Griffin's Birth Story

We called the hospital at 8 pm on Saturday 8/7/10 to find out if there was any word on how soon we could come in to be induced.  The dr. called back and said she thought it would be in the next 4-5 hours.  She wondered if it was OK to call late.  We both said a resounding YES!!  So at 11:15 pm she called and told us "our table was ready" and that we could come anytime!  We were ready to go and go there about midnight.  Dr. broke my water at 12:20 am and the contractions started fairly soon after that.  At 1 pm, they started my IV of Pitocin...  which kick the 'ole contractions into HIGH GEAR!  I labored til 5:30 am to get to 3 cm (started at 1 cm).  That time in labor consisted of me in bed on my side for a while then moving to a rocking chair where I enthusiastically rocked (like a fiend) to get me through til 6 am which was my goal with the nurse to get my Nubane shot.  Ahhhhhhh I've heard some say Nubane isn't that great..... but for 90 blessed minutes it was my bestest friend.  I didn't care about much and almost felt a bit of memory loss.  It started to wear off around 7:30ish am.  At 8 am dr. agreed I was 4 cm on my way to 5 cm and I could have the epidural.  That took a bit to get in but when it was done at 9 am all was well with the world.  I spent the rest of the next 11 hours in bed turning from side to side trying to sleep.  Mind you, since I got to the hospital I was connected to the following and had the following monitoring me:  Blood pressure every 10 minutes (arm hickies to prove it), blood sugar every hour, temperature every hour, internal fetal heart monitor, internal fetal contraction pressure monitor.  So the  "sleeping thing" was a challenge at best.    DH said he heard me snore briefly a few times.  At 7 pm the pressure started pretty hot and heavy in my behind area.  The nurse said it was a good sign.  Yah in "hind sight" pun intended..  it was good, but it hurt like heck.  The nurse checked me and I was at 10 cm but told me "don't push, we need to wait for the dr. and she's delivering next door".  So for 60 solid minutes I went to the land of breathing and hearing loss.  I completely ignored all of those who tried to speak to  me.  DH totally got this... the others I think thought I was nuts.  In out, In out, In out.  It was all I could do and I don't think I missed a beat.  I think it was the most focused I've ever been in my life.  The anethesiologist even came in and tried to up my epidural to see if I could get any relief, but didn't give me much hope it would help the pressure.  Finally at 7:55 the dr. arrived and swiftly got in her gown and told me it was TIME TO PUSH!!!  Sweet Jesus... praise the LORD!!!  I pushed through 6-7 different contractions for a total of 21 minutes and out he came.  She had to do a teeny episiotomy but no tearing.  Up he popped onto my chest with a good set of cries.  I was in disbelief.  DH was there every minute holding my legs and giving me encouragement.  He cried, I cried,  our miracle was here. 

I am still in awe that a wonderful couple out there gave us this gift.  How can you say thank you for this wonderous baby our son Griffin.  Thank you does not seem to fit the bill.