Birth Story: Labor Faces

Part 1

My doctor told me that the Cervidil might knock me into labor and I wouldn't even have to have Pitocin.  While that would have been great, I wasn't counting on it, even though the Cervidil did make the contractions stronger.  They went ahead and placed the line for the IV but they didn't hook it up to the Pitocin until about 8am.  These are Cervidil contractions - also known as 'you ain't shit - wait till the Piocin comes' contractions.

Cervidil contraction from Desiree on Vimeo.


I still had those dumb belts on which meant I couldn't get far from the monitoring machines.  So even though I didn't have my IV placed, I was still on a leash.  I made the best of it by setting up my yoga mat nearby and did a few stretches.

yoga from Desiree on Vimeo.

I included this one to show how close I had to be to the monitors.

Also because I have absolutely no memory of having my computer out.

They said I was making a labor playlist.

I'd already gotten the Pitocin by this point - that might have something to do with it.

I chose not to look at the monitors because you know,

I don't need a COMPUTER to tell me when I'm having contractions.

It's kind of hard to miss.

Really hard to miss.

I told them they had one chance to get the IV in right and it better not fall out.

Hence the shit-ton of tape.

What contractions feel like.

Fixing my hair between contractions - that's how you know I could

handle the pain.

Then it got serious again.

Trying to keep all my orifices open 

like Ina May says.

Now, let me take a moment and give the hugest, most amazing-est, loudest, most proudest shout out to 

MY HUSBAND DREW.

He was there from start to finish.

Drew was an absolute CHAMPION.  He was there for me the entire time, never leaving my side, doing everything right.  EVERYTHING.  He was better than any doula on the planet.  He held me when I needed him, he backed off when I needed that and he was a total and complete prince.  I could not have asked him to be any better - he was perfect.  PERFECT.  A prince.  My hero.  My champion.  I COULD NOT have done it without him.

We even had some laughs in between contractions.

I laughed too, I swear - my brother just didn't catch it.

  

Once the Pitocin started flowing, things got much more serious, as evidenced by my complete and total disregard for the state of my hair.

Contraction from Desiree on Vimeo.


This went on from 8am till about 2:30.  I felt the classic 'double-peak' Pitocin contractions and they were not fun.  Regular contractions have a rise, peak and fall - Pitocin ones have a rise, peak, tiny fall that you barely notice, PEAK, then the real fall.  I'd read about them, but to live it?  Man.  It was no joke.


I don't know how much they gave me because I didn't know how to read the machine but there was a 3?  I don't think it was a lot but it was puh-lenty as far as I was concerned.  My awesome nurse Angie stayed with me the whole time as well and at one point, she called my doctor to see about turning it off for a bit.  She got the okay, so I got a breather around 2:30 but my contractions went irregular again, so we had to turn it back on a little before 3.  However, that half hour was the best half-hour of my life.


At this point, I'd had two cervical checks - a baseline when I was admitted and one the next day that determined I'd gone from 2 to 3 with the Cervidil.  They weren't fun but I made it clear to my nurses that I didn't like them and they were as gentle as possible which made things a tiny bit more tolerable.  I'd been able to vocalize, change positions and not once did anyone mention the E word.  I wasn't able to eat, but that was the furthest thing from my mind so I could have cared less.  I had all the ice chips I wanted and you know, they hit the spot! Especiallly when they melted a little and Angie put a little apple juice in there for me.  Again, Drew was right on time every time with a spoonful for me when I needed it.  Heaven!


There was never really a time that I thought I couldn't do it, that I should go ahead and get the drugs.  I was doing it - I was laboring and I was managing.  If I could have thought clearly, I would have been proud of myself, but my whole being was focused on making it through one contraction at a time.


Now, I did think that I didn't want to be doing this for 26 hours.  I'd been at it since 7am and that was plenty for me, so when my doctor came in at 3 and offered to break my water, I listened.  She talked to me in between contractions so I was able to focus on her and really listen and consider my options, but I really liked it when she said breaking my water would shave off at least three hours - that was music to my ears.  She did say my contractions would get stronger, but I was managing so far.  It couldn't be that bad right?  So I consented.


She did another check, between contractions so it wasn't unbearable and declared I was 5 centimeters!  That felt so good - I was terrified of having labored all day and having no change, so I felt much better about her breaking my water.


Again, she was so totally gentle I didn't even feel it, but I sure felt the water coming out!  It was such a crazy sensation that I couldn't help but laugh.  I laughed and laughed at this babbling brook that was running out of me!  It was nice and clear and she said the baby's head was right there.  I felt so good about everything and I knew I was in the home stretch.


Until that first no-water contraction.  Also known as 'I stomp on the throat of Pitocin contractions.'

Then it got so ridiculously real.

Keep your orifices open, my ass.

Special thanks to my baby for letting Mommy blog!

For that, you get some boobie juice!