Labor Denial
Julia Ann could not wait and arrived almost 4 weeks early. Labor was an experience that nothing can prepare you for. As noted in the previous post contractions started at 2:30 AM, but since I had not experienced a Braxton Hix contraction, I just figured that is what it was. They started off 10 minutes apart and lasting about 40 seconds. However, being in denial that it was true labor, I just opened up the laptop and started to work answering emails, checking on projects and writing the Making Memories proposal.
Hours past and the guys started poping online. I chatted with Kenny who told me to get used to it because I would be experiencing the Braxton Hix for the next two weeks. By 10:00AM I was pretty tied and the contractions were still consistent at every 10 minutes. I decided to call the hospital and ask them what I should do. Their advice; take a hot shower, lie down and drink a lot of water. So that is what I did.
Still not being able to sleep I continued on with the proposal writing. By 2:00 pm the contractions were lasting longer and becoming more painful. I called into Western GYNOC to talk to Tina’s nurse. We ending up exchanging voicemails for the next two hours. Once we finally connected she advised me to go to the hospital to just see what is going on. So I called Joe, who was an hour away in North Ogden, and told him he may want to come home early. Although, since I was still in denial, I told him to take his time and not rush. Thank god he did not listen to me. He was home in about 30 min, took a 2 min shower and then was grabbing stuff and getting me in the car. Still in denial, I told him to now worry about an overnight bag and the car seat since we would be back tonight.
To The Hospital We Go
By this point I was having a very hard time dealing with the contractions. I had to stop what I was doing, focus and grip something very tightly to endure the pain. Once at the check-in desk at the hospital tears where streaming down my face, and I had to have Joe give them my information; which we found out he does not know a whole lot about by medical status.
Once in the triage room, I vomited which at that point the nurse knew this was the real deal. She checked my cervix and said that I was dilated to a 3. Joe asked “So… does this mean this is happening tonight?”. “Oh yeah” the nurse responds. That is when the panic sets in. “We are not ready”, I keep thinking. “She will be too small”.
Delivery – This is Happening Too Fast
We moved onto the delivery room where the nurse struggled to get an IV in and keeps apologizing. All the while, I am thinking is that a couple needle pokes are a lot better then these contractions. I had planned on waiting on the epidural so that I would not be stuck in a hospital bed or 8 hours, but I could wait no longer.
Family began showing up. Everyone noted how they where in the middle of cooking dinner, so we pointed them in the direction of the cafeteria. I am not sure what time the nurse came in to check me again, but it did not seem like more then an hour. She checks and says, you all done. I follow with “you mean, I am 100% effaced, right?” “Yep, and you are dilated to a 10. You are ready to start pushing”.
This was happening too fast it seemed. She got things setup, and then kicked our family out again. It was just Joe, the nurse and I in the room. The nurse propped up my legs and instructed me on how to push. She said that we will start pushing while we are waiting on Dr. Quinn to arrive. So she started her 10 count and I gave a push. One more 10 count and she said “whoa… no more pushing, we need to wait for Dr. Quinn now”.
What seemed like an hour as I had my legs up in the air and I could feel the pressure of contraction after contraction was really only about 10 to 15 minutes for Dr. Quinn to arrive. He came into the room, slipped on his gloves, the nurse had me push a couple more times and about 10 min later Julia Ann was placed on my stomach and Joe was given the scissors to cut the umbilical cord.
Dr. Quinn pushed on my stomach for the after birth, pulled out the placenta, showed it to me (which was totally cool and discussing at the same time) and sewed me up.
A New Life Is Here
The family came back in with tears in their eyes taking picture after picture. For some weird reason, I did not cry. Before the birth, the very thought of seeing Julia for the first time would make my eyes well up with tears, but the
actual moment seemed so logical and clear. This was my child. The being that I am to nurture, protect, and guide through life. It was a joyful moment, but my mind went into gear and I was more concerned with making sure she was healthy and that I was able to breastfeed so she could get the nutrients that she needed.
It is amazing that in one moment your entire life can change. I am talking about your goals, your motives, your reasoning… all changes. During pregnancy you know it will all change. You know that the moment will come and you will never be able to go back to the way it was; but the actual experience is not something you can prepare for or describe after it happens.
Responsibility takes on a new meaning, love is a new experience and a miracle is no longer an intangible word.
