Birth Story

Warning: This may be too much info for some people!

I had my last appointment with my OBGYN on the morning of 1/11/13.  Dr. Frankwick checked my cervix and it hadn't started dilating.  I was disappointed.  I was really hoping for some indication that Lobi was on her way!  Dr. Frankwick said it would probably be a few more days.  If I still hadn't gone in to labor by my next appointment then we'd talk about induction options.  However, she did say that things can happen quickly at this stage of pregnancy and you never know just when a baby will come.

So with that slightly disappointing news, I went to work.  I worked a full day and by the end of it started to feel some twinges.  Those twinges of pain started to increase little by little as the night wore on.  I went to bed around 11pm, got a couple hours of sleep, and then those twinges were too painful to sleep through.  Holy moly!  Contractions!  I downloaded a stopwatch app on my Kindle to keep track of how far apart they were.  I didn't know when to call the clinic.  When they were 4 minutes apart, around 7am on Saturday morning, Kurt decided I should give my doctor a call.  I did and she told me to come in to the hospital- she'd check things out and decide if I should stay there or go back home for a while.

I was 2 cm dilated and checked in to the hospital- the little lady was on her way!  We thought it crazy that she would most likely be born on her due date- that doesn't happen very often!  I should have knocked on wood...

We were in for a long day.  After about 3 hours they checked me again- I was 3 cm dilated and fully effaced.  Good- making progress.  We went another ~5 hours before I was checked again...I was only 3.5 cm!  What?! The doctor (not Dr. Frankwick- she had just finished her 24 hours shift when we arrived at the hospital) decided to break my water.  Sorry if this is TMI, but it's a lot more water than I anticipated.  Seriously.  A lot more.  After breaking my water contractions became much more intense and closer together.  It was pretty awful.  And I was exhausted!  I'd been up since 2am and by this time it was about 9pm.  The nurse asked if I wanted drugs and/or an epidural.  Going in I hadn't decided if I wanted an epidural or not.  I was open to it, but didn't want to fully commit to getting one.  At this point I didn't hesitate- give me an epidural!  I need a nap.

The nurse went to tell the doctor (and make sure there were no concerns). Then to inform the anesthesiologist and get the fluids I'd need in my system before they could administer the epidural.  The nurse returned only to tell me that the anesthesiologist had been called into an emergency c-section and it would be at least an hour before he could come.  And so began the longest hour and half of my labor.  Mentally I was expecting only 20 more minutes of contractions before getting some relief (it takes about 20 minutes to get the fluids into your system).

So, the nurse gave me another option- there are other drugs!  They should take the edge off but might make me a little loopy.  I was extremely hesitant.  In our birthing class the teacher told a couple stories about women getting drugs and not liking it at all.  And that's all I could think of.  But after a couple more contractions I agreed to it!  The nurse needed to check the baby's heartbeat and my vitals one more time before giving me the drugs.  She was sooooo sllllowwww.  And I was soooo annoyed.  It took her at least 20 minutes.  I had lots of contractions in that time.  The nurse we'd had during the day had only taken about 5 minutes to check the heartbeat and my vitals so I couldn't and still don't understand why it took her so long.  I wanted to say- forget about the drugs!  You've taken so long I'm sure the anesthesiologist will be here any second!  I didn't and eventually I got the drugs.  They did make me a little loopy, but they definitely lessened the pain I was in.  Those drugs got me through the last 20 minutes before the anesthesiologist came!

And then he arrived!  He was super quick, I sat very still, and it seriously didn't hurt at all.  I've never had a needle put in my back before, but I can tell you it's less painful than contractions.  And the effect was almost immediate.  I could hardly feel the contractions!  And I got some sleep.  I felt so much better.  About an hour after getting the epidural I was up to 5 cm dilated.  Half way there!  It was about 10:30 pm.

Around 1am the nurse decided to check my cervix again.  During this time I thought the contractions were getting stronger because I was starting to feel them through the epidural.  A lot.  Nothing like without the epidural, but comparable to what I felt when I came in to the hospital.  I wasn't sleeping anymore.  The nurse, Nicole, asked me if I'd be ok with a different nurse checking my cervix who was training to be a labor and delivery nurse (currently she's a postpartum nurse).  Sure, why not.  She checked and said I was still only 5 cm, maybe 5.5!  I think I almost cried.  Are you serious?  How could I not have progressed in that time?  Nicole decided to double check her findings and thank goodness she did.  I was 9cm dilated, not 5.  There was some reason for the confusion- something about Lobi's head being super low and making it hard to tell.  I didn't really pay attention- I was just super excited to be so close to the end!

Around 2am I started pushing.  Nicole held one leg and Kurt held the other (the doctor didn't come in until the very end).  It's weird- they say you'll know when to push and it's true!  Pushing even feels good (maybe not so much if I hadn't had the epidural?).  But man is it exhausting.  Around 3:10am the doctor was called in.  20 minutes later at 3:28am on 1/13/13 Hattie Elizabeth Biehl was born!  I didn't actually watch but Kurt said the top of her head came out in one set of pushes and then head, shoulders, and the whole baby came out with the next round!  It was pretty fast.

The nurses told me to open my eyes during the last round of pushing and once Hattie came out they placed her on my chest.  I can't even describe those next few minutes.  I just stared at her in amazement.  My body grew this little person and now she's here, breathing, living, and beautiful.  It's unlike anything I've ever experienced or will experience.  It's truly a miracle.

Kurt cut the umbilical cord (he didn't think he would!).  The doctor worked on me for a while- I didn't really know what was going on.  Apparently I tore and needed quite a few stitches.  I've been very sore all week, but I'm finally starting to feel better.

We stayed at the hospital for another day.  Hattie was weighed, measured, bathed, hearing tested, given immunizations, and doted upon plenty by her proud parents and grandma.  (My mom was at the hospital for the delivery.)

It was a long day.  Hattie missed being born on her due date by 3.5 hours.  Instead she was born (after 17.5 hours in the hospital) on 1/13/13 in room 13 of the child birth center!  It was meant to be.

I'm exhausted, it's been a long week, but I'm overjoyed.  Hattie's my little angel and I feel so lucky to have her!  I can't believe she's been entrusted to me.  I don't know what the future will bring, I'm sure we'll have our fair share of trials, but I'm eternally grateful for this little girl.  I love you Hattie!