Ruger's Birth Diary

I had 2 reasons for wanting a natural birth...

1) I had witnessed my friend's terribly long labor:

The pitocin problems - fetal heart rate kept dropping

The UTI from the catheter

Not being able to get up and shower right away

The nurses telling her when to push

And yet after all the drugs and the rest, she still felt him being born.

2) Also, I had lost 20lbs in the first trimester and was put on Zofran. At 6 months, I had only gained 1 pound over my pre-pregnancy weight. I had to eat every 2 hours for the rest of the pregnancy to gain weight and nourish the baby.

I still was throwing up a couple of times a day which was better than the 10 times a day or more.

I felt so guilty having to take the medication that I knew I didn't want my baby to have anything else.

Ruger was due March 10, 2006.

At 12:30am on March 8, I woke up to pee and the contractions started.

I know it sounds bad, but I didn't want to wake my husband up until I was sure it was actually labor. I labored in the bathroom - rocking back and forth - and then sitting down because I had such an intense feeling like I had to go to the bathroom.

I called my son's Godmother Lisa - an L and D nurse - and she called the hospital and told me "get Kevin up NOW!!" because I couldn't talk through the contractions.

At 2:30am, I woke my husband. He started the truck and yet it still took me almost an hour to get out of the house.

I'd brush my teeth - contraction, put my pants on - contraction.

Luckily, it was the middle of the night so there was no traffic.

After getting to the L and D room, I was telling myself "just pee and go lay down" - but I couldn't. They decided to check for dilation. Right when I got onto the bed my water broke and then the nurse said I was 8cm!!! I thought Kevin's eyes were gonna pop out of his head!

I was told not to push because they had to get the doctor... he was still at home!

My regular doctor did not make it in time.

They were trying to get my blood drawn and sign release papers.

Note: When I first arrived, the staff was acting like I was just another first time mom who was overreacting and only 2cm. When the nurse realized I was 8cm, she started running around like a madwoman trying to get stuff set up!

Lisa showed up right as I started pushing. After 10 minutes of pushing... 8lb 3 oz, 21 inches Ruger Dean was born at 5:09am.

4 hours 39 minutes...not too bad.

I had one cut and 1 stitch, but started hemorrhaging really bad so they gave me pitocin. They did internal/external "massage" that hurt worse than having the baby!!

At one point, my blood pressure was 38/16, but they got in all under control.

He breastfed like a champ - for the next 20 months!- and within 2 hours I'd changed rooms, showered and ate breakfast waiting for him to come back with my husband from the well baby nursery.

I hope the next one is just as quick - except we've moved and the hospital is 30 miles away.

To leave a comment or review Click Here

Read others' comments and reviews.

Ruger's Birth Diary: Reviews

Any thoughts? A story of your own? Share with us!