Snickers83: William's Birth Story

Posted Wednesday, June 25, 2008 4:42 PM

"I was quite the screamer...according to my father, he could hear me in the waiting room down the hall!"

Hoping for an early arrival

Being a tax accountant, I had been anxiously awaiting the birth of our son who was due on April 16, hoping to get out of a few days of the busy season if he came early. But sure enough, April 15 rolled around and still no baby boy. My husband Adam and I headed to the after-tax party around 5 p.m. on the 15th. We got so many "You're still here?" comments that I could have screamed! But I was feeling good, so I had nothing to complain about.

The beginning...

About four hours after my after tax party (great timing, huh?) I started having contractions and awoke in pain around 2 a.m. I sat up all night on the couch, counting and timing the contractions. I knew that this was the beginning (this was the morning of the 16th, my due date). I didn't wake DH, since I knew they weren't close enough to bother him with; but when he woke up on his own at 5:30, he freaked! Still, I told him to go to work and we'd go to my scheduled appointment at 9:30, since they were still about eight to ten minutes apart. At about 8 a.m., the contractions had stopped altogether! They had me do a non-stress test, and still nothing! I was so bummed. The doctor stripped my membranes and told me to go for a walk. DH and I headed to the mall and walked for about an hour and then went out to eat. We then headed home and I laid down for a nap at about 2 p.m.

At about 2:15, the contractions started again and were closer together (apparently my child did not want me rested). I took a bath and relaxed for the afternoon at home. Around 5:30, we went for a short walk and then came in to shower. As soon as I got out of the shower, my contractions starting coming every five minutes or so. After many phone calls with my sister and mom, we decided we better go in. (I was getting "yelled" at for being stubborn and was told to get my butt to the hospital!). We grabbed our suitcase and headed in. I arrived at the hospital around 6:30/7 p.m., but had to wait for about a half hour for a room. Once in the room, the doctor put my on a monitor and checked me. I was about four centimeters and 70% effaced. At my appointment that morning I was 3 cm dilated and 50% effaced. She told us to walk for another half hour and then she'd check again.

Showtime! 

When we were checked again I was five or six cm and 100% effaced -- this was it! We were immediately moved to a labor room. Since I didn't want medication, I decided to jump in the whirlpool tub. Now wasn't that a sight! I laid there with a towel over me, eating a Popsicle, and doing my best to deal with the contractions. During this time, I was still smiling and so excited, and handling the contractions well. But once I got out of the tub (around 10:30 p.m., the contractions started to get stronger. When they checked me I was at eight centimeters! The doctor asked me if I wanted her to just break my water and I said sure, since it seemed to be on the verge of happening on its own. Once my water broke, the contractions started coming one after the other, and were very strong. About an hour later, I was at 10 cm  and ready to push. I couldn't believe I was doing this with no epidural! I was asked if I wanted any meds around 11, and I let them give me some, but it only made me feel drunk and did nothing for the pain.

The pushing

Pushing was very difficult but well worth it in the end. I don't even remember them telling me I could push, I just started pushing because of the pressure! At one point they lost his heartbeat and I had to rotate onto my side. They found it, thank God, and things went back to normal. My mom and Adam were both with me, giving me tons of support. Adam was so incredible and tried as much as possible to help me with my breathing. Apparently, I was quite the screamer, since a few nurses came in asking if I was okay. And according to my father, he could hear me in the waiting room down the hall!

William's speedy delivery

My doctor arrived just in time and after about 40 minutes of pushing, William Kent was welcomed into the world. According to my mom, Will came out so fast that my doctor didn't even notice -- her head was turned the other way. Because of this, she wasn't able to "ease" him out of me, so I was pretty torn up. I didn't care one bit, though. He came out screaming and healthy. My mom was in the room with me and ran out to get my dad. We told him right away the name (Kent is his name) and everyone was crying! My DH was so emotional and it was such an amazing moment that I will never forget.

The recovery
 
Since Will did a number on me, it took my doctor about an hour and a half to sew me up. That was very uncomfortable, since I could feel every stitch. They had to put a catheter in since I ripped as badly as I did; however, they were able to take that out the next morning. We were in the hospital for two days straight. Breastfeeding was definitely a challenge, but well worth it. I think I only had one breakdown moment of crying and feeling that I just couldn't do it. Will was pretty fussy on the breast, but eventually he got the hang of things. We only had to supplement the first few days until my milk came in fully. Since I am now back at work, we are exclusively pumping. Will has gotten very used to the bottle and when I try to breastfeed he gets fussy since the milk isn't coming out fast enough. Thinks are going so well though and Will is such an amazing baby. He's sleeping through the night (five to six hours) and is handling daycare well. We are truly blessed and thank God every day for our little miracle.

> Read more about snickers83!
> Have a great birth story of your own? Email it to kstanford@theknot.com!