We went to my 37 week appointment at my doctor's office 2.5 hours away. We were told to bring our hospital bags and prepare to stay a few days, as I would get my membranes swept at my appointment, which could make me go into labor- so we did just that.
I had been experiencing high blood pressure, swelling and pain in my hands and feet, Braxton hicks, and a few more intense contractions in the last couple of weeks. I knew I was dilated to 1cm the week before, but this being my first birth, I wasn't sure what to expect. They did an ultrasound and saw the babys head was in the 99th percentile and baby was measuring 3 weeks ahead. They also monitored the baby for quite sometime and then brought me in to see my doctor. I explained what was going on to my doctor and she said, "you guys probably won't like this, but I would like to induce you tonight". She explained she would be using a cooks catheter and some kind of cervix ripening drug for over night. I was actually over the moon. I had honestly been miserable the last week or so and learned I had gained 60lbs. Baby was in my back and I could feel him/her (yes, we had no idea the gender!) in my shoulder blades. It was so strange. I had an anterior placenta so moves weren't as prevalent as expected, so I felt a lot more movement towards my back/butt instead of my belly.
We had already made plans to sta in Missoula and our oldest was staying with a wonderful friend. Of course, I called her first to tell her the news and make sure he'd be okay with staying there a few days. Ironically, she had taken off work that week and it worked out perfectly.
We were told to be at the hospital in 4 hours to check in for induction. We cancelled the hotel room and decided to go out on a kidless date night to the movies. When killing time for the movie, we got a phone call saying the hospital was over flowing and they'd just take us first thing in the morning. Dang. Just more suspense. We reserved a hotel again and tried to enjoy our night. Once we settled in for the night, we took lots of bump pictures and tried to get some sleep. I couldn't sleep. My snoring husband was super loud and comfortable. Me, on the other hand was uncomfortable and had so many emotions, but mostly I was absolutely terrified. I didn't know what to expect and I spent all night googling what a cooks catheter was and what they'd be doing instead of the cervix ripening drug, since we would be starting in the morning instead of the evening.
It was a long long sleepless night.
5am came and we got up to try to find breakfast somewhere, anywhere. We got McDonald's and it was definitely the day's prior biscuits. It was horrible, but at least it was something.
We checked in to the hospital and everyone was super kind. The lady at the desk asked what we were having and we explained we didn't know. She was beside herself and soooo excited to find out along side us.
We got into our room and I remember thinking how boring and out of date our room was and asked if thats where I would be giving birth- yes I would be. The hospital bed was super small and super uncomfortable.
I sat on the side of the bed and waited, with masks on. I was praying I didn't have to wear the mask during labor/delivery. As the nurse came in she handed me a gown and introduced herself. I had brought my own gown and asked if it was OK that I wore that instead. Yes, I certainly could as long as there were snaps in the back and an opening for emergencies...check! We were told I would have to have a covid swab before we could remove the masks. I complied- it was literally the worst. I had been stabbed 6 times prior to that, but I guess with the swelling that pregnancy gave me, it made it 100 times worse. I was negative so I could take my mask off and my husband could as well, as long as he was in the room with me. Thank goodness.
She left and said she'd come back in a bit to get my IV started. Meanwhile, a man came in. I had never seen him before and he was dressed in street shoes, sweats, and a t-shirt with a badge on. His hair was shaggy and I swear he looked 19. I was confused. He introduced himself as doctor such and such (don't remember lol). He was there to do an ultrasound to make sure baby was head down. Ok...that was odd.
The nurse came in moments later to do my IV, place the catheter and ask me questions. As she was asking questions I felt super faint as if I was going to pass out. They had me hooked up already and saw that I was having a contraction. I didn't even feel it! I just felt faint. I turned 3 shades of green and asked to pause for a moment. Apparently it was a vasovagal response caused by the catheter. They gave me Zofran and let me get into the water with some peppermint to help my nausea. The catheter was more just a pain because it was hanging out of me and I couldn't pee. Oh, and taped to my leg.
I got out of the bath and hung out for a bit. My doctor came in to check on me and answer any questions I had. She hung out for about 30 minutes and chatted. Mind you, this doctor had told me- she will definitely deliver me- no matter what. She is seriously amazjng. They came and checked me again and I was at a 4. I was having contractions and my husband ordered up the epidural. Yes, my husband. Kudos to him!! I tried to say I didn't want to be tied to the bed, but I'm glad he took that initiative haha.
