One Year Ago

A year ago today I was in the hospital, wondering how long it was going to be before I got to meet you. I woke up at 4:30 in the morning with my first contraction. It took a long time for the next one to come, but pretty soon they were coming regularly. I made sure to eat a bowl of cereal late in the morning, because someone told me that once I get there, I would likely not be able to eat. So, checked food off the list! Then I got ready like I would on any other Sunday: took a shower, styled my hair, and put on make up.

By 11:40am, contractions were 5 mins apart and getting more intense. I called Labor and Delivery and they told me I should probably make my way to the hospital. We checked in to triage at 12:30pm, where I wasn't even examined until 1:40pm. I was 3cm and 90% effaced. They wouldn't admit me until I was 4cm, so they stripped my membranes--holy ouch--and had me walk the halls for a while. I was already in so much pain and miserable, I was dreading the rest of the process. I couldn't relax through my contractions at all.

A little after 4pm, they finally checked me again and I was 4cm, so they officially admitted me. As soon as I was in the bed, I requested an epidural. To HECK with that pain, Man. No way. Anyway, once I settled down and couldn't feel my legs, I was a much happier camper...until the midwife told me my labor had stalled. Since I had been sitting at 4cm for a while, she mentioned pitocin. I was totally against it at first, so she left me alone for another hour and my water finally broke. She came in to check and said she still felt a water bag in there, so she used a hooked tool to break the rest of the bag. Weird.

After slow dilation (and some major tummy troubles), I stalled again at 7cm for another couple hours, so I finally agreed to accept a small dose of pitocin. I tried to catch up on some rest while it did its thing...

And I'll finish the rest tomorrow, on your birthday.

Love you, Baby!