On Wednesday, May 13th, I had my scheduled 39 week OB appointment and was pretty much convinced how it would go. I just knew that the doctor would tell me that I hadn't progressed at all labor-wise and that they would see me for my 40 week appointment. Instead, the doctor informed me that I was measuring small for 39 weeks and recommended an ultrasound be done to figure out why. I was a bit concerned and was anxious to have some answers. Surprisingly, through the ultrasound, the tech estimated that Madison was already approximately 7 pounds 6 ounces; thus she was not nearly as small as the doctors had originally thought (they had estimated for several weeks that she was a little over 6 pounds). The tech measured the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding Madison, completed the ultrasound, and then escorted me back into one of the examine rooms to wait for the doctor.
The doctor came in, sat down and said: "so you are 38 weeks and 6 days and your amniotic fluid levels are very low...so... (long pause)...let's have a baby!!" I just looked at her, absolutely shocked. Did I miss something!? I proceeded to ask her to clarify whether she meant now and she said yes, now, and to call the hubby. She then asked how soon we could get our hospital bags and get to the hospital. Still in complete shock and stumbling over my words, I mumbled that we could be there in the next two hours and she told me she would call labor and delivery and alert them we were on our way. I walked out of my doctor's office in pure shock and excitement and immediately called Evan who was still at work (it was around 4 pm). Evan was understandably a bit flustered and assured me he would leave work right away. We were going to get to meet our little one early! I was thrilled!
I drove home (extremely distracted and I probably shouldn't have been driving), called my parents and then hurriedly packed the last minute items in our hospital bags. Of course it took a bit lot longer than I thought it would. Evan arrived home, we packed up the car, got Bella, and drove to Ruth's to drop off Bella.
We arrived at the hospital around 6:30 pm, checked in and I was immediately hooked up to the baby monitors and was given an IV. Additionally, I was given a ripening agent to encourage my cervix to open up (as I hadn't made any progress up to this point). Sleep that night was nearly impossible (due to my excitement and the extremely uncomfortable hospital beds) and I think I maybe got one to two hours total.
Around 8 am the next morning (5/14), our nurse came in and allowed me to take a shower, eat breakfast, and then started pitocin around 9:45 am.
Thus began the waiting game. For the first several hours after starting the pitocin, I started having fairly light contractions. By midday, the contractions had picked up and they were starting to be somewhat painful but bearable. I honestly think one of the hardest parts of being induced was not being able to eat for over 24 hours. My last meal was breakfast around 8 am and I was not allowed to eat anything other than clear liquids until after Madison was born (a little after 10 am the following morning).
By early evening (a little before 6 pm) the OB on call came to check my progress and we were hopeful that I had made significant progress. My contractions at this point were becoming extremely uncomfortable and I was starting to discuss with Evan when we thought I should ask for the epidural (which I knew I would want). Unfortunately, the OB announced that I was only 1.5 cm dilated, which was only .5 cm more than I was that morning before they started the pitocin. I was extremely disappointed and frustrated. I had been in labor all day and had only progressed half a centimeter. I tried to keep it together, but I started crying. I was hungry, my contractions were basically right on top of one another and I wasn't progressing. To top it all off, I knew that the chances of having a c-section increase significantly when you are induced, so at this point, I was already starting to mentally prepare myself for that result. My parents arrived a few minutes later and were startled to see me so upset. Evan explained to them that we had just gotten very disappointing news.
Soon thereafter, I requested the epidural. I did not care that I was only 1.5 cm dilated. I had been laboring all day and my contractions were right on top of one another and were quite strong and painful. Turned out to be the best decision I made all day. Around 10 pm that evening, my epidural was administered and within minutes, the relief I felt was amazing. The epidural even made the bed much more comfortable for me and I was able to get in a good amount of sleep that night.
Early the next morning (5/15) around 6 am, a nurse came to check my progress and announced that I was 9 centimeters dilated. I looked at her, pleasantly surprised and shocked, and asked her to repeat that. She again repeated that I was 9 centimeters dilated. Evan and I were so relieved and excited to hear that I had made so much progress that night. And the best part, is that I didn't feel any of it...I had just slept right through it. The nurse informed us that she would check back in a couple of hours, but that we would likely be meeting our little girl that morning!! We were so excited at that point and I could not stop smiling!!
