Part One.

Meet Elsie Lyn Garner, born May 24, 2013 at 5:45 p.m. via c-section.
Here's part one of her birth story (it will be four parts... sorry it's so dang long and that the pictures in this post are not the greatest - still at the hospital). 

As many of you know from this post, I was scheduled to head to the hospital at 7:30 pm on May 23, 2013 to be induced. Mike and I arrived at labor and delivery at about 7:45 pm (that's us... always so punctual) and I was prepped for cytotec. Part of this "prep" involved a vaginal exam to see how far dilated and effaced I was. I am going to be completely honest and say that this exam hurt more than ANYTHING ELSE I experienced while in labor. I know that sounds ridiculous, but because of Elsie's positioning (she was posterior), my cervix was back incredibly far and it was nearly impossible to check. Once the exam was over, it was determined that I was at about 2 cm dilated and 70% effaced.
At 9:03 pm, the nurse gave me my first dose of cytotec. Mike and I sat back and relaxed, waiting for the pill to work its magic (we watched Fever Pitch on E! in case you were wondering. Good movie). I was hooked up to monitors to watch for contractions and make sure that Elsie's heart rate was regular. After the movie was over, Mike ran home to get the insurance card (kind of an important thing to have... oops) and I laid down to try and get some sleep.

Right around 1:00 a.m., my midwife checked me and determined that I would need a second dose of cytotec because the first dose didn't do much. At about 1:35 am, a second dose was inserted, and I laid down to get some rest through the minor contractions I was having. The contractions started getting stronger and stronger, and by about 2:45 am I was having very strong, steady contractions that I could no longer sleep through. They were bad, but not bad enough that I felt the need to wake up Mike. I knew he would be helping me through labor on Friday, so I let him sleep.

By about 3:05 am, Mike was awake with back pain (poor guy was sleeping on an incredibly uncomfortable "couch") and moved to the recliner next to the bed. As I breathed through the contractions, he was able to get a little more rest. Finally, at 4:10 am, I decided it was time to get Mike up for the day - I really had to pee, and needed him to help me get all unhooked from the monitors so that I could walk to the restroom. I sat down on the toilet and when I stood up, I realized there was quite a bit of blood there. I freaked out a little bit and Mike called our nurse in. Totally forgot that there was this little thing called the "bloody show" that is totally normal - oops! Better safe than sorry though, right?
Anyway, the contractions continued and were about 1.5 - 2 minutes apart and very intense. My midwife was called in to check dilation at about 5:30 am and I was still at a 2 and 70% effaced. She determined that it was a good time to break my water. I asked for about 10 minutes to get myself "in the zone" and by the time I was ready, she had been called into a c-section for another one of her patients. At 7:03 am, she was back and ready to break my water. Mike was such a trooper and put his arm under my hips to help lift me up so that my cervix was more easily accessible. I don't think he really thought that one through, but I was so grateful for him. It took Carol (my midwife) about a minute to get in there and break my water, and it was such a relief. I immediately felt so much lighter and the contractions felt like they were so much more effective.

27 comments:

Sarah Shumate said...

I love reading these stories! I'm actually looking forward to reading all the parts, so keep 'em coming! By the way, you've got to be the sweetest wife ever letting Mike sleep even though you knew you wouldn't be sleeping!

Jenny-O said...

Picture number 3 looks soooo uncomfortable and painful!!! :( Thanks for sharing your experience! Fascinating to read about!

Greta said...

So awesome to record this!!! Elsie will love reading it and seeing the photographs someday. CONGRATS GIRL!!!!!! You made it through with a healthy baby, and that is what matters most. :D

Anonymous said...

GAH! I love this! Can't wait for the rest of the posts (even though I already know haha)

She is so beautiful! Wish I could meet her!

Unknown said...

Ahh I was waiting for this ! I love this. shes just so adorable !

meet.make.laugh. said...

She is SO CUTE! Congratulations to you and Mike!!!!!

Heather in DE said...

Congrats!!

RadiantKristen said...

You did such a great job with everything that came your way! I know it isn't the easiest labor and birth story, but you did the best you could with it, and that's what matters. That, and that you're a mom now =)

Katrin said...

She is so adorable! Thanks for sharing your story with us!

Why Girls Are Weird said...

Elsie Lyn, welcome to the world you beautiful little baby!

Kelly said...

Congratulations Alyx! Can't wait to hear more, I oddly love these stories... :)

Denise said...

I love birth stories! But I don't like that you're keeping me waiting haha

Kym said...

Gahh!!!!!! SO excited to meet Elsie! She's such a beautiful little wrinkly pink ball of love <3 I'm sorry that her birth story didn't play out exactly as you had hoped, but I'm so glad that you & your daughter {DAUGHTER!!!} are healthy and well. I can't wait to read the rest of the story.
big hugs, tons of kisses, and lots of wishes for a quick recovery.
xxxooo

Amy Rose said...

I always loved having my water break, as such a relief!

Amy Harris said...

first of all, your little lady is absolutely beautiful. she is so precious and perfect, i love it. and her coming home dress is to die for!! congrats, new mommy!!
love//amy
amylynn188.blogspot.com

lori said...

oh my goodness, i just realized how behind i am on your blog! who knew you were so on top of things and already posting elsie's birth story?!

Becky said...

I am enjoying reading this account and also - both you and baby look beautiful in these pics! :)

jessica said...

Such a beauty! Congratulations, Alyx! Can't wait to read your entire birth story!!!

Kassi said...

I am so, so thankful you're sharing this!!! It's really helpful to hear from someone I can relate to how labor was for them!

T&S said...

1. I am so glad she is here.

2. I am happy that your recorded all of this. Not just for yourself but for Elsie :)

3. I love Elsie's name

4. I still want to call Elsie mini-Alyx :)

Xo Lourdes

Sarah said...

How the heck did I miss this?!?! Congratulations!! What a beautiful baby girl! I can't wait to read the rest! xo

Yesi @ Plan With Yesii said...

Idk how I missed this but Congrats! She is beautiful! On to read part 2 now! yay! ♥

Whitney Leigh said...

would you just look at that face.

I'm assuming she was worth it? :)

of course. congrats my friend.

Anonymous said...

Oh, she' s there already and you're a family now!
Ganz herzliche Glückwünsche und alles Gute für Euch drei!

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