Rasmusen Family

Our Birth Story

Posted by Amber , Wednesday, May 12, 2010 Wednesday, May 12, 2010

As everyone probably knows, Ezra was perfectly content hanging out in there. I was scheduled for an ultrasound/monitoring session at my 41 week appointment, and Ezra checked out just fine, so they scheduled another session in another week. I guess I was about 41 weeks 3 days at the next appointment, Ezra still checked out just fine, but an induction date was set.

My OB scraped my membranes hoping that labor would start naturally as I was already 4 cm dilated. That evening, as I got into bed I began feeling pretty intense contractions... but they were 20 minutes apart! They got a little closer about an hour later, but they were still 10 minutes apart. After another hour, when they were about 8 minutes apart, I knew we needed to go to the hospital. The contractions were no where near as close as I knew they needed to be, but the pain was very intense.

Before we left I told Ben my birth plan was being thrown out the window. I was all about some pain relief at that point. When we checked in, my contractions were around 5 minutes apart and I was 6 cm dilated. They told me I had to walk around for an hour! That was the worst because when I was up and moving, contractions were coming every 2 minutes or less and were crazy! I think I made it 45 minutes before I wasn't able to walk anymore, so we got into a room. The anesthesiologist was there about 30 minutes later and I was 8 cm dilated. The medication took effect within 20 minutes or so, and it was really nice. Ben and I were able to sleep a bit, and take it easy before the little one came. Unfortunately (as I suspected) my labor slowed way down because of the Epidural, so three hours later when I was still only 8 cm, I was given Pitocin to start it up again. In just over an hour I was ready to push, and Ezra was here 15 minutes after that!

So, how has it been since we've been home?

Overall, not too bad. I have been preparing myself for a break down and thankfully it hasn't come... yet. :) She actually allows us a decent amount of sleep. Usually I get about 4-5 hours at the beginning of the night, then a couple two hour stretches. She will usually have at least one 6 hour stretch between the night feedings, but since we don't get to bed right when she does, we don't get that amount of sleep. The nights haven't been that hard. The day time is what is getting me. Noah is extremely challenging right now with attitude and disobedience, then with trying to schedule feedings for her... makes me feel like I am going crazy sometimes. She also doesn't like the swing, or just laying flat... pretty much wants to be held all the time, and that is difficult too. So we are working on that, but I am getting a little run down with so much crying.

I know this is such a short time in her life, and I am trying really hard to enjoy the middle of the night feedings while they're here. However, I am also excited for solid night time sleep, stable naps, and a content baby too.