It was perfect timing when our sweet baby girl decided to arrive. Elaine had arrived the day before and Jennie was in Ames and could easily make it to photograph her big day. I had my 39 week appointment that morning with Dr. Makkapati who let me know I had changed some and stripped my membranes. Elaine and I went straight to the grocery store to stock up just in case it worked to start my labor and while walking down the aisles I noticed my first contraction. I had a lot of contractions throughout my pregnancy so it didn't make think for sure it was a real one. By 2 o'clock they were fairly regular but I still wasn't quite convinced. Jennie was very convinced and immediately got in her car and got here. It was a three hour drive that she made in about 5 minutes it seemed. (Really though, she drove incredibly too fast!)
My contractions continued but nothing too worrisome yet, so of course Jennie and I went to Creme while Jaxson went to Taekwondo. Once we got home they continued and were only about 5 minutes apart but weren't terribly painful yet. I wasn't worried but everyone else seemed to think I should go to the hospital. I decided to take a shower first. It was a smart decision given how long the next couple days were going to be!
Once we arrived to the hospital they checked me in and checked me. I had only changed from a 2 at my dr. appointment earlier to a 3. Not much change yet so they kept me for 2 hours to see if I continued to progress. So we walked. By we I mean Jennie and I. By now it was around 1am and Dave crashed on the little couch in the room. I was thankful to have her walking with me. From her fit bit we walked around 3 miles I think. I noticed when I drank cold water I would have more regular contractions so I drank and walked for what seemed like forever. They checked again and I was barely a 4. They considered sending me home but decided to have me stay awhile longer before deciding. We were at the hospital about 8 hours before they even admitted me. But finally they decided to admit me and give me pitocin. I was relieved because that meant I didn't need to go home and worry I wouldn't make it back in time.
Hours went by and they continued to check and check and it continued to be slow and slow. My contractions hurt but weren't making big changes. I had back labor and couldn't do the only thing I wanted to do, which was rest. The doctor that was on call at the time didn't recommend me getting my epidural for fear it woudl slow my labor further. I took her recommendation and continued laboring without pain meds. (Besides the IV pain meds which make me higher than a kite!)
Finally Dr. Makkapati was on call and she came in to check me. She was like a breath of fresh air with her smile and let me know I could have my epidural anytime. Music to my ears. Expect in the same sentence she broke my water which sent my contractions and pain level to a whole new level. A pain level I have never felt before. It was intense. In the 45 minutes it took the anesthesiologist to arrive I actually thought I was going to die. When I told the nurse I was going to die, I truly believed it. I didn't think I was going to be able to handle that much pain one more time, then another one would come. Our nurse, who I hadn't taken to much until then, was invaluable. She was firm, grabbed my hand and told me to open my eyes and breath. She gave me no option so I did just as she said. Over and over and over. It was agony.
Finaly he arrived. The nurse told him I was a 6 (which I was before she broke my water) and he gave me the meds. The laid me down to check and put in a catheter as is normal procedure with epidurals but couldn't do so since I was complete and her head nearly to show. The medicine they told me wasn't going to kick in for about 20 minutes and even though I begged for them to put more in they said they couldn't. So it was time to push. It took about 45 minutes and our sweet Alice Monroe was born, sunny side up and smiling. Nobody told me she was facing the wrong way in case it would scare or discourage me since each contraction and push were working. That explained the back labor and the "my tailbone is literally being crushed feeling" since face up babies cause more back and tailbone pain during birth.
When she was finally born it was such a relief. More so than anytime before since it had been almost 30 hours of labor, and therefore 42 hours of no sleep at this point along with a pain level I was ready to be over with. March 27th, 2015 at 3:43pm. 8lbs and 20 inches long.
She was beautiful and bright eyed when they laid her on my chest. She was perfect in every way. I couldn't believe all her dark hair and her dimples! I was in awe and was so in love instantly. Having Jennie there to photograph for us was so amazing. I will encourage every single expecting mom to at least give it serious consideration. There is no way you could ever regret having photos of the biggest moment in your life. Even if it is the first time, the last time, or anytime in between, have a photographer. If you can't afford a professional birth photographer, find someone who can at least use your camera in some way and photograph it, so you can have memories and your partner by your side.
