They Called Me "Rachel" (A Delivery Story)

Me and Abby Kate the night before we went to the hospital!

Alright, I'm going to tell the whole story of my delivery (more for me than for you, so if you want to just skip to the pictures at the bottom, feel free :)

We actually scheduled an elective induction on Sept. 1 (1 week early). I searched and searched for a "medical" reason to do it, but our only rationale was that Christa's induction went so perfectly (and we believe saved me a C-section), that we really wanted a repeat experience of that wonderful day.

I checked into our hospital at 6 am, per my instructions, having no idea what to expect in a new hospital with a new doctor in a new town. I decided about a month ago that I liked this new doctor as much as the great one I had in Augusta, so I resisted the urge to freak out right before the delivery, and chose to believe that I was going to have another painless experience :) I got settled into my room, and nurses were there immediately to get things going. They asked me several times if I wanted an epidural, and I cheerfully replied each time, "yes, please, as soon as possible... in fact, right now would be good," thinking I was making a funny (half serious) joke. Well, this comment must have offended them or something, because 4 different nurses made it a point 3 different times each to tell me how it was going to hurt this time.... a lot. Great - just what a nervous mother-to-be wants to hear!

I tried to shrug it off, still wondering who my nurse would be for the day and hoping she would be a calming source of comfort for me if I did start to hurt. Another nurse came in to place my IV, and although I usually have no problem with needles, this particular IV hurt worse than when I was dehydrated and they had to stick me 5 times to get the thing in. I began thinking things were not off to a good start. As I looked out the window to get some perspective, my eyes fell upon a moldy air conditioning unit - an unsettling contrast to my garden view in Augusta.
After a mild breakdown, now convinced I was going to be split wide open and feel every bit of it, Cline had us pray for a moment. Shortly thereafter, our nurse, Laurie walked in, as cheerful and friendly as could be. She assured me that she would have the paperwork for the epidural ready whenever I needed it - what a relief!

The Pitocin began, and we waited around for some excitement. Much like with Christa, I began having regular contractions according to the monitor, but was unable to feel very many of them. The doctor came into check me a while later, and informed us that I hadn't progressed much. No surprise, really. I didn't progress much with Christa until they broke my water, which was not possible to do this time around, until I progressed on my own a bit more. Several more hours passed, and the nurse came in occasionally to increase the Pitocin. She left each time, saying "I'm leaving now; you're boring me." I truly appreciated the joke!

As the day went on, we had several visitors to pass the time. At this particular hospital they play a little nursery song each time a baby is born. I swear that little song played 12 times that day! I enjoyed it the first few times, but as the day went on with no baby in sight for me, I started to get a little bitter.

Around 5, the doctor came in and said we needed to turn off the Pitocin altogether, and resume in the morning. He said I could eat a bite and walk around for a couple of hours, and then the night nurse would begin Cytotec therapy to ripen my cervix overnight in hopes that the Pitocin would be more effective the next day. So we sent the family home, and made our peace with the fact that our baby would not be born that day. Our day nurse came in one last time, and informed me that I was the only laboring mother left who'd shown up that day - all the other mothers had had their babies, and I wasn't even close. She asked if I'd seen the episode of Friends - the one where Rachel is in labor and not progressing, and she has to share a room with other laboring mothers. Mother after mother passes through the room and goes on to delivery while Rachel sits there doing absolutely nothing. It's a great episode. Anyway, Laurie said I was "Rachel" that day, which I also appreciated, being the Friends fanatic that I am.

After dinner, a shower, and a quick walk around the hospital, I returned to my room. The night nurse, Amy, came in, and was as kind and calming as could be. She checked me, and immediately said, "girl, you are a 3." (I'd been a 1 all day, so this was impressive.) I hardly believed her, but got excited anyway. She did the first round of the Cytotec therapy, and I prepared for a night as uneventful as the day was.

The delivery song went off a couple of more times. I finally said to the nurse, "the next time that goes off, it had better be for me - it's my turn now." A few hours later, Amy said I'd progressed to a 4. She said the doctor could break my water if I wanted, as long as I didn't mind having the baby in the middle of the night. (Um, yes, please)! The doctor was there a few minutes later, and I had a painless water-breaking experience (yay)! A few minutes after that, another doctor was there to place my painless epidural (double yay)! I knew things were going to be just fine after that.

I got a few hours of sleep, and before I knew it, it was time to push. Three easy pushes later (a very nice contrast from the hour of pushing with Christa) Abby Kate was here! I think she decided to come when she did because she wanted to wait an extra year to start school! (The cutoff for kindergarten is Sept. 1, which we aimed for and missed by 5 hours and 12 minutes :) The recovery has been amazing as well - I haven't needed any pain medicine, and am getting around just fine (another nice contrast to the 6 week recovery with Christa).

So, I am pleased to report that I still don't know what a real contraction feels like. I sure wish I liked being pregnant more, because I absolutely love the delivery/hospital process. Life just doesn't get any better than being a new mom with lots of people around to take care of you! And being "Rachel" turned out to be great - I have a beautiful, perfect baby girl, who I know is the reason you're here, so here she is:

Proud big sister! She adores Abby Kate and wakes up every morning asking for her. She screamed when she had to leave after meeting her, despite promises of carousels and playgrounds. It was soooooo sweet. When Abby Kate sneezed a few times, Christa said, "bless you, baby" then asked for more "bless you" while making the sign for more. Too cute!

Our first picture as a family of four!

Christa had to help bring the baby inside when we arrived home.

Our little angel.

The baby's crying now, so I have to go. More pictures to come soon!