Well, here is my labor story... I was so excited to give birth, for a couple of obvious reasons (of course the first being the child, secondly I was very curious about the process) I had decided beforehand that I wanted an epidural (I know the easy way out, next time I just might go without) I wasn't comfortable with the idea of such a large object projecting from my body.... so I wasn't really scared of giving birth, just WAITING for SOMETHING to happen. Of course like most expectant moms I was hopeful to be a pleasant 7-10 days early. She @ least wasn't late, one day before the due date!
Week before birth-Getting really huge in the belly, (above shots). A friend of mine, who just so happens to be a photographer, captured the belly in it's finest.... I worked up until Thursday (had her on Saturday) I also got a pedicure with a lot of pressure point massage on Thursday...in hopes to triggers something. Thursday night I thought I was going into labor (mild cramps, but didn't seem to progress) Slept for about 3 hours that night. Friday I called in sick to work. (for the first time in my pregnancy) I thought I might be @ the hospital by afternoon, but nothing seemed to happen, so disappointed. So I went on a long walk and laid around all day. (gross detail, passing bloodyshow all day long)
Water Break- Friday night we hung out with friends, picked up my mom @ the airport and finally went to sleep @ midnight. An hour later @ 1 am I awoke to the water break. I woke right up, Brent had to make sure it was indeed my water before pulling him from sleep....as it continued to gush he was convinced. So mom stayed and cleaned up the bed (and the rest of my house) and we made the long awaited trek to the hospital. Brent figured he should probably run a red light just because this was the labor ride, but I don't think we actually did.
Hospital- We had responsibly pre-registered @ the hospital, so I just had to show my ID and sign a paper and we were in! Initially I had to get my strep B IV, then I laid there while my contractions progressed and finally asked for my epidural. (To my credit on the pain scale, I was having long contractions lasting up to 6 minutes and without water there is no buffer) So epidural came and I became more comfortable. Then came the pytocin to speed up the labor and I became more uncomfortable again. So naturally I turned up my epidural....woke up and couldn't feel my leg @ all and had a small panic attack. After about an hour of that I asked for the epidural to be turned off so it would run out. By the time I was a "10" I could feel my contractions again and pushed her out without a monitor. Brent and mom helped hold my legs up, the nurses pushed down and out on my abdomen to help get her out. My doctor massaged the perineum (only have one stitch) It was quite the event. After about 25 minutes of pushing she was out and I was SO glad. What a cool feeling when her whole body came sliding out. I absolutely loved hearing her cry for the first time, brought me to tears. 7 lbs. 10 oz. 20.5 inches long
Hospital Vacation-So Brent and I really utilized our stay @ the hospital. Plenty of coke and sprites served up, the nurses know how to take care of you. I actually liked the hospital food. My first meal after labor that I finally got to eat @ 4 pm was mashed potatoes and salisbury steak--tasted great. I only wish they would let you sleep that first night. About every 2 hours I had to serve up my arm for a blood pressure or blood draw or vital of some sort. I also let the nurses take care of Stella during the night (I didn't give her up until 1 or 2 in the morning) but we did get some sleep. After 2 nights of hospital vacation, I was ready to come home!!
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