Today was our induction date. This was an elective induction. It’s reasons were my continued hip pain that had me using my cane and limiting my activity. It was also designed to produce a slightly smaller baby that would make it easier for me to deliver naturally. My OB reasssured me that at 39 weeks with a 2nd pregnancy the risks were no different from a regular delivery. We chose this date because it was when our OB was on call.
So, Wayne and I left the house early for an 8:30am OB appointment. It was designed to answer some concerns and questions Wayne had. We were told we’d have to “wait our turn” and not to expect to enter the hospital till late afternoon. I was looking forward to napping during the day since I hadn’t slept well the night before.
As we were leaving the appointment, about to descend into the parking deck, my cell phone rang. “Come in now,” was the response. Good thing Wayne thought to bring the bag. Our OB nurse later told us that if we hadn’t come in then, we probably wouldn’t have gotten a spot on this day. So we entered the hospital. I was hooked up to the monitor by 9:30am. That revealed I was already having painless contractions. I was dilated 3+cm and effaced 80%.
The pitocin was started around 10am. Dr. Hannon performed an amiotomy (ruptured membranes) 30 minutes later. Still, the contractions were relatively painless. I just felt tightening of my uterus. I spent a relatively relaxed time talking with our OB nurse, Teresa (the same one we had help deliver Sara!). Wayne and I tried to nap.
By 2:30 pm, I was started to feel the contractions and they made me pause. The nurse noted that I wasn’t smiling anymore during their reign. It was time to think about an epidural. I’d heard bad stories about pitocin-induced contractions and was eager for pain relief. After the epidural, I could only eat ice chips (no more popsicles or soda).
It was lucky I requested the epidural when I did. Evidently, all the anesthesiologists would be busy for the next hour and half if I hadn’t done it then.
It was a waiting game after that. We were ready for Laura to appear. Still we waited.
Active pushing began around 6pm. Wayne had skipped lunch and was starting to feel a little faint. Depending on his abilities, he would help hold my legs which were a little floppy with the epidural. I was able to start feeling the contractions starting. That began 4 hrs of pushing every 3-4 minutes. My OB would come in periodically, giving me an update and coaxing me along. She was very warm and encouraging throughout the labor. A mirror helped me focus when I pushed.
Still, pushing wasn’t getting me very far. We’d see a little tuft of dark hair appear on the horizon, but no crowning head. I was starting to get tired.
This is my wane attempt at a smile. Joyfully, while pushing, I’d get horrendous heartburn. Twice during my contractions, I had to vomit. Interestingly, it made the heartburn go away for a time.
It was the Kiwi Omnicup, a suction cup, that finally made the difference.
Just like Sara, Laura has inherited a large head (90th percentile) from her father. Even with the “second baby discount” (meaning your labor is usually much, much faster), I couldn’t push Laura out on my own. My OB said I’d probably only push for 15 min. Oh well…
By this time, the epidural was wearing off and I felt the crowning acutely. But that only lasted for 15 minutes. There was so much momentum at that point, that she just came out.
12 hrs of labor, 4 hrs of active contractions, pitossin, epidural, suction, and old fashioned muscle power produced this was the happy end result.
When she first came out, her full head of hair stands out. So opposite her sister, the Italian genes live on. My first nickname for her was ‘wrinkle’.
She was such a big baby, the Swedish baby hat didn’t fit and just popped off whenever a well meaning nurse tried to put it back on.
That’s my beautiful girl. It’s so nice to have her in this world.
