Induction day:
So at last the day came that we had been waiting 9 months (well actually almost 10 months) for. Here we go...
Before heading to the hospital, mom decided we should go somewhere for food. I wanted something quick and easy so we went to Denny's. On the way there, my nerves kicked in and I started to get some anxiety about the fact that it was finally time to have the baby. Although I loved that it was planned and I didn't have to wait any longer, it gave me time to get nervous instead of if my water broke I wouldn't have had the same amount of time. So with all my nerves and anxiety, I wasn't all that hungry, but knew I needed to eat something, because I couldn't eat anymore once I got to the hospital. I had some soup and french fries. Then it was time to head to the hospital.
I pre-registered, but they had trouble getting me checked in. Good thing I got there a little early. We got upstairs and into our room, but had to wait for someone to take care of me, because they weren't ready yet. My induction was supposed to start at 5pm. They didn't come in until 5:30 to put my IV in. It took 5 tries and 3 different nurses to get an IV in me. They tried both hands and just kept sticking me. It hurt! The room was about 80 degrees when we got there and they had put a blanket on me so after 2 tries I got really worked up and warm and felt nauseous. I told them I needed a minute to calm down and possibly cool down. They turned the air down and went to work on the other hand, which didn't work. The 3rd nurse ended up back on my first hand and got it on her first try. I was already nervous and worked up about being induced and this made it worst. The first part of the induction process and it was already starting off bad. So once my IV was in, I thought they would be putting the cervadil in right away. Nope, it took until 6:30 before that went in. They were really slow!!! No one said anything to me about using the restroom before that went in so when I asked to use the restroom a little while later they said they didn't recommend it, because the cervadil could come out. I had to hold it. Really? A pregnant women being told to hold it and not go pee? That's funny. But I managed, because I had no choice. Jason joined mom and I in the hospital for a little while to hang out.
Since there was most likely not going to be any progress during the night, Jason went home and mom stayed in the hospital with me. He was told to keep his phone close and on a high ringer in case something changed. So when he left we got ready for bed. We asked for more pillows and blankets and they didn't have any. Good thing mom brought a pillow and blanket from home or she wouldn't have had anything at all. I didn't get much sleep that night. 1st off, my room was by the nursery and the door slammed when it closed. They had 5 deliveries during the night so the door slammed all night long, They were understaffed so my nurse had to show my mom and I how to unhook everything for when I needed to use the restroom, because she wasn't available to help me. I had a monitor on my stomach to monitor the baby's heartbeat and another for my contractions. If I moved a certain way and it lost the heartbeat, then they needed to come in and fix it. I had contractions on and off all night long, which kept me awake as well. Besides all that I was uncomfortable in the bed and the machines were always making noises. It wasn't a peaceful night at all.
Around 5am, I got up to use the bathroom and my contractions started to get a lot stronger and more consistent so I called Jay to tell him I wanted him back at the hospital. Remember how he was supposed to have his ringer on high? Well he had it on silence from being at the hospital and never changed it. It took awhile to get a hold of him. In the meantime...at 5:30, they checked me. Baby's head was -2, I was completely thinned, but still only 1cm. I was disappointed because I thought with all the contractions I would have been farther. They took the cervadil out at 6:30am and I was still having strong contractions. They told me I wasn't progressing with the contractions (which could mean a c-section) and they recommended some pain medicine, which they said should help. I had them do a low dose and at 7:30 they checked me, did something inside me and all of a sudden I was 4cm. They called for the epidural. At 9:13 (an hour and 45 minutes later) they checked me again and I was 5cm and they finally put the epidural in. By this time Jason and Sarah made it to the hospital. Once the epidural was in and working, they put the catheter in (10:15am) and I was 6cm. My legs started to fell tingly and I felt less of the contractions. Just a little bit of cramping. At 10:30 they started the pitocin, which was to bring on more contractions and make me dilate faster.
At 1:30, Susie checked me and I was still only 6cm so she broke my water. At this time I felt the epidural was not as strong as before and I started to feel a lot more of the contractions and pressure.
At 1:55pm I was 7-8 cm.
Contractions and pressure were unbearable at this point...
Then at 2:21pm the nurse said I was almost there and to try to hold off 15 more minutes before pushing. It was so hard not to push with all the pressure. I was in a lot of pain at this point, feeling everything!!! The nurse started getting things ready. I said something to her about the epidural running out and she said there was a button I needed to press to get more. So we pressed it, but it did nothing for me. In the end after I delivered and she took the epidural out, I saw the bag was empty. Well that would explain why it didn't work anymore for me and I felt EVERYTHING for the whole delivery!!! At 2:38pm I was finally fully dilated. Baby was low enough for me to start pushing although she told me he had a long way to come down still and I would have to push him down. So came the 1st push and me learning how to push correctly. It was hard and the contractions hurt so bad. I pushed for an hour and a half and Jadon was born @ 4:03pm.
It was the worst pain I have ever felt in my life. I never thought it was going to end. I was so weak, because I hadn't eaten in over 24 hours. Pushing took so much strength and with each push I felt weaker. Thank god for my support people. Jason was absolutely amazing and helped me through the whole delivery. My mom and Sarah kept me going with encouragement. When I got really warm, Sarah held a fan on me. The last push was so painful as he came out. They placed him on my belly and I cried. Jason was talking to him and I was glad he was finally out. Jason got to cut the cord. Then they took him to clean him up while I delivered the placenta. I was so tired!
7lbs 15oz and 21 inches long
The doctor said I had a small tear, but nothing that needed stitches. She was more concerned with my swelling; Oh boy, did I swell. Tara, the lactation consultant was off work at 3pm, but stayed for the whole delivery and helped him latch for the first time. He breastfed at 4:15pm and did great. That was the longest I got to hold him. When he was done, Jason finally got to hold him and then my mom and Sarah.
The nurses had to do a couple things to him so no one got to hold him for long. He was so alert, which was awesome. After a short while in the delivery room, Jadon had to go to the nursery to get a bath. They told us that he would be back within the hour. Brittany, Kieley and Jessica showed up right after they took him. I told them he would be back shortly. Well it took over 3 hours before we got him back and they said it was because there was only 1 nurse and at least 5 babies. I was so upset and I felt bad for everyone that was waiting to meet him...
Jason got to do the 1st diaper change.
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| Susie who delivered Jadon. |
The first night was a little rough for me, because I was in so much pain, uncomfortable and of course worried about the baby. He was finally here, but I was so scared something was going to happen to him. I checked on him all night and got like no sleep. He didn't eat too well in the middle of the night, but did great the next morning.
The second night wasn't as bad, but it started off with Jadon crying like he hadn't cried yet and it worried me. I again kept checking on him to make sure he was ok. I was still really swollen and sore, but was managing the best that I could. Breastfeeding was still going ok.
So they told us that we could go home on Sat around 12, because he was going to get circumcised Friday night. Well he didn't get circumcised like we thought he would and they said they would do it in the morning as soon as the doctor was ready. Long story short....didn't happen until 2:30 that afternoon and we didn't get released until 5:30. It was ridiculous.
Going home...FINALLY!!
I was not pleased with the hospital, the staff or my experience in general. I am happy that my little man is finally here, but wish that the hospital stay would be have been better. I am thankful that I was able to record all this information and share it with family and friends that want to know. It was an amazing experience and something I could only have dreamed of. Now that my little man is finally here, we can begin the next chapter in our lives.
