the birth of Gabriel Lee (part 2)

It was 10 am when I looked at the clock after getting into the hospital bed.  The nurse, Cassie, started asking the long list of questions.  When she finished, I told her that I had discussed with Dr. Fogarty that I didn't want the IV, but that she wanted me to have the block in my arm just in case we needed it in a hurry later (I'm glad we did). 

Cassie mentioned that I could labor on the birth ball, in the tub, walk the halls, basically however I needed to to feel comfortable.  I chose to start out on the birth ball.  She brought that in and I sat on that for about an hour.  At around 11:30 my parents showed up.  I was doing well on the birth ball, but contractions started getting quite a bit stronger.  I was breathing deep and exhaling with low moans to help.  Doug and my dad left at noon to go eat when Cassie came in and wanted to check me.  The monitor was showing that Gabe's heartbeat was dropping pretty low everytime I was having a contraction and it was making them nervous.  We decided I needed to move off the birth ball and change positions.  I got back in bed and moved to my hands and knees everytime a contraction started. 

It's at this point that it all starts to run together for me.  Another nurse came in and they decided that I should have the IV put in to see if that would help.  They got fluids started, and pumped them in me pretty fast (which led to lots of bloating, especially in my face).  Dr. Fogarty came in sometime around 12:45-1:00 pm, I think.  She finished breaking my water which made my contractions come fast and hard.  I was pretty much not getting a break between them.  I was dilated to a 4, and started getting sick.  I couldn't get any relief, no matter how I moved and the vomiting made it that much worse.

Dr. Fogarty discussed with me that my body was wanting to proceed fast, but I was basically holding myself back.  So, we decided that if I got the epidural I would progress pretty quickly.  I got the epi shortly after she left (which was good, because I couldn't handle the pain any longer).  When I layed down after getting it, I was checked at was 100% and 7 cm (it was about 1:15pm, I believe). 

The nurses kept having me switch sides that I was laying on because they were having a hard time finding the baby's heartbeat.  I was also put on oxygen.  They finally decided that they would put an internal monitor on Gabe to get a better reading.  After that, everyone seemed to calm down a little.  Sometime after 2 I told them I was feeling the need to push, so they checked me and I was fully dilated.  They called Dr. Fogarty to come over (I think even called her twice to make sure she hurried!).  When she arrived she did a quick check to make sure, and saw that I was indeed ready to push (could see baby's head) and got her gown on.  I asked for the mirror, so I could see my sweet baby being born (like I did with Cody).  I was ready to push, and I gave it my all, a big push, stopped to take a breath, gave another big push and out came Gabriel.  I literally pushed for only a couple of minutes (and I thought the 25 minutes I pushed with Cody was fast!). 

Gabe came out crying, and Dr. Fogarty placed him on my chest while they wiped him down a bit and we waited for the after birth.  Doug cut the cord, and they took him to weigh him.  Dr. Fogarty guessed that he was 8lbs 4oz.  Boy, you should have heard all the gasps when everyone looked at the scale and it said 9lbs 1oz!  Surprised me, that's for sure...an almost 2 lb difference from Cody! 

They brought him back over to me, and I asked the Dr. what the damage was.  A 2nd degree tear pretty much where my episiotomy was.  She stitched me up and I was able to breastfeed Gabe, who took to it like a champ.  He nursed for about 30 minutes while Doug and I sat in awe of our new little man. 

After Gabe finished, Doug went out to get our family.  Mom & Dad, Paul & Deb and Cody came back to meet the new addition.  Cody ran over to the bed and climbed up with me and met his brother for the first time...that is a moment I will never forget.  He was so sweet. 

I had to stay in the labor room for 2 hours, and then was moved to our regular room.  We were released 24 hours later and got to head home to start our lives as a family of four.

From the time my water broke until the time Gabe was born was 10 hrs.  But, basically labor only lasted for 4.5 hrs.  It was so fast, and nothing like I had planned (once again, glad I'm just a go with the flow kind of person), but it was perfect, and I wouldn't change it in any way.  I'm not sad that I didn't have him completely natural (no drugs).  I did what was best for my body and I am proud of that.  I have been recovering well, and am pretty much back to my normal self (aside from 4 lbs).  And, I look forward to being pregnant again and giving birth again.  Even though it is painful, it is such a rush to birth a baby.  It is amazing what our body's do, and I am excited to (hopefully) do it again!