The anesthesiologist came in to do the epidural 10 minutes after we called for it. In Missoula they have an anesthesiologist assigned to labor and delivery, exclusively. No waiting! He was in his cowboy boots and white coat. Montana always has a way of showing through, which is amazing. Dr. Huntley came in at the same time and she was outstanding with her pep talk and just making us feel right at home (as always). The epidural is the part I was most scared for. I have a slight fear of needles so I didn't even look at his tray. I had also heard the husband's aren't allowed to be near the wife during this process...so... I was all in my feelings. BUT- this wasn't the case. The anesthesiologist asked my husband to hold me a certain way and talk me through it. The doctor was so good and so kind. He talked about everything he was doing and I literally felt no pain. It was magical. He was insanely good. I knew I was blessed!
They let me sit with the catheter for a while and then checked me. When I was at a 5, 80% effaced and a -2 station they took the catheter out, broke my water, and started the pitocin. This was at 6pm.
We waited for a bit and I started getting nauseated (pitocin!) so I asked for something to help settle me. They gave me Phenergan and it helped, but made me feel drunk and out of body and I mumbled weird words. I was having 4 contractions every 10 minutes now.
I fell asleep finally as it was now 11pm and we had checked in at 7am and labor started at about 8am. They came in at about midnight and started rolling me around. I could tell the heart rate must have been dropping or something. I was at a 6 now and Dr. Huntley increased the pitocin. She stayed about 45 minutes just talking about life and keeping our mind on something else. It was an amazing talk. She, too, doesn't dress like a doctor. A hoodie and sweats usually. Sometimes moccasin type shoes. I just love it.
I had been texting with my dr all night giving him updates. He would give me pointers and at one point told me to go to bed so I would have energy when it came to pushing. He was right, but I was like a kid on Christmas eve! Ironic, because we were approaching new years eve in a hurry. Which is my sister in laws birthday so that was really awesome to know that she could have a niece/nephew on her day!
I remember waking up again to the nurses coming in to check me. All of the nurses were absolutely amazing and just so kind. It must have been about 3am when she checked me and said I was at a 9cm and she was calling Dr. Huntley to come in. It was almost go time and I was panicking...and so was my husband!
I remember my husband asking me if something happened to me, what was he to do? Of course, I said he needed to raise the kids! He was terrified and kept telling me there was a reason why I had to go through IVF to get where I was...what if I truly wasn't meant to do this and now I'm defying God with science?! I mean, he had a good point, but I laughed him off.
Dr. Huntley came in and checked me. Said she could feel hair.....ummm. she got suited up and they were getting me ready. They had leg holders on in a funky, not your average, way to help assist my hips during pushing. I have a bad hip, so we didn't want to further injure it. She had me do a couple practice pushes and then said, yep, you're ready!
Holy crap.
Holy crap.
Here we go.
I'm about to meet my son/daughter that I've worked my butt off for!!! How is this happening?!?!
I started pushing and she would press on me to show me where I needed to push. I didn't feel any pain, but what I knew was that in order to stop pushing, I would have to give this 110% each and every push. So. That's what I did. 20 hours of labor. 40 FORTY minutes of pushing. They were amazed by me. Kept saying how in shape I was and how awesome. My husband was a rock star! The support I had from him was something I had never seen before. I never said anything horrible and it went smoothly! They gave me oxygen at one pont, but was able to remove in a short amount of time. They asked my husband and I both if we wanted to see/feel the head come out and we both answered with a quick no!
When the final push came, she pulled the baby out with legs and feet (and privates!) Still in me. She had the baby wave to us and said "hi mom and dad!" And asked us to shout out the babys gender. We all had bets it would be a girl, except my husband. He was set it was a boy and so was my oldest at home. The baby came out and I remember looking through my legs, the umbilical cord, and all the goop and seeing a penis! We yelled TOGETHER with excitement, "ITS A BOY!!!!". I even through my hand in the air! I couldn't even believe it. I was convinced it was a girl from an ultrasound that I saw, but I was over the moon it was a boy. I love being a boy mom so much! Wow!!! We were even able to get this all recorded!
I finally had my boy. He was healthy at 37weeks and he was born on his aunts birthday. He was born at 4:06am at 7lbs 13oz. He is the second best thing that has ever happened to me behind his brother. I remember lookin down and thinking, wow...I can see my feet...and everything in between! Hahaha! It was an amazing experience that I'll cherish forever. And. To be honest, I still can't believe I did it!!! He started from a clump of cells and he is so perfect!
After that we video chatted all of the family and a couple close friends to include big brother. It was so amazing to do this!
Names were a secret. No one knew our choices and here is how we named him and announced his arrival (we made two of these videos in case he was a she!). (The link).
https://youtu.be/_F6LeU0kOhg
What an incredible experience. So many hands and so many supporters- thank you!!
I conquered infertility. IVF was a success and 11 years of this crazy, I didn't give up. I deserve you, my boy. Thank you, Lord for this gift.
I will come back to tell you the after birth story that literally no one talks about...
