Our daughters due date was March 29th 2017. Which happens to be my dad's birthday, so we thought it would be pretty special if she did come on that day. I had a rough pregnancy; all day nausea the whole 9 months, constantly changing food aversions, middle of the night leg cramps, and unfortunately I gained a whopping 70lbs by the end, just to name a few of the struggles. But I did still love growing my sweet baby in my tummy and enjoyed all the amazing things we get to experience while pregnant.
Because of my weight gain, when my due date was nearing, I was beyond uncomfortable. My last check up, one week before her due date, we decided I'd go in at midnight as it turned into March 29th to be induced. I was about half effaced at that time, not at all dilated, and my water still hadn't broken when we checked in. I got dressed down, they started my IV, and within a couple hours I had my first dose of Pitocin. By about 4am I was having contractions, but they would come and go as I tried to rest. The contractions only began because of the medication I was giving to jump start them, and they always faded quickly. Over the period of the day I was given 2 more doses of Pitocin; totaling 3 doses. I walked around our floor, sat on a yoga ball, and did all the things they recommended to move things along. But by 8pm that night, and after being in that hospital for 20 hours, I was still only dilated to a 2, and my water still hadn't broken. It was against their advice to give another dose of Pitocin, and they suggested we return home to let things progress naturally. I was beyond devastated to be leaving that hospital STILL HUGE AND PREGNANT! But I did, my husband took us home and we went to bed that night just like it was any other day. The next day I continued to stay as active as possible, but I'd lost some hope that she was coming soon for my contractions had totally stopped at this point. That night, March 30th we visited a families house for dinner. My husband and I left there about 7pm and stopped for ice cream before heading home for the night. I think I picked the right flavor, because my water broke in the car while driving home! I was ecstatic about this, and even though they told me to come back to the hospital once my water broke, I just spent 20 hours there and was sent home. I was NOT about to spend another entire day there anxiously waiting for her. So we proceeded home and relaxed in the living room with candles lit as things progressed. By 2am, I was having contractions about 7 minutes apart that I could hardly bare. So we decided to head back in to the hospital. When we checked in, they confirmed my water had broken, and we began the process all over again. Set up in the room, the IV, and they started monitoring my contractions. Unfortunately, I was staying dilated at a 2. However, after all my body had already gone through with being induced 2 days prior, we let her take the time she needed, and as the day went on I slowly dilated more and more. I did receive an epidural around 11 am since the contractions were so painful but I was not dilating enough to push any time soon.
The day I was induced, my doctor who had cared for me all throughout my pregnancy, as well as my OBGYN needs before becoming pregnant, was on a 48 hour shift and planned to deliver my baby. Obviously this was ideal since I'd become so close to her over the past years. This same doctor had delivered my nephew just 4 months prior as I stood next to my sister in support, while being 5 months pregnant and freaking out that I'd have to do the same thing before I knew it! (LOL) But shortly after arriving back to the hospital the 2nd time, her 48 hour shift was ending which meant unless I was having my baby within a couple hours after arriving, I'd have a doctor I never met before deliver my baby. I know this happens a lot, and to be honest I was only upset about it for a few minutes because no matter how it happened or who was there, this baby was coming out TODAY!
By 7pm, the doctor and I were forced to have a serious talk. I was still only dilated to a 7, and my water had broken 24 hours prior which was becoming an unsafe environment for my baby. This made the possibility of a C-section very real to me, but I knew one way or another, this baby had to come out. I had accepted at this time that we would do whatever was the best for both of us, but I was still scared out of my mind at the thought of having a C-section just as much as I was throughout my pregnancy.
It was a miracle if you ask me, when the doctor came in for a final check before we had to make a decision. I was finally dilated to a 9, and close enough that I could start pushing if I felt ready. And you better believe... I was SO ready. I got into position just after 9pm and pushed for 2 hours. Our daughter was born at 11:02pm on March 31st, just shy of being an April fools day baby. Oh boy did she fool us! Her wild spirit, sassy attitude, and strong willed personality was shining before we had even met her! I was really banking on her weighing more so I had an excuse for my weight gain but she was just a little thing at 6 lbs. 8oz and 20 inches long. Despite having a rough pregnancy and a very long and drawn out labor experience, the second my little girl came out crying and healthy, I knew every second of the struggle was worth it.
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