The next several hours flew by and before I knew it, the nurse came in to check me again and announced that I was 10 centimeters dilated and she could see the baby's head!! I couldn't believe it. It was a very surreal moment; we were about to meet our little girl. The nurse scrambled to get the OB, Dr. Fishburne (whom we really liked a lot) and carts were wheeled in for the last minute prep before I was given permission to start pushing. Before the doctor stepped in, the nurse instructed me that I could give one strong push during a contraction, so I did. As I was pushing, the nurse looked a little surprised and told me to stop pushing as according to Evan her head was already making an appearance! The doctor quickly came in the room and within three pushes and six minutes (not kidding I am not exaggerating), Madison Ashley was born at 10:46 am. I could not believe how quickly the pushing went, but I am not complaining. To put icing on the cake, I apparently had extremely minimal tearing that only required several stitches. It was such a great way to end a process that had been quite lengthy and frustrating at times.
Madison was quickly put on my chest and it was such a surreal moment to be holding our little girl. She barely cried and just looked calmly around the room with her beautiful blue eyes. Madison was cleaned up and Evan got to hold her. They looked so cute together, I wanted to cry. Definitely one of the happiest moments of my life.
I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking.
Morning of May 14th, after beginning the pitocin.
Thus began the waiting game. For the first several hours after starting the pitocin, I started having fairly light contractions. By midday, the contractions had picked up and they were starting to be somewhat painful but bearable. I honestly think one of the hardest parts of being induced was not being able to eat for over 24 hours. My last meal was breakfast around 8 am and I was not allowed to eat anything other than clear liquids until after Madison was born (a little after 10 am the following morning).
By early evening (a little before 6 pm) the OB on call came to check my progress and we were hopeful that I had made significant progress. My contractions at this point were becoming extremely uncomfortable and I was starting to discuss with Evan when we thought I should ask for the epidural (which I knew I would want). Unfortunately, the OB announced that I was only 1.5 cm dilated, which was only .5 cm more than I was that morning before they started the pitocin. I was extremely disappointed and frustrated. I had been in labor all day and had only progressed half a centimeter. I tried to keep it together, but I started crying. I was hungry, my contractions were basically right on top of one another and I wasn't progressing. To top it all off, I knew that the chances of having a c-section increase significantly when you are induced, so at this point, I was already starting to mentally prepare myself for that result. My parents arrived a few minutes later and were startled to see me so upset. Evan explained to them that we had just gotten very disappointing news.
Soon thereafter, I requested the epidural. I did not care that I was only 1.5 cm dilated. I had been laboring all day and my contractions were right on top of one another and were quite strong and painful. Turned out to be the best decision I made all day. Around 10 pm that evening, my epidural was administered and within minutes, the relief I felt was amazing. The epidural even made the bed much more comfortable for me and I was able to get in a good amount of sleep that night.
Early the next morning (5/15) around 6 am, a nurse came to check my progress and announced that I was 9 centimeters dilated. I looked at her, pleasantly surprised and shocked, and asked her to repeat that. She again repeated that I was 9 centimeters dilated. Evan and I were so relieved and excited to hear that I had made so much progress that night. And the best part, is that I didn't feel any of it...I had just slept right through it. The nurse informed us that she would check back in a couple of hours, but that we would likely be meeting our little girl that morning!! We were so excited at that point and I could not stop smiling!!
The next several hours flew by and before I knew it, the nurse came in to check me again and announced that I was 10 centimeters dilated and she could see the baby's head!! I couldn't believe it. It was a very surreal moment; we were about to meet our little girl. The nurse scrambled to get the OB, Dr. Fishburne (whom we really liked a lot) and carts were wheeled in for the last minute prep before I was given permission to start pushing. Before the doctor stepped in, the nurse instructed me that I could give one strong push during a contraction, so I did. As I was pushing, the nurse looked a little surprised and told me to stop pushing as according to Evan her head was already making an appearance! The doctor quickly came in the room and within three pushes and six minutes (not kidding I am not exaggerating), Madison Ashley was born at 10:46 am. I could not believe how quickly the pushing went, but I am not complaining. To put icing on the cake, I apparently had extremely minimal tearing that only required several stitches. It was such a great way to end a process that had been quite lengthy and frustrating at times.
Madison was quickly put on my chest and it was such a surreal moment to be holding our little girl. She barely cried and just looked calmly around the room with her beautiful blue eyes. Madison was cleaned up and Evan got to hold her. They looked so cute together, I wanted to cry. Definitely one of the happiest moments of my life.
I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking.
Morning of May 14th, after beginning the pitocin.
Sleeping after the epidural was administered.
Go time on 5/15.
Can't believe she is over a week old already!!
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