Finally... The Birth Story

I know that many of you have been waiting breathlessly for this story. I feel bad that I have had to keep you in anticipation for so long! But life has been hectic and I have mastered using the mouse when Madelyn is up at 3 AM but not the keyboard.

Anyways, I went basically all day on the 17th without any major pains. Kevin made me go walking again and then we went to a BBQ where I ate my weight in yummy food. We went home and I got a great night of sleep. (Good thing since it was my last for a while). At 5:45 I woke up to go to the bathroom and noticed a new pain. It would literally make me stop for a few seconds until it went away. I woke up Kevin and we started timing them. They were coming about every 5 minutes apart but I did not want to go to the hospital and then be sent home. So I took a shower, made Kevin shave his face, and cleaned my house. The contractions became more frequent but they were not too unbearable.

At 8 we left for the hospital. I was the first one there for the new shift so I had the nurse all to my self for about an hour. She checked me and my contractions were every 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, I was dilated to a 5, and 100% thinned out. Plus my water sac was bulging but had not broken. She called the doctor from my practice who was on call, Dr. Johnson, and he sent me for an ultrasound. So once again Kevin and I got to have an ultrasound and confirm that Maddy was a girl, healthy and thriving.

After the ultrasound, I was still have contractions and was slowly dilating more so I was admitted! I was so happy because I did not want to go home. I wanted to meet my baby! I was admitted around 11. It was great to get our own room and cable TV. Our nurse's name was Marie and she was great except when it came to putting in my IV. She actually blew three veins and then got another nurse to stick me. So my arms are still all bruised from the experience.

Around 12:30, Dr. Johnson came in and broke my water. At first it was fine and the pain did not really get a whole lot worse but then it hit. From the beginning I had been begging Marie for my epidural. I wanted her to know that I expected one ASAP! From about 1 to 1:30 I was in the worst pain of my life! All my breathing techniques went right out the window, I was hyperventilating and ready to die. Okay I might be exaggerating about the dying part but seriously it was the worst pain I had every felt.

Luckily, I only had about 30 minutes of severe pain and then I got my epidural! It was amazing! It hurt when it was going in but then I could not feel the contractions. I could still feel my legs and was able to move them so I got to keep the epidural during the pushing. Kevin and I took this time to relax and wait for the real fun to begin. I wasn't even that mean to him.

At 4 I started to feel a lot of pressure so I called in the nurse and I was fully dilated. That was exciting because I was ready to be done. At 4:15 she let me start pushing. I didn't mind pushing too much but I do look forward to it being easier with my next child. 45 minutes later at 5:01 PM, Madelyn was born! She was such a conehead and slimy but beautiful and all mine. They cleaned her and me up and then I got to hold her tight. I guess in the end I can do it again but not anytime too soon!