We arrived at the hospital bright and early yesterday prepared for the c-section. We had to be there at 8 for a 10:00 c. I was so nervous! I had hardly slept the night before. They got me ready and prepped for surgey and did an ultrasound to be sure the baby was still breech. I'll be darned if this crazy child wasn't head down! I was at the doctor on Monday and she was (at least by feel, I didn't have an u/s) head down! I never felt any giant moves, but I did feel what felt like her scaling the wall of my uterus one night. Maybe that was when she moved? We'll never know!
They gave us the option of going home or staying and being induced. I was dialated to 2-3 and 50% effaced yesterday making me a good candidate for induction (or so I was told). The idea of induction freaked me out. I've heard stories about how painful it can be, how you go from 0-100 really quickly, and how many times people who are induced will have c-sections anyway.
One of the reasons they encouraged me to get induced was because the baby was an "unstable lie" meaning she could have flipped at any point during the previous 4 days and she could easily turn breech again if we waited until I went into labor. At some point, I think you have to put behind you what you hear and decide what is best for you and the situation at hand. I was not willing to take the chance of going home, going into labor in a week, only to find out she's breech and end up with a c anyway.
They started pitocin around 10:30ish. They started out slowly and kept adding a little more every hour. The doctor broke my water around 3:10ish (I know, all these -ish times) and told me that was when she would say was the beginning of labor. My contractions immediately got stronger. By about 3:50, or so, I was ready for an epidural. It took the anestethiologist what felt like forevr to get there. My OB nurse had to call her again because I was sure she she had forgotten about me. By 4:30, the epidural was in place, but it still takes about 15-20 minutes for it to take effect. I was in so much pain, I could hardly stand it. I finally told the nurse I thought I had to push. She checked me, and sure enough, the baby's head was literally RIGHT THERE!
The nurse made a mad dash for everyone to get into the room. The doctor who broke my water was so certain I was not going to have the baby before her shift ended at 5, that she went home. So, essentially, there was no doctor there from my office when I had the baby. A senior resident delivered her and a doctor from another practice was there in place of my doctor.
I started pushing right away and literally, out popped the baby! It took about 2.5 pushes and I can tell you it was officially THE WORST PAIN I HAVE EVER FELT! Really, the pushing wasn't that painful, the contractions right before the baby was born hurt like no other pain I have ever felt.
It all happened so quickly, but it was just as miraculous the second time as the first. Truly amazing.
Baby Schultz:
September 22, 2011
4:48 pm
6 lbs, 11oz
19 inches long
She really is living up to her nickname of Busy!
After 24 hours, she's still doing really well.
Look at that dark hair! She's a hairy little monster! Can't wait to get to know this little bundle of joy even better!
Kirk brought Lincoln up to the hospital this afternoon to meet the baby. We weren't entirely sure what to expect from him. He was a little hesitant at first, but warmed up to her by the time they left.
I can't wait for our two little kiddos to become the best of friends!
I will keep posting pictures and updating the blog as much as our new life with 2 little ones allows. I know we're in for a whole new reality. I just hope that reality allows me time to keep you all updated every now and then!
Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers. We really appreciate everything!