…..Continued from Part 2
Most women don’t like the idea of being induced. I was certainly nervous about it three years ago, but it went so smoothly that I was not the least bit nervous this time around. I asked the midwife what the risks were, and she said that since my first induction went so well, she had every reason to believe that we could successfully avoid a C-section.
Three years ago, I had to begin fasting nine hours before my induction, so I ended up going 30 hours without food. That part of the experience was awful because by the time the baby was born, my energy level was literally zero, from being both exhausted and famished. When I scheduled the induction over the phone, I nervously asked the midwife how long I needed to fast.
“The hospital changed their policy!” she happily informed me. She explained that I could eat anything I wanted, although she didn’t recommend anything heavy, like meat, after arriving at the hospital. If I chose to get an epidural, I would then be put on a diet of clear liquids, but that sure beat being limited to clear liquids for 30 hours. I was thrilled at the good news!
Unlike three years ago, I didn’t have a neatly typed birth plan this time around. Maybe it had to do with the fact that it was my second delivery, or perhaps it was because of my two miscarriages, but I wasn’t the least bit concerned about my birth experience. Throughout my entire pregnancy, all I could think about was holding a healthy baby in my arms, and whatever needed to happen in order to achieve that didn’t worry me.
Of course I hoped to avoid a C-section, but I wasn’t nervous at the thought of it. After countless appointments during my four pregnancies, which included one prior delivery, I had really grown to trust the midwife, and I had full confidence in her ability to decide what needed to happen. I also felt an overwhelming peace knowing that God would be right there with us every step of the way.
This labor was half as long as my first (12 hours instead of almost 24), but it picked up much quicker, so the total time of intense contractions was similar to last time. This time around, it only took a couple hours for painful contractions to begin. Unfortunately, that meant I was hardly able to get any sleep.
My body must have been working hard because I packed on the protein like a pig during labor. I was hungry at 4am, but the the kitchen was closed, so the nurse brought me cheese and yogurt. I let Mr. Handsome continue his nap on the couch for a few more hours, but when the cafeteria opened at 7am, I woke him up so he could fetch me some oatmeal and bacon…lots of bacon. Two hours later, I was considering getting an epidural, but knowing that the clear liquids diet would begin, I wolfed down a fruit cup and two cheese sticks.
At that point, I was only dilated to 4cm, which was a bit discouraging, but I remembered what the midwife had told me the day before. During an induction, it’s better to focus on the pain level than the dilation measurement. A woman being induced can easily experience as much pain at 4 cm as a woman who is not being induced experiences at 8cm.
With that in mind, I called the nurse anesthetist. The process of inserting the epidural is always terrifying. I’ve never actually looked at the needle, and I don’t ever plan on it. Thankfully, Mr. Handsome doesn’t faint at the sight of blood or large needles, so he was able to sit in a chair beside the bed and allow me to lean on him and squeeze his hands. (I squeezed really hard.) I asked the nurse anesthetist if my husband could stand, but he explained that the hospital has a strict policy against the dad standing during the insertion, just in case he were to faint.
According to the nurse anesthetist, it was a textbook insertion, but for whatever reason, after giving it time to work, I still felt a twinge of pain on one side during every contraction. The nurse offered to increase the medication dose. I was hesitant at first, but then I reminded myself that there was little reason to get an epidural if I was still feeling pain, so I accepted the offer.
I asked the nurse what the chances were of the epidural causing labor to stall, and she said it was unlikely. She actually said there was a good chance of the epidural having the opposite effect…and boy was she right! Within a few hours, I had gone from 4 cm to 10 cm!
The baby’s heart rate, and everything else, had been perfect throughout the entire induction. Towards the end, I started feeling him try to move towards the “exit” and then bob back up, which was an extremely weird sensation. The midwife had also noticed that earlier when she had checked for dilation. It wasn’t until later that I found out what had caused the “bobbing” movement.
Anonymous
How times have changed! I wasn’t even allowed water. I made my husband qet a wet washcloth so I could suck some moisture out.
Ellie
Oh my! Labor would be hard without water. How long ago was that?
Anonymous
Soon to be 36 yrs ago.
OhioMama
With my second the epidural didnt work on one side. They came in to replace it and looked too see how far I was. I was 10cm and ready to push. The guy who put it in asked if I was checked before him coming in, which I wasn’t and the nurses said no. He said I was probably to far along for it to actually work. So I felt a good bit of pain during the whole labor process but luckily I didn’t feel the “ring of fire” as they call it when my son’s head was coming out. I looked at my husband and told him that next time since I did a delivery pretty much without an epidural I’m not getting one the next time if we have another one. I plan on actually looking at not medical pain relief and other pain management that I can do.
Ellie
Crazy they didn’t determine that before doing the epidural. What kind of non-medical pain relief do you plan to look into?
OhioMama
I’m not sure, I have too see what my options are. If there is a birthing center around me I would go there
MarriedUK
It’s amazing how much less stressed out one is about the “birth plan” after you’ve been through it once or more before. I was induced for my first (with the syntocin drip) and oh my oh my, those contractions packed a punch! My subsequent labours (which were brought about by the pitocin gel but without a drip) were so much easier!!!!
I can’t complain too much… my first labour lasted less than two hours, my second around 40 minutes and my last was around 23 minutes from beginning to end…
There is nothing like holding a new baby in your arms and thinking: I did it! He’s here 🙂
Ellie
Wow! Those are some fast labors. Your body must be very fit to push babies out that quickly. 🙂
Justine
I am soooooo happy U were able to EAT, now I get why U did not say, lol!!!!!!!! I bet U were able to have a better birth, YAYAYAYAYAAY, how is your Mother in law????
Ellie
Shes doing well. 🙂
Jess
I was induced with my first and they said nothing to eat, 5 hours in I begged my OB to eat something small and he OKd crackers, well I couldn’t keep them down! Glad you were able to eat!
Ellie
That sounds rough, Jess! Nausea is something I haven’t experienced during labor. It sounds terrible.
Anonymous
just finish the story!
Regina
Since it’s Ellie’s blog and she has limited time for blogging due to little ones she can take as much time as she needs.
Beverley Sawer
It is lovely following your story from London UK. Congratulations and Thank You!
Ellie
It’s wonderful to have you as a reader, Beverley! Do you live in downtown London, or on the outskirts? I have always wanted to visit!
Anonymous
Please finish this story
Regina
Oh I hated fasting. All my were c-sections and I was so cranky and then afterwards I had to have clear liquids. I finally had real food the second day of being in the hospital.
Ellie
That sounds rough! Were they scheduled C-sections or emergencies?
Anonymous
It’s amazing how you suffered to have your baby. Mr Handsome at your side must have been
a real help to you. I guess it makes you realize more how you can support him too at times, when it’s on him. It’s nice how you are there for each other. And support your children. Interesting how you are telling this intense story.