Carson Lee: A Birth Story

I was semi terrified to get pregnant with a second as I had such a rough first pregnancy with Bennett--we're talking zofran daily, headaches daily, sciatic pain, the list goes on. When we decided to get pregnant again, I kinda just prepared myself for the worst, with a toddler I knew it wouldn't be easy--but the end results are what makes it all worth it.

I guess I hadn't learned anything from the entire pregnancy being different, cause I somehow assumed that I would deliver around 38 weeks with this little guy as well, water breaking in bed, rush to hospital, and have him 12 hours later. If that wasn't the farthest from the truth. 38 weeks rolls around and I was having terrible back labor. I thought this must be it. The pain was excruciating and coming at regular 7 minute intervals. We went to the hospital and could clearly see the contractions happening on the screen. When they checked me I was 2cm, no big deal--she said to just walk for 2 hours (my husband's favorite part about delivery, not.) We walked and although the pain was still there I didn't progress and since I don't use an epidural they sent me home as there was nothing else for them to do for me. I went home and just as fast as they started--they stopped.

Alison Winterroth Photography

Each week passed, my Monday appointments were annoying. They would strip my membranes. Seriously everyone says this hurts so bad, clearly it didn't work for me as I barely had pain afterwards. I was waiting for the excruciating pain everyone talks about. Week 40 rolled around, 2 weeks past when I thought I would have him. I was walking in the kitchen late one night, and slipped and fell on a placemat. Did an olympic split while trying to get water. I quit, not even that got my baby out. I ended up at the hospital checking baby, all was fine. Except I was sore.

Alison Winterroth Photography

The time finally came when we talked about induction. Anything that would lure this baby out, was for me. They called me Monday morning and set it up for Thursday at 9PM. I didn't care what time they set it up, I figured it would take all day anyways--so why does the time matter. Thursday rolled around and it was such a surreal day.
My husband stayed home from work, we went out for breakfast, ran errands, went to our son's Christmas party at school, and just did things as a family. I packed all my belongings like I was going on a vacation, and was sure not to forget anything. I decided I would get there a little early to jump start the process--so 8:20PM rolled around and we gave our final goodnight kisses to Bennett and we were off.

Alison Winterroth Photography

My one fear about being induced was that I would get told to go home because they were too busy. I should have been praying about the pain or a safe delivery on the way to the hospital instead I prayed they wouldn't send me away. Give me all the pain, this baby is comin'. We got checked in and in a room around 9:30PM. After asking my whole life story, they finally started the pitocin around 10:40 on a slow drip. My mom said get some rest it will be a long night.
Thirty minutes later I was having strong contractions 2/3 minutes apart. I ordered some nitrous oxide (laughing gas is used at our hospital for pain management) after trying the Nitrous Oxide--I ordered a dose of Stadol (I had used this with my on previously, and knew it worked wonders.) If you haven't been drunk in 9 months, using Nitrous Oxide is like drinking a bottle of wine in 10 seconds. I'm not entirely sure it helped with the pain but it definitely took the edge off, kinda like drinking a glass of wine would. The effects didn't last, and you had to breathe it in before a contraction started. So basically at the end you needed to leave it on 24/7. I would recommend it for anyone not wanting to use an epidural.

Ashley Yvonne Photography

When my nurse came in to deliver the Stadol at 2:15AM, I asked her to check me as my photographer needed notified at 5cm, as well as my sister and MIL. She said you are only 4, I don't know when you will be 5. So I texted them, and tried to sleep in between my ever growing contractions. I figured this would be a long night.
3:00 rolled around and I could not bare the pain, I tried to breathe it out but they were coming so quickly. I put the gas mask on and just kept going. I was 2 seconds away from asking how I get checked to see if I can have an epidural, when I felt the urge to push. My mom grabbed my nurse and she said oh, you are 8cm. Forget the photographer--we're havin' a baby.

Ashley Yvonne Photography

She came back in, and with every contraction I felt more and more like I needed to push. Within 15 minutes I was fully dilated--no one was there but with the next contraction I gave a push and broke the water, I just couldn't hold that child back anymore. They quickly knew it was time for business. About 5 minutes later and maybe 3 pushes, my sweet baby was in my arms. Four hours and Fifty Minutes from 3 to 10, from start of pitocin to a baby on my chest.

Ashley Yvonne Photography

Seriously I really was going to try all these coping strategies everyone without an epidural does. Sitting on the yoga ball, having my husband rub my back, maybe take some pictures of the process. Nope. Instead I basically slept through my labor until 8cm, and then I only had 15 minutes to go from there. No one expected it. I kinda thought I would be in the hospital all day waiting on this child to arrive.

Ashley Yvonne Photography

It seriously was magical. I won't claim that I wasn't in pain without an epidural--I was. But try to trust your body, I was amazed what my body could do after it was all said and done. I felt ten thousand times stronger this time then I did with my son. I knew what to expect I'm guessing. I wanted to share my story with you, not only for my journaling purpose...but so you can see that 41 weeks is ok. Let that baby cook, soon enough you will be missing out on all the sleep with baby snuggles. Now that it's all said and done, I enjoyed those last few extra weeks with my little big boy--however, I am so glad to have them both in my arms now.