Wow, this post is really long. Sorry. You get extra bloggy brownie points if you actually read the whole thing.
Thursday morning about drove me crazy. I was having contractions alright, some really hard, painful ones even. The problem? They wouldn't stay consistent! Gah! They would come and go, come and go, much like my sanity.
And seriously, that's just cruel.
Still, even if they didn't remain consistent, the longer I was having them, the more uncomfortable they became. Hubby and I were calling each other back and forth with updates but it wasn't until my super awesome labor and delivery nurse neighbor, who'd been helping me through the contractions, took me on a walk around the block that they were coming about every two minutes and getting mighty uncomfortable.
So, when hubby came home for lunch, I refused to let him leave again.
See, he wasn't fully convinced that I was in labor since I wasn't balling or threatening his life... yet.
But I decided it was time to go, and since I was the one in pain, I didn't allow hubby any choice in the matter. So we headed out for the hospital and arrived roughly at 3:30pm.
By the time we were in the room and I was dressed in one of those super fancy and totally flattering for your figure hospital gowns, my contractions were painful enough to make me teary-eyed.
At that point hubby was starting to believe that maybe I was in labor.
When they asked if I wanted an epidural, I hesitated only a moment before saying YES!
I was having a ton of back labor. Everyone has their limits when it comes to pain, and mine ends with back labor. I was worried she was going to be posterior like the boys, and I wasn't going to get caught in that world of torture, pain and agony without some help.
So they called the anesthesiologist, and soon he arrived with all his happy meds.
Little did I know what I would have to endure first.
Now, you have to remember, I've had three epidurals and one all-natural birth before. My previous epidural experiences have been cake, cheesecake really. A slight pinch here, some pressure there, then.... happy land!
Well... *cracking my knuckles* he got me all prepped and ready, then he said, and I quote, "Okay, I'm going to insert the numbing medication so a slight prick..."
A slight prick? A SLIGHT PRICK!! That was not a slight prick! Holy stab my back Batman, that hurt! I was so surprised by how much it hurt I couldn't stop myself from jerking away. It actually hurt enough to bring tears to my eyes.
Then I had the gall to apologize for jerking. Pish, what was I thinking? I was the one with tears of pain running down my face!
But oh, it gets worse.
Much worse.
After he "supposedly" numbed my back he said, and I quote, "K, here comes the epidural needle so lots of pressure but no pain, okay?"
In that moment, when he inserted that gigantic torture device into my young, tender flesh, I tried not to hate him. Really, I did. But oh, did I ever feel that needle go in. And let me tell you, it made the other needle poke feel like a soft breeze brushing across my back.
By this point I was sobbing. Big, black tears fell from my face and I briefly wondered why I had bothered to put mascara on that morning. I was only mildly embarrassed when I noticed all the snot pouring out as well.
I was too busy entertaining thoughts of revenge and torture.
So, after I apparently surprised everyone with my obvious ability to feel said epidural needle, I was pricked yet again while he tried to numb me, yet again.
And I tried not to hate him, yet again.
But finally, blessedly, he had everything in and all the pain started to subside.
And I briefly considered forgiving him.
Anyway, skim over the part where I was super nauseous so they gave me anti-nausea meds so I didn't puke during labor, which knocked my lights out for the next two hours, over which my contractions frizzled out, even though the doctor had already broken my water. (Broke my water? That just sounds weird. How does one break water?)
Well, Claira's head was down, everything was ready, except that there were no more contractions. So, they gave me just a couple doses of pitocin to get things rollin'. And boy did they start rollin'!
The contractions came fast and I started feeling a lot of pressure. Up to this point I had kept my epidural on the lowest dosage. But soon I was seriously contemplating pushing the magic button that gives you another dose.
I was checked and sitting at six centimeters. Less than five minutes later, I gasped and a bit frantically told Hubby to call the nurse! I was pretty sure that baby was coming out!
My gracious Hubby turned off the TV, called and nurse and pushed my happy meds button for me all in a matter of seconds. But seriously, I thought it was too late. The pressure was so intense that it was painful and I was suddenly very happy for my epidural. The nurse came in, called the doctor, got everything set up and within a matter of minutes, I was up and ready to push.
In that moment I really, really wished I hadn't waited so long to push the epidural button as it takes a while to kick in. Because I seriously went from six centimeters to fully dilated in a matter of minutes. It all happened so fast!
She was practically crowning when the doctor showed up and three pushes later...
happiness.
I can't help but think Hubby looks all smug in this picture, like he was the one who had just delivered a baby.
Okay, in truth he really is great and super supportive. Can't help but love him, even if he did eat cookies in front of me while I was in labor.
Even though it's the fifth time I've done this, it still feels pretty amazing.
Okay can anyone tell me what's wrong with this picture? Anyone?
I'm sure you ladies have it figured out but in case the men don't, let me spell it out for ya.
He's sleeping, I'm not. *sigh*
After little Claira was washed and returned to me, I really was quite surprised.
Is it just me, or have the bows they put on the baby's head changed a little bit?
*sigh* My cute little baldy. She didn't like getting her picture taken, too bright.
Friday evening the kids stopped in for a brief visit.
Seriously, this is what happened.
"Mommy! Baby Claira.... COOKIES!!! Mommy can we have the cookies? And the drink? I'm thirsty! I'm hungry!"
Ah, I feel the love.
Poor Alayna was out cold. She didn't wake up for anything and slept the whole time they were there. Which is probably a good thing, she has a cold.
Oh my heck... did I do all THAT? Five little monkeys.
Heaven help me.
You think I was joking about the food? Here they are, eating my cheesecake,
And if you look at each one of the kids hands, they are all making off with something.
Going home Saturday afternoon.
And now that I haven't slept in four days, or nights, Luke is back at work and the kids are bored stiff since it's rainy and cold outside. I'm pretty sure my head is going to explode and my eyes are permanently bloodshot. I might just break down and call for help here soon.
Good thing they are so worth it.
P.S. Thanks again Becka for coming up to help me!