The Birth Story

I can't even begin to express how happy I am to not be pregnant any more! It's no secret pregnancy and I are a bad combination. In other words I hate it! Being pregnant with Bethany was tough, one full of hospital stays, tearing scar tissue and excessive weight gain. When Corey and I decided to get pregnant again we talked in detail about the potential that this too would be a difficult time. Everything we read and the doctors that we consulted said that this would be easier, that the worst of the scar tissue should be torn, but they made no promises. And although things started out much better and I was doing alright, good even sometimes, then end of this pregnancy made things the first time seem like a walk in the park.

By about 36 weeks I was dealing with some lovely pubic bone separation (something I later learned that is very common in pregnancy), severe abdominal pains, lack of appetite and just general prego blahs....it was getting rough. Each doctor's visit was full of painful examinations and membrane strips trying to get things rolling as I started to dialate at 36 weeks, and hope that soon we'd be in labour and things would be over. And each week when nothing happened I sunk lower into a discouraged state, feeling as though I'd be a whale forever!





At our 38 week visit the doc did his exam, and announced that he was now concerned both for me and the baby. He again figured that labour was on our doorstep and said that he figured he'd see us maybe as soon as that night. If that didn't happen he was going to touch base with a special Ob/GYN and see what he thought and then induce us to end the pain that I was in. Well, of course, Audrey decided that procrastination is cool and didn't arrive. By Friday of that week the doctor phone, sent us for a Non-Stress Test and said that Monday I would be in to see the OB and we'd be scheduling an induction. I breathed a sigh of relief that the end was drawing near.

Sunday night, contractions started and I being the ever optimistic person assumed that they were once again Braxton Hicks (let me tell you he's on my hit list right up there with Eve when it comes to pregnancy complaints), so I went shopping at StupidStore. I needed groceries and some head space so I neglected to let Corey know they were happening. By the time I got home they had increased in intensity but I was still managing ok so again I kinda "forgot" to tell Corey. I was pretty sure that if I said anything Murphey's law would kick in and I'd 45 before this baby was born. We got Bethany in bed and finally I mentioned to Corey I figured we were in labour. After about an hour of contractions we did some timing and Corey called the Maternity ward. The two decided that we should head in to get checked and see what was going on. Mom arrived to stay with Beth and off we went.

The internal exam revealed that just like at my doc's appointment on Tuesday I was only 3 or 4 cm dialated. Get walking she said, let's get this baby here. That was at 10:30pm, we walked until 2am when I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. They checked again, still no change but we live 20 minutes from the hospital and with the tummy pain they didn't want me going too far. Then I started throwing up, yum I know. It was from hurting not from labour. This increased everyones concern and they called our doctor once again. A shot of Demerol and a sleeping pill later they said try to rest the OB and my doctor would be in, in the morning to decide our fate. Sleep didn't really happen for me but my ever faithful partner in crime and labour coach got some shut eye, I needed that to happen.

Morning rolled around, and our doctor arrived, I was till at 3 or 4 cm and decided something would happen today. The OB came in, and while doing his internal exam decided to break my water....without warning me. Now let me tell you, it's not painful but um seriously, the grossness of said process in my mind rivals the grossness of birthing a baby it's self. All I could say after, "Can I please SHOWER?!" was, "I am so glad that this didn't happen while I was at Wal-Mart" After a quick shower contractions quickly became strong and painful and I was asking for my best friend the Epidural to be brought in. The doctor said, yes I was a good candidate for the sweetness of the relief and his resident asked that we time contractions for 1/2 an hour just to see where things were before they called the anesthetist. 15 minutes in I announced I wanted the Epidural, YESTERDAY. They came back in and checked, 7cm in 45 minutes, sorry No epidrual for you. WHAT?!

They did offer me Fentanol, which is the only narcotic I could have. I said, "Fine whatever, just make it stop hurting". While they were getting that I mentioned rather aggressively through gritted teeth to Corey that we had a problem - I wanted to push, now. Corey pushed the button and in flew far too many people. Before I knew it the bed was being dismantled and I was being instructed to push on the next contraction. It took only 15 minutes to go from 7 to 10cm.

I pushed with all my might, sans drugs and half an hour later Audrey Joy was born. I'll save you the details of that particular part and the fact that I may or may not have been screaming like all those women I totally critizied. She came out and promptly crossed her little arms - a 'Tude from the first breath, great!

Anyways, she's here and life is much better. I won't be doing this again, someone in this house who hasn't been pregnant will be taking care of that very soon. Pregnancy and I don't agree, my body boycotts and that's fine. We have 2 beautiful daughters, what more could I need.

Audrey and Grandpa

Bethany, Audrey and cousin Chloe

Cousin Chloe and Audrey

Grandma & Audrey

My two precious girls.