As the pregnancy neared the end I made a point to avoid videos of live and actual births. I figured I'd have to go through it regardless, no sense in freaking myself out even more. But I did enjoy reading labor and delivery stories. I wanted to get an idea of what I could expect. Everyone talked about labor and contractions being some of the worst pain they've ever felt. And people talked about how when their water broke they felt a big gush (although it should be pointed out that the "big gush" is not always the case. It could be a slow leak...a little trickle).
Since I worried about everything anyway, I worried about labor and delivery. I worried I wouldn't know when I was actually in labor and needed to go to the hospital. My doctor (and I should note this was my THIRD doctor...not by choice) told me to go to the hospital if A) my contractions became 5-7 minutes apart for 2 hours, or B) if my water broke. My due date was June 18th and on that date and a day or two before I had a significant increase in my contractions...especially at night. I had an app on my phone that helped me time the contractions...they never got within the range the doctor said in order to go to the hospital. And they were painful, but not too painful (definitely not what I expected as "the worst pain of my life").
So my due date came and went and nothing...no baby...so the next day was business as usual. Still having contractions all day, but nothing consistent and nothing that would require me to go to the hospital. The day went on, we had pizza from Domino's for lunch...that was the highlight of my day thus far! lol...it was late afternoon and Adam would be getting home soon, so I took a shower and laid on the bed. I put a shirt on, but still was wearing a towel to cover my lower half. Adam came home and talked to me for a minute then got in the shower. Earlier in the day I youtube'd breathing techniques for labor so I'd be somewhat prepared for the real thing...so as I felt another contraction coming on I closed my eyes and practiced my breathing...then all of a sudden I heard a slight "pop" and a big gush of water soaked the towel I was wearing. It was official, my water broke. I got up slowly and walked into the bathroom. I opened the shower door and as I showed him the evidence I said, "um, I think my water just broke." With a scared look on his face he closed the door, quickly finished his shower, then we got all of our stuff together to go to the hospital.
We got to the hospital around 5pm, got checked in and when the nurse finally came to check me I was dilated to a 5. The pain wasn't that bad, but the contractions had definitely gotten closer together and stronger. I was 7cm by the time I got an epidural. I was debating whether or not to get one in the first place (and I'm seriously considering not getting one the next time). The pain was bad but manageable. For the epidural I had to sit on the edge of the bed, and while Adam held me I felt the sting of the huge needle as it entered my spine. But as luck would have it, the epidural only took on one side. I still felt everything on the right side of my body. I didn't say anything for a while, because I didn't want to seem like a "problem" patient. The contractions kept coming, and some even took my breath away. I finally told the nurse and the Anesthesiologist came to give me more medicine. It wasn't working and the pain intensified. I started feeling a lot of pressure--the nurse checked me and I was now ready to push. Earlier, Adam's mom told me the contractions would get so bad that pushing would be a relief...I was about to find out how right she was!
Man! Pushing was a lot harder than I thought it would be...every time a contraction came I pushed to the count of ten. To be honest I don't know how much time had passed, and I'm not sure how long I actually had to push. Adam stood by my head and made sure to steer clear of the action down below. The doctor and the nurses in the room were great. Very encouraging and pleasant. After, what felt like forever, I pushed, pushed, pushed and out came my baby girl. In the heat of the moment, Adam cut the cord and she was whisked away to be cleaned. Adam stayed with her through all of this, and I laid completely exposed and vulnerable on the table while the doctor stitched me up. Oh, and by the way, the pushing on my stomach after the baby was born was almost more painful then actually giving birth!
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| We thought she kind of looked like my dad when she was first born. |
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| It was a rough start. |
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| My sweet Liliana. |
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| I couldn't have done it without him! |
Then! After what seemed like a year, they finally brought the baby to me...all 7lbs, 1oz 19 3/4 inches of beautiful baby girl. Craziest and coolest moment ever...oh, and kind of scary too! I had no idea what I was supposed to do! And I'm sure all parents say this, but I really did (and still do) have the cutest baby ever. LOL...We decided to name her Liliana Rivera Harper. After an hour or so I was taken to a Postpartum room. I know some people can't wait to get out of the hospital after they have a baby, but not me...it was the first time we were altogether alone. It was nice--although I was in a lot of pain. We had many visitors and it was all very surreal being with the baby. I don't think we got more than 2 hours of sleep in the 2 days that we were there.
I could go on and on about my experience. Needless to say, I'm more than happy to do it all over again...soon, maybe? ; )
We got to the hospital around 5pm, got checked in and when the nurse finally came to check me I was dilated to a 5. The pain wasn't that bad, but the contractions had definitely gotten closer together and stronger. I was 7cm by the time I got an epidural. I was debating whether or not to get one in the first place (and I'm seriously considering not getting one the next time). The pain was bad but manageable. For the epidural I had to sit on the edge of the bed, and while Adam held me I felt the sting of the huge needle as it entered my spine. But as luck would have it, the epidural only took on one side. I still felt everything on the right side of my body. I didn't say anything for a while, because I didn't want to seem like a "problem" patient. The contractions kept coming, and some even took my breath away. I finally told the nurse and the Anesthesiologist came to give me more medicine. It wasn't working and the pain intensified. I started feeling a lot of pressure--the nurse checked me and I was now ready to push. Earlier, Adam's mom told me the contractions would get so bad that pushing would be a relief...I was about to find out how right she was! 
Man! Pushing was a lot harder than I thought it would be...every time a contraction came I pushed to the count of ten. To be honest I don't know how much time had passed, and I'm not sure how long I actually had to push. Adam stood by my head and made sure to steer clear of the action down below. The doctor and the nurses in the room were great. Very encouraging and pleasant. After, what felt like forever, I pushed, pushed, pushed and out came my baby girl. In the heat of the moment, Adam cut the cord and she was whisked away to be cleaned. Adam stayed with her through all of this, and I laid completely exposed and vulnerable on the table while the doctor stitched me up. Oh, and by the way, the pushing on my stomach after the baby was born was almost more painful then actually giving birth!
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