I remember the drive to the hospital. It was just me and my husband, on a dark windy road. We got to the hospital and every room was full. I was put in an overflow room. It was one of those freak nights where every woman goes into labor. The midwife checked me and I was at a 3. How disappointing. By the time I was all settled into my room, it was midnight. They asked me if I wanted IV fluids to “take the edge off”. So, I thought that of course I would want that! The anesthesiologist was busy in a C section. He would be there as soon as possible. Yeah right.
They gave me the IV and I quickly realized all it did was make me want to sleep. It didn’t “take the edge off” of anything really. I still felt every contraction. But, now, I was loopy on drugs while trying to deal with painful contractions. I wasn’t progressing. They asked me if I wanted something to “speed things along”. “Of course!” So, they gave me pitocin. Big mistake. There was still no anesthesiologist in sight. To make a long story short, the contractions sped up quickly. At one point I was crying for my epidural. Again, they kept telling me he would be there shortly. A couple of hours later I was in a lot of pain. My husband was like a deer in the headlights. He didn’t know how to help me (this is where the birthing class might have come in handy). The midwife came in to check me around 6am, and sure enough, I was at a 10 and ready to push. “WHAAAT?” “NO! I need my epidural.” In my fog, they told me it was too late. But, I survived.
The transitioning was terrible. That’s the part I remember the most. My husband said I screamed, although I don’t remember that at all. But, for some crazy reason, they kept telling me to hold on. What? Are you crazy? Yep, they were. Once they told me to push, I had her out in about 2 pushes. It was over. I had a beautiful baby girl. I did it.
The plus to not having an epidural was that I was up and going to the bathroom by myself an hour and a half after delivery. I recovered so quickly. I had about 6 weeks of bleeding, and that was through also. There was no episiotomy. But, the healing process was quick, and it was a good thing. My husband began his surgery rotation in graduate school the day after my daughter was born. I felt proud to have had my baby without an epidural even though it wasn’t my choice. Would I do it for number two? Check back tomorrow to hear that story.
Miss part I? Go here.
Related Articles:
When Your Husband Doesn’t Seem Excited