Audrey's Birth Story
We went my 40-week checkup on October 14 (Audrey's due date). Jedd and I both left work early to spend some quality time together. I guess we just had that "feeling." We went to the mall and some shops and just walked around enjoying each other's company for what we figured could easily be the last time with just the two of us.
My appointment took FOREVER. They were running behind on patients so we just waited and waited. Finally, I got to go back and see Dr. Manning. I told her I'd love to be in labor ASAP. She said she was on call at the hospital that night and the next day. She checked me and I was still about 4cm dilated and almost effaced. Audrey had moved up a little in the birthing canal though. She was now at 0 station. She asked if I wanted my membranes stripped again and of course, I did! It was the closest I'd been the week before so I figured maybe this time was a charm! Plus she guaranteed they would be stripped "better" than the week before. It really didn't hurt that much this time around either! She told us before we left that when my contractions got between 5-8 minutes apart that night, to call and come in. She'd break my water if it didn't happen on it's own. I couldn't believe she was practically guaranteeing us labor (and I also almost didn't want to believe it since they promised us the same thing the week before).
We ended up going out to eat with my mom at Red Robin. I started having contractions there. They were about 10 minutes apart. I couldn't believe how fast this was happening again. They continued the whole way home and I told Jedd I was going to get a shower to see if they continue. Sure enough, they did! We watched TV and slowly the contractions went away. I was so upset! My parents called me at 9:30 to see if it was time to go to the hospital yet and I said that I gave up and that it would happen when she was ready! I was so frustrated that once again, it didn't work!
Not even 5 minutes later, we were getting ready to go to sleep and they started again. Every 5 minutes on the dot. We timed them from 9:35 to 10:30 and they were very consistent. Jedd finally decided to call Dr. Manning. Sure enough, she told us to come in right away. I was scared, anxious, excited, EVERYTHING! We were getting dressed to go to the hospital to perhaps meet our baby!
We got to the hospital around 11:30. They put me in triage to check me out. I was still only 4cm and my contractions were NOT consistent anymore. I was so frustrated and I thought everyone would think I was just lying! The nurse suggested that we walk for an hour to see if I progressed. If not, they were going to make me go home! I was pissed. We walked the hospital floors over and over again. My contractions started again and were very consistent happening every 4 minutes. I told my mom and Jedd that if they didn't admit me, I was going to jump out the window. I was uncomfortable and they hurt, and there was no way I was going home!
I got checked again at 1am. I had progressed to 5cm already!!! The nurse insisted that after 5cm most women go very quickly. She even told us to call family and friends around 2:30am and tell them to come to the hospital. She figured Audrey would be here by 7:00am. I was admitted to room 319. Contractions continued at 4 minutes, then would go back to 8 minutes, then 5 minutes-- nothing consistent. We walked and walked and walked. They'd come back strong and then go away again. I was upset because none of the nurses, midwives, or doctors seemed to come to check on us. I knew that if someone would just break my water, it would probably happen quickly!
Finally, at 7:30 I got a new nurse, Kala, who was great! At 9:15 am, she found the midwife, Barb, and had her check me. I was still 5cm! I begged Barb to break my water, because I just knew it would speed stuff along. At 9:30 am, Barb ruptured my membrane. The sac was very strong. Within 5 minutes my intense labor began.
The first contraction after my water broke hit me and I almost died. I couldn't breathe, I was hyperventilating, etc. It was so intense. I couldn't even believe I thought all those contractions before were uncomfortable-- they were NOTHING. I was in serious pain. I labored for 2 hours trying to breathe, and crying, and squeezing Jedd's hands. Contractions were only 3-4 minutes apart, so I had a break in between, but then they were horrible again. I decided to forgo my natural delivery in lieu of drugs! It was not my plan, but even the midwife said with how tense I got during contractions, it might really help me relax which in turn would help me progress more. I got into the whirlpool tub for over an hour and I was really able to control my breathing in there while waiting. Finally the nurse came and said that I needed to get out of the tub, the anesthesiologist would be there when I got out. After my next contraction I attempted to stand up and right away had another one. I almost died!!! When I got back to the hospital bed he still wasn't there and I got very annoyed! A few swear words definitely came out of my mouth!
Around 11:15 he arrived to give me my epidural. It is policy that nobody can be in the room except a nurse, the anesthesiologist, and the patient while the epidural is administered. I held Kala's hand and squeezed hard because I had two more contractions while he was putting the needle in me. The epidural did not hurt at all. He told me within 3 contractions I'd be pain free. Sure enough, by about 11:35ish, I was in HEAVEN!!! I could still feel my contractions, but they felt more like pressure then pain. I could still feel my legs and lower body too which was important to me because I wanted to be able to feel to push.
All of our parents left to get something to eat since I was finally comfortable. The nurse and midwife both said it can take up to 1 hour to dilate just 1 cm so she figured the baby would come around 4-6pm. I got to relax and even dozed off for a little. Barb came to check me around 12:45. I was 9.5cm already! I dilated much faster than anticipated! She told me that when I got the sensation to push, to let her know, but that she would be back around 1:45 to check on me. Not even 1/2 hour later, the sensation came. I always worried I would never know when to push, but you do!! You just have the biggest urge!!!
They got everyone in the room right away--- Jedd, my mom, Kala, and Barb. It was around 1:25 pm. I was told to push during every contraction. I'd push for 10 seconds, quick breath, push 10 seconds, quick breath, push 10 seconds, relax. The only problem was, after the first contraction--- they started coming every 2 minutes instead of 1 minute. They gave me more potocin and by 1:30 I was having a contraction nearly every minute.
I pushed like there was no tomorrow! I wasn't going to mess around! I had Kala counting for me so it made it easier to concentrate on just pushing. Barb placed my legs perfectly so all my pushing effort was going right to the baby! It was great and it felt good to push! After the second contraction, everyone could already see Audrey's head! They said she had a full head of hair!! By 1:55, I could feel her head!! It was so crazy! Finally I gave a few last big pushes (by that point she was so far down the birth canal it was hard to stop pushing) and she was born at exactly 2:03pm. Our lives were forever changed.
Barb put her on my chest immediately. I couldn't believe how beautiful she was!!! She had a full head of dark brown hair!!! She was perfect--- which is incredible considering all the scares we faced during the pregnancy! Jedd got to cut her umbilical cord and I made him go with her to get cleaned up, weighed, measured, etc.
I would not change anything--- the aches, pains, etc. for her! All 9 months of pregnancy and 4 1/2 hours of intense labor were more than worth it! She has completed us and our family and we are head over heels in love with her!
Audrey Ann Gardner came into this world on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 2:03pm. She weighed 7 pounds, 3.2 ounces and she was 20 inches long.
