Cynthia's Birth

Once again I got pg fairly easy. I wasn't really expecting it since it was just my second cycle back since having Holly. My LMP was my birthday. Not fun at the time but very easy to remember. My duedate was Oct 12. I had an amnio so knew we were having a girl. At 33 weeks I had a u/s that showed she was a nice size, breech and extra fluid. I figured she would just stay breech since the last 2 were both breech.

Sept 30, when I was 38 weeks and 2 days I had a dr appt. 4 of the last 5 were born after my 38 week exam so I knew it was soon. The other was before but that didn't happen this time obviously. I had been having lots of bh's the past few weeks with some strong mixed in the last few days. I had lost my plug about 10 days earlier. At the appt I found out I was 1-2 cms. I was ready to go!

After the appt we stopped to eat. McD's again since they have a few low fat things and I have gallstones. Then we went shopping. Funny how a few things turns into so much. I had lots of contractions and Reg was teasing saying "delivery aisle 3." At Costco the lines were huge. I went to get some water and had a ctx on the way back. Reg talked to a man, he looked over at me, and suddenly 2 more cashes were opened lol. Not sure what he said. The cashier told me to have a good day so I mentioned I might be in labor. She said good luck with wide eyes. Saying that made me happy and scared at the same time.

We got home around 3 and starting doing some last minute stuff. I had hope to sit at chat instead! Around 4:30 I felt/heard a pop. I threw my only fitting overalls over the shower curtain and laid down. Reg put a towel under me. I was worried about the cord washing out. Well good idea till I tried to get back up lol. I waited till I tought it stopped gushing then got up and soaked my socks lol.

I got online and warned a few chat buddies that I was off to the hospital. The ride went well. Traffic got a bit slow near downtown but it wasn't too bad. I continued having ctx every 5 to 10 min. I didn't feel any pressure so I wasn't worried. Instead of my usual contractions disappearing I got a huge one as I saw the hospital. Maybe because it had already started? lol We found a great parking spot near the door (ty for the parking vibes Christi!) We arrived at 6:30.

In triage I mentioned I was having contraction since about lunch and that my water had broke at 4:30. The triage nurse asked if it was my first baby. I said add a zero. She looked puzzled so Reg said 10. She didn't believe me so I got my prenatal record out. She then asked if the baby was also breech. I said yes and she asked if I had any other surprises like twins. She asked me to give a urine sample and for me to test my pad. That was a first for me lol. I wondered a bit if the "pad" I had would be damp enough since I was using a toddler diaper. The paper turned blue right away. She asked me to put on a girdle belly stocking and I refused. She tried to show me how big it was but I explained to her that I had made some belts. I got settled in the recliner and got attached to the monitor. She couldn't find the hb. I wasn't worried since Cynthia was wiggling. She noticed the cord wasn't plugged in. She liked my belts. She said she was used to complaints not people that created solutions lol. Well it only took me 9 kids to think of one ;-)

While I was on the monitor the woman beside me was sent to the waiting room. Ugg. There were no rooms available. I have arthritis in my tailbone so can't sit in most chairs and sitting in a waiting room full of people while in labor sounded awful. They weren't sure if her water broke but my dr told them to admit me as soon as he heard my name. Since no one else came in I got to stay in the recliner. A med student started to take my history but was replaced by another after she asked 2 questions. I didn't mind since I didn't have anything else to do. The new student's name was Gretchen. It felt late at night for some reason. Reg said he felt that too.

The triage nurse sent Reg downstairs to register me. As soon as he left she told me they had a room for me. I wondered why she didn't tell him to go after putting me in my room. Oh well. She said to leave the bags but I took the laptop and camcorder. It was the 2nd to last one down the hall. I'm glad my joints felt good. I felt good enough to stay standing in the room. Reg came back so I sent him to go get the other bags. Maybe it was a good idea to have several small bags afterall. I wanted to fix our bigger bag's zipper but never got to it.

My nurse, Heather, came in and asked me to sit so she could get a baseline recording. When I sat down I noticed the clock. In front of every bed there is a clock on the wall. I always end up looking at it. It was 8 o'clock. My belts were working very well. I was worried the ctx wouldn't show like last time but my belt would get blamed. They were much more comfortable than the girdle. Last time the ctx didn't show after I lost most of the fluid so I knew it was possible that it might happen again. I wasn't crazy about my bed. The foot didn't raise up enough and I felt like I was going to slide off the bed. It felt uncomfortable for my back

My dr came in and exaimed me. He said I was 3 now so my ctx were doing something but that he might start the pit anyway. I was having ctx but only every 6 to 8 min still. Usually I sit around and do nothing for hours then get pit and deliver 8 hours later. I thought it was a good idea. Heather came back in and got my IV started. She didn't like my veins much but got it started with one try :-)

