Labor Experience Part I

Let me begin by first saying that the first week of Kinley arriving was to say the least, terrifying. Kinley came two weeks early which was pretty much expected considering that she tried to arrive at an earlier date (29 weeks). When I went into labor again with her at 38 weeks it was not scary because she was considered a "full term baby". I went into labor on Sunday 8-8-10 in the morning. Of course I thought my labor contractions were just Braxton hicks but once they started to increase in pain and not stop I knew this was it. I drove myself to the hospital (Wade was at home with Presley waiting for his parents to arrive) and I checked myself in. They monitored me for a few hours before deciding that they were going to admit me in. Once I was admitted, they put me into the L&D room and the journey began. I was already dilated 3-4 cm and was feeling the contractions pretty well. The nurse came in and asked if I wanted the epidural, and of course I said YES! They actually had to call the anesthesiologist from home because I was the only patient at that time (I got lots of attention and speedy service!)

This is where the fun really started. I was sitting on the edge of the bed and the anesthesiologist started the epidural process. She didn't miss it just once but she missed it twice and finally THIRD TIMES A CHARM! Yes, I had that wonderful needle placed 3 times into my back which caused a bruise to be a size of a banana with 3 nice holes. I thought in my head from that moment something isn't right and this is a sign of things to come. As I tried to convince myself to snap that thought out of my head, it kept creeping up in my mind like pesky gnat flies! Once the epidural was finally in and the numbing started to work I felt a little more relaxed. Once I started to kick back it started....the puking...I knew that it was going to happen but I guess I hoped that it was just a bad experience from my first labor with my first daughter.

I told the nurse on shift that my puking constantly will result in my dilating really fast. She kind of heard me, but I think she thought she knew more than I did and dropped the ball a little bit. As she was outside the room probably mingling with her nurse friends I tried to sleep. While I was sleeping for a whole 20 minutes I felt that pressure...and for those of you who have had a baby know what I mean. I called the nurse in and asked her to check me. She did and I was fully dilated and baby was coming quick! It was 2 am and doctor rushed in barely having enough time to get scrubs on. I pushed half a push...yes, I said HALF a push...And she was HERE!! PERFECT LITTLE ANGEL! I was SO in love again!