Since I was due April 22nd, I decided to call my dad's acupuncturist to see if she could perform a labor inducing session for me. I went in on Monday morning (the 26th) for my hour long session. We then scheduled sessions for each day of the week until induction day which was planned for the 30th. It could be coincidence, but early labor started about 5:20am Tuesday morning. I felt a strong cramp & looked at the clock. I waited to see if it would come back. Eight minutes later, sure enough - the same cramp feel. I waited four times before waking Jeremy. Once I told Jeremy he decided not to go to work even though we weren't sure how long this would take. My contractions started off consistent, and we were getting excited. I even called the acupuncturist & cancelled my Tuesday session. I decided to take a shower, and after the shower, my contractions became very sporadic & further and further apart.
Jeremy thought I should maybe call the acupuncturist back to reschedule. So I did, and went back at 2:00pm. On the way back from the session, my contractions came back about 6 minutes apart. We waited until we reached the recommended "5-1-1" (5 minutes apart lasting for one minute for an hour long), and headed to the hospital around 5:00pm. We got to the hospital & although the frequency was what they wanted, the monitor was showing that the contractions weren't strong enough, and I was only 3cm dilated & 80% effaced - I had been measuring about that for the last two weeks! So, the nurse offered me a shot to help ease the pain of the contraction that was also a sleep aid so I could get some rest. We went home & I quickly became drowsy. Unfortunately, my body transitioned into full blown labor so although drowsy, the pain medication was useless. So, here I am contracting every 3-4 minutes, and wanting to pass out between each one. Finally after 4 hours at home of deep breathing & lower back massages, I told Jeremy I couldn't take it anymore & we need to go to the hospital. Jeremy made me be sure this time as he knew I wanted to avoid being induced medically & if I hadn't progressed that they would most likely induce me when we returned. Well, they checked me (now about 10:00pm) & I was almost 8 cm!! The same nurse stated that the hardest part of labor is between 7 & 10cm and I was already doing it, so keep up the good work!
I asked for something to take the edge off, like fentinyl, but since I just had that other shot only 4 hours prior, they didn't want to give it to me just yet. So, they suggested I take a shower. So, in the shower I went. The nurse had a great set up. I faced away from the shower head and sat on a bench with a stability ball in my lap to rest my head on. They put wireless & waterproof monitors on me, and sprayed the hot water on my lower back. I was in there for about an hour like that. I started to get the urge to push. So, I got out of the shower & they checked me. I was 9cm! They asked if I wanted them to break my water, I said yes - they broke my water, and the next contraction I was at 10cm & ready to push. The time was now midnight & I was pushing with each contraction. About 2.5 hours later at 2:42am our baby had arrived. The delivering OB let Jeremy break the news to me that it was a boy, and we were simply full of emotion. Lots of kisses, I love yous, hugs, and tears. It was amazing!!!
Here are a few pics from the delivery room:
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