At 10:30 she got the pit started. All my babies were born 8 hours after the pit was started except one that was 6 hours and 1 that was 10 because they turned off the pit when it got busy. I was thinking it would be 6:30 am and was happy about that. I had tried the internet but the modem and phone line weren't compatible. I decided to call my chat buddy, kmomof10, at 11 since it was almost 11. Chat would still be on and the rates would be lower. Reg tried the calling card but we had forgotten how to use it. After a few tries he called the phone company and aswered a pile of questions to get his pin number. Heather came back in and we showed her the family picture on the laptop. We talked a bit and she said she was sorry to miss the birth. I asked if she would be back the next day since last time I delivered at 4 the next afternoon. I thought it was very unlikely since the pit was started. Reg got the calling card to work but the phone number said no service. Since I met her I knew she wasn't a troll lol. She had just given me her number again so I got the other copy out. Phew it worked. I let her know when the pit was started and when I thought the baby would arrive.

We got a new nurse, Sue, we remembered each other but weren't sure if we had her as a nurse for a shift or just a short replacement. She had been working there before I started having babies so it was possible. We had fun talking. I was having ctx but nothing exciting yet. Sue came back in and asked if I wanted an epi now since the anesthesiologist was going to be busy later. I said sure since I'm afraid of not getting one worse than I mind having one before I really need it. She came back and said that she was already busy but that it was just a short thing. I was a bit disappointed since I was going back to taking a chance of not getting one in time. I was happy that Sue said I almost had to have one with the baby being breech.

Not too long later she came back and said the dr was around so it was a good time to get one then. I said sure. I thought I would be made to lie on my sides and I was geting tired anyway. She examined me and said I was 3 to 4. I thought 4 sounded more normal. I usually only hear 4 or 10. She also mentioned that the presenting part was off to the left. I could feel her head was also in her favorite spot to the right of my belly button. I was relieved that she wasn't really transverse but just a bit turned. She had picked that position a couple of weeks ago. At first I thought she was going to turn head down but she just stayed that way. I thought she was tranverse so worried that I would need a csec.

Reg left the room and Sue and the dr set up the stuff. Oddly our conversation turned to body fluids that bothered us. The dr also gagged when she was around vomit. Sue was bothered by spit. I'm bother by both lol. The epi went fairly well. I felt a jolt in my back but not down my legs. It was only painful for a minute. Afterwards I was asked to lie back. My legs went hot, cold, ticklish and itchy. I was hot before so cold was nice. After lying back for a bit I laid on either side. I asked about sitting up and Sue said it would be better if I didn't. I said I was frozen up to my armpits and down my arms a bit. She tried to argue that it wasn't but finally agreed. The area that was between frozen and normal was really itchy. I scratched it a few times but scratching felt weird too. Good thing or I might have gotten raw lol. After sitting up for a bit the itchy level went down to my belly.

Around 6 Sue examined me and I was 5 cms. I wasn't too surprised since its not much different than 4 but still I never hear 5. She also mentioned hearing that my dr was leaving at 8. Early I thought I was going to deliver by 6:30 but now it wasn't looking like it. I found out then that the policy with pit had changed. The upped it much slower. I was having ctx every 5 minutes. Reg and I started to worry because most dr at the hosp would have been uncomfortable about delivering a breech vaginally. Sue came back an hour later with the news that he was staying till 6 pm. Phew. I showed her some pictures. It was time for her to get going going so we said good bye and she wished me luck.

Our new nurse was Louise. We had also met before but weren't sure with what birth. This was becoming a reunion labor lol. After Louise had introduced herself I updated kmom with my not very exciting news. Another nurse, Judy, popped her head in and said hello. After she left I finally remembered who she was. She used to be the head nurse and helped out with our 6th.

Around 10 my dr came in and examined me. I fully expected 4 or 5 again but he said 9! I never hear 9 lol. I guess I was going 4 to 10 fast because of the pit being stronger. After the dr, resident, med student and nurse left I said to Reg to get the bed pan since it should be quiet for a bit (and soon time). As soon as I got up on the pan my dr walked back in lol. I forgot why already but he wanted to ask something. He left then my nurse popped back in. So much for quiet . Louise had a good sense of humor so we said oops caught again. Around 12 Louise checked me again and said there was a lip left. I joked I never heard so many different numbers. I was pretty excited as it was almost time but also so tired that I was falling asleep. I kept knodding off and having strange thoughts/dreams. Just before 1 pm I felt pressure with a ctx. I was still dreaming and thinking that I could fell pressure without the ctx. After 3 ctx I finally woke up enough to tell Reg that it was time. He was knodding off just like me but bounced up saying what lol

Reg went out to get the dr and nurse. I was examined again and declared a 10. My dr asked if I felt like I needed to push but I said that I felt like I needed my epi topped up. He asked if I would push just to see if I was able to bring the baby down since she was fairly high still. I said no. The pressure was quite intense and I was afraid of pushing and making it worse. Since having a bad experience with my 3rd I'm scared to be in pain. The dr agreed to top up my epi and he told the nurse to turn up the pit too. He then said he would be back to see if I was ready and needed to be transported to the OR/delivery room. The nurse topped up my epi. I felt the cold liquid going down my back. I started to relax. I was a bit confused by the wait. I guess the dr misunderstood my not wanting to push with it not feeling like I had to push. I asked the nurse why not just move me before instead of rushing later. She just said he wanted to be sure. A few times he mentioned be worried the baby was bigger since she hadn't come down and the induction was taking longer. I said it was the pit being upped slower. He just said it was safer that way. I agreed but thats still why it was taking longer.

