my induction play by play

[FeistyMom]

At 6 I got the first contraction I didn't think I could handle. Nurse got me in bed on my side and did a check. I was barely a 7 but she decided to get things in motion

I'm afraid to say that I lost my mind a little. I told Dh I couldn't do it, he reassured me that I could. I started having heartburn between contractions and really lost my cool about it which kind of amused everyone. I was completely freaked out. I lost track of time and just felt like pain was constant.

My eyes were closed most of the time and when I opened them I realized everyone was there. I suddenly had an urge to push! I whined very loudly about it and to my surprise nurse and doctor said go for it. Just before that I said I couldn't do it and said I had to have something for the pain. They gave me half a dose or less of something that escapes my mind.

I did 3 big pushes on that contraction and crowned.

This is so my least favorite thing about labor... Burning ring of fire!

Next contraction I pushed 4 times and nurse and Dh pulled my legs up. I was too weak and too tired and too miserable to do it myself. Doc ordered me to take it easier and I yelled at him to pull it out or push it back in. Next contraction I pushed and head was delivered. But instead of having me continue they said stop. Apparently there was some shoulder stuff going on. Doc managed to reposition during the lull with me complaining rather loudly about the delay. Next contraction hit and I pushed and lo was delivered! Dh announced to me that....

It's a girl!

The whole ordeal part had only taken 40 minutes and whatever they gave me kicked in on the last 30 seconds lol.

Baby girl was a big one. 9 lbs 4 ounces and 21.5 inches long. I had one minor graze with no stitches required!

She was covered in wax. By far our waxiest baby!

 

[FeistyMom]

She has a ton of fuzzy dark hair. After several minutes of snuggling her on my chest during which I thought I was pooing the doctor and was really just delivering the placenta, they took her for weighing and a brief rub down. They no longer try to wipe off the wax they rub it in like lotion which I think is much nicer. They brought her back to me and she was sticking her tongue out so we tried nursing and it went fairly well!

 

[Sarahcake]

Yay congratulations on your beautiful girlie!! Hope your resting up now lovely

The shoulder thing, was it shoulder dystocia? That's what happened in my induction

 

[wannabubba#4]

Congrats hun, so happy for you. Yay!!
Looking forward to seeing her xxx rest up mama, enjoy those first baby cuddles.
What have you called her? Xxx

 

[ladyluck8181]

Congratulations Mel

 

[FeistyMom]

Yes shoulder dystocia sounds right. Dh says the OB got a very serious /focused look on his face right after head delivered and that is when he said stop pushing and relax for a moment. Our OB is pretty laid back and matter of fact, and downright giggly sometimes so it concerned Dh quite a bit but since none of the nursing staff was rushing around he figured it couldn't be too bad. I was too consumed with being thoroughly done with the whole process to get worried at the time! Very lucky everything worked out all right for us.

 

[FeistyMom]

Most likely calling her Rosemary Faith. Although I started saying Rosalie at one point while snuggling her, so not 100% sure yet.

These after pains are so obnoxious. Might end up going for some hydrocodone if they don't subside soon so I can get more than 45 minutes of sleep at a time.

 

[allforthegirl]

Mel - what a beautiful story. Sounds much like my last one on you lost it. Crazy stuff the drip! Your baby girl sounds absolutely beautiful. Can't wait to see pics love!! You did absolutely wonderful!!

 

[crysshae]

Congratulations Mel! Can't wait to see her!

 

[blessedmomma]

such a lovely birth!!! glad the shoulder thing worked out I hear its common with big babies.

love the name choices she sounds precious!!

the after pains seem to get worse with each one, don't they?! not looking forward to that

get some rest and keep cuddling that sweet LO. incredibly jealous you are holding your baby right now

 

[Whitesoxfan41]

You ROCKED it Mel! Awesome job girl. Congratulations again! I'm so happy for you!

 

[FeistyMom]

Thanks everyone!

I went ahead with the hydrocodone this morning and woohoo feeling better. I think basically any time my bladder was getting full the cramps got unbearable and it was totally unacceptable to me to not thoroughly enjoy snuggling little Rosie.

I can be discharged anytime this afternoon but baby needs one more check at 24 hrs so can't leave until after 7. Debating spending one more night or not. I miss my kiddos at home, but one more night of not having them climb on me is probably good.

 

[FeistyMom]

Overall I have mixed feelings about the induction. On the one hand given that she was over 9 lbs already and had big shoulders that got a bit caught I am glad we were induced and went early. But I just was not a fan of all of the restrictions. I loved the relaxing atmosphere and lack of rush and panic in the beginning, but I couldn't help but think I would have been sent home and not been able to enjoy any of the 'cool' things anyway (jacuzzi, shower, ball).

It also made it really easy to see why and how inductions end up with more complications than spontaneous births. By limiting the options a laboring mom has you remove the opportunity for her movements and muscle relaxation to make proper adjustments. And without feeling in control of pain management it is also easy to see why many women end up choosing an epidural even if they had not planned on wanting one which is associated with its own risks and rewards.

It seems like a lot of the problems associated with induction aren't really a direct result of Pitocin but more a result of the way monitoring works and how easily it ends up having hospital staff fall back on more old fashioned and restrictive policies. If they went with wireless sensors with waterproof housings you could avoid most of the mobility issues and empower women to make full use of her options. Dunno why some entrepreneurs haven't designed that yet!

 

[allforthegirl]

Or why they can't give you a shot of pitocin vs having to be hooked up the whole time. I am sure just a tiny bit of it would be more than enough for me, as it was way too much for me last time.

But everything you are saying really makes me want to avoid it all together!! I really do want the freedom to move about!!

 

[ricschick]

Ahh congrats mel you did a great job well done you! Can't wait to see her xxx