40 Weeks...and growing...
...and growing...and waiting...and waiting...1 days over, 2 days over, then the third day...
2 days over and I went in for my 40 week check on Monday, I had Densie strip my membranes for the second time, was still dilated to 3, now for over a week and discussed being induced by Thursday if I was still pregnant...UGH! So, we ALSO, discussed me trying castor oil again the next day. On the Saturday previous to my due date, 39 weeks exactly, Feb 11, I was bound and determined to get the baby on its way! I got up, went in for a massage from my friend, came home drank a castor oil shake, cleaned the house, vacuumed the whole house, took a nap and by 4:30pm contractions started and by 7:00 we were at the hospital and previous to this I was dilated to 2cm. So, they sent me to triage, checked me, now 2 1/2, had me walk, then monitored me and checked again, no change, so home I went. Contractions totally picked up, so back we went, because I was going in to the "zone" because they were getting THAT strong. They checked me again, now was at 3, so they started my IV, got us in a room and could visibly see I was progressing...so, then I slowed right down. By 5:30, was not even contracting anymore. So, I asked if Lynda could come in and break my water. She went in to check me and break it, but the baby's head was so high and there had been no change, she wouldn't risk it because there would be a chance baby's cord would come down first, which would cause an emergency c-section...no thank you. So, my other option would be go home or start pitocin and get 'er done. Again, no thank you. So, we went home to catch up on sleep. This totally turned off the desire to have baby anytime early. Very, very happy to have baby inside, to get my sleep, not to be changing diapers yet and got a fresh perspective on my last week of pregnancy. However, by 40 weeks, I was EXTREMELY ready!!!
So, back to the 40 week apt. After she stripped my membranes and after a little walking, I could feel a big difference and contractions were feeling very different as well, now the "pain factor" was along with them all. Some were close, but most were still far apart. This continued through the night, was able to get a good night sleep, totally relaxed ALL day! I got up at 6:00am to take my first dose, 1 TBS, of castor oil, went back to bed. Then, showered, shaved, packed the rest of my bag because the contractions were still the same just 15-30 minutes apart still. I watched all my favorite shows, took another dose of castor oil, 1 TBS, at 11:30, at a good lunch, took a good nap and was still contracting now about 8-20 min. apart. They were so sporadic, it was confusing me. So, by 3:20pm, I called my Midwife, Lynda, and she said to just come in to the office quick before 4:00pm when they closed to prevent having to go in to the hospital if I didn't need to. They were picking up as we traveled there, and by the time I got in to the office, there were every 3-4 minutes. She checked me and I was 80% effaced, dilated to 5 and my bag of water was now bulging. Because I was Group B Step positive, I was sent right in to the hospital. I went home, got Eric and grabbed our bags. We were admitted about 4:45pm and I progressed well. They got my IV started after 3 attempts, and I labored very well, on the ball most of the time or just walking around the room leaning on Eric or counters seemed to do me best this time. Never even got to use the tub because it was going so fast. My water still hadn't broken, but the contractions were picking up and I was feeling a bit "pushy" as my midwife would describe it, and she had me get up on the bed to check me and I was at 8 and 9 during a contraction. So, she just told me if I felt like pushing to go ahead and start. So, game on! By 7:15 the bed and the room was transformed and I was pushing and baby was coming. Her head was half way out, I used the mirrors above this time and opened my eyes for the first time to see this amazing sight, and my contraction was done...ouch! Lynda assured me, just to relax and wait for the next contraction, but, we waited and waited and waited and no contraction was coming, so she had to called for help. Next thing I knew with the next contraction, which was minutes later, I had another Dr. with petite hands in around baby's head, Lynda ready to catch, instead of Eric who was supposed to, one nurse on each leg grabbed and yanked back, pulling and tearing ligaments, and one nurse climbed up on the table to provide front pelvic pressure to assist with baby's shoulders should they get stuck. So, out she finally came...very surreal and I felt so bad for Eric, because he was supposed to catch, cut the cord and I was supposed to donate for ViaCord, none of which happened due to the loss of contractions! Craziness, but SO worth it! Baby came, and it was a GIRL!! I was so relieved, she was born at 8:11pm, weighing 9 pounds 11 ounces, 20 inches long, just the same as Mia! Head was 14 1/2 cm and chest was 14 1/4. She was beautiful, looking ton like big brother Lucas. We are so happy and blessed to have another healthy baby as part of our "pretty little family" as Mia would say!
