Olive's Birth Story (Part 1)

Dear Olive Kate,

I can't believe that it's already been almost 8 weeks since you were born.  We are so lucky to be your parents; what did we do before you joined our family?!?!  Here is part 1 your birth story:

We had an appointment with our OB on the afternoon of May 28th.  She said she'd check my progress and we'd make a 39 week game plan.  Your dad and I went to the appointment together and we were anxious.  It was pouring rain all day long.  We saw the doctor and she was really pleased with my progress and said, "Let's have a baby!"  She started the paperwork and said that I needed to come back in a few hours to be induced.  My blood pressure had been high throughout my pregnancy and we were both being monitored closely for the last 8-10 weeks.  We made plans to return to the labor and delivery floor sometime around 9:00pm.

We squished under one umbrella and hurried out to the car.  We were both smiling and slightly nervous as we hurried home.  Then we had to run an errand or two, make phone calls to our families and make sure we had taken care of the last minute details around the house.  I announced to the cats that they were going to have a sister tomorrow.  They were confused but happy to have some extra attention.  We'd mostly packed our hospital bags but I double checked them to make sure.  I did some cleaning and tidying up since I was full of nervous energy.  I frantically emailed, made phone class and finalized school plans so that everything was taken care of for the rest of the school year.  Your dad worked hard to get things ready for school and being out of the office for the next several days.

I called the hospital to check in like I'd been instructed to do so and they gave me a check in time of 9:30pm and a set of directions - no food after I got to the hospital, bring everything I'd need and then she listed the things they provided.  We ate dinner, kept smiling all evening because we knew our baby was coming soon.  I would get waves of nerves when I'd think about going to the hospital to have a baby.  Your dad kept comforting me telling me that the nurses and doctors would walk me through everything.  I had him take a few pictures since it was my last night to be pregnant.

The hospital was about 15 minutes away so we started loading up the car.  Kevin was giving me a hard time for packing so many bags!  I was pretty thorough in my packing and wanted to have everything I'd possibly need.  Mission accomplished.  He packed one tiny bag for himself saying he didn't need much and he was planning to come home a few times to take care of the cats.  We got in the car and your dad said a prayer for safe travels, safe delivery of a healthy baby and a safe labor/delivery for me.  He's always sweet and thoughtful like that; you're lucky to have such a great dad!

We arrived at the hospital and it was storming like crazy.  Dad tried to drop me off at the door but I wanted to walk in together.  So we pulled out our umbrellas, got our bags and headed up to the second floor of the hospital.  I'd been in the hospital so many times for appointments and NSTs so it seemed surreal to be coming to the labor and delivery floor to HAVE A BABY!  You have to be buzzed into the hospital and they ask you why you are there.  We said, "We here to have a baby!"  They buzzed us in and we proceeded to fill out paperwork.  Once we were done, they put us in a room where I would have the baby and they'd move me to a permanent room where we'd stay for a few days.

We unpacked a bit and I had to change into a gown.  I met my nurse, Heidi, and she explained out the evening would go.  They'd start giving me medicine to get labor going all night and then start pitocin the next day.  The nurse checked on me all night, I was having small contractions but nothing big.  I had an IV in my hand that was killing me, baby and I were being monitored closely and I was hungry.  Depriving a pregnant lady of anything but clear liquids seemed cruel.  I had my share of apple juice throughout the night.  The nurses worked in 12 hour shifts so I said goodbye to Heidi and hello to Rachel at 7:00am.  Rachel was kind, friendly and anxious to get to know us.  She knew her stuff and told me it was her job to take good care of me.  She asked questions and worked hard to ensure I was as comfortable as possible.  Needless to say, Rachel was my favorite nurse of my whole stay.  She said she hoped I'd deliver the baby during her shift which ended at 7pm and I agreed.  All of my nurses seemed surprised to see me still wearing my wedding ring.  My hands were puffy but I was thrilled to be able to keep my ring on throughout my whole pregnancy.

My OB came in to check on me around 8am.  She said she was surprised because I hadn't made much progress overnight so she was a little concerned that baby Olive wasn't ready to make her big debut.  She said that I might respond great to pitocin but that there was a chance I wouldn't and I'd end up having to have a c-section.  The decision was up to us whether we should stay and have a baby or go home and try again in a few days.  The baby and I were perfectly healthy so she was fine with our decision.  We had a few minutes alone to discuss.  We both were in agreement: It was time to have a baby!  We were at peace with our decision and would be okay if I did have to have a c-section.  My doctor returned, we told her about our decision and she high fived me and said, "Let's have a baby!"  

She washed up and said she was going to break my water.  I didn't know what this would entail but I was a little nervous that it would hurt.  Kevin was right beside me, my nurse and my doctor had their game faces on.  I guess I thought it would be like popping a balloon, quick and easy but it took several minutes.  It didn't hurt but was a little uncomfortable.  Kevin was grossed out and said it was an intense procedure.  I could tell he was a bit grossed out because his eyes were as big as saucers!  We were both a bit surprised at the whole process and were excited because we were really going to have a baby within a few hours.  We were both texting our family to keep them in the loop.

Rachel started my pitocin and the contractions started coming harder and faster.  They were regular and I was making super progress.  My OB came back in around lunchtime and she was thrilled with my progress.  She said she was feeling pretty confident that I'd  have my baby naturally.  I asked for my epidural mid-morning because I didn't want to be in any unnecessary pain.  Within 20 minutes, the lady anesthesiologist arrived.  I was feeling the contractions so I was thrilled to see her!  I underestimated how painful the epidural would be.  It was not a pleasant experience but I knew it would be good in the long run.  She was so nice and made fun conversations to distract us.   

We didn't have a specific birth plan other than to have our healthy baby at the hospital.  I didn't really have a preconceived notion about how things had to go for us and was kind of naive about the whole process.  I was content with everything that was going on and starting to feel pretty numb by early afternoon.  They had to put in a catheter and reality was sinking in that baby Olive was coming!!  My belly was totally numb, my legs were feeling heavy but not totally numb.  I had a button to push for pain and my nurse kept checking on me.  I started feeling crampy and didn't think I should be feeling it.  My nurse confirmed that and the anesthesiologist came back to give me another dose.  Feeling better but I started feeling a lot of pressure down low.  

Kevin was trying to make conversation but I wasn't really in the chatting mood at that point.  I was drinking ice water and eating ice while burning up!  Contractions were coming along nicely and I was dilating more and more.  I wasn't feeling up to texting updates to family and was just trying to rest.  There was a constant flow of nurses in and out of the room.  They all were encouraging and saying that things were going really well.  My contractions were getting stronger and stronger.  Good news for me because I was hoping to avoid having a c-section.  Kevin was sweet and kept asking if I needed anything.  I wanted a meal but no food was allowed until after I had the baby.  Starving a pregnant lady seemed like torture.  I started feeling hot and queasy.  I put my hair up in a pony tail... so much for the picture perfect look.  Then I got sick because apparently chugging water isn't the best idea ever.  Good to know.

I rested for a bit after that and started getting pretty uncomfortable.  Lots of pressure and the nurse kept saying things were going great.  They didn't feel so great so I was hoping she was right.  I couldn't seem to get comfortable anymore and Kevin asked if I thought I needed to start pushing.  Being a newbie mom, I wasn't sure but I was up for anything to see if I could get some relief.  My nurse wasn't sure it was time so she had me do a "test push".  Baby was moving so she said we could start pushing for REAL!

To be continued...