I wrote this back in January, before I had a Facebook page for this blog and really wasn't sharing my posts with anyone. Been reflecting on this again today while I work on tomorrow's post, and NO I'm not pregnant again.
I originally wanted to compose a post detailing the birth of my third (and final) baby. Instead I ended up with a a more stream of consciousness account of all three deliveries. Three babies, three very different Birth Days.
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| Agent E |
With Agent E, my water broke three weeks early, and I spent the next several hours leaking amniotic fluid but having no contractions and only dialated two centimeters. She was induced, and I had an epidural that was “turned up” way too much, and basically felt nothing through the whole labor, including the pushing stage. I hemorrhaged immediately following her delivery, had to have the placenta removed manually, received more drugs to control the bleeding, and ended up with a D&C. Oh, and as a bonus, the meds they gave me to control the bleeding have the awesome side affect of causing almost instantaneous vomiting and diarrhea. Because what’s more fun after 20 hours of labor? I don’t even remember hearing her first cry. Luckily my husband was with her . . . the time after her birth was a blur for me, and I don’t think I stopped shaking enough to hold her for at least two hours.
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| Agent J |
With Agent J, I had no idea that I was in labor, although I had some cramps and didn’t feel great earlier that day. I remember feeling kind of silly calling my friend who was coming over to watch Agent E, thinking I’m going to get to the hospital and they’re going to tell me to go home. Because I had never felt contractions before, I wasn’t sure those twinges meant anything or not. I was under the assumption that (1) contractions should be closer together before you go to the hospital, and (2) they should hurt—a lot—which at that point they did not. Good thing my also currently pregnant friend convinced me that she would just come over and pick me up and drive me to the hospital “just to be sure” . . . by the time I made it into a room I was in excruciating pain, completely dialated, and ready to push out a baby. I would not recommend unintentional natural childbirth. I was completely overwhelmed with pain to the point of not being able to think straight or be present with what was happening. This delivery also ended with lots of bleeding and a manual removal of the placenta, although this time I had no anesthesia. (In case you aren't familiar with this procedure, removing the placenta manually involves a doctor sticking his/her hand up inside of you and detaching an internal organ. It would have been nice to not feel this part.) Unfortunately this didn’t completely “work” and I ended up hemorrhaging again, but not until two weeks later.
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| Agent A |
Ah, but then came my third pregnancy (Agent A). The doctors knew of my history of bleeding and my desire not to repeat the quick delivery I had with Agent J. I was already dialated about 4 centimeters by 36 weeks; more than this by 38 weeks. And then I discovered that I tested positive for Group B, and would need antibiotics during labor. Because of these factors, and my desire to have some pain relief during labor so I could enjoy being in the moment, I scheduled an induction for 39 weeks. (I know! The I word!) I was able to receive the entire course of antibiotics, as well as have an epidural in place before she broke my water. I was already having contractions, but still couldn’t feel them. It only took a short while and minimal drugs to jumpstart labor, and I was thrilled to be able to communicate with the doctors and nurses and my husband instead of being doubled over in pain. The epidural was like having a nice glass of wine . . . or two. Relaxing, but not numbing. I could still feel pressure, and I knew exactly when it was time to push. Only took three or four pushes to get that beautiful baby out, and the midwife gave him to me immediately. I did not get to hold my girls right away because of all the bleeding complications, and no feeling in the world tops a brand new baby laying on you even with the cord still attached. This time, the placenta delivered naturally after about 25 minutes, and came out in one perfect piece. I know in some circles induction is a dirty word, but for me it was a fabulous decision that resulted in the labor and delivery I truly wanted.
Thanks for reading and have a blessed day.
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