Can't Believe It Happened This Way!

By Anna

I don't even know where to begin! Well, it all began in July, I was 28 weeks pregnant and my husband's job was moving us from Omaha, NE to Kansas City. We were excited at the change but sad to leave our friends who were due with their baby around the same time as we were. Well, on September 7, they called to say that they had had their baby! We were thrilled!

I had my 38-week doctor's appointment the next day (Friday) and asked my doctor if it would be OK if we made the two and a half hour trip to Omaha to see the baby. She checked me and said that I was 1 centimeter dilated, 75 percent effaced and the baby was at 0 station. She thought that it was looking like I was going to be pregnant for at least another week, so that I could go ahead and go, but to take my hospital bag, just in case.

So, we left the next day. On Sunday we went to our friends' house to meet their beautiful baby girl, I just couldn't believe that that was going to be me soon! That evening we went out to eat at the place that my husband proposed to me (our four-year anniversary was the following Tuesday and we wanted to celebrate it in Omaha where we got engaged). We went back to my parents' house (that's where we were staying while we were in Omaha) and about two hours later at midnight, when I was ALMOST asleep, it felt like I was peeing my pants. So I ran to the bathroom and peed and it stopped, so I thought that I actually had peed my pants, but when I stood up the flow started again. I did my Kegels and it stopped. At childbirth class they told us that if the flow stops when you do Kegels, then it's not your water, boy were they wrong! After about 15 minutes and three pads later, I figured it was my water.

So, I called my MD in Kansas City and she said to call the OB that I had while I was living in Omaha. I did, and she said to go to the hospital to be checked out. Well, sure enough, it was my water, looked like I'd be having this baby in Omaha! They tried to get me to sleep since I hadn't slept in 20 hours, but the combination of excitement and being hooked up to all those monitors and an IV made sleep hard to come by.

At 6:30 a.m. I still hadn't had any contractions, so they said they wanted to start me on Pitocin, so I said OK (although I really didn't want it). My contractions became increasingly stronger and very difficult to breathe through as they increased the dose every half-hour. I went in wanting to go naturally, but at 10:30 a.m., I hadn't slept in over 24 hours, the pain was borderline unbearable and I was only dilated to 2 centimeters!! So I told the nurse that I wanted the epidural. It didn't hurt nearly as bad as I thought it would and my pain relief was instant. It felt so great that I got a second wind and wanted to stay up and chat with everyone. But they told me I'd better try to get some sleep so I'd have some energy for pushing. So at 10:45 a.m., I fell asleep.

The nurse came in at 12:30 p.m. to catheterize me and check my dilation and lo and behold I was dilated to 10 and the baby was crowning, I could actually see her head!!! I couldn't believe that all that had happened while I was sleeping! I pushed for 15 minutes and about four contractions and out came Savannah Grace! She was 7 pounds 8 ounces (the exact same weight as our friends' baby), and 20 inches long. I didn't have to have an episiotomy, but I tore a little requiring one stitch.

We also found out during my stay at the hospital that my husband's job wanted to move him back to Omaha! So, I ended not even having to go back to Kansas City. We stayed with my parents while we got stuff moved back and found a place to live. I thank God for that epidural, but I'm also glad I got to experience a little of what true labor feels like. Having a baby is so great and the Lord has truly blessed us. To all you mommies out there, remember to cherish each day.