A BABY STORY: JC/DC Style
March 4, 2009
It was a busy day. I handed back the exams my students took the previous Friday. Then I ran some errands, picked up Colin from school, went to Sam's Club, picked up Dylan and our neighbor from school and then came home. I had an ob/gyn appointment at 3:30 so Jonny was coming home to watch the boys. During a bathroom stop (at 3:15), I noticed I lost my mucous plug. I thought "No biggie, that can happen and labor may not start until 1-2 weeks." But still, I thought I may as well make sure the boys have their bags packed to go over to Ali and Mike's (our neighbors) house just in case. So, Dylan, Colin and I went upstairs and as I was walking down the hall, I felt a trickle down my leg. Now I was a bit suspicious (my water never broke with Dylan and Colin so I was not sure). After some more of this, I thought "Hmm...maybe my water did break" so I called Jonny. After trying to get a hold of him three times, he finally called me back. He was almost home so when he got in, he finished packing the boys bags, I said good bye to the boys and he took them to the neighbor's house. It was all very rushed.
We got to the hospital (at about 4:15) and after an unpleasant encounter with UK parking security, we made it upstairs and waited to get into triage. At this point I am feeling uncomfortable but the contractions are not too painful.....YET!
Once into triage, I began to feel stronger contractions and dcided that my lofty goal of having no epidural was not such a good idea. Bring it on...let me be relaxed for my last birth experience. However, despite Jonny and I telling them that I do not labor too long, the triage staff took their time and did not get things rolling too quickly. I did get to meet a very sweet, timid medical student who stuck with me the whole time. Anyhoo, as soon as the nurse looked at me she said "Oh yeah, you are in labor". Once checked, I was 5 cm dilated.
So I was transferred to labor and delivery where the contractions got stronger and stronger. I had to wait until blood platelet levels were checked before I could get my epidural. It was a race against the clock. At one point I thought I had to push so the L&D nurse quickly called my doctor in (can you believe it, my actual doctor was on call...I have never had my own doctor deliver my baby!). At this point I was 8 cm dilated and Dr. Zachman said "OK, let's get her epidural in." But no test results yet. The anesthesiologist came into the room and set everything up and FINALLY they got the go ahead. I was very ready. However, apparently the doc was a not-so-experienced resident or something. I was in the position and she tried putting in the stupid catheter for about 15-20 mins. All during this time I was having intense contractions and I could not move. I was miserable. Finally I said "I have to lie down and I have to push." At that point the anesthesiologist said she had the catheter in and would send in a test does of medication to make sure it was in the right place and I should feel some relief in about 10 min. Fat chance. By this time, I had to push and my doc was in the room telling me I could, in fact, push. By this point I was having 3 contractions in a row that did not let up and then a 30 sec break before the next set began.
After about 3-4 pushes and Owen coming out with his hand next to his face, we had a baby boy at 6:50pm!
Did I mention my own doctor delivered Owen? So cool.
Cool picture of Owen's little foot and toes.
