2/15/2010
I arrive at the hospital at 1p for what I thought was going to be an induction. The dr was going to start pitocin. After being on the monitor for an hr, he came into my room and checked me. I was 2cm, 80% effaced and -2 station. I was having reg contractions on my own but I wasn't feeling every single one. He ruptured my membranes and we decided with the contractions I was having on my own and with my water being broken we were going to see what would happen without the pitocin. At 5:30 I was checked again and was still at 2cm and not much pain. Even though I had been asking and it was one of the reasons I had chosen this particular hospital to deliver in, the nurse would not let me get in the tub or even use the bathroom, I was peeing on a bedpan. I wasn't in much pain yet 2-3/10 and I wasn't progressing so I didn't mind waiting a while longer. At 7p, one of the nurses who also works at our hospital came in, her working there was what also made me want to deliver at this hospital. And within an hr, I had peed on the toilet 2 times and was in the tub. I was so happy. Tony and I watched the last part of the movie "Couples Retreat" while I was in the tub. I got out of the tub at 9:30 and was checked again. I was 5-6cm. Being out of the tub only 30 mins the pain really started. Pain was 4-5/10 and I breathed the best I could for another half an hr. With the pain increasing I thought I must be dilating so they checked again and I was still at 6. Since the tub felt so good the first time, I wanted back in. I did not want an epidural and had nothing for pain. The warm water sure helped me with relazing between contractions but not with the pain, but I never thought the tub would take away my pain. I was back in the tub relazing and breathing and Tony was at my side the whole time coaching and encouraging me. Again the warm ater helped but the tub wasn't wide enough to be comfortable in with the pain I was having. I decided I wanted something for pain...to help take the edge off cause I was getting tired and wanted to rest between ctx. Thr Dr said I had to be out of the tub and checked first before receiving anything. I was 8cm and now it was 11p. Both the dr and I knew it would prob be only another 30-45 mins but I still felt I needed something for rest. He only gave me half the dose he normally would give. I got the rest I wanted. At 11:45 I told the nurse I felt pressure. After being checked, her exact statement was "Oh, hello baby!!" Tony thought that was funny. They cleaned me off and prepared for delivery at 11:48 and after only 1 and half pushes (the first time I went to push my exact response was "holy crap, that hurts. I've always had an epidural so didn't know how much this hurt. I am gonna breathe through this one but now I know what to expect next time I push"), Connoll Christopher Denault was born at 11:50. He weighed 7lbs and 5oz, was 19" long and happy & healthy.
It was a pleasant surprise that I did not have to be induced, I am proud of myself for doing it without an epidural, I regret nothing, laboring in the tub was exactly what I imagined it would be, I am so grateful for the love and support Tony gave me the entire time and I am so grateful for the most amazing dr and all the nurses but esp that one in particular (she knows who she is). I left that hospital with the most incredible labor and delivery experience. I sure hope I get the chance to go back!! :) But not for a while! :)
