Liam's birth story...
On Thursday April 7, Breck & I loaded up all of our bags (Breck, Liam & I all had our own bags) and drove in the pouring rain to the hospital, we arrived at about 8:00pm. Soon after we were settled in our room, and they put a tablet by my cervix, to start softening it. They would put a new one in every 4 hours. At this time I was dilated to one cm.
I HATED the bed, as it was a half bed, so I didn't get much sleep that night.
At 7am our OB came in to check the progress..still only dilated to 1. She then explained we would start Pitocin, which would be increased by 2 every 1/2 hour until we reached 20.
We waited...and waited...I felt some cramping, but no contractions. Did I mention I was starving?
By 3pm we had reached 20 with the Pitocin, and of course, no progress! The OB explained we would try another softening agent over night, and then start more pitocin in the morning..she also said I could eat!
I didn't sleep well Friday night either, I think it's because I couldn't get comfortable, and when I would the monitor wouldn't be monitoring Liam, so they would come in and move the monitor around & then I wouldn't be comfortable anymore. I felt so bad for my nurses because they had to keep adjusting everything!
At 7am Saturday morning the doctor came in, removed the softening medcine & checked me...no progress. Breck and I were getting used to hearing this news. She explained that we would start Pitocin as we did the day before & that she was breaking my water. I hated the feeling of getting my water broken, it felt like I was peeing my pants all day, but anything for our baby! :)
I started to have contractions & eventually dilated to 4cm, Breck & my mom stayed with me all day and did such a wonderful job supporting me, and keeping the room quiet & peaceful.
At 4cm I decided I couldn't take the pain anymore, so I asked for the epidural...this was really the only thing I was worried about. Surprisingly, it didn't hurt at all, and the anesthesiologist was very caring and talked me through everything. Breck also offered his support and stayed with me during the procedure, my mom had to leave the room.
After the epidural I was having contractions a minute apart, for about 30-40 seconds. Liam's heat beat then began to drop slightly during the contractions, so they monitored that & made me stay on my side with oxygen on. His heart beat continued to drop, they shut the Pitocin off & all contractions stopped...
Our OB then came in, and asked if we would feel comfortable with a c section, as she did not feel I would progress much more. Breck & I agreed, we wanted Liam to be safe & new that c sections were usually risk free. I also went into labor very open minded, so I wasn't upset that I was not going to be having him naturally.
They began prepping me immediately, I drank some disgusting liquid to settle my stomach, Breck put his scrubs on, I kissed my mom & we were on our way to the operating room.
I got into the operating room at 3:00, Breck waited in the hallway while they got everything ready. The nurses switched me to an operating table, secured my arms, put up a sheet to block my view, and counted all of their supplies.
At 3:30 they started operating...Breck sat to the left of my head, I was so cold...and then the Dr. said "Oh my, look at all of that hair!" & we heard Liam cry & take a breath. Breck & I were so relieved and so happy...we both cried.
While I was getting put back together Breck joined Liam..he got a 8 on his first APGAR, and then a 9 on his second. He weighed 7lbs. 8oz and measured 19.5in long. I was surprised he wasn't bigger.
Breck finally got to bring him over to me, for a quick look & kiss. My first thought was "he's perfect!"
The pain never bothered me during my c section, I only felt a little bit of pressure, but shortly after Liam was out I got sick. My hands were also shaking & I couldn't feel them, which was because of the epidural. My hands & arms wouldn't stop shaking, we then learned that my blood pressure was extremely low, and got as low as 70/40. I wasn't really that worried...I just wanted to hold Liam, but decided not to, as I could not quit shaking.
After a shot to help my BP go back up & about 15 minutes I finally got to hold him! I can't describe how it feels to be a mom, but I love it. I also love watching Breck with Liam.
Liam is so perfect. He has a ton of black hair, that's curly when it's wet. His eyes are blue/gray & I hope they stay that way. He has Breck's nose & cheeks and my ears & lips! Right away I noticed he had a very strong neck for a newborn, and has also been very alert.
Liam had a lot of great nurses in the hospital, but I did not feel comfortable taking him to the nursery. He stay with us the entire time, except for the last night he went to the nursery for about five hours so Breck & I could get some sleep...I cried, but I was exhausted and in pain from the c section (and probably from sleeping in that awful bed.)
So far, so good!
