S had to have her labor induced due to some slight increase in her amniotic fluid. As we were told it was nothing serious but since we were so close to the due date we were assured that everything would be fine and this was completely normal. Before I go any further please know that this is not a blog about some horrible labor experience. All was well, we just had Baby Z sooner than we planned.
We met with the doctor and scheduled the induction for late in the day on May 1. S would have to take Cytotec (a suppository to soften the cervix) since her cervix hadn't softened. However, the week prior to the induction, on our scheduled OB visit, the doctor checked her and S was 2 centimeters dilated with her cervix soft enough for labor to start. So the doctor determined that we would not have to come in on May 1 but early in the morning on May 2.
We had to get to the hospital by 5 am on May 2 so we were up early, which was good since no one got any sleep. The car was already packed and S, E and I were on our way to pick up my father-in-law who was in town for the birth when we got a phone call from the hospital. "It seems that we have a lot of pregnant women coming in today so we will have to push you back since you are an induction. We will call you as soon as we have a room available." Bummer. So we called Dad, gave him the news and headed back home.
While we weren't happy about the delay it gave all of us a chance to catch up on some additional sleep since we weren't sure what the day would bring. That day was filled with a thin film of stress that felt as if it would break with the slightest jump. After a couple of hours of sleep S called the hospital to see if there were any spots available for us. Unfortunately we got a no and S's world came crumbling down. Tired, weak, hungry and ready to get the baby out S broke down in tears wondering when all of this would come to an end and when we would finally be able to see the baby. The only thing that I could do was give words of encouragement and just let her cry. We waited and waited for a call but no call came in. FINALLY we got the call from hospital at 10 pm the night of May 2. "Come now!" the nurse said and we took her advice. Before we could even hang up the phone we left the house, picked up my father-in-law and headed to the hospital.
After admission and the millions of questions from the admitting nurse we were on our way for the long haul. S was monitored to see how her contractions and the baby were doing for about three hours before the nurse gave her Pitocin to speed up her labor and help her uterus contract more. Her water hadn't broken so her spirits were still high and she was able to get some sleep. At some point in the night the nurse came in to tell us that the doctor would come in the morning to break S's water if necessary. The time wasn't established and she would have to see how S was doing as the night progressed to determine when she would come in.
Morning broke and everyone hunkered down for another long day. After we all had breakfast the doctor came in at about 8:45am to tell S that she was going to break her water. Once her water would be broken labor would be progressing a lot faster and if she wanted to have an epidural she would have to let the nurse know sooner than later. Apparently there were a lot of C-sections scheduled that day starting around noon, so if S didn't get the anesthesiologist right away then there was a possibility that she would have to wait or may not get the epidural at all. The doc came, broke her water and within five minutes S was feeling the contractions come on much stronger. She decided to get the epidural at that moment.
More time passed and before we knew it S was feeling pressure and wanted to push. At this point everything became a whirlwind. The doctor came, the nurse was there, instruments were set up, the baby nurse arrived, lights were turned on, monitors were going off... it was mild chaos.
This would be my first time as a coach and not the patient and I was wondering if I would be able to perform under pressure. I had to get my bearings and prepare myself for the work ahead so when the nurse said it was time to push I got my thoughts together and prepared for my job. I held S's legs and prepared to count.. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. When I wasn't counting I told S to focus and imagine the baby coming out. I told her to use her contraction to help push the baby out because as much as she wanted the baby to come out, so did her body and the baby. After the second push I could see a small part of the head. My eyes widened and my heart raced.
So we pushed, pushed and pushed. At some point the doctor came in and was preparing for the baby's arrival. During this short moment of down time I was able to scope the room to see what was going on. The curtain in the room was drawn to about 75% closed with E, my mom (who was there already for three hours) and my father-in-law peeking from behind. The doc was in position, the nurse was on S's right and I was on her left and another nurse was getting the baby's area ready. With each push the baby was getting closer but as soon as S stopped pushing the baby would move back slightly. The nurse kept saying You're doing great, the baby is almost here. Having been in labor before I knew these words all too well. I knew she was saying this to get S's hopes up and help her keep focused on pushing but the baby was not anywhere near coming out.
But before I knew it the baby was there and the head was coming out. Baby Z was having a bit of trouble as she was coming out and we were able to understand why. Baby Z's hand was next to her cheek as if she was day dreaming. As soon as the head came out her body followed and immediately energy filled the room. She was here! Baby Z was being check by the nurse to make sure that she was okay because there was some meconium in the amniotic fluid when S's water was broken. S and I clasped hands and cried as we basked in the newness of our new baby. We did it and we couldn't believe that we we finally here.
Having given birth to E I knew what labor was like and not only was I scared of the process but I was also unsure of my role as the supporter. I hadn't done it before and I wasn't sure that I would be able to be the help that S needed when things got tough. But I held in there and we made it through together and now we have our second daughter to show for it. It's amazing what can come out of a thought and a dream.
