It’s almost been 2 weeks since TheBaby arrived.
2 Friday’s ago I started having contractions.
When we left for the hospital, my contractions weren’t quite 5 mins apart, but they lasted longer and were more intense than I remembered with my previous labor.
We got to the ER around 1am on Saturday morning and contractions were 7/10 every 4-5 mins.
They took me up to labor and delivery, hooked me up to the monitors and IV, and checked dilation. I was at a 4.
Before getting my epidural, I had to take on a whole bag of fluids, which takes about an hour. Meanwhile contractions were coming faster and were closer to 9/10. They checked me again and I was at a 7.
Finally, it was time for my epidural. As I sat sideways on the bed, I had at least 3 intense contractions that made me push involuntarily. He hooked me up and almost instantly my legs started to feel warm.
The nurse put in a catheter and checked me again. I was basically at a 10 and the doctor was waiting in the hall to break my water and start pushing.
My epidural worked wonderfully this time (during my previous labor it only worked on my left side- I still felt everything on the right.) It was too good though, and I couldn’t feel the contractions at all anymore. They had to tell me when I was having them/when to push. Since I couldn’t actually feel what I was doing, I had to focus really hard on pushing effectively.
With the first push, there was some concern, TheBaby didn’t have a good response, so briefly there was a lot of rushing around. They put oxygen on me and the doctor said that she might have to help me get the baby out (forceps, etc.) I pushed again and things seemed fine, thankfully. I pushed for less than 15 minutes and she was born at 3:19am.
TheMister was the perfect coach/support- as always. I gave my parents the option to be in the room for delivery this time. My mom took me up on it, my dad did not. I forgot to tell her to just hang back and be a spectator, but she was fine.
We are all doing well.
TheToddler is adjusting better than expected- not perfect, but it’s going well.
TheBaby sleeps better than TheToddler did.
TheMister starts 12 weeks of baby leave on Monday.
I am looking forward to finding a routine and adjusting to our new normal.