Missing...

I was going to try to post something every few days, but I went missing. The day after my last post (2/9/10) I went into labor!

The event of the day was supposed to be my doctor's appointment at my OB's in the afternoon. So, I went and we discussed how I wanted to give birth. I kind of have 2 OB's and they work together. I was seeing one for my IVF and then he took on a partner after many years of being alone and then I started to see her more. So, for the past appointments I mainly saw her (Dr. Y) and he (Dr. C) checked on us every once in a while. (The distinction of the Dr's is important for later.) Anyway, I asked Dr. Y what was the safest option for the babies and she suggested that a c-section would be the safest because sometimes when the first one is born the other one has lots of room and can flip into breach. So, in order to avoid emergency surgery I told her I would go for the c-section. She checked me and found that I was 4 cm dilated and said that we could schedule it in a couple of weeks.

That evening I was sitting on the couch with Jerm watching TV while he was on the phone. I suddenly felt and heard "pop, pop" in my abdomen area. **graphic descriptions next** I looked at Jerm and said I felt a little gush and he said to go check it out. So, I did and there was no blood and just the regular discharge, nothing more than usual. So, I sat back on the couch and then I had a contraction...this time the contraction was really uncomfortable. Jerm looked at me and said, I think you are in labor. So, then we started to gather our stuff and go to the hospital. We already had our bags packed and the baby seats in the car, but that was it. So, it took us a little long to get out. My first uncomfortable contraction started at 8:30, we arrived at the hospital at 9:30.

I walked on my own to L&D triage and they asked me to have a seat in the waiting room. After parking the car Jerm found me sitting in the waiting room. I think that usually it takes awhile for labor to progress, but that was not our case as we soon found out...

They got me into a room and took some vitals. My triage nurse decided to call my doctor to let her know and Dr. Y asked for the nurse to check me. During the exam the nurse calmly told us that I was now 8 cm dilated. Then she left the room and we heard her yell out, "She's 8 cm dilated!" After that there was a rush of people all around us. They quickly dressed Jerm and prepped me for the OR. The anesthesiologist came in and explained what he was going to do for anethesia, neither of us can remember clearly but I thought he said that he would do a spinal block for the c-section and then there was some talk of epidural. Contractions have a way of turning your focus elsewhere. The admin people came in looking for signatures, but by that time I really couldn't legibly sign anything.

So, off I went to the OR I remember them asking me to pull my hands in because I was gripping onto the rails so hard to help relieve the contractions. I don't remember if it was pain or just intense uncomfort. It's not like you are being tortured, it's just really uncomfortable. I think I was focusing so hard on breathing and overcoming it with yoga breaths that I didn't scream out or anything the whole time.

Once in the OR I remember being transferred to this really narrow table totally exposed. Before all of this I was worried about things like being exposed, pooping on the table, farting, whatever. Female friends and family said, that all goes out the window and you really don't even care....

I'm back and now it is March 17! I started writing this post about a month ago! Having a baby is hard work, where does the time go?

Continuing on...

I was exposed but the contractions were so strong that I didn't care. At that point I was calmly asking for my epidural and on the 3 or 4th time of asking my OB said that he was right at the point of coming out so I should just try to do it naturally. What could I do? I just had to focus and give it everything I had, even though my endurance was nil from being on bed rest for so long. If I had a choice, I would have exercised as long as I could so that I had endurance and muscle to prepare me for all the pushing.

Corned beef brisket is ready, I'll have to continue this in a couple days...sorry!