Malcolm James Vincent – Birth Story

Well….where shall I begin.

Friday, October 23rd, 2009 I was scheduled to be induced at the hospital. The hospital called around 8:30 AM, so hubby and I got ourselves ready and headed out.

We arrived at the hospital, checked ourselves in, were placed in a room and introduced to our nurse. I was instructed to put on the hospital gown, and then I would be hooked up to the monitor and the nurse would explain the days process to me. Hubby took this opportunity to park the vehicle and bring the rest of our things into the hospital.

The nurse hooked me up to the monitor – one device to monitor the baby’s heartrate and another device to monitor my contractions. She read my birth plan, and then sat down with me to go over the plan and discuss the induction process.

I received my IV at 9:45 AM, and they started ‘the drip’ around 10:20 AM. She advised me that I wouldn’t feel too many changes from ‘the drip’ for the 1st hour, as the dosage is still fairly low, but as they begin to increase the dosage every half hour, I should feel my contractions change and intensify. I was advised in the beginning that I would be monitored for 1 hour after ‘the drip’ started to make sure baby was coping well with the process.

Hubby brought the laptop, so we could be as comfortable as possible, so we watched The Princess Bride and some Russell Peters to pass the time.

Around 11:30AM, we got a different nurse for the day, so we got familiar with her. I checked with the nurse as to why I was still being monitored, as we wanted to utilize different techniques (exercise ball, shower, walking) in order to move the labour along, and manage pain. She advised me that although the baby’s heartrate was strong and consistent at 140bpm the monitor tracing wasn’t what they liked to see. They were speculating that the cord could be wrapped around his neck or that there was meconium in the fluid. Therefore, they needed to monitor me/baby. I wasn’t very happy about this, as laying in bed gets to be uncomfortable, and isn’t the best way to try and manage contractions (especially when we want to have a natural birth).

Around 12:30 PM, my nurse checked my cervix and I was 3 cm. At that point, I felt that it was progress, but I was really hoping for more of a change. They didn’t check me when I first arrived, so I can only assume that ‘the drip’ changed me from 2cm (as reported in my last Dr. appt) to 3 cm. Then again, I could have been 3 cm when arrived – I guess we’ll never know.

The contractions were increasing, but were still manageable, as they felt like stronger menstrual cramps. I did begin to feel some back pain at this point.

The nurse had advised me to notify her when I felt the urge to poop, as she would check my cervix. Around 1:30 PM I felt the urge, so the nurse check me – still only 3 cm. Argh! That was a frustrating moment. I had been on ‘the drip’ for 3 hours, and my cervix hadn’t changed at all. I was definitely feeling a change in my contractions, and they were getting more intense and closer together. I really didn’t know what to think.

At around 2:30 PM the Dr. came back to check on me, and see how things were progressing. At this point, my contractions were getting quite strong and I started to utilize some of the breathing techniques we were taught in prenatal classes. The Dr. checked my cervix, and once again, no change. I was still at 3cm. She also broke my water – which confirmed the earlier meconium speculation. The Dr. didn’t seem very positive about the lack of change, and I was quite frustrated as well, considering I was experiencing quite a bit of pain with the contractions and it wasn’t changing my cervix at at all.

Between 3PM-4PM, my contractions really seemed to intensify. I was using hubby for support a lot, and he was counting as we breathed together through the contractions. I started to feel the urge to vomit, so the nurse got me a basin to hold onto just in case. The contractions were quite strong at this point, and it took everything I had to get through each one. It didn’t actually seem like they let up at all, it seemed more like a constant contraction. Although according to the monitor, there were definitely peaks and valleys to my contractions.

All of a sudden during one of the contractions, I was finding it hard to breath. I was laying on my side with my head laying in the bowl, holding hubby’s hand and trying to breath through the contraction. But I couldn’t! My breath would stop as I would attempt to breath in and out, and end in a big cough. It felt like there was something lodged in my airway. I was quite vocal to hubby and the nurse about my inability to breath, and I was given some oxygen right away. This was the start of the drama of my labour.

