9 weeks post baby I finally have the time and energy to write again. Honestly, I only have the time because I'm sitting in a mandatory study hall with my cheerleaders waiting on tonight's football game to start and my daughter is at home with Yvan. The silence is eerie.
So, my idea of what to expect during Sienna's delivery was not exactly accurate. For some reason women love to share their delivery horror stories. Epidurals not working, tearing, hours of pushing followed by an unplanned c-section. I'm not sure if they realize that the last thing a first time expectant mother wants or needs to hear is the plethora of things that can go wrong. No one ever tells you how easy it can be. So imagine my surprise when my labor and delivery went smoothly.
The one big surprise. She was early and Yvan was in Utah. Umm...yeah.
My doctor and I chose to schedule to induce on August 1st to ensure that she came when Yvan was in town and had some time to spend with us before heading back out on the road again. She was actually due on the 3rd. So I called and made the appointment. A day later, there would be no more waiting. I spent most of Saturday, July 30th, running around Rockwall doing errands and then went to dinner with some friends. I had been having Braxton Hicks for several months and didn't think anything about the minor contractions until about 10:30 that night when nothing helped them stop and they really started to hurt.
At 2:30 I called my doctor and she confirmed my suspicions. I was officially in labor. My next call went to Yvan who was about to book a hotel in Moab, Utah before completing the 19 hour drive on Sunday. Imagine his surprise when the words, "Honey, I'm gonna need you to keep driving," came out of my mouth. He promised to do his best and we hung up. Then I cried. Then I called my mom and cried some more. I didn't think being all by myself would be that bad. I was wrong!
After the phone calls, I settled down and did all of the things my doctor recommended to slow down my contractions. It helped slow them back down to about 12 minutes apart. Then I tried to get some sleep which really wasn't all that easy when the contractions start rolling in. But, knowing I needed to rest for what was to come I did my best.
Luckily, my dad was on duty that night and came straight to my house when he got off. An hour later my contractions were four minutes apart and had been for an hour straight. Following my doctors orders, we headed to the hospital. Even though I wasn't too far along my doctor had me checked in and after being examined let me know that I could have my epidural whenever I was ready. It would slow down the labor process and give Yvan a little more time to get there. Because she didn't want to risk accidentally breaking my water, that would be my last exam until he arrived.
My contractions were still bearable, but my mom suggested that I go ahead and request the epidural since it could be a while before they were able to administer it. Plus, I figured why deal with pain if I didn't have to. Turns out it only took about 15 minutes for the doc to arrive and contrary to popular belief it didn't hurt at all. I mean, I didn't even feel it. 10 minutes later I didn't feel anything else either. It was absolutely lovely. I spent the next several hours sleeping, watching the olympics and chilling with my mom and dad.
Yvan finally made it to the hospital at 4 that afternoon. My amazing doctor broke my water and got me started on some pitocin and a couple hours later I was ready to go. With mom and Yvan at my side, I pushed through about 6 contractions. Because Miss Sienna wasn't getting her heart rate back up between contractions, I had to sit through some so it took a little longer than usual. Still, forty minutes after I started it was all over with not a second of pain.
Sienna weighed in at 6lbs. 12oz. and was 19.5 inches long. We got to spend some quality time with her in the delivery room before she was taken to the nursery to get cleaned up.
I know this wasn't some action packed dramatized birthing story, but I wanted everyone to know that things can in fact run smoothly during a delivery. It can be painless and simple and wonderful.
Now recovery...that is another story entirely. Lol.
