Elena's birth story

Here is the details on Miss Elena Jane's arrival!

I had my final OB visit on Thursday 8/21/14 with Dr. Dejong. At this point I was already almost a week past my due date so I knew going into it that he would likely push a c-section and make me do a NST/biophysical in order to "allow" me to have the weekend to go into labor on my own. Based on the results, he did agree to give me the weekend but only on the condition that I schedule a c-section for Monday. I agreed only to appease him. On the bright side, I never got the call to schedule! 

My appointment was at 4pm and I started having contractions soon after. Mark, Colin, and I went out to dinner and that's when I noticed that they were pretty consistent. I thought it was too good to be true so I tried not to get too excited! Around 8 pm I knew it really was labor beginning because I started losing the mucus plug so I let my Doula know and I tried to get some rest. 

Rest was impossible with the contractions. They were pretty regular so I was up timing them. I took a bath and tried relaxing but I was so excited to finally be in labor! 

Around 4 am on Friday 8/22 we decided to call Mark's parents to come stay with Colin and then head to the hospital. I was admitted at 2 cm dilated. I do wish I would have stayed home longer but I was worried about Colin waking up and seeing me in pain. I didn't want him to be scared.

I labored in triage until around Noon. Once in my room, I quickly got in the tub. The hot water felt amazing and having my Doula pour it over my stomach during contractions  felt incredible. I stayed in the tub for a long time; I don't even remember why I got out! Once I was resting in bed, the doctor came in to discuss breaking my water. I was very nervous to say yes because that's where my labor with Colin went down hill. After I talked it over with Mark and my doula, I consented. 

My labor picked up from there and contractions got much stronger. The pain was really only in my hips and it was getting unbearable. I couldn't find a comfortable position, which was frustrating. I was starting to get desperate for some relief and asked for pain medicine. I tried Fentanyl first. The first dose was just what I needed. I remember just burying my face in the bed and being so thankful to get rest. It didn't last very long, though. I had another dose but it didn't do anything. So disappointing! 

I labored for a little while before realizing I just didn't have the energy to continue. I was disappointed because I had labored to 7 CM all on my own and I really wanted a natural birth but the thought of not knowing how much longer it was going to last was unbearable. At that point, I asked for an epidural. Mark and Mandee did exactly what I asked of them and talked me through that decision. It felt like it took forever for the anesthesiologist to come in. He was asking me what the baby's name was and he said he thought "Rose" was a nice name. I told him if he got the epidural in before the next contraction I would name her whatever he wanted! Clearly I wasn't serious, but that shows how desperate I was for pain medicine! 

I got the epidural around 7 pm and I progressed quickly. Around 9 pm I was ready to push! The doctor said she could see Elena's head and that I wouldn't have to push for long. Was I ever glad to hear that! I was still feeling all the pressure of each contraction in my hips so I knew when they were starting and ending. There was a student nurse in the room and she was right beside the bed, watching the monitors. Every time a contraction was starting she would place her hand on my leg and breathe through it with me. I focused a lot on her during the pushing phase. She had a very calming presence. 

I pushed for about 45 minutes and Elena was born at 9:46 PM, weighing 8 pounds 3 ounces. I got my VBAC!

The doctor laid Elena on my chest and we did immediate skin to skin. She then scooted down and began showing signs of wanting to nurse. I had planned to just kind of roll with whatever she wanted to do in regards to breastfeeding. I didn't nurse Colin so clearly I am okay with formula feeding but Elena nursed like a champ from the get go! 

Elena's birth is exactly what I wanted. I never felt that Colin's c-section birth was traumatic but I did feel like maybe my body was broken since he had IUGR and his head got stuck in my pelvis. Elena's birth proved that I could grow and deliver a healthy baby.