We arrived at the hospital Thursday, April 10th, around 7:30pm to be induced. My dr was worried because I was starting to show signs of pre eclampsia. They checked to see how far I was dilated. The week before I had been dilated to almost a 2, but this night I was back down to a 1. They started me on oxytocin through an IV around 11:45pm and there was a lot of waiting after that. I could not really tell much difference except that I was starting to get some cramping down low, but nothing I couldnt handle. I tried getting some sleep, since it was the middle of the night and I had a big feat ahead of me, but it was impossible to sleep. Too excited and too many people coming in and out of my room. They kept coming in to check me and I was slowly dilating more, at 3:00am they checked and I was dilated to a 3. The dr on call decided to go ahead and break my water. He sat down on the bed next to me, while he did it, and a HUGE gush came when he broke it, causing him to fly off my bed... it was very funny. We all couldnt believe how much fluid I had in there. That was why I was measuring so big! Immediately after they broke my water, VERY HARD contractions started and they were 2 min apart or less. Each contraction that came was ten times stronger than the previous. Soon after they broke my water I was dilated to a 5. Then just a few hours later I was already a 9. It came so fast and so hard because of the induction. I ended up BEGGING for the epidural and was so thankful I got it. That was the worst pain I have ever experienced. I tried the laughing gas first, but it made me feel like I was going to throw up.
When they were checking for dilation they realized that the baby was in posterior position. Her back was facing my back... sunny side up as some would say :) The doctor tried turning the baby with her hands and that didnt work. She said a lot of times the baby will turn on her own while you push. I pushed for 3 hours and she didnt turn. The dr kept trying to turn her and it was the worst pain ever. Eventually they said we had two options. #1 we could do a c section or #2 we could try to turn her with forceps and then if that didnt work we'd have to do a c section. The dr left and said she would give us a min to think about it. So Duane and I talked about it, and I wanted to try the forceps so I could have a vaginal deliver, but I didnt know if I had it in me to push her out anymore. I started crying telling Duane I didnt want them to hurt her with the forceps, cause it can be a very dangerous task. He said he loved that I was concerned for her like that but that he knew it would all be okay. Right about then I threw up all over Duane, HAHA. Oops. So we decided to try the forceps. I kept praying it would all work out and I'd be able to have the vaginal birth that I really wanted. My mom and Duane had been with me the whole time, the dr said that you were only allowed to have one person in the OR but that they would let my mom come in as well as Duane. So Duane and my mom went off to change into scrubs and they took me into the OR to prep me. As I was in there I found out my mom would not be allowed to come in there and I started crying. I really wanted her in there with me and needed both her and Duane's support. She been there all along, for all those hours and she was going to miss out on the big part, the birth. I felt so bad.
They gave me the pain meds where I couldnt feel anything and then they started trying to turn her with the forceps. They finally said "Okay, shes in the right position, you can push now" and I felt so overwhelmed with relief and joy. I couldnt even feel myself push, so I did what I thought was pushing, hoping it was working, and everyone was so encouraging saying she was coming out and I was pushing so well. I only pushed about 3 or 4 times (long pushes) withing one contraction, and she was out. They had said as long as she came out screaming, because that was a good sign, that they would place her directly on my chest, skin on skin. I was really looking forward to that part. But she didnt come out screaming so they took her to the corner of the same room to check her over and they told "dad" (Duane) to come over with her. I was freaking out cause I didnt get to see her before they whisked her off. I started crying so hard when I heard her cry cause I knew she was okay, and it was the cutest, quietest cry I ever heard. People (there were so many freakin nurses and doctors and whoever else in there!) were giving me updates though, saying she had blonde hair and was beautiful and told me her weight and stuff. The anesthesiologist said "awww she looks like a smurf!" and in my head Im like "what?!?! a smurf??? what does that mean???". That was NOT the thing to say to a women who just had a baby and hasnt even seen the baby yet lol. So eventually they brought baby over to me and put her on my chest and it was so wonderful. She was the most beautiful thing I ever saw. Duane and I sat there, sharing the moment, looking at our beautiful baby girl. My life was changed forever right at that moment.
She weighed 7lbs 6oz and was 20.5 inches long. She scored a 9 on her apgar test.
Here are some pictures of the labor and birth:
Right after birth, before I even got to see her!
Proud mommy and daddy... both of our first looks at Adalynn Taite.
Mommy and Daddy falling in love.
Grandma Debi and Grandpa John.
Adalynn's "G Mama"
Three generations. Tired and sick Dad.
Adalynn's first bath given by a nurse. She didn't like it so much.
Uncle Wayne came for a visit. Wayne and Duane changed Addie's diaper.
Our precious baby girl. Our lives are changed forever... for the good.
Snuggling on Mom's chest. Sweet little foot.
Hanging with Dad.
Dad syringe feeding Addie. He is such a good daddy.
Adalynn's take home outfit.