With my oxygen mask on, I was still having some problems getting a complete breath in or out. I was quite distressed about my breathing and continued to express it openly. The nurse immediately called for some help – I wasn’t really sure what was happening, as my breathing had returned to normal. In about 30 sec there was 5 – 6 nurses/doctors in the room. Apparently, baby’s heartrate had dropped.

Everything seemed pretty hazy from my perspective. There were all these medical personnel in the room, and it seemed like everyone had to check my cervix. I was still 3 cm.

I heard them ask where my Dr. was, and were adamant about getting her to return to the hospital.

One of the Dr.’s started to explain to me what was happening. Apparently, the baby was in distress. His heartrate had dropped below 100 bpm and was like that for 6 minutes. They were extremely concerned about the welfare of the baby and were talking to me about an emergency c-section in order to get the baby out. In the meantime, another Dr. (more experienced one I think) had entered the room and was checking out my cervix – boy, was that the most uncomfortable internal ever!!! I think he was trying to touch the baby’s head to see how he would respond. I don’t think it was positive. They took off my belly doppler monitor and the Dr. put on an electronic fetal lead onto the baby’s head in order to better monitor the heartrate.

The baby’s heartrate eventually returned to normal, my Dr. returned to the hospital, and I was finally off the oxygen mask. Wow!!! Intense!!

Although everything seemed well at this point, my Dr. was concerned that if the baby was to go into distress again, we would be doing an emergency c-section and that they would need to put me to sleep, as there wouldn’t be time for an epidural. Therefore, she was recommending I get an epidural now as a preventive measure – just in case. I agreed, as I have had other friends who have been put under during their c-sections and it can be disheartening to not be awake during the deliver nor for hours afterwards. Also, given the length of time it was taking for me to dilate and the intensity of the contractions, I had started to contemplate an epidural. If labour was going to continue like it had been, I was uncertain about my ability and stamina to endure the pain of contractions for another 7 cms and pushing.

Hubby and I waited about another 20 minutes or so for the anesthesiologist to arrive. At this point, it was around 4:30PM. The epidural wasn’t the greatest experience, but it definitely wasn’t as bad as I had thought. Within 10 minutes it had kicked in, and I was in heaven. Now, I am not saying I am for or against epidurals, but it definitely was wonderful to not feel the pain any longer. I could still move my legs slightly, but they were quite heavy and ‘sleepy.’

Around 5:00 PM, I was being wheeled off to the OR, and hubby was left to clean up all of our gear and get it moved to the recovery area. The Dr.’s and nurses would start to prep me for surgery and then hubby would join me before they got started. Well, that didn’t exactly happen.

They cleaned me up, gave me more drugs to freeze me from the top of my fundus down, administered some antibiotics to my IV, and put a barrier up so I couldn’t see the procedure. And then they started. I immediately shouted out, ‘where is my husband?’ I wanted him to be there to witness the birth of our child, and especially, to hold my hand. Within minutes he walked in, in scrubs, but there were so many people around me, they didn’t let him get close to me. He eventually got to sit beside me for a few minutes, but wasn’t there long before he was told to move back against the wall while 2 medical professionals stabbed a needle into my hand. This was probably the only thing that irritated me about the whole process. I’m not even sure what they were trying to do (take blood or something), but they were trying to get a needle into a vein in my hand, and they weren’t very successful. Now, I already have an big aversion to needles, so I wasn’t too impress my these 2 people trying to poke and twist a needle into my vein while I was being cut open. I even let out a big ‘oww’ to let them know they were hurting me. They eventually gave up and said they would try later.

I then felt the Dr. push down on the top of my fundus, and about 30 seconds later our son was born. He was screaming at the top of his lungs from the moment he left my body. I got a quick look as they transferred him over to the nurse and prenatal station. Hubby was over with the nurse with the video camera and got a lot of his first minutes of life recorded. I am so thankful for this, because all I could do was tilt my head to the right and look over at the nurse and hubby. I, of course, was crying over the miracle of birth.

