So...we made it to August 7, 2012, which meant we had to be at the hospital at 6am for a scheduled 7am induction at Baptist Hospital. Let me tell you...I was so excited I could hardly sleep the night before. I maybe got 2 1/2 hours of sleep TOTAL that night. However, as soon as my alarm went off, I jumped (okay more like scooted) off the bed and got in the shower--and I didn't really feel exhausted at all! Afterwards, I had music playing and was literally dancing around the house at 4:30am while packing the rest of the hospital bags...I was SO ready to meet my little girl!
Once we got to the hospital, the lady at the desk asked..."Are you scheduled???" I said yes, but I wanted to be like "Are you kidding me?...I'm grinning ear to ear and have a full face of makeup on...Do I look like I'm in labor???" :) After answering the admission questions, we sat in the family waiting room until we were called back to our delivery room. We waited about an hour (by this time it was 7:30am), and then we heard our last name called...THIS WAS IT!
I was given a gown and my nurse Tracey started an IV and fluids. After checking me, I was still 4 1/2cm and 90% effaced (go figure...I had been 4cm for over 5-6 weeks). About 15 minutes later, the doctor was called and they asked if I wanted my epidural to be given along with my Pitocin or if I wanted to labor on my own for a while. I told them that I wanted to labor on my own until the pain got unbearable and that they could go ahead and start the Pitocin. Pitocin was started around 8:15am. The doctor arrived about 10 minutes later to break my water...things were about to get REAL. After an hour total on the Pitocin, I started to definitely feel cramping but it wasn't too bad. Even with my water broken, I wasn't in a whole lot of pain. I was able to laugh and converse with my family members, and I was having a great labor experience so far.
I remember exactly when the pain changed. I was in the middle of a conversation with my Mom and I felt a HORRIBLE contraction. It was weird because it didn't slowly progress from "bad period cramps" into "bad contractions"...it literally was like BAM...worst pain I had ever felt! I grabbed the side rails and almost came out of the bed!!! By this time I was about 6cm...the nurse had warned me that if I wanted to get the epidural, I needed to let them know as soon as I was ready because it usually takes the Anesthesiologist 30 minutes to get to the room. After about 30 minutes of this horrible pain where I was crying and trying so hard to get through it...I gave Michael the look that it was time--I wanted the epidural.
Getting the epidural was a little rough because my contractions were only 2 minutes apart, and as she was doing the procedure, I had to stop her to tell her to wait because my body was shaking due to the intense pain. She said she wanted to give me a bolus of medication since my pain was so bad and then she had me lay flat. About 5 minutes later, I definitely could feel a difference because my contractions were only felt on my left side. I asked her if this was normal and she said she wanted to roll me towards my left side in order for the medication to spread. However, she kept me pretty flat (even though I was turned on my side). The Anesthesiologist ended up leaving since everything seemed fine. Five minutes went by and this was when I started to get worried. I literally felt numb all the way up to my face (especially on my right side). It was pretty hard to breathe and I couldn't even move the fingers on my right hand. They called the Anesthesiologist back in the room to evaluate me again and another nurse ended up bringing me oxygen (since my upper chest was numb and I literally felt like my right nostril was numb...making it seem like I couldn't take deep breaths). They lifted the head of the bed and ended up turning the epidural completely off. Even though the pain went completely away, I was really anxious during this time because I feel like the bolus of medication PLUS me lying flat for so long made my body get way too numb. My epidural was off for two hours before I could even move the fingers on my right hand--rough right? After those two hours those, the SEVERE numbness was wearing off. However, I had no pain during contractions--which was what I initially wanted.
I was now about 8cm and the nurse said I was progressing pretty fast, so she assumed I would start pushing in about an hour. They notified my doctor and I made the decision to turn my epidural back on. However, they started me on half the dose they usually start most women on. We just wanted to make sure I slowly got the medication rather than the intense dose I got beforehand. About 30 minutes later, I was 10cm and Tracey said I could start pushing in about 15 minutes. At this time, I was feeling pain again (not horrible pain but definitely not comfortable). I told her that it was okay to turn my epidural on the normal rate since I would be pushing soon! Fifteen minutes later the sharp cramps were starting to fade and so I gave myself a small bolus so that it would be "just enough" to make my contractions a little more comfortable. It was literally 5 minutes later and I felt amazing...I felt pressure JUST enough to be able to push during my contractions but I was comfortable. I WAS READY! I had my labor playlist going and I felt pretty amazing...very excited and ready to meet her!!!! My friends, Vanessa and Ellen, were there to comfort me, Michael was holding my hand, and my mom was SO EXCITED to meet her first grandchild. Vanessa also was in charge of taking pictures (which turned out great by the way!!!)
