First, I need to backtrack a little. At my 37 week doctor appointment I was dilated to 2 cm. At my 38 week appointment, I was at a 3 and at 39 weeks I was at a 4. We were progressing, but not very quickly. My doctor stripped my membranes, but cautioned me that it could do nothing at all and I could end up having Max late. This happened on Monday, April 11th.
That night I put Cooper down for bed while Cody was giving a blessing at a nearby hospital. I began having contractions around 7:30pm, but they were inconsistent and varied in intensity. I thought for sure it was just pre-labor due to my earlier doctor appointment. At 10pm Cody and I began to get ready for bed; I still thought it was just pre-labor pains. By 10:30 the contractions became more consistent and we decided to drop Cooper off at Cody’s parents and go to the hospital.
We checked in at 11pm and thought ourselves very lucky since there was no one in the waiting room or triage. We ended up spending two hours in triage as they repeatedly told us it would be just another 15 minutes. They checked me and I was at 5cm, but immediately the contractions began to intensify and get closer together. Finally, at 1am I was moved to the labor and delivery floor.
As soon as I reached the delivery room I had a contraction and really felt the need to push. I told my nurse and she checked me. I was at 10 cm. The anesthesiologist was already there, but there was no time to do the drip epidural. He gave me a big shot instead to help with the pain. The nurse began calling to page the 3rd year resident since my doctor was still another 5 minutes out and they didn’t think he would make it in time. Luckily, he showed up just a minute or two later. He said we would wait through a contraction or two so the epidural shot could take effect. On the next contraction I told them that Max wasn’t waiting. My water sack had already begun to come out in tack. The doctor broke the water and I began pushing. I pushed through two contractions and Max was born at 1:36am; just two and a half hours after checking in to the hospital.
Interesting fact: my doctor said it is supposed to be good luck when the water sack emerges without breaking. Also, Max was born facing up (sunny side up) rather than the usual way of facing down.
4 comments:
WOW! What a story. you are on tough lady. I've never heard that about the water sac before. Very interesting. I am glad everybody is here and doing well. Congrats.
Congrats Claire! You made it through without an epidural! You are a super woman! I am not so bad A as that. :) Max is adorable! Can't believe that our two little guys are so close together. Miss you.
Congrats!! You are a tough girl!! I am so excited for you and so glad that both you and Max are doing well!
This is an old wives tale Claire - but also, coming out with the water sac intact is a sign of clairvoyance in the baby. Fitting, since your name is Claire. The old tale says that the baby may be clairvoyant in the sense of having extra-sensory perception, but it can also mean a child who sees everything clearly and is very intelligent both from an IQ perspective and emotionally. (just a random fun fact for you!)
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