This is a continuation post from ‘My Pregnancy Journey’.
At the next appointment, there were still no signs of any contractions or baby wanting to come out. I was already 40 weeks and 3 days overdue. Doctor suggested I’d get induced that same day. Having already the talk of induction from the appointment prior, Jon and I agreed we would follow the doctors instructions so our bags were already packed in the car in case.
By 3pm that day they had inserted the pessary used to help release the hormones to signal delivery. We were told that this sometimes works and sometimes does not, and its different reaction for everyone. That night in our private maternity room, we watched some movies, ordered bubble tea and just waited for something to happen. 10pm rolls around and there was only a slight cramping. I messaged my family telling them probably no delivery tonight (Dec 13). During the middle of the night i started to feel more uncomfortable, the nurse gave me laughing gas to relieve the pain. I had probably slept for 3 hours that night.
The next day at 6AM, I felt aches everywhere, it felt like i was hit by a car (again i really dont know how that feels! thank God). It was SO painful to get up and walk. But hubs and I did down the hallway. By the time I got back to the room, I went on the ball for a few minutes then back to the bed and my water broke. It feels like uncontrollable peeing. Quite alot of liquid so definitely cannot mistaken water breaking. My contractions started after that.
By 11AM the contractions were quite painful I asked for an epidural, They checked my dilation and said it was only 2CM (too early). So they gave me an injection instead. The most painful part of the whole delivery was (1) when they inserted the pessary and (2) whenever they check for dilation.
The injection made me super sleepy and somehow I vomitted it. By 2PM my contractions were super painful. another dialation check and i was 4CM which meant i could get the epidural. The WAIT for epidural felt LONG (even though it was maybe 40 mins but i was probably the longest 40 mins ever!)
By 3PM I finally had the epidural inserted. It took a while for the doctor to insert it. Each time a contraction rolls around and I am thinking the epidural is in, its NOT! (again this was the longest 40 mins ever). Once the epidural is actually in, you can feel the cold liquid travel up your spine which gave the relief. From there I did not feel any contraction and was able to nap a bit.
I woke up from my nap and my doctor was in the room and said I was ready for delivery. 10CM dilated and it was around 4PM.
They set up the delivery room and everything was ready by 5:20PM. I was scared I wouldn’t know how to push but basically you have to imagine you need to take a big poo. (sorry for lack of better wording) I did a few practice pushes and 1 large push. With the encouragement of the doctor I kept pushing – I could feel the baby sliding out little by little. Then one last push and I really felt the baby come out and with it a gush of other things (probably the placenta).
5.46PM The first time i saw my baby she was put on my belly. To be honest i thought from movies i would embrace the baby, but I have to admit the baby comes out all PURPLE with gunk all over. She really looked like a purple alien with wrinkles on her forehand. In that moment I just held her hand and felt a relief that we did it. <3
