“Whenever and however you give birth, your experience will impact your emotions, your mind, your body and your spirit for the rest of your life.” – Ina May Gaskin
These words carry a very special truth known by mothers all over the world. Giving birth will impact you for the good or for the bad. I truly believe that whether you give birth at home, in a birthing center, a hospital or out in the woods, it can be a wonderful experience. For me, the key to this was knowing myself and my needs (as much as any first time mom can know) and planning well for them.
My personal experience was in a hospital with an OB/GYN and an amazing nursing staff. This environment was just what I needed to feel comfortable and cared for. I was in labor for thirty-six hours.
Thirty. Six. Hours.
With each eight hour shift change, came a new labor and delivery nurse. I owe every one of those women a debt of gratitude. They made the difference between a positive experience, and a dreadful one. I am so incredibly grateful to have had such a wonderful team. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me start at my forty week check up.
Full Term
As a blissfully ignorant mom-to-be, I was sure that I would not make it a day past forty weeks. Parker had been sitting low in my pelvis and I had been dilated to one centimeter for some time. I was positive it would be any day now. As I sat there waiting for my doctor to arrive, I was trying to comfort myself with the knowledge that I would soon see my sweet little baby and this never ending cycle of doctors would soon be over. I did not anticipate the long road that lay ahead of me.
As I saw forty-one weeks closing in on me, I felt that I could not mentally and emotionally handle being pregnant for one more day let alone another week. I chose to schedule an induction at forty-one weeks and one day. Pregnancy was an amazing time, but it came with its difficulties as well. Knowing that there was an end in sight brought me great relief. All the planning was done, bags were packed and preparations made. Now I could focus all my attention on my one and only job. Birthing this baby.
On Friday October 27, 2018 at 7:00pm, we made our last walk as a childless couple.
Little did we know, we would not meet Parker for two more days.
Being Induced
Oh boy, what a process this is. I will try to be as concise as possible. First thing after all the papers are in order and they lead you to your Labor and Delivery room, you will undress and put on that oh-so-lovely hospital gown. I couldn’t help but be reminded of a hilarious (and appropriate) comedy bit by Jim Gaffigan. “Perhaps this is a gown someone died in yesterday…” I thought to myself.
Next, you get your IV. Ugh! The dreaded IV. I should mention that I have Vasovagel Syncope which means, as google says: “A sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure leading to fainting, often in reaction to a stressful trigger.” So it might sounds silly, but the IV was one of the scariest parts for me. My nurse was amazing and really knew her stuff, so this went without a hitch. Whew!
Soon after, I took the first of three doses of Cytotec. This is a drug used to prevent ulcers in those who take NSAIDs on the regular. They have found that it is helpful in inducing labor, so we started with this.
After several hours without effect, I was then proscribed Pitocin. This slowly began my labor. What took place over the next twenty-eight or so hours is a bit of a blur, honestly. Exhaustion had set in. I had constant adjustments to the baby monitor, several rounds of heavy (and painful) antibiotics via IV, multiple (and more painful!) cervix checks and, mercifully, an epidural.
These were the trying aspects of labor. They were just a blip on the radar, however, compared to the overwhelming relief and joy I felt as I saw my son’s face for the first time. At 9:19am on October 29, 2018, surrounded by loving family and friends, Parker was born! He was absolutely perfect. 
I couldn’t believe it! After nine months, I wasn’t pregnant anymore. But now I was a mom! A MOM!
Ina May was indeed correct when she said giving birth would change my life forever, and I was so happy.
Stay tuned for my post-birth recovery blog next week!
Modern Mommie 