Happy Birthday Isabel

It was Palm Sunday.  I was huge and swollen and had horrible heartburn after eating tacos for dinner with my family.  I went to bed around 9:00pm feeling contractions, but being 41.5 weeks pregnant, that was normal.  Around 9:45pm the contractions had not yet subsided, and were getting stronger and I nudged my sleepy husband to tell him I thought it might be game time.  He asked "Wanna kill some time and clean the house with me?"  We were expecting company for the baby's baptism Easter Sunday.  Why not?

We laid down around 11:00pm after scrubbing the floors.  Neither of us were tired, being much too excited to sleep. Before rolling over he said "I'm not taking you in until you are really, really ready.  Hold out until you are sure that you are about 5 or 6 cm.  We always go in way too early.  Try to wait this time."  "Okay." I told him.  Around 12:30am I couldn't take it anymore.  The contractions were regular and strong.  I told him in a voice bordering on hysteria that it was time to go.

We arrived at the hospital around 1:30.  The nurse checked me.  I was 1 or 2 cm.  1 or 2 cm!  My spirits sank. Chris was mad.  He laid down on his cot, inserted his ear plugs, rolled over and put a pillow on top of his head.  Instead of pitocin my doctor prescribed cytotec to get things moving along.  The freshmen nurse placed a the pill on my cervix. She told me that the pill takes a long time to work and that women often need a second dose in a few hours.  "Settle in.  Relax.  You are going to be here a while.  Try to get some sleep.  I'll come in few hours to check on you, but push the button if you need anything."

Within 30 minutes I was in serious pain.  The contractions were coming fast and furious.  I tried to keep calm in the darkened room.  I didn't want to disturb my husband.  He had a very busy week ahead of him.  I figured nothing was happening downstairs anyways.  Based on my previous two deliveries (both inductions with copious amounts of pitocin) my doctor said that if I was to labor naturally she thought I would have hard contractions for 36 to 48 (or more) hours.   I grabbed my hips.  I clenched my fists.  Tears quietly streamed down my face.  I endured it all alone, frustrated with my ridiculously small tolerance for pain.  At 3:30am I moaned loud enough to wake my husband.  He called the nurse in.  I told her I was in excruciating pain.  She said "I'll check you, but you are probably a good ways from being able to receive pain relief."  She put on her glove.  Checked me and her eyes popped out of her head.  "I'll be back in just a minute."  A more senior OB nurse came into the room.  She checked me.  "You are about 8 cm.  I can feel your baby's head. It's too late for an epidural. Would you like a spinal?"  "YES!"

What a relief.  I wasn't crazy.  I was so happy that the pain I had endured meant progress.  Our baby was coming soon!  The anesthesiologist came and the spinal was blissful numbness.  I could feel my entire demeanor relax as the medicine spread.  The sun was just rising outside.  My doctor arrived just as I was feeling the urge to push.  She spoke so calmly.  She had me change positions and get ready.  I did not push for very long, maybe one or two pushes and our baby girl was born.