I have been meaning to write this post for ages and I finally sat down to share my birth experience with my first baby, Brynn.  I personally enjoy reading birth stories from other bloggers and I am happy to share this with you guys.  It would be a good to note somewhere other than ever forgetful my own brain.  I am warning you though, this post will be super long...

My due date was 8/4/14.  Though, I and my OB doctor decided on induction at 39 weeks.  Though, it was more my choice I guess.  However, my OB doctor suggested it as well, since baby seems to be bigger for my size ( I am only 5'2", and weighed 125lbs at 39 weeks/ pre-pregnancy weight was 91lbs).  I was excited to be induced thinking my horrible 3rd trimester will be over and finally get to meet my baby girl.  Though, I know that induction is very hard on the body and can be tougher labor and delivery than when you go into labor naturally.
Anyhow, I went to the hospital on 7/29/14 5:30 am to get started.  I was admitted and induction started.  By that night, I was having strong contractions and I started to have a lot of pain.  I was given stadol for pain control which made me so oozy and dizzy for such a long time.  The nurse initially told me that the medication will wear off in about 2 hours but heck, it stayed with me for about 8-9 hours.  The contractions were very regular and strong but my cervix had hard time dilating.  I was at 2cm when I was admitted and it was still 2cm until the next day.

On Wednesday, 7/30, due to the strong contractions and pain, I had to ask for epidural which relieved my pain tremendously but at the same time, I was so nervous about not being able to move until the birth.  I was more worried about how long it was going to take to be in actual delivery.

My hubby got a first teddy bear for Brynn.  I was still in labor, taking a nap.

Since I wasn't progressing very well, my doctor changed the med from Pitocin to Cervidil which is more like cervix ripening med.  Throughout the day, I was dilating slowly.  Though, I was very uncomfortable being in bed, not being able to eat.  It was just totally a waiting game.  On top of this, my OB doctor told me that she had to leave the town for emergency situation so she can't deliver my baby.  I understood the situation but I was very disappointed that she can't deliver my baby.  (So, my family doctor ended up delivering my baby.)

Finally, around 7pm, I was dilated to 6-7cm and 100% effaced.  (Oh, also, I think my water broke around noon on wed.)  I was upset and nervous that I wasn't making good progress and I was exhausted as well.  At that point, I was even up for a c-section if my doc suggests.  Though, he never did.  My doctor came back at around 9pm and he finally said, I am ready to push!!! I was so excited!! The nurse got ready for the delivery, I called my in-laws, my mom was there already, and I started doing some practice pushes with the nurse.  He came in about 20-30min later and I started pushing for real.  I was pain free and was very comfortable.  Though, he decided to use the vacuum and did episiotomy.  I think I only pushed for less than 30 min and my baby girl was born!
I was so happy and excited, I held her while my husband cut the umbilical cord!  I think her apgar was 9/10 and she cried as soon as she came out!  She was a healthy baby!

One happy family!

My hubby got me a 'push present'! Good job honey, what a beautiful necklace!

She was less than 10min old at that time!

Everyone was busy doing their thing.  I mean nurses were taking care of the baby and my doctor was busy repairing the episiotomy.  Then, I started feeling very dizzy and nauseated.  I knew something wasn't going right.  Then, my doctor told me that I bled quite a bit.  yes, 700ml blood loss which is a lot!!! I did get some med which helped with nausea and we took some pictures with my mom and in-laws.  By the time everyone left the hospital, it was about midnight, I was so exhausted and tired that I wasn't sure if I can take care of the baby.  I felt like I literally had no energy left in me.  I really wanted to nurse the baby and hold her skin to skin but that wasn't going to happen.  So, the nurse took the baby to the nursery until the next morning.

Meanwhile, two nurses came in around 3am to assess me and to take me to potty.  The nurse thought I might not be able to ambulate to the bathroom yet due to the epidural so she brought a bedside commode.  As I was getting up, I was very dizzy but was able to sit at the edge of the bed for literally 2 seconds.  And I passed out.  Yes, I did.  I woke up with buzzing and pain in my both ears and nurses shaking and screaming at me.  Same thing happened again at around 6am that morning when we tried for the second time.
Well,  so a long story short, I ended up getting blood transfusion that afternoon.  My blood count was so low.

I went into the hospital on Tuesday, had my baby late Wednesday night, and blood transfusion and recovery on Thursday and finally came home on Friday.  So, I ended up giving her formula meanwhile.
Anyhow, I am thankful for not having a c-section, but I would definitely say that the labor and delivery wasn't easy for me.  I feel like the induction was very hard on the body and one thing I would do differently for my next baby is not getting induction.  That's for sure!!  Recovery was definitely not easy.  Though, I did quite well. 

Even though, it wasn't an easy L & D, I am so happy to finally welcome my baby girl to the world.  I am looking forward to experiencing amazing times with my baby girl Brynn!

Love, Jo