Michael and Vanessa supported my back during pushing and I remember I got pretty emotional when the nurse said "I can see hair!" I couldn't believe it. It was getting SO real...my little girl had hair!!! This was when my mom started to cry. I definitely was tearing up too! As I pushed, I just looked up at the ceiling lights and just imagined her face and seeing her for the first time. I pushed for about 35 minutes with Tracey and then Dr. Kyzer arrived. They told me to take a quick break and not push with my next few contractions (I realized later this was because Vivian was SO CLOSE to coming out and the doctor wasn't ready yet haha) Once Dr. Kyzer had me start pushing again, it only took 3 pushes and OUT SHE CAME. And...she didn't just slowly come out. She FLEW OUT. Usually, once the head is out, they will suction the mouth and then have a woman in labor push one last time to get the body out. But not my Vivian...it was as soon as they saw the head pop out that her whole body just flew out. Vivian hit Dr. Kyzer in the chest haha
They suctioned her mouth and then placed her on my chest...it was the most amazing moment I have ever experienced in my whole life. My mom cut the cord (Michael gave her the honor) and I just started talking to her. As soon as I said "Hi Vivian! It's Mommy!" she stopped crying for a few seconds...she knew it was me. That was probably the most precious memory I have...her stopping and looking right at me like "HEY, I KNOW YOU...I KNOW YOUR VOICE". :) She was perfect.
After assessing her, they handed Vivi back to me and I could tell this little girl was READY TO EAT! She wouldn't stop sticking her tongue out and smacking her lips. The first time I tried to breastfeed her, she did SO WELL! I couldn't believe it. My friend who works in L&D at Baptist, Julie, gave Vivian her first bath downstairs for our families to watch. Once upstairs, we had plenty of other visitors and everyone got to see our little angel!
I have to say that besides that little scare with my epidural, my labor went PERFECT. It only took around 6 hours after I was induced to have my little girl...I felt so very blessed that my labor wasn't too long, especially since I am a first-time Mom. Here are some pictures from that special day...
Once we got to the hospital, the lady at the desk asked..."Are you scheduled???" I said yes, but I wanted to be like "Are you kidding me?...I'm grinning ear to ear and have a full face of makeup on...Do I look like I'm in labor???" :) After answering the admission questions, we sat in the family waiting room until we were called back to our delivery room. We waited about an hour (by this time it was 7:30am), and then we heard our last name called...THIS WAS IT!
I was given a gown and my nurse Tracey started an IV and fluids. After checking me, I was still 4 1/2cm and 90% effaced (go figure...I had been 4cm for over 5-6 weeks). About 15 minutes later, the doctor was called and they asked if I wanted my epidural to be given along with my Pitocin or if I wanted to labor on my own for a while. I told them that I wanted to labor on my own until the pain got unbearable and that they could go ahead and start the Pitocin. Pitocin was started around 8:15am. The doctor arrived about 10 minutes later to break my water...things were about to get REAL. After an hour total on the Pitocin, I started to definitely feel cramping but it wasn't too bad. Even with my water broken, I wasn't in a whole lot of pain. I was able to laugh and converse with my family members, and I was having a great labor experience so far.
I remember exactly when the pain changed. I was in the middle of a conversation with my Mom and I felt a HORRIBLE contraction. It was weird because it didn't slowly progress from "bad period cramps" into "bad contractions"...it literally was like BAM...worst pain I had ever felt! I grabbed the side rails and almost came out of the bed!!! By this time I was about 6cm...the nurse had warned me that if I wanted to get the epidural, I needed to let them know as soon as I was ready because it usually takes the Anesthesiologist 30 minutes to get to the room. After about 30 minutes of this horrible pain where I was crying and trying so hard to get through it...I gave Michael the look that it was time--I wanted the epidural.
