I started having contractions after my Dr appointment Monday afternoon where I was not dilated at all. They kept getting more intense until the point I woke up at 4am and couldn’t get back to sleep again. Tuesday night, I was in a lot of pain and the contractions were close together, but irregular. I called the doctor to ask what I should do and she said it didn’t sound like I was in labor, wait 30 minutes and go to the hospital if I felt it necessary. The contractions became less frequent, so I waited.
Wednesday, I was in pain all day and the contractions were coming at least every 8 minutes, but still irregular. By 4:30, they were pretty bad so we went to the hospital.
The staff was sure I’d be pretty far along based on how strong my contractions were, but I was only 1cm. The doctor suggested we induce, so we did. The contractions became absolutely unbearable. After a couple hours though, I was still only 2cm. I asked for the epidural. Let me tell ya, that’s good stuff. They had to turn off the pictocin at one point because the baby’s hr dropped, but my contractions were strong without it. The next time they checked, I was 8cm.
Pushing took forever, mostly because I couldn’t feel anything down there and my contractions weren’t very close together. They turned down the drugs which helped. The doctor came in at the very end. She wanted to do an episiotomy on me, but I said no, unless absolutely necessary. She was pretty judgemental about it when I tore, but it’s supposed to make tearing worse, so poo poo on her.
Anyway, the last few pushes were pretty brutal. Kid’s got a big head. But he was out! They cleaned him up and gave him to me. I tried breastfeeding and he took to it right away.
7lbs 12oz, 20 3/4″ long
I was finally able to rest. When I wasn’t feeding him anyway. He looooves to eat. Especially when he’s upset and needs comfort.
We were all ready to go home Saturday morning when the pediatrician told us he’s jaundiced and had to stay another night. I was so upset, especially because they took him away for treatment and told us they need to give him formula to help flush his system. They have me a pump to keep up my supply.
I was incredibly relieved when they brought him in a little while later to eat.
That night without him was rough though. Pumping is terrible. The next day, his test results looked promising. We hung out at the hospital with him all day. The afternoon results looked good too. We were finally able to bring him home!
And I haven’t slept since. Naw, that’s a slight exageration, but it’s a happy sleep deprivation. Absolutely love him and love being a mom. Even when I’m being peed on.
Congratulations again!! Such a cute little boy.
Aw I was waiting for your birth story post!! I am so happy for you. Although your labour doesn’t sound like much fun at all. Very painful and for DAYS!! Uuuugh, makes me very nervous. I know that in the end it’s all worth it, but while going through it, I am sure it’s not pleasant.
I say good for you for avoiding the episiotomy, but also sorry that you tore. Hopefully your healing process will be quick. I bet you are super sore though :( Well good luck with the sleep thing! Must be tough going from lots of sleep to practically nil. I always hear parents saying sleep when they sleep so I will definitely try that.
Are you pumping at home as well so that Bryan can feed too? How is the cloth diapering going? What did you need/not need in your hospital bag??
Congrats! Thank you for sharing your story with us ^_^
I was very lucky with my labour that it was so quick and for that I was grateful, I couldn’t have imagined being in labour for that long! You handled it very well from the sounds of it :) and yay for standing up for yourself about the episiotomy, I tore naturally too and I heard healing was much better for natural tears over the cut. Sports water bottles were a lifesaver, another mum told us to pack one in our hospital bags and just said “don’t ask, you will know when it comes!” My stitches healed up lovely and I put it down to keeping them clean with the bottle, but I think it was mainly supposed to be to ease the burning sensation which it certainly did. I wouldn’t go to the loo without it!
I only wished I could have breastfed :( Dylan wouldn’t latch, my supply was very limited so I spent 7 days pumping in this horrible hospital room where they kept the pumps, so I can relate to that! Dylan had to be cup fed formula mixed with whatever breast milk I could get until I had to give in and switch to a bottle with formula permanently, but I don’t regret it as it was best for us in that situation, but it does make me sad. He got the colostrum which was the main part.
You just gotta do what you gotta do :)
I figured I’d just check on your site to see how your pregnancy was going and to my delight and surprise, your little bundle of joy had made his appearance! Congrats and welcome to mommy hood!
He looks gorgeous and amazingly sound. The Tigger onesie is super cute! :D Hope you three are settling in well!