Leighton's Birth Story...

On Tues am of March 30, I went to get a prenatal massage, then to visit my dr to schedule my induction for that Friday since I was almost at 41 weeks. Around 4:30 on Tues, I started to get intense, searing pain in my lower spine. I had been having contractions and labor signs for a few days, so I thought it could be labor, but was doubtful b/c the pain was all in my back. The contractions and pains started to intensify and become more steady to every 4-5 mins. By 6:30, I was in tears and could barely take a shower b/c I would double over with excruciating pain and could barely walk. I called my OB, and he said it sounded like back labor! So we sped to the hospital just like the movie scenes; me nearly screaming, tears running down my face and just trying to breathe. Thankfully traffic died down, and we got checked into a delivery room at Northside Hospital by 8:15 pm. I had been 4 cm dilated and 75% effaced at 3:00 at my dr visit. The nurse said I was 5-6 cm by that point. They FINALLY gave me pain meds in my IV, so that calmed me down but I was still in pain. Around 10:00, I got my epidural (best thing ever), and the anesthesiologist did an amazing job. I could still feel my legs and contractions, but painlessly. Apparently some epidurals make you so numb you can't feel to push, which makes labor harder. My water broke immediately, and they determined LG had pooped in utero, so there was mercomium which can be dangerous if the baby inhales it w/their first breath. So they scheduled the RESCU team to be there when she arrived.

I was at 10 cm by 12:30 am, and the labor nurse had me start pushing. She said it should be a relatively quick labor.... she couldn't have been more mistaken! I started pushing around 1:30, and pushed for about 1.5 hrs before we could finally see her head up in the birth canal. I pushed about every 3 mins, so you can imagine how hard it became.

The dr determined her head was stuck underneath my pelvic bone, and cocked a bit, hence the back labor. This was preventing her from moving down any further. I had to make a decision to keep pushing, or let him use a vacuum to help maneuver her down. At this point I was already spent, so I said just use vacuum. I was very scared b/c I have never researched vacuum deliveries, and had no idea what risks or issues could occur. All I knew was she had to get out b/c I was running out of energy... I pushed about 1 hour longer before he came in w/the vacuum. It's a small plastic cup with a string on the end, and they attach it to the baby's head and pull slightly to assist w/my pushing. All I knew was this HAD to work, otherwise they would have to push her back up and I would have to have a c section. After pushing for 3 hrs, I was determined to finish what I started. I was pretty much delirious at that point, and my epidural had worn down and I could feel alot:( So the dr ordered more anesthesia, and I kept pushing till she FINALLY emerged w/a huge welt on her head:..(. There were 12 drs/nurses in the room at the end, because of the mercomium, vacuum, etc... quite a show!! They whisked her over to clear her lungs and asses her. It was quite scary and dramatic, and all I did was pray she was ok. I couldn't feel my legs b/c the anesthesia had finally kicked in, and the dr had to repair my 4th degree laceration, so I couldn't really see or hold her right away. Turns out my umbilical cord was very short, which was one factor preventing her from dropping. That and her head being stuck made for a very eventful labor, but I was so happy that she was healthy and okay! She was 7 lbs, 8 oz, 20.5 inches... much bigger than we expected! It took me a few hours to feel like my body wasn't falling apart, and we were moved into our room where we would stay for 2 more days. She has been doing wonderfully, and we are both healing up well and recovering from our long journey!

Welcome to the world Leighton!