A Baby Story

Ryan woke me up on January 19th because he had a church basketball game. It was a little before 8 and we jumped in the car to go to the church. On the way I felt a little gush of fluid. All I could think was, "Great. I just peed my pants!"

 

 

I got back home and tried to go back to sleep. It was no use. One I'm up, I'm up. I started cleaning the house and then ate breakfast. When I was done picking up, I figured I'd jump in the shower. After my shower, I felt great! then I felt another gush. Can I tell you how tired I was of peeing my pants uncontrollably?! Then it hit me! I'm only 6 days from my due date. This might not be urine. It could be the real thing!

 

I called the hospital, told them what was happening and they wanted to see me. Dustin was in the baby's room, painting the crib. I told him to stay and finish. I was going to run down to the hospital. I was sure it was just urine. I told him I'd be back in a couple hours.

 

I got to the women's center at noon. They checked me in Nd I got changed into my very fashionable blue gown. They checked me with the litmus paper and it showed no sign of amniotic fluid. Just to be sure they did it again. No fluid. I was relieved. I was not ready to have the baby yet. I had to stay for an hour on the monitors. It showed I was having contractions, but I couldn't feel them. I couldn't feel any type of cramping. the nurse was satisfied that I was not in labor, so she was going to release me. Smile!

 

I stood up and walked into the bathroom. I was getting my clothes out. I felt a trickle down my leg. Oh, no!!!! There were puddles on the floor. they were from me. I knew at that moment it was my water leaking. I went back to the bed, climbed under the blanket, called the nurse. I then called Dustin to come to the hospital. I was having my baby today....

 

 

They allowed me to walk in hour cycles. I could be up and walking for 40 minutes, but the last 20 I had to be on a monitor. I did this until 8 o'clock at night. I was trying to get my contractions to start. They were just tiny little things and not very regular. I was exhausted! This is so unlike my body. Usually I have the baby within a few hour of getting to the hospital. My body wasn't changing at all!

 

 

At 8, my doctor checked me again. I had now graduated from a 2+ to a "good 3." Seriously? I have been here for 8 hours!!! I wanted to scream and cry. Another hour went by and they checked me again. No change in dilation, but this time the nurse felt something had changed. She could no longer feel the baby head down. She said she felt what she thought might be an arm. Now I'm tired and scared. they wheeled in an ultrasound machine. The picture on the screen revealed a baby laying sideways. He was transverse. They didn't really have to say much because I could see in in their faces. The chances of delivering this baby naturally just flew out the window. I said a quick prayer in my heart.

 

It was my doctor's turn to look at the ultrasound. His picture told a different story. "Baby's head is down. He must have turned." I didn't feel anything, but regular movements, but I guess that was my baby turning. I now said a quick prayer of thanksgiving. The doctor finished breaking my water and told them to call him when I was ready.

 

At 10:30 pm I was finally a 5. I was so tired and depressed. I had never felt this way before. After lots of thought, I told the nurse that I would like an epidural. I was sad to ask for one, but knew I needed to rest. By 11:00 the anesthesiologist was having me sit up. the minute I sat up, I felt my contractions change. They hurried to get me situated so I could lay down. They checked me and I was at a 7. I jumped from a 5 to a seven in half an hour. Shoot!! I knew my baby would be here shortly.

 

They still needed to put the medicine through the epidural catheter. I rolled over. All I remember is the nurse saying, "Oh, you got it right in time. By the time you reach a 10 you will feel nothing."

 

I followed that up with, "I think I need to push." Dustin was yelling at them to check me. "When she says she needs to push, she needs to push!" Yep. I was crowning. I could feel everything, which was fine. The doctor was not here though. So, guess what they start doing to ease my urges? They start pumping me with epidural medicine!! (I couldn't feel my left leg for three hours! grrrr)

 

After 10 minutes, the doctor is here and I push my two pushes. My baby enters the world!

Britten C Russell Merritt
born Jan 19th at 11:30 pm
weighing 7 lbs 14 oz
and 20.5 in long

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are loving him!!!!