Monday, October 18, 2010

Rigley's Birth Story

While this blog is still under construction I figured that I might as well get started on writing out the story of Rigley's life so far. It will take me a number of posts to get it all on here, so please be patient with me.

I will start with the story of his birth. (This is the first time I am writing this down so some of the details are a little bit foggy).

It started very early Monday June 28th (the due date). I woke up around 4:45 am to my first contraction. I wasn't sure that that was what it was at first because it wasn't very strong and I didn't have another one for a while after that. I let Ryan know what I thought was going on without sounding too serious. (Harper was a week late and I had to be induced). I was not expecting to start laboring on my own and on time. My contractions continued to come every 15 - 20 minutes or so. They weren't very strong, I was still able to walk through them. I couldn't sleep so I decided to take a shower just in case I really was in labor. After my shower my contractions started getting stronger and they were coming closer together. Ryan asked me if he needed to stay home. He had some reports that needed to be done before his boss's meeting that morning or something. I sent him to work and told him to come home once he had the reports turned in. Of course once he left, my contractions started becoming more regular and a little bit stronger. They still weren't close enough for me to feel like I needed to go to the hospital and I wanted to try to labor at home for a good amount before going to the hospital. Harper woke up around 7:00, I think. I got her some breakfast and turned on some cartoons for her while I finished packing the hospital bag. At this point, my contractions were coming about 5 - 10 minutes apart. I called our friends who were going to take Harper for us and I wasn't able to get a hold of them. (They had just gotten back from a vacation late the night before and they were still sleeping). I waited a little while before calling our neighbors. They are in our branch and have two little boys, one who is Harper's age. When I called, I told her that I was in labor and asked her if she could take Harper for us. She was so sweet and said that she would love to. During the phone call I had a contraction and she talked me through it. (Thanks, Dana!) After hanging up with her I called Ryan and he was on his way home. I finished getting Harper ready and we waited for Ryan. While we waited Harper was so concerned for me when I would have a contraction. I did my best to smile through them and hold her and hug her while I was having one. It actually helped to do that with her. Ryan got home and walked Harper over to our neighbors while I put the bag in the car. It is about a 10 minute drive to the hospital. I called my mom while we were driving and had two contractions when I was on the phone with her.

When we got there Ryan suggested dropping me off but I told him to just park and that I was fine to walk. I did walk most of the way, but we had to stop every four of five steps for me to breathe through a contraction. Once we got close enough someone went in to get a wheel chair for me. We didn't have to stop to check in since everyone could see that I was in labor. They just let us go right up to the labor and delivery floor. I think this was around 8:30 am. We got there and I got changed and hooked up to all of the monitors. The nurse tried to check me but she wasn't able to see how much I had dilated. She called in another nurse (Katherine, I think) who checked me (ouch) and if I remember right she said that I was a 3 or 4. I wanted to try to do all of this without an epidural and I was doing fine for a while and then the back labor started. OH. MY. GOODNESS. If you are a woman who has delivered a baby with back labor and no epidural, I applaud you! It was the most excruciating pain I have ever felt. I was literally writhing in pain. I didn't have time in between the contractions to relax partly because they were coming so fast and partly because I was anticipating the next contraction. There were times when I would scream and yell. I did my very best to go as long as I could without the epidural, but once I started biting the pillow I figured that I had made enough of a fool out of myself that it was time. I looked at Ryan with pleading eyes and told him that I wanted the medicine. He was so encouraging and told me that I was doing great and he had all the faith in the world that I could do it. I tried going a little bit longer but it didn't last. I asked for the medicine again. Katherine, the nurse, checked me again. I think I was around a 6. She called down to anesthesiology and requested to have them come up. I think this was around 10:45 am. They told the nurse that it would be about 15 minutes. She told them she hoped I wasn't complete before they got there. That's how intense it was. Needless to say, it didn't take 15 minutes. They got there and gave me the epidural. Everything went fine. It was the perfect epidural because I wasn't in any pain but I could still feel when I was having a contraction. When I was in labor with Harper the epidural was so strong that I couldn't feel any contractions and I couldn't feel when I needed to push. After about an hour of resting the nurse checked me and I was almost to a 10. She called the doctor and let him know. I think he arrived about a half hour later. They were able to prepare and get ready for the delivery. The doctor checked me and broke my water, I think it was in the way or something. That helped to move things on a little bit more. I pushed a couple of times and then rested. After sitting and chatting for a couple of minutes (thank you epidural) I told the doctor that I felt like I needed to push. He looked down and said, "Oh yeah! You do need to push!" I think it only took two more pushes to finish. As soon as he came out the doctor and nurse both said, "Wow, he's big!"

Rigley Lane Bell was born at 12:45 (ish) pm. Weighing in at a whopping 9 pounds 6 ounces and 22 inches long.

4 comments:

Chelsie said...

I love your story Abbey. Good luck with that needing to catch up feeling-- not my favorite! I'm sure you will not procrastinate like I do;)

Dana said...

We loved having Harper over to play! She is so fun, and easy. Glad I answered the phone that morning. Can't wait to read the rest of your stories.

HAYHAY said...

That is amazing you made as long as you did! It sound super intense! I love this picture...the first one of the entire fam. Ryan looks SO excited, and Harper looks so sweet.

I'm glad I have a subscription to read the Bell Fam!! You guys are awesome!

Sam said...

I can only imagine the recovery from that big of a baby! Ouch! You're amazing Abby. I'm so glad this labor when a lot better than your first one!