Baby P's Birth Story

Who doesn't love a birth story? Ok, actually there's probably not as many people scouring the Internet for birthing stories as I think- but can ya blame me for loving to read them - I'm 39 weeks pregnant waiting for my baby girl to make her arrival and of course the subject is on my mind pretty often right now!

I like to read the birth stories where everything turned out painless and perfect- yeah, but I'm having trouble finding those... My birth story with my son wasn't one of them, either. And I realized I have never posted it. 

So, here goes. If you don't care to read birth stories, you're welcome to walk away now. I won't be offended. But if you're 39 weeks pregnant and looking for a distraction and encouragement that eventually you will have a baby in your arms...then read on! If you are leaving now, I will show you a peek at the end of the story via this cute picture of his little self. 

May 22nd 

8:15am water broke at 38 weeks while I was laying in bed telling Peter that my due date would probably be moved to September at my appointment that day. I had not felt good the night before. Around 4pm I got diarrhea and felt off and very hot. The night before I had walked 1 1/2 miles and bounced on my ball for close to an hour. At first it felt like I was peeing but it kept coming in little bursts and when I got up to go to the bathroom my shorts were soaked with clear liquid. It kept coming more and I laid back down so it didn't stop. I soaked a towel and was pretty sure then my water broke. I called mom to give her a heads up to head this way. I had a big gush a few minutes later. I called the dr and he told me to try to be to the hospital by 10, after I showered. Well I wasn't packed at all and I had just washed but not folded the baby's laundry and there was no crib set up and we had to move around all the bedroom furniture. So we didn't leave for the hospital until 11:15, arrived around 11:45. Stephen set up the crib and rachel helped me fold and pack while Peter scurried about. I felt really excited to meet poppy and find out if its a girl/boy and also to miss out on 2-3 weeks of being enormous and uncomfortable. I didn't feel any contractions...I wished I did, but nothing. 

11:45am They just told me all the rooms are full right now so I have to sit here and wait. I'm staaaaarving.  Leaking fluid still. Hoping I've dilated and effaced some. Peter ran to Walgreens and got me some crackers. Did you know saltine makes Unsalted saltine crackers? Why bother! Those were the kind he accidentally grabbed. Who knew?!

2:00pm I'm in my room now. The bad news is I wasn't dilated or effaced at all so they induced me- just now started my pitocin. They also put a catheter in my cervix that is like a balloon to help me efface. That hurt! :P looks like I have a long way to go. Can't walk right now bc of the catheter. :-( 

3:15 contractions are 3-4 minutes apart. Hurting. 

4:00 pm So discouraged. :-( contractions are coming so fast and stuff and my cervix balloon popped and they rechecked me and I'm only 1 cm and still not effaced. 

Grammy got here! (She drove from Rochester to NYC in record time!) 

6:40 The baby's heart rate was not responding well to my contractions so they had to stop my pitocin for now.  Praying things will be able to start back up and the baby will not be distressed. Don't want to end up with a c section. Got put on oxygen. 

7:00pm got rechecked- still only one cm, was up to 12 pitocin. Asked if we wanted to try the pitocin again or opt for a c-section. I'm still very relaxed and calm, the contractions pretty much stopped when they stopped my pitocin. We decided to start up again as they watch the baby's heart rate, they started me at half the pitocin. 

7:20 contracting a lot again but baby's heart rate seems a little goofy. They just stopped the pitocin again bc the baby's heart rate is going down with every contraction. :-( isn't looking good. Come on poppy. Not progressing and not handling contractions well... 

The dr decided by around 7:30 that we were getting a csection. I felt a mixture of relief from not having to keep trying to progress but really disappointed too. They came in to explain the anesthesia to me and I cried when I knew I wouldn't hold baby right away. We moved rooms into the OR and they prepped me. 

8:18pm (Peter writing) they are giving her the anesthesia now --- should be going into surgery in just a few minutes. Even though this isn't want we wanted, we are still so thankful that so far the baby is fine and that we have a good doctor.  So excited to meet poppy!!!! ( the nickname we have the baby)

The needle in my back hurt really bad, and I wish Peter could have been there for that part. My legs felt numb immediately and I started shaking pretty bad and crying a little- nerves and being scared and disappointed that I had to have surgery. Couldn't believe I would know so soon if poppy was a boy or girl. Peter was finally allowed in- I didn't recognize him in the scrubs at first. I felt so much better when I could hold his hand. I could feel quite a bit of tugging when they started pulling the baby out- had to do my Lamaze breathing for probably 3 minutes.

8:39 pmThen they said- it's a boy!!!!! And he cried. Cutest cry I have ever heard. He has a huge mouth! He weighs 6 lbs 5 oz- little peanut!  I wanted to hold him so bad. I'm so glad I could be awake to see him. Peter brought him to me as soon as he could- and we laid with our cheeks together and sang to him and Peter prayed over him and we talked. He seems peaceful. And he's cute. I didn't expect a cute one- but he's a pretty cute bald little baby!!

Poppy got greeted by Grammy and grandma and grandpa Montoro.  Everyone agrees he's adorable and soooo cute! 

Tried nursing him around ten and the first time he seemed too sleepy but then ten minutes later he had his mouth wide open and latched right on. Doesn't seem like he gets a ton but he sucks and swallows and then seems content. I love feeding him. It is an amazing feeling! 

While I was waiting to feel my toes again there was a horrible emergency csection going on- a lady hemmorhaging with her 32 week baby and needing blood transfusions, etc due to placenta previa. It made me realize that even though I wouldn't have picked the c section I am so blessed to have a healthy beautiful little boy and no complications- no kidney issues or cysts on brain, etc. God is good to me. Because of the emergency we ended up waiting to come up to our room until midnight. Then poppy had to leave mommy for his long bath and checkup. 

I have been sooo hungry and thirsty. I finally guzzled a Gatorade in about 3 minutes. Then I threw the whole thing up. Guess I shoulda paced myself. Around 1:30 am I graduated from ice chips to apple juice and water. 

Now it's 6:40am, May 23rd and I never fell asleep. Poppy wasn't allowed to stay with me my first night but I couldn't sleep without him. They finally brought him to me hungry around 5:15 after he had his first poopy blowout diaper! And he's had wet ones- so he has been getting my colostrum. Yay. My body is very sore this morning. Wishing I coulda slept a little but I was so hot and sweaty and couldn't relax without my baby.