It all started the night before. I was feeling a little "different" and had lost my plug earlier in the day. I wasn't really having major contractions, but they felt different than the Braxton Hicks I had been experiencing for weeks now. So, I told John we better get to bed early, just in case. I wasn't sure if it was real or just wishful thinking, but better to be safe than sorry I guess. So we headed to bed at 9:00. At 1:45 am I awoke to minor pains and some timely contractions. I watched the clock in between dosing off, and it seemed they were coming about every 7 min. So, I woke John and we continued to time them for about an hour while we began preparations. Since they continued and came every 6 min. I called my Mom and Jim and they came to the house. We left for the hospital at 3:30 am and arrived shortly before 4 am. When I was first assessed, I was about 3 cm and 75% effaced. The contractions were coming every 4 min. I was relieved to find that this WAS really it!
I tried to hold off on getting my epidural for as long as I could so I could really experience labor. Of course it hurt, but I was so thrilled that God was providing me with this opportunity, that I was able to find peace during my contractions. The labor nurse was really impressed with my breathing...and to tell the truth, so was I! Not really sure how I was able to do it, since we didn't practice and our "prep class" was only 4 hours long. But, I'm glad it worked as well as it did. John was a great support and offered encouragement and massage throughout, so I know that helped a lot. Because I was a VBAC they needed to keep baby on a monitor and unfortunately, when I would stand, they would loose her, so I needed to get back into bed. When I was not able to be in the position that I found most comfortable, I opted for the epidural. It was about 5:30 am at this point.
After the epidural was in, labor became so easy. I never thought it was possible, but I actually fell asleep! At the time of the epidural, I was 4 cm. They said they would check me again if my water broke or when doctor did his rounds. Around 6:00 am my water broke and the nurse noted that there was meconium present in the water, so baby would need to be suctioned and watched carefully after birth to make sure she didn't ingest any of it. The nurse checked me and I was now at 5 cm. She said I would probably dilate about 1 cm per hour, so we were thinking baby would deliver around noon.
At 8:30 my doctor came in on rounds and checked my cervix. To every one's surprise I was complete, or at 10cm and fully effaced. Baby was at +2 station, and +4 station means shes out...so the doctor said, it was time to push. I was shocked...it was only 8:30...this was going SO fast! The nurses got the room ready and then asked me to do a practice push. They said I could push for up to 3 hours, typical for a first time delivery. Nope! After just one push they yelled...STOP and said they needed to get the doc in there now. Baby had descended to +3 station and was crowning with just one push! I guess I did it well. The doctor came back in and with 2 strong contractions and 6 pushes, Isabelle Ann was born.
I was able to hold her immediately after birth and John was able to cut the cord. Both experiences we did not have the first time around and ones that we were so blessed to have the opportunity to do this time.
The experience was incredible and I will continue to thank God everyday for the opportunity to deliver her vaginally. It was more than we ever expected and we will cherish the memories for a lifetime!
