Thursday, July 30, 2009

Madelyn's Birth Story {Part Two}

Okay, the last post left off where I told Leo that he needed to change bc this was real and it was for sure happening.
He ran, got changed and threw all of my things in the Jeep. I hugged everyone and Isabella was in tears as I was leaving. It really broke my heart but I knew we needed to get to the hospital soon...things were really intensifying at this point.
We're in the car and I told Leo to call my mom to tell her we were on the way to the hospital (Leo had called LDRP and they told him he needed to get me there soon). I couldn't talk to her because I was having more contractions and my back was beyond killing me at this point. I was trying to lift myself up to relieve the back pressure...not that it helped too much at this point!
Ahead of us was a Mississippi Highway Patrolman...I was *this close* to asking him to escort us all the way to base! People were driving sooo slow (at least it seemed like it) and base was at least 30 minutes away.
I resisted asking him (Leo talked me out of it, ha!) and my honey got us there and quick.
Less than 20 minutes later we pulled up to the gate and they got us through quickly. Leo parked and he helped me out. I had to stop twice to breathe through my contractions and focus on letting my body work how it was supposed to. At this point I still had some ability to do those things.
Once upstairs they placed me in and Antepartum Room...my stupid contraction monitor wouldn't fit correctly so we were having to hold it in place to show my contractions. The staff was short handed and there were 5 other women in labor...
They finally came to check my cervix for dialation around 12:30 or so. They asked me what I was dialated at on Monday at my appt. I told them a one. After being there for half an hour I was already to a four. I was in shock and happy at the same time. My blood pressure was really high and they had wanted me to walk (which there was no way with my back labor) so I had to stay in the bed.
An hour later I was in intense pain--mainly my back. Back labor? Yeah, it sucks. Horribly.
I requested an epidural and they were very calm telling me I had to wait until 2:30 to get checked again and then they would move me into my room for an epidural.
I was pretty pissed off because I knew things were getting moved along very, very quickly. At this point I was really loud and letting them know that HELLO!!! I am in PAIN!
The doctor poked her head in and said they would get me my epidural and possibly an iv pain med as well...at this point I didn't care. I wanted some relief from my back. It was taking over everything...and I thought I was going to die.
They came in checked my cervix. I was practically an eight. Freaking EIGHT CM DIALATED!!
I really felt like they probably thought I was a little dramatic over my pain...and then when they realized this they seriously got their butts in gear. My nurse asked if I could walk across the ward to my room....are you kidding me?! I couldn't even walk to the bathroom at this point. My contractions were coming one after the other with NO break in between them.
They get me to my room...I'm still screaming for pain meds. Nobody is listening. They are trying to get my iv in...and I thought I was, um, going to go to the bathroom right there. I told Leo I needed to get to the bathroom (okay, so I probably yelled it) and then I realized that I didn't have to go to the bathroom. I. needed. to. push.
They were freaking out, telling me not to push yet, I wasn't there. (Not push?! Were they crazy?!) They checked me and I almost fully dialated. Except for a lip or something. They had me do a couple of practice pushes but I couldn't concentrate. I still asked about my epi and um, that's when I got the bad news.
No. epi. for. me.
Leo said I cried.
I believed it.
The doc came in from another delivery and Leo told her hey--my water hasn't broke! She couldn't believe it, broke it and told me to push.
One contraction, three pushes later...and my princess #2 was delivered. It was 3:05 p.m.
I was in such a euphoric state...and I was so proud of myself for surviving major back labor and having her without the assistance of anything for pain.
Amazing.
Took my breath away.
And I'm still on cloud 9.
Now for part three...the pictures!

5 comments:

Rach (Mommy Learns to Blog) said...

You. Are. My. Hero.
Wow, I am amazed at how people do it without drugs . . . one of my friends recently had a very fast labor (her third) and had to go without too - it's amazing what your body can do! Congrats again, mama! She's a doll :)

Danielle (Life with the Hewitt Family) said...

What an amazing birth story! I always get so nervous reading about peoples experiences because I am always afraid they won't make it to the hospital in time. I am sorry that you didn't get your epi - but you did it on your own! That is awesome! Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

oo wow just read the whole thing! You are one strong woman!! I had back labor w/ Sammy as well! OUCH!! I hope your healing up quickly!! How is everyone doing?

Susan said...

You are amazing! I have heard how unbelievably painful back labor is. I can't believe after all that you were able to leave the hospital so fast. I beg to get out of the hospital and I have never gotten to leave so soon.
I hope the nurse's and doctor's ears are ringing from your screaming. How dare they not believe that you were really in THAT much pain. I feel like they just assume that every woman is a wimp. Seriously? If I tell you my pain is an 8 on a scale of 1 to 10, you better freaking believe me, I'm the one in pain.
Hope you are recovering well and adjusting to being home with TWO!

Vashey Fam said...

OH my gosh! Back labor! Wow, you are a strong woman! I have 3 months to go and you are both scaring me and making me feel like, ok, I can do this.