My due date was July 31. However it was decided by my doctors that it would be best for me to deliver in San Francisco where my cardiologist is. Because I live about 45 min to and hour from SF, this would only work if I was scheduled to be induced. So, my doctors decided I would be induced on July 17, at 38 weeks (if I went into labor on my own I was to just go to our nearest hospital). But of course, this was a plan and I should have known it was not going to work out this way.
On Monday July 8 I got a phone call from my OB's office saying I needed to come in right away for a non-stress test and blood work. I was feeling fine and wasn't sure what this was all about but I re-arranged my day and went anyway. The NST went great, baby was doing just fine. I got my blood work and went home to go about my day. That evening I got another call from the OB's office, this time it was one of the high risk pregnancy doctors I had been seeing. She let me know that my blood work came back and it was showing signs of preeclampsia and I should go to San Francisco as soon as possible so they could induce me. Now, I was 36 weeks and 5 days along so I knew very well I could go into labor at any time. But still, to suddenly be told I needed to be induced, I still felt a sense of shock and I'm pretty sure I was in denial the whole way to SF - half of me was sure there was some sort if mistake and we would be sent back home that night. But of course once we got to the hospital and to L&D I was admitted to a room right away and things got underway.
We got to the hospital at about 8pm, and I was induced at around 10. In addition to the usual monitors for the baby, I was also hooked up to an EKG and heart monitor, as well as a pulse ox monitor and oxygen. The contractions started pretty much right away and we were excited to meet our new little boy. Then came another ripple in our plan (not even ripple, more like tsunami) - Because of the preeclampsia my blood platelets had gotten very low and were still dropping, which meant it was not safe to get and epidural. That's right, the most important part of my birth plan and the thing that has been emphasized the most was now not even a possibility. At this point my emotions went from nervous excitement to just plain scared. And even though I could no longer get an epidural, a vaginal birth was still safer than a C-section, especially with my platelets being so low. I was given narcotic pain meds, which were supposed to relieve most of the pain. However, these did not seem to do a damn thing.
After being in labor for about 10 hours I suddenly felt the need to push. Actually, it felt like the baby was pushing himself out, and he was coming whether I liked it or not! The doctors and nurses were a little caught off guard and did the whole "No, don't push yet!" thing. Of course it wasn't up to me at that point, Henry had decided he was ready and that was that. I ended up only pushing for about 10 minutes, and out he came at 8:09am on Tuesday July 9. Even though he was just shy of 37 weeks along, he was a healthy 6lbs 7oz, and 18 1/2 inches long (just about the same size as my first son, who was born at 36 1/2 weeks).
Once the baby was born, everything else that day is a bit of a blur. I was put on Magnesium because of the preeclampsia, causing me to be even more out of it. By the next day I was off the Mag and feeling much better. We stayed in the hospital until Thursday night of that week, and since then both Henry and myself have been doing great. I am still on blood thinners and a beta blocker to prevent any post-partum heart issues, and will be for another month or so. I will go back to see my cardiologist in a few weeks for the usual echo/EKG/check up, and of course I am going through all the normal post-partum stuff as well. I feel good, and like I am slowly getting back to my normal, pre-pregnancy self.
Looking back on this whole experience, I'm still not 100% sure it really happened - I had never imagined that I would give birth sans epidural, and I still can't believe I actually did it. While I would personally advise anyone who can get an epidural to go for it, I have to say there is a huge part of me that is proud of myself for powering through it and do what I needed to do for the sake of my health, and for my baby. This pregnancy and childbirth was much harder than my first, but I got through it and am happy to be on the other side. Plus, I have the best little reward I could ever ask for! And now, I am officially done having children. I feel like if I REALLY wanted I could have more, but I have two healthy, beautiful boys and I am more than happy about that. I don't want to push my luck, or put myself or my family through the stress of another pregnancy/birth. Many CHD patients are told they can't have children. Many are told they may be able to, but choose not to because of all the risks. I am a very lucky lady, and I count my blessings every day in the form of two little men who call me mommy. <3
After being in labor for about 10 hours I suddenly felt the need to push. Actually, it felt like the baby was pushing himself out, and he was coming whether I liked it or not! The doctors and nurses were a little caught off guard and did the whole "No, don't push yet!" thing. Of course it wasn't up to me at that point, Henry had decided he was ready and that was that. I ended up only pushing for about 10 minutes, and out he came at 8:09am on Tuesday July 9. Even though he was just shy of 37 weeks along, he was a healthy 6lbs 7oz, and 18 1/2 inches long (just about the same size as my first son, who was born at 36 1/2 weeks).
Once the baby was born, everything else that day is a bit of a blur. I was put on Magnesium because of the preeclampsia, causing me to be even more out of it. By the next day I was off the Mag and feeling much better. We stayed in the hospital until Thursday night of that week, and since then both Henry and myself have been doing great. I am still on blood thinners and a beta blocker to prevent any post-partum heart issues, and will be for another month or so. I will go back to see my cardiologist in a few weeks for the usual echo/EKG/check up, and of course I am going through all the normal post-partum stuff as well. I feel good, and like I am slowly getting back to my normal, pre-pregnancy self.
Looking back on this whole experience, I'm still not 100% sure it really happened - I had never imagined that I would give birth sans epidural, and I still can't believe I actually did it. While I would personally advise anyone who can get an epidural to go for it, I have to say there is a huge part of me that is proud of myself for powering through it and do what I needed to do for the sake of my health, and for my baby. This pregnancy and childbirth was much harder than my first, but I got through it and am happy to be on the other side. Plus, I have the best little reward I could ever ask for! And now, I am officially done having children. I feel like if I REALLY wanted I could have more, but I have two healthy, beautiful boys and I am more than happy about that. I don't want to push my luck, or put myself or my family through the stress of another pregnancy/birth. Many CHD patients are told they can't have children. Many are told they may be able to, but choose not to because of all the risks. I am a very lucky lady, and I count my blessings every day in the form of two little men who call me mommy. <3
In the hospital waiting to be induced - I had no idea what I was in for!
Fresh from the oven!
Ready to head home
Love. Love. Love.
PS. I did not do this alone. Through not just the birth, but my entire pregnancy, my husband was with me every step of the way and I could not have done this without him. He supported me, held my hand, stayed strong when I couldn't, breathed with me and encouraged me. I love you Jose. <3