Getting the epidural was a little rough because my contractions were only 2 minutes apart, and as she was doing the procedure, I had to stop her to tell her to wait because my body was shaking due to the intense pain. She said she wanted to give me a bolus of medication since my pain was so bad and then she had me lay flat. About 5 minutes later, I definitely could feel a difference because my contractions were only felt on my left side. I asked her if this was normal and she said she wanted to roll me towards my left side in order for the medication to spread. However, she kept me pretty flat (even though I was turned on my side). The Anesthesiologist ended up leaving since everything seemed fine. Five minutes went by and this was when I started to get worried. I literally felt numb all the way up to my face (especially on my right side). It was pretty hard to breathe and I couldn't even move the fingers on my right hand. They called the Anesthesiologist back in the room to evaluate me again and another nurse ended up bringing me oxygen (since my upper chest was numb and I literally felt like my right nostril was numb...making it seem like I couldn't take deep breaths). They lifted the head of the bed and ended up turning the epidural completely off. Even though the pain went completely away, I was really anxious during this time because I feel like the bolus of medication PLUS me lying flat for so long made my body get way too numb. My epidural was off for two hours before I could even move the fingers on my right hand--rough right? After those two hours those, the SEVERE numbness was wearing off. However, I had no pain during contractions--which was what I initially wanted.
I was now about 8cm and the nurse said I was progressing pretty fast, so she assumed I would start pushing in about an hour. They notified my doctor and I made the decision to turn my epidural back on. However, they started me on half the dose they usually start most women on. We just wanted to make sure I slowly got the medication rather than the intense dose I got beforehand. About 30 minutes later, I was 10cm and Tracey said I could start pushing in about 15 minutes. At this time, I was feeling pain again (not horrible pain but definitely not comfortable). I told her that it was okay to turn my epidural on the normal rate since I would be pushing soon! Fifteen minutes later the sharp cramps were starting to fade and so I gave myself a small bolus so that it would be "just enough" to make my contractions a little more comfortable. It was literally 5 minutes later and I felt amazing...I felt pressure JUST enough to be able to push during my contractions but I was comfortable. I WAS READY! I had my labor playlist going and I felt pretty amazing...very excited and ready to meet her!!!! My friends, Vanessa and Ellen, were there to comfort me, Michael was holding my hand, and my mom was SO EXCITED to meet her first grandchild. Vanessa also was in charge of taking pictures (which turned out great by the way!!!)
Michael and Vanessa supported my back during pushing and I remember I got pretty emotional when the nurse said "I can see hair!" I couldn't believe it. It was getting SO real...my little girl had hair!!! This was when my mom started to cry. I definitely was tearing up too! As I pushed, I just looked up at the ceiling lights and just imagined her face and seeing her for the first time. I pushed for about 35 minutes with Tracey and then Dr. Kyzer arrived. They told me to take a quick break and not push with my next few contractions (I realized later this was because Vivian was SO CLOSE to coming out and the doctor wasn't ready yet haha) Once Dr. Kyzer had me start pushing again, it only took 3 pushes and OUT SHE CAME. And...she didn't just slowly come out. She FLEW OUT. Usually, once the head is out, they will suction the mouth and then have a woman in labor push one last time to get the body out. But not my Vivian...it was as soon as they saw the head pop out that her whole body just flew out. Vivian hit Dr. Kyzer in the chest haha
They suctioned her mouth and then placed her on my chest...it was the most amazing moment I have ever experienced in my whole life. My mom cut the cord (Michael gave her the honor) and I just started talking to her. As soon as I said "Hi Vivian! It's Mommy!" she stopped crying for a few seconds...she knew it was me. That was probably the most precious memory I have...her stopping and looking right at me like "HEY, I KNOW YOU...I KNOW YOUR VOICE". :) She was perfect.
After assessing her, they handed Vivi back to me and I could tell this little girl was READY TO EAT! She wouldn't stop sticking her tongue out and smacking her lips. The first time I tried to breastfeed her, she did SO WELL! I couldn't believe it. My friend who works in L&D at Baptist, Julie, gave Vivian her first bath downstairs for our families to watch. Once upstairs, we had plenty of other visitors and everyone got to see our little angel!
I have to say that besides that little scare with my epidural, my labor went PERFECT. It only took around 6 hours after I was induced to have my little girl...I felt so very blessed that my labor wasn't too long, especially since I am a first-time Mom. Here are some pictures from that special day...