When I asked the nurse again about transferring she said no that I need to try pushing first. I said great you'll move me with her half out. I hated transferring in the old days. I reminded her that the last 2 were 2 min and 4 secs and 1 min and 5 secs from the first push. She just said I had to try first. I gave up and said whatever. I asked why were waiting and she said because I wanted the epi to be topped up. She said it takes 15 min but had the pain decreased yet? I said yes. She then asked if I could hold my knees when I pushed. I said why not use the hand holds and she said because she needed to move me before getting the bed set up. I finally got that she meant for the trial push. I said you really don't want me to push that hard and she insisted she did. I said no you really don't. I think she is as stubborn as me. lol. I gave a tiny push while she felt and she instantly said stop. While nice to be right I was now in pain and would have to wait to I was transferred and set up before pushing again. Sigh

She quickly got the stuff unplugged and got help to get me moved. I laid there wishing I could unpush her lol. While being moved I waved to Michelle who was my nurse for Colin. She is from a family of 9. She said good luck. As soon as we got to the OR/delivery room I asked where my dr was. Last time he wasn't in there he ended up being busy for another 30 min. She said he was next door and then he walked in. Phew. They set up stuff while I grumpily stared at the ceiling. Louise mentioned that I wasn't happy anymore.

Soon I started to notice that the pain was going away and she was coming down. I perked back up and said she was coming out even tho I wasn't pushing. I asked for a mirror and one instantly showed up. I could see her coming out. My dr finally was gowned up and ready. He pulled one leg out then the other. A lot of pressure went away. Her body slide out more and he pulled each arm down. More pressure gone. He then said he was going to give a little tug to the resident. I asked if he wanted me to push and he looked at me a bit confused while saying sure. I gave a good push and out came her head. They placed her on my belly. She looked so tiny! She was covered in vernix. I tried to think who she looked like but couldn't decide. My dr passed Reg the scissors. Reg cut the cord with his left since he was filming with his right. I held her a bit and then she was moved to the warmer.

I laid there and listened to my dr talking to the resident. The resident was gently poking my belly and tugging the cord. I didn't mind since she was being gentle. He was talking about how being a dr in Jaimaica was different than here. Over the years I have heard stories about there. I looked over at Cynthia and Reg was talking to her and touching her. The nurse was giving here oxygen as she was having a hard time breathing. Coming out breech doesn't help drain the fluid so I didn't worry. Reg was with her so I went back to listening to the dr talk about breeches and Jaimaica

A nurse popped her head in and ask my dr if he was almost finished since he was going to be needed shortly. He said he was almost and took over the placenta delivery from the student. Soon I felt it let go and gave a little push to pop it out. The other nurse popped her head back in and said hurry. My dr said congrats, shook my hand, asked Reg to untie his gown, and left. The resident cleaned me up and the nurse put my bed back together. She covered me with a warm blanket.

The nurse mentioned she wanted to bring the baby to the nursery because of her breathing. I told Reg to go. She said she would at least weigh her. I was left alone a bit. Wow it was over and it went well. My non worry wart dr (or what I thought) had me worried by his worrying. A social worker came in to talk to me. They talk to anyone that might have special concerns. Mine was that I had lots of kids and might need some help. After assuring her that we were fine we ended up talking about gallbladders.

After weighing her breathing was fine. She was 7-13. We were left alone in the room for a while. I tried nursing but she wasn't interested yet. I checked out her toes and other parts. She has the softest downy hair on her shoulders. She started to root so I nursed her. She nursed like a pro. After she finished she was brought to the nursey and I was transfered to my room.

I had agreed to stay 24 hours but there were no private rooms. I ended up in a room with someone that wanted the heat up high and that was always using the phone. I'm always too hot and I couldn't go online. I quickly changed my mind about staying. We were finally able to leave 7 hours after the birth.

At home all the kids were excited. They each held the baby then they went to bed. We went to bed not long after. I had worried about my first night since last time it was so hard but I was fine.

Cynthia is 3 days old today and we are both doing very well.

Catherine (mabear)

---

back

Home Page Cynthia's Page

next

---

~~page last updated October 4th, 2003 | Site Map~~