Last time we left off at the nurse I called at the hospital saying, “see you when you get here”.
We packed up the car and drove to the hospital. While we were driving I was still timing my contractions because I was still nervous this wasn’t the real thing. We got to the hospital at 4am, when I got out of the car I was having a contraction and couldn’t walk. Hubby didn’t know what to do. He said, “Do you want me to carry you?” The contraction passed and I walked into the hospital. We left most of our stuff in the car in case we weren’t admitted. We were surprised that they still had us fill out paperwork even though I had pre registered online. That was kind of amusing/annoying.
Then they took me to triage and I put on a hospital gown. A nurse came and hooked me up to monitors. She checked me and called a dr and told him I needed to stay. I was 6-7 cm with contractions 2 mins apart. I thought they were 4 mins apart I guess I couldn’t feel the beginning and end. She asked me 100 questions about my medical history and pain management; I told her I wanted an epidural. I should mention that I had wanted to try and not get an epidural. My mom is a nurse and talked to other labor and delivery nurses and thought I shouldn’t get one. Hubs saw Theresa on rhonj get one and didn’t want me to get one. After being in labor for weeks I was leaning towards getting one.
Then the nurse took us to a labor and delivery room. She asked when I wanted my epidural. She and hubs thought I was doing really well managing my pain. Hubby asked her at what point I could no longer get the epidural. She said I could get one up until I was pushing. I told them get the epidural process going because I know it can take awhile.
I now feel I can say I have a high tolerance for pain and I might have been able to not have an epidural if I had a smaller baby. I’m glad I had the epidural though since I pushed for two hours and had to have an episiotomy. Ashley at Kiwis and Cocktails had a natural birth and she said the worst part was getting stitched up. I had a lot of stitches so I’m thankful for the epidural. My mom was surprised how good I was doing with the epidural. She couldn’t believe I couldn’t even feel my contractions.
What was your check in to the hospital like? What was your pain management choice? Got any tips for me on how I can get my baby to sleep? Write a post and link up!
Well, I used a midwife & birth center, so we just walked right in and I hopped in the jacuzzi :) OK, maybe I didn't "hop" ;)
ReplyDeleteFor me, the contractions were worse than pushing the baby out. But I only had to push for 28 minutes. I was med-free until after they cut the cord...more on that in my post!
I really didn't think getting my epidural was bad, maybe I built it up in my mind to be much worse?! ha! Either way, I'm so glad I got one. I'm in awe of women who make it without one. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm loving these posts!
ReplyDeleteI am so getting an epidural when I finally go into labor! :)
I had a med free birth, but before the stitches they numbed me and I didn't feel a thing!
ReplyDeleteOur check in at the hospital was fine. We didn't pre register and John had to go down and fill out paper work for me, but I didn't have to do a thing. He was only gone a few moments so it must not have been very much!
I love birth stories!! I had epidurals both times. The first time it only took to half of my body....so strange. The second time it was great!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Erin- the contractions were worse than the pushing out part. The pushing is an end to it all, so I think that helps...I think pain can be a head thing, espeically after having a baby, I REALLY THINK that. Andrew has always said "Pain is only an emotion" that phrase PISSED me off whenever I complained of a splinter, cramp, etc. haha. but now I can KIND of see why he says that. I bet knowing the baby is coming out makes the pain seem less. Just like when I got in the hot hot tub to labor, it was so hot it kind of burned my skin, therefore took the focus away from the contraction pain! ha
ReplyDeleteI went and saw my friend and her new baby in the hospital yesterday. She was planning on going natural, but got the epi, and said she fell asleep right after and woke up to push! I cant even imagine what that is like to just go numb!
AND, ps. HOW would you know if you were having a small baby or a big baby until it was out? And by then your pain management choice would have been made. haha Like, how I was told I was having a 10 pound baby, and we all know they were WRONG about that! My friend had a 5 pound baby and still had to get cut and stitched A LOT!
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