My birth story (very long)

As you all know, my pregnancy had it share of ups and downs -- two falls, a car accident, and 1 trip to labor and delivery for monitoring. The birth of my daughter also had its share of ups and down -- here is story of the birth of Briana Sade. She was born Monday, December 15.


I woke up Sunday (December 14) with a burst of energy. I was annoyed with my husband, so I did what came natural – I went shopping. I picked up a few things; I bought cookies (I was craving them for an entire week). I came back home and decided to cook dinner. While cooking, I began feeling some pain, but I figured it was braxton hicks contractions. I relaxed for the rest of the evening, and I called my mom and told her about the pain that I am having. By 9:00 that night I realize the contractions were coming every half and hour. I called and told my mom to pack her bag because I think I am going into labor. By 1:00am, I was having contractions every 10 minutes. I got up took a shower and called my doctor. All the while I am running around the house putting last minute things in my bag.

The doctor called me back, and said go ahead to labor and delivery. He will call them and let then know that I am on the way. On the way to the hospital I am good, until the contraction come on. During the ride to the hospital, I was between talking to my DH, and squirming and trying to breathe through the contractions. At one point, I began to beg my husband to drive a little faster. We got to hospital, and the contractions are so bad that I am in no condition to give anyone the information. So I sat down, while hubby provided the info. He turned around to look at me, and I am kneeling on the floor. Through contraction I tell him I am okay.

We then go in pre-admittance room, and they began monitoring the baby. I was dilated 1 cm – so I knew I had a long day ahead of me. I hear the nurse talking to my doctor, and I hear her drop the phone, and doctors and nurses are rushing in my room. I am confused at this point, I look at my husband, and I see terror written on his face. They began barking order to me, get on my side, get on hand and knee, head touching the pillow. At this point, tears are just rolling down my face. A few minutes later, I am told that the baby’s heart rate was dropping at an alarming rate. They monitored me for an another ½ hour was transferred to my room. I was told I would have to stay in bed until I deliver. My 9:00am, my mother and brother arrived from New York. I was so happy to see her. After she arrived, they took me for a sonogram, which took forever. I think I feel asleep through some of it. I came back to the room; I make some calls during contractions. I talk to my mom, brother, and hubby. During the early afternoon, they ruptured my water bag. After that, the contractions were different. There was no rest period between them. I felt like I was going crazy. At one point, I placed a towel in my mouth so I wouldn’t scream. I then decided that natural birth wasn’t for me – I needed drugs and I need it fast. I was given an epidural, which slowed down my labor. But I was comfortable with my legs feeling like sponge. As I reached 9cm, the tech began preparing the instruments for delivery. I was beginning to feel excited about meeting my bambino. I finally dilated to 10 cm. However, the baby’s heart rate began dropping again. My doctor said we would have to get the baby out ASAP. I began pushing - - because of epidural I felt no pain at all. During the process, I was cut and the baby also did some tearing. I saw the baby’s head when it came out, and the shoulder and the rest of the body quickly followed. I was so anxious to find out the sex, and I was looking down there to find out. Then the doctor said it’s a girl. My mom and I were in tears. My husband was all smiles. She was suppose to be laid on me right after deliver, but because her heart rate was dropping prior to birth she was whisked away to make that sure she was okay. They cleaned her, and she had a perfect apgar score. They bought her over to me, and she looked up at me. I must say it was a beautiful moment with my mom and husband at my side. My doctor then informed me that I would have to go to the operating room because of the tearing and the cut. I was then whisked away again. The process took away about 2 1/12 hours of time with my baby. However, they brought her to me after my recovery for her first feeding. That wasn’t a pleasant experience for me because I was experiencing pain from the surgery, but Briana seemed satisfied.