Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Labor and Delivery Story

Okay, I know I'm a blog slacker, but I plan on getting caught up eventually. Anyhow, in my last post I mentioned that I would tell you my labor and delivery story...
Most of you know that I had been dead set against having an induction; I really wanted to feel what it was like to go into labor. Well, I got my wish; however, it was not what I had expected...I spent most of Saturday wondering if I was truly in labor or not. My contractions started at 6:00 a.m. and were pretty mild and about 12-14 minutes apart. Then they stopped. I had planned on planting our garden and went to Wal-Mart to get tomato plants and some gardening tools. While I was there they started up again; I told Scott when I got home that we were probably going to have a baby that night, but I was still having doubts of whether or not I was truly in labor (I was just telling everybody that I was and HOPING that I was!) We went to Kylie's soccer game at 2:00. Then we came home; it was on the way home that I suddenly felt like I needed to get the kids ready to go over to our sitter's house. I packed up the kids' bag, finished my packing my hospital bag, and even tried to clean a little. We went to Winger's for Kylie's late birthday dinner--something I realize now we probably shouldn't have done. My contractions before we went into the restaurant were 5-6 minutes apart, but totally bearable. I talked to my L&D nurse/friend who told me I should be on my way to the hospital and not eating at Winger's, but I went anyway, against her advice and my better judgment. While we were in Winger's my contractions were still 5 minutes apart but starting to really hurt. We got our bill right after we got our food, paid, and put the kids' food in to-go boxes. We dropped the kids off and we were on our way to the hospital...
We finally got to the hospital and I signed in at 7:00 p.m. On the way there I had decided that I was DEFINITELY getting an epidural. I was NOT in the mood to go through the pains of labor and delivery. I got dressed in the hospital gown, got in bed, put the monitors on, got my IV, and waited PATIENTLY for my epidural. Ha! It didn't happen. I was calmly talking to my husband about what we should name our baby girl and in the meantime, handling my contractions pretty well. (I think my nurse didn't actually think I was in hard labor, until she checked me. I was at a '7'. She was like "Oh, I guess we'll be keeping you here; you're having a baby tonight." NO DUH!) During one really strong contraction, my water broke. I remember thinking that the next contraction was really going to hurt and that they better hurry up and put in my epidural. After a couple of really hard contractions I knew I wasn't going to get an epidural...I felt like I needed to push; I knew baby girl was coming out whether I was ready or not.
My mom always told me she could never understand why women had to scream and yell while they were in labor. She said she was a "silent birther." Well, Mom, I don't know how you kept quiet when it felt like your insides were being ripped out and you're pushing what feels like a 15-pound watermelon out your hoo-ha! Yeah, so I was one of those screaming women...I screamed like the world was coming to an end. I think I scared some people, including my poor husband, who never got to use his labor coaching skills. It was embarrassing, but I couldn't help it. It flippin' hurt! Luckily, it was all over with within 10-15 minutes. (Notice I walked in at 7:00; I had her at 7:42).
The thing that made this labor and delivery experience so difficult for me was the fact that my adorable OB doc was out of town! The doc on-call wasn't even from his practice, AND she wasn't one I was particularly fond of. But get this, she didn't even make it to my delivery. The "doc-in-the-box" (at St. Mark's, there is always an OB who stays in the hospital at all times) was in my room, but he stood there gowned up waiting for the on-call doc to arrive. He never stepped in to help me deliver until the head was practically out. In a futile effort to "slow" my delivery and wait for the doc to get there, my feet were not put in the stirrups; I wasn't coached through my contractions; nobody told me when to push or for how long...it was brutal. I felt so alone in the most physically painful experience of my life.
On a positive note, my recovery was awesome. There is some kind of high you get after having a baby the natural way. Less than an hour after I delivered, it truly didn't even feel like I had had a baby. I felt really, really good. Would I do it again? Nope. Whoever came up with epidural anesthesia is a genious. When, and if, I ever have another baby, I will make sure I have plenty of time to get an epidural. Lesson learned.

7 comments:

Nicole said...

Wow Kim. That is quite a story. I can't believe that doctor just stood there!! That has to be a malpractice case. :) And I can totally see your mom being a "silent" birthers. She is always so quiet. Well I'm glad that you have recovered. But I hope you never have to go through that again. And I totally agree with you on the epidural. I would never do it without!

Bilary said...

Epidurals are definitely heaven sent. I'm sorry you didn't get one. But now you can brag it up to everyone that you have been through natural child birth! You're one tough chick! I'm glad you felt so good so quickly after delivery and that recovery has been nice. I am just in awe that the doctor just stood there. HELLO!!! Take charge, man! What a dork. It's just a good thing that nothing went wrong. Whew.

Melissae said...

Thanks for sharing your story! I'm glad everything turned out well for you and your adorable new little one. I agree with you about the high from going through labor without any drugs. I had both Katherine and Hunter that way! The experiences were very different, but I was glad I did it without medicine both times. Right after I had Hunter I was walking around and felt fantastic!

Dawn Rae said...

I have been waited for this story, because I could tell it was a good one. WOW! Third ones come fast. I can't believe that doctor. Were you yelling at him? Did he not know you work there? Be sure to tell you OB, that cannot happen to any other woman. As for the recovery thing, I agree with you, but I think I will take an epidural next time.

Haley said...

Wow! If they charge you anything for a doctor, I'd tell them to stuff it. What a story. And I'm glad it's over for you.

Crazycozartclan said...

Way to go girl! I'm with ya on the drugs part... I had an epidural with one of the babies but had the baby too fast for it to take affect. Much better when you don't feel anything. :)

Jennie Brown Stephens said...

It drives me crazy when I hear about docs that just stand there and WAIT. I mean COME ON ITS YOUR JOB TO DELIVER THIS BABY!! We are might super heroes, there is no doubt about that, but duuuude sometimes we need some guidance!! My OB was asleep when I was in labor haha (had Amelie at 1:42 am) But I SCREAMED at my nurse to get him HERE NOW when I was at a 7 because I knew this little squirt was about to FALL OUT! I had some med student who was younger than my oldest niece come in and say "Ma'am, can I observe?" I dont know what peeved me more... having the nerve to ask if he can look at my hoo ha, or that he called me ma'am. Seriously nurses need to get paid more money. My LAST L&D nurse was awesome and she did a killer job.... and my doc who did take care of me for 9 months was awesome.....but he was only in the room with me for a few mins through out the day, and for about 20 mins for my pushing and after she was born... and he gets the big bucks..... I will never understand!!
enough about me Kim...you are crazy and I cant believe you even wanted to go to Wingers, blah. I used to work there, and I will never eat there again aahahhha