On October 28th, we went in for a post-due checkup and discovered that I was 2 mm dilated already and 50% effaced. Which means not a whole lot until he's ready to come out. But, we also learned that the amniotic fluid was low, which was more urgent cause for us to decide to induce that day.
As we were walking into labor and delivery, I felt like I was walking about 5 feet behind myself, trying to catch up to what was about to happen.
Sadly, inducing meant pitocin which wasn't the route I wanted to start on at all, but had to keep in mind that this was what was best for Roo. I got checked in and met our first nurse, Carol, while Andrew ran home to get our stuff.
After trying 5 times to get the IV in, the 'pit' was begun at about 3 or 4PM, after Andrew returned. I was hooked up on it until 8, along with an antibiotic to reduce infection because of the low fluid. It made me progress to 4mm, which was good news, but I really didn't have strong contractions that appeared they would take off on their own once I was removed from the pit. I was taken off the pit for the night and we sat back and waited to see what my body would do, knowing I would most likely go back on the pit in the early morning.
Around 8 PM, my water broke on its own, and by midnight contractions had started. I labored with back-labor through the night with only one seated position being tolerable. It was terribly painful, more so that I ever imagined and I admit I broke down and asked for drugs. However, when discussing the options the nurse mentioned that epidurals don't really help back labor too much, and the other narcotics really just barely took the edge off. So instead, we opted for me to get into the tub and try the water instead. I was relieved because the thought of being hooked up to the IV, and a catheter the rest of the time was really abysmal.
The tub was very helpful and after that the option of drugs was no longer on the table for me, I actually forgot all about them. So I continued to labor through the night, Andrew was there every step of the way encouraging me and pushing on my back for every contraction. I couldn't have done it without him!
By the time the sun came up, it was determined that I was progressing well and didn't need more pit. Our midwife, Kim, said it was all up to me at that point. That was true, but left me anxious because I knew what was ahead. And knowing what's ahead and knowing there's no way--out is a little scary!
Around 7 or 8 AM I was pushing. Pushing was definitely more tolerable than early and active labor, but it was certainly strange and uncomfortable. It was hard work, but well worth it. Andrew was able to watch and coach me all the way - which was amazing. And he was even able to 'catch' the baby and announce his gender. The look on his face and the amazed surprise Andrew expressed when he said "It's a boy!" was priceless. 10:31 Andrew was born.
He placed the baby on my chest and from that moment on we were different people.
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