the positioning of Bennett’s Head was in front of my cervix and had concerns about how far along I was progressed and wanted to get me in there so they could actually check my cervix after my epidural.
The plan was that I would be induced with cervadil. It’s basically like a pill that they insert into your cervix to help it dilate. Shortly after this, I would get my epidural so they could check me.
I was supposed to receive a call from the hospital on the night of the 10th to let me know what time to arrive on the 11th. A call never came. I called and they said someone would call me in the morning.
We went to sleep on the 10th and woke up around 4:30 AM on April 11th. It’s sort of like not being able to sleep because Santa is coming 🙂
Ryan went out to get some donuts and kolaches. My last donut splurge before B arrived! He walked in the door around 6 AM and my phone was ringing at exactly the same time. It was the hospital telling me to come in. No notice or anything. We already had the car packed up because when you are at the end your OB urges you to bring all of your hospital stuff with you just in case you get admitted during a visit. We arrived at the hospital at around 7 AM and the check-in process began.
They took me back and it seemed like forever before Ryan was allowed to come back with me.
The nurses tried to check me but again were unable to get to my. Cervix. My OB decided we would skip the cervadil and I would get pitocin and my epidural within an hour just so they would check me without causing me immense pain.
I was super nervous at this point but the train had left the station.
I really wasn’t in any pain when they came to give me my epidural which made me even more nervous. I was so scared for the epidural but honestly, I did not feel a thing. The IV in my arm hurt way worse than the epidural did. If you are nervous about it hurting, don’t be. Honestly, wasp stings are more painful.
We just sort of laid around. Even though I had the epidural, I was still able to tell when I was having a contraction. It didn’t hurt but I was able to tell. It’s very hard to explain.
I tried to sleep as much as possible. But it was hard. Even though I was not in pain, your body is still working and so you are very tired and exhausted. I was allowed to drink apple juice and water which was AMAZING. I was so thankful for that apple juice. I allowed our families to come in and visit for a few minutes while I was in labor.
The day went by and I was not progressing. I was at about 4 CM all day.
They continued to up my pitocin. Babe and I were both great as far as our vitals. They turned me every thirty minutes throughout the day and used a peanut ball to help with progression. I was surprised at how much I was able to move my legs. I thought I would feel or be more paralyzed but I felt like if I wanted to, I probably could have sat on a birthing ball.
At around 7:30 PM my OB came in and broke my water. Take about the weirdest feeling ever!
Once they break your water they check you less and less due to risk of infection.
Ryan’s sister surprised us and came to the hospital around 8:30 PM.
Around 10:00 they checked me again and I was still at a four. I was starting to get a little scared at this point. I knew that if I was not progressing, chances are they would c-section me. I did not want that but was surrendered to whatever needed to be done at this point. Around midnight, I started to feel my contractions. I called the nurse and told her I thought my epidural was wearing off. She checked me and I was at about a 5 1/2. She said I am going to call anesthesia and then check you again. They came in and gave me more medicine and then the nurse checked me again. Within about 10 minutes, I went from 5 1/2 to 9 1/2. She had another nurse check me to confirm.
I was so thankful that I had progressed. They called my OB and he came in. He led us in prayer which was the most amazing and sweetest thing ever and then I started pushing.
The room was peaceful and quiet. The lights were off, except for the giant spotlight. Between pushes they let me rest. I honestly do not remember it. Everything seemed like such a blur, plus I was exhausted.
Pushing is NO joke. It was literally the most difficult thing I’ve done. I had no idea how hard it was to push. Even though I had the epidural, you feel extreme pressure as the baby inches down. It is he most uncomfortable feeling and you just want it to be gone. This definitely helps give you motivation to push because you feel like you have to.
After pushing for quite some time, I started to just fatigue. There were about five nurses cheering me on telling me how to push and that I was almost there.
The last six pushes were the hardest but I did it. He was out and I was so happy. There is this immediate relief. All of the pressure is gone.
I just remember saying over and over how beautiful he was. I was so happy to see him. Bennett was born at 2:51 AM on April 12, 2018 (His Actual Due Date!) weighing in at 7 Pounds 1 Ounce and 21 Inches Long.
I don’t really remember anything else after this for about 72 hours.
Everything was a complete blur.
We came home on the Saturday following and thankfully my parents and Ryan’s parents were at our house to help with cooking and cleaning and do a bit of baby holding while we napped.
These first weeks have been hard just because you are so tired. Our sweet boy rarely goes longer than 2 hours without eating. So waking up every hour or so for us is hard but we wouldn’t trade it for anything! He is the most precious thing. I am loving watching him grow and change even though I wish he would slow down! He is already changing way too fast.
I can’t believe he is one month old today. Being a mom is the best thing ever. It is challenging me in every possible way but I wouldn’t trade the feeling of joy I get when I see this sweet baby. He is such a doll and I am so honored that I get to be HIS mom.
I am looking forward to celebrating my first Mother’s Day this weekend!
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