Monday, May 17, 2010

The Epic Saga of Parker David

Wednesday May 5th (11 days before my due date) started out like any other Wednesday. I went to school, had my 38th week doctors appointment - nothing out of the ordinary until 6:20 PM when I was walking through the house and felt a gush...oh crap did I just pee my pants? I quickly headed to the bathroom to investigate, but wasn't 100% sure it was my water breaking. Then just before Brian came home it happened again, followed by some contractions. To make sure it wasn't false labor, I started walking around and timing contractions. Seemed like the real thing! So I started tidying up the house and packing some of the last minute items we would need to take with us. By 9 PM the contractions still weren't very painful but they were 2 minutes apart and Brian was starting to sweat about the 45 minute drive to the birthing center so I called and told them what was going on and the nurse suggested we come in.

When we got to the birthing center I gave the receptionist my name, then turned to Brian and said. "Oh, there's another contraction!" The receptionist smiled at me and said. "And what are we seeing you for?" Hmmm, this is a birthing center, it is 10 o'clock at night, I'm pregnant and just had a contraction...so obviously I'm here for a boob job!

We had to hang out in the triage room for 2+ hours until my doctor and the nurse were 100% convinced that my water had actually broken and I was in active labor. Even if I wasn't in labor they weren't going to let me leave because my blood pressure was really high. Finally, the second test confirmed it (duh!!!) and we were moved into a room. Luckily it was a corner room and the largest in the hospital because it would be our new home for the next 3+ days.

My amazing fantastic and fabulous sister was suppose to get on a plane to LA at 7 AM Thursday morning but she selflessly cancelled her trip and showed up to the hospital around 3 AM and did not leave until Parker was born. The first 24 hours went fairly smoothly, contractions were not very painful (a sign that this was going to be a long labor) Brian didn't get home from work until 2 AM on Monday so I made him spend a lot of this time sleeping while Sarah and I walked the halls...and walked the halls...and walked some more. Every time I laid down to rest or to be hooked up to the fetal monitors the contractions would get further and further apart. So frustrating!!!

On Thursday afternoon, my parents, Brian's parents, and my sister-in-law Sarah set up camp in the waiting room. I'm sure they had no idea they would be there until the wee hours of the morning. Around the 23 hour mark my doctor came in to let me know she was done with her shift and we needed to talk about my options. Since my water broke so early, at the 24 hour mark they were going to start giving me antibiotics to make sure Parker would not get any infections, etc. She also suggested I think about using pitocin to speed up the contractions and get things moving. I had tried some natural ways to speed up labor and stimulate contractions but nothing was working. Brian and I discussed it and decided to try the pitocin. After the first hour it was obvious that the contractions were getting stronger.

The last six hours of labor were a blur, Brian was an amazing coach he stayed by my side the whole time and knew exactly what to say and do to make me feel better. I remember telling Brian I couldn't do it anymore and I wanted an epidural. He calmed me down told me I was doing great and convinced me to wait 30 minutes before I asked the nurse for the epidural. I labored in the jacuzzi tub for a while which helped a lot. Because my water broke so early the nurses and doctors would not check me to see how dilated I was because of the risk of infection. Finally, when I got out of the tub I said a felt like I needed to start pushing soon. The nurse check me and I almost cried! I was only 6 cm dilated! I labored for a few more hours and actually found myself falling asleep between contractions because I was so tired. The contractions were super strong and I was having a hard time not pushing with the contractions so the nurse checked me again and I still wasn't fully dilated. I tried not to push but couldn't help it and after 20 minutes she checked again and said get the doctor in here! FINALLY!!!! After the doctor came in I only had to push for 3 contractions and suddenly after 36 hours of labor there he was!

At 5:02 AM Dr. Quimby laid Parker on my chest, he opened his eyes let out a little whimper and I instantly fell madly and deeply in love with him. He was beautiful and perfect in every way! My mom had parked her chair so she could keep an eye on my room and everyone got really excited when the doctor and nurses started rushing in and out of the room. After about an hour Brian started shuttling the families into the room and they were finally able to meet Parker. The best part...Parker David and his Grandpa Dave share the same birthday! We were finally able to take Parker home around 3 PM on Saturday. We were exhausted and so happy to be able to be home and sleep in our own bed.

4 comments:

  1. Congrats you guys!!! He is so adorable! I can't wait to see him! Someday!!!!!! You are such a strong woman to endure labor that long with virtually no help. You're so awesome. I love you and miss you guys so much!!!

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  2. Great post, Amy! Really enjoyed it! Can't wait for more Parker cuddle time! ;o)

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  3. AWW, what a cutie! Thanks for sharing your birthing story. I always like to hear other people's stories! Hope you and the dogs are adjusting to the new additin!

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  4. You must be out of your damn mind to think I would have missed his birth. Screw Mickey Mouse, I got to meet Parker!

    And BTW, your boob job looks awesome. So natural!

    Love all 3 of you so much.

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