Katy's Birth

At my 38-week appointment I was dilated 1 ½ centimeters and my doctor gave us the option of being induced a week early if we wanted. Since I had been suffering from anxiety I decided to do it! I was scheduled to be induced on Monday, October 10. The hospital called us on Sunday night and said to be at the hospital at 7 am. Monday morning came and they weren’t ready for us until 9:30 am. That was a long morning.

Getting ready to push!

 At 10:00 am we arrived at the hospital and got checked in. My poor nurse had a hard time finding a vein in my arm to attach the IV. She’d find one and then as soon as she poked me it wouldn’t work. Ow! Finally, at 11:30 am the anesthesiologist put the IV in my hand and got the pitocin started. My nurse checked my cervix and I was just barely 2 centimeters dilated. We also found out that my cervix was posterior (angled down towards tailbone) and that made getting checked extremely painful. She needed leverage. Tears. 

About an hour later the nurse came to check my progress and I was dilated 4 centimeters! Wahoo! The nurse asked me if I wanted an epidural but since I wasn’t in any pain yet I decided to hold off.  At 1:30 pm the doctor came in to break my water and strip my membranes. He thought I had had the epidural already and didn’t hesitate at all to get the job done. Breaking my water didn’t hurt at all but stripping the membranes was just about the most painful thing I’ve ever experienced. Especially since my cervix was posterior. So many tears. The doctor was a little taken back at my reaction and that’s when he found out I hadn’t had the epidural yet. He felt really bad and apologized.

Daddy and his Princess

 After my water was broken my very next contraction HURT and they were coming really quickly. I was breathing really heavy and fast trying to make it through each one and started feeling lightheaded. Only I didn’t realize it was from the way I was breathing. I asked the nurse if that was normal to feel lightheaded and she said, “Well, you’re probably hyperventilating.” “Oh, duh!” So from then on I controlled my breathing a lot better.

After about an hour I decided to get the epidural. The anesthesiologist had me lay on my side. At one point I was having a contraction, my blood pressure cuff was going, and a needle was being stuck into my back. Totally awful. Finally it kicked in and my body just felt relaxed. It was amazing.

At 3:30pm I was 6 centimeters dilated! I couldn’t believe how fast I was progressing! My guess was that Katy would be born before dinner. My sisters thought I was crazy. I was starting to feel a lot of pressure and like it was just about time to start pushing. About 45 minutes later I was 10 centimeters! It was time to push! I pushed through 2 contractions (a total of about 5 minutes) and Katy Ann DeFreese was born at 4:44 pm!! My doctor had a hard time getting the placenta to detach and worked on that for a long time. It was completely mangled by the time he was finished.

The coolest part was on my last push I leaned forward as much as I could, saw her head, and then saw the rest of her come out. She was so beautiful. My immediate feelings after she was born were peace and happiness. I was still nervous about having two children but I was very glad she was here. I loved her immediately. And all the things I dealt with during my pregnancy and labor were worth it. I had already forgotten how hard it all was.

Recovery has been so much easier this time around. The after pains have not. But that’s okay. I am able to walk around at least. Katy is the best baby in the world. On our first night home she didn’t cry all night long. Sean and I had to wake her up to eat. She is so content, patient and sweet. We are so glad she is here!