Once they got him all cleaned up and weighed. They wrapped him up, gave him to daddy and they came over to sit by me. He was absolutely perfect! It still amazes me that my hubby and I created this little perfect, precious, adorable person. I feel so blessed.

Acupuncture – session 3

Nothing! I’m starting to think that it’s not going to do anything – at least not induce me naturally like I wanted.

I just know that it would be better for both baby and me if we could go into labour naturally, rather than have pitocin pumped into my system to force the body into labour. But, I honestly don’t think I can wait much longer, and I want to make sure Baby K is happy and healthy.

At least I was able to relax during this last session. I didn’t have as many ‘twinges’ when he put the needles in, and I was able to handle more of the electrical impulses. And I felt Baby K move much less. He wasn’t kicking me in the ribs like the other 2 times. I have another session booked for today.

I didn’t feel any changes in my body last night, but I thought I felt some cramping and mild low backache this morning. Perhaps it is starting to work – but my body better respond faster if I want to avoid the induction on Friday.

If anything, I hope the sessions will improve my labour (intensity and length). They definitely are helping my relaxation and breathing techniques.

Acupunture – session 2

Well, nothing has happened so far, although there was quite a bit of action last night. Daddy J and I were getting a little excited.

The session was ok, except for the huge nerve twinge I felt in my left hand when he put the needle in. It actually hurt quite a bit, and my hand felt cramped for a good 5 minutes. I electrical pulses were mild, and I felt as though I could relax a bit more than during the first session.

The Dr. plays some relaxing music with ocean waves, so I immediately went to Jamaica in my mind. It helps to focus, distract and relax me. Although, when I thought about our wedding day, I got quite emotional and began to cry. I guess my hormones are a little wonky right now.

Last night while we were cozied up on the couch together, I felt quite a bit of cramping, tightening and contracting. It was a great positive sign that things were moving along – I think we were hoping it would turn into real labour – it didn’t!

I slept ok, yet woke up about 4-5 times to go to the bathroom. Perhaps he has finally dropped – that would be a good sign.

I’m not really feeling too much this morning, so I’m thinking last night was only pre-labour symptoms, and they have since diminished.

The Dr. said to take a rest day, so I’m not back for my 3rd and final session until Monday night. Beside wanting Baby K to arrive, I was hoping this would progress a bit faster, cause I am not really enthused about my 3rd session.

Will acupuncture do the trick?

On Daddy J’s recommendation, I called his acupuncturist this afternoon hoping to get in tomorrow for an appointment.

We’ve read that it is also another technique that is commonly used to try and induce labour, and since Daddy J raves about it, I thought I would give it a shot.

I called Dr. Joe at 4:30 and spoke to the receptionist. I told her my situation and asked her if I could get in Saturday or Sunday. The only spot she had available was Sunday night at 8PM. When I told her that this would be my first time, she said I would need more time because of the consultation. She asked if I wanted to speak directly with Dr. Joe regarding an appointment, so I did. I told him of my condition and how I was looking to try and induce labour naturally. He completely understood the situation and asked if I could come in right away. Daddy J was home from work soon after, so we drove right to the clinic.

We had a brief consultation, he checked my blood pressure (low) and heart rate, asked a few questions and then set up the table for me to lie down. Daddy J was in the room the whole time for support, and I was thankful of that. I was a little shocked that I so readily accepted Daddy J’s suggestion, considering my aversion to needles, but I guess that just shows how much I trust him, and how badly I want to have this baby!

The experience was weird. Actually having the needles put in didn’t bother me, it was the tingling and screwing in and the pulsing that was more irritating. Daddy J told me to relax, but I was finding it extremely hard. Then the nerves in my left hand really started to bother me, so Daddy J went and got Dr. Joe, and he turned down the electricity.

Eventually I was able to relax somewhat, but not as much as I would have liked. My left side was quite tense, whereas my right side was completely relaxed and I could hardly feel anything. Daddy J was in the room with me, and he helped relax and distract me. If anything, it was good practice for labour.

