And So It Begins...

After over a week of painful, yet sporadic and seemingly useless contractions, I was fit to be tied and more than ready for the baby to be born. Saturday night I was extremely uncomfortable and even more irritable as I anticipated at least 3 more days of miserable discomfort and an inevitable induction.

However, at 5:00 am on Sunday morning, I was abruptly awaken by the feeling that my water had broken. I jumped out of bed, excited in knowing that the day had finally come! When I got to the bathroom and turned on the light, though, the excitement immediately became fear as I realized I was bleeding heavily. I woke up Fernando and told him we needed to go to the hospital as soon as possible. My parents were called and on their way and I quickly tried to throw the last few things in my suitcase and change, all the while cleaning up the bathroom floor. We were at the hospital before 6:00 a.m. and immediately brought back to triage to be evaluated.

The amount of blood loss was of great concern to the doctor who was called in to examine me. An ultrasound was ordered to see if the placenta was still in tact. It was feared that it had separated or torn and may be in the way thus requiring a C-section. The ultrasound showed the placenta was fine and out of the way, but the bleeding refused to stop.

I was checked and found to be at 5 cm. Contractions had begun shortly after my water broke and were 6-7 minutes apart, at which point the doctor began to think that perhaps the rapid dilation had been the cause of the bleeding. Whatever the case, it was imperative that the baby come quickly.

I was admitted, brought to labor and delivery, and was given my epidural with what seemed like lightening speed. I had also signed much paperwork, including a form giving the okay for a C-section and blood transfusion if necessary. The nurse drew several viles of my own blood to keep on hand and the doctor inserted an internal monitor to better keep track of the baby and my progress.

I was checked again at that point and found to be at 7 cm, all within two hours. Thankfully, baby was doing fine, but my heart rate had jumped up to 134 beats per minute and no amount of medication and/or relaxation techniques could get it to slow. The doctor came in and explained that it was a race against the clock. I had to deliver as soon as possible or an emergency C-section would be inevitable.

Thankfully, we were surrounded my family and dear friends who were waiting for their daughter -in-law to deliver their grand baby just a few doors down. Mom and Lisa entered the room just as the doctor left and I started to cry, falling under the weight of the emotion and fear. My family joined hands and prayed around my bed finishing just as the doctor came back in. Instantly, my heart rate fell to 104. I soon felt another gush of blood and when the doctor came to check announced it was time. He threw on his coat and gloves as nurses rushed to prepare the room. Two pushes and baby's head was out...three...and he was here! Only four short hours from the time we arrived at the hospital. What a whirlwind and what a joy and relief that our baby boy had arrived and was perfectly healthy!

Unfortunately, the bleeding did not stop after delivery and there was still the possibility that a transfusion would be necessary. I was given a shot of Methergine and another bag of Pitocin to be administered over the next four hours. Shortly thereafter, the contraction pain was unbearable. I was given Nubain for the pain and within minutes was happy and pain free. (I will eternally be grateful for legal narcotics!) The Pitocin and Methergine did their job, thankfully, and within a few hours, the bleeding had slowed enough to move me to recovery.

A blood test the following morning indicated that I had lost a significant amount of blood and although my hemoglobin level was below normal it was not as dangerously low as anticipated. I was given the okay to go home later in the day!

I'm so thankful for the prayers of so many friends and family members and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that those prayers are the reason baby and I are home and well.