I definitely had a lot of baby action during the session. Baby moved a lot and was definitely pushing on a rib/diaphragm, which was making it uncomfortable for deep breathing.

Currently, I am having some mild cramping and pressure – which is more than I can say about the last couple days. So, we’ll see if it turns into anything.

Dr. say’s that it usually takes 3 treatments, so I’ll be back tomorrow night.

Our fingers are crossed.

Today’s the day!

Our little man is due today. Although I’m doubtful he will make his presence known.

My last Dr. appointment was yesterday. It was fairly uneventful. No change in my dilation, yet the doctor thinks he is starting to drop. She wouldn’t really say if he was fully dropped and engaged, but she definitely felt his head again.

She didn’t say anything about the hemorrhoid, and the medication they gave me is starting to work – I think.

I’m scheduled for induction on Friday, October 23rd, as they will only let me go over 1 week and 1 day. I’m hoping that he comes between now and then, because I would much rather go into labour naturally. Yet, if it happens that way, we’ll just be happy that he has finally arrived.

I’ve been asking the forum ladies for suggestions regarding natural induction. Two of the most common methods are sex and walking. Yet, with this damn hemorrhoid, they aren’t viable options for me. I’ve been told pineapple, spicy foods, acupressure, nipple stimulation, evening primrose oil, castor oil, etc. I got a spicy ginger cookie recipe from one of the ladies on the forum – made it last night (delicious), but nothing. That on top of a fairly spicy food enriched day (chili, salsa) and some acupressure – nothing.

I guess he is not ready. They say the natural methods will only work if your body is ready, and it must not be ready. He is taking is time – relaxed and unfeathered, like his father.

I don’t wish hemorrhoids on anyone!!

I’ve still got this damn hemorrhoid! I managed to get through Saturday after Daddy J comforted me and went out to get me some medication to relieve the discomfort. It’s been pretty irritating the entire weekend without a lot of relief, but I’ve tried to put it out of my mind and distract myself with other things, and that seems to do the trick.

I’m not going to go into too much detail, because it actually isn’t very pleasant. All I can say is that it hurts like hell, and I sure hope it doesn’t affect vaginal delivery. I plan on calling the Dr. today to see if I can see her today instead of tomorrow. I’m sure the nurse will just suggest I come tomorrow. I don’t think one more day is going to kill me at this point.

In other pregnancy news, I had quite a bit of ‘lightening’ last night. Baby K was definitely dropping and making his way down to my pelvic region to engage his head. I felt a lot of pelvic pressure and sharp pains in my lower region last night. So much that it would take me by surprise and I would usually have to stop in my tracks (usually hit me while I was walking/moving around). I was quite vocal a few times because it was so shocking.

I was hoping that it would kickstart things last night, but I didn’t feel anything during the night. Although I woke up several times to go to the bathroom and shift positions in bed. We’ll see what happens over the course of the week. We would love to meet him by the end of the week, so hopefully Baby K has the same idea.

Today is my 1st day at home. NO MORE WORK!! For 1 year anyways. It feels weird. Without the vehicle, I feel a little bit stranded, but if I really needed to get out, I could walk to the grocery store/Starbucks or take the bus to the mall. Although I am not sure I want to be out and about on my own with only 2 days from my due date.

39weeks 3 days & uncomfortable

My Dr.’s appointment this week was less than I was expecting. Apparently the Dr. says Baby K HASN’T dropped. Although his head is low down (she could feel it again), he’s not yet engage in the pelvis. Frustrating! However, I am dilated to 2cm now. I guess that is some progress – slow, but who knows what will happen over the next week.

I was totally prepared to feel like I did last week after my internal – cramping, backache, spotting and some ‘mucous plug’ – however, nothing really, not even spotting.

I haven’t really felt much of anything. The cramping and backache has subsided a lot, and I’ve since got myself an external hemorrhoid. It appeared out of nowhere yesterday. My bum started to feel weird starting in the morning, and by the time I got home after work, it was feeling extremely irritated ‘down there’ and somewhat painful. Sure enough, Daddy J & I concluded that I had an external hemorrhoid.

I immediately began reading up on possible remedies and have been trying everything since then – cold pack, warm sitz bath, exercise, hemorrhoid cream, etc. – and nothing seems to work. I’m not sure if this is one of those things I just need to wait it out, and just be uncomfortable in the meantime. I’ve got a Dr. appt. on Wednesday, so I’ll let my Dr. know then.

I sure don’t want to go into labour with this hemorrhoid still bothering me. Dealing with 2 different kinds of pain wasn’t really my plan and will definitely be a strain on my concentration/relaxation in attempting natural childbirth. I just wish the pain would go away!

I finished work yesterday and was actually looking forward to relaxing until Baby K decides to arrive. Now, I’m going to be much more focused on this damn hemorrhoid and the pain it’s causing me – it kind of puts a cramp in my plan. Then again, when does anything go as planned, especially when you are pregnant.

It’s strange, because it seems like it just came on suddenly without any warning. I’ve been a little bit constipated (although I still go every other day), but I haven’t really been straining when in the toilet. My eating habits haven’t changed and I’ve been getting more exercise over the past week than usual. Seems very odd.

I just want it to go away.!

Good things happening at 38 weeks

Yesterday’s Dr.’s appointment was eventful. Although I am still at 1 cm dilation, the baby has dropped. The Dr. obviously felt the baby, because she asked me if I felt any pelvic pressure and I said ‘not really.’ ‘Well, you should, cause he’s right there.

I ended up spotting shortly after the internal exam, and was a bit worried about the tiny bit of bright red blood that I saw on my pantyliner. Fortunately, it didn’t stay that way for very long and looked like normal reddish/brownish spotting.

The Dr. thinks I’ll be right on time, and so I am back next week for another appointment.

Today was also very eventful, yet quite uncomfortable. It pretty much felt like I was having the first day of my period today. I had constant lower backache and lower abdomen cramping and achiness. On top of that, I was walking/waddling relatively slow and at a fairly extremely angle. He just felt so heavy in front today. Lastly, after going to the bathroom at lunchtime, I noticed a mucousy red blob on my pantyliner. It wasn’t big, but there was enough to indicate to me that it just wasn’t secretions nor spotting. I am pretty sure that I lost some of my mucous plug today.

We just arrived home from our prenatal classes, and the cramping in my back and abdomen has finally subsided. I am not sure if today was an indication that labour is around the corner, or if I could potentially endure this for a couple of more weeks. I would really prefer the former than the latter.

Some progression

I didn’t realize it had been so long since I last posted. I was sure I made a journal entry after my Dr. appointment last week – I guess I was wrong.

Last week was my 36 week appointment, and my first internal exam. According to the Dr. I am 1 cm dilated (as of last week). This week there was no exam, so I’ll have to wait until next week to see if I’ve moved further along.

Baby K is still quite active even though its become quite crowded in utero, and I am feeling a lot more cramping that before. The Dr. says that is my body making progress and hopefully it means that my cervix is softening.

It is becoming much more uncomfortable to move around and my exercise routine is pretty much non-existent. I am feeling quite large these days, and I’m definitely ready to to meet our son.

We started our prenatal classes on September 2, and they have been repetitive yet informative. I’ve really enjoyed the last couple weeks where we talked about massage, breathing, relaxation, breastfeeding and infant care. We’ve got one class left.

3 weeks from today is my due date – October 15th. I am gearing up to be finished work on October 9th, and I’m looking forward to the day our son joins us. I would love that to be sooner rather than later, but he’ll come when he is ready. Mommy is just anxious and excited.

‘SuperBaby’ Room

The nursery is finally complete. The furniture has been assembled, the wall decorations have been put up, and the baby clothes have been washed and put away. There are a few final items that we need to get in order to be 100% ready, like diapers and the 2nd hand items from our friends. Otherwise, Daddy J and I can relax for the next 43 days.

Here are some pictures of our son’s room: