Emma Diane Wassel: A Birth Story

If you have read my previous post, you'll notice that Sunday, February 12, was my induction day ... things started out a little different but the end results are the same.

1 A.M. Sunday: my first labor contraction started. Mom was right - you'll know when you're in labor. Immediately, I knew that this was the real deal. I tried to quietly breathe through it in bed, trying not to wake Greg up but he woke up, knowing it was time. From the beginning, contractions were 5 minutes apart. We waited until 2:30 A.M. to call the doctor;  for the 1.5 hours, Greg was holding me during each contraction, helping me breathe through each one. The doctor asked me if I was sure that I was in labor - I'm not an expert but I expected it was time. We headed to the hospital around 2:35; Greg was excited to drive through Athens right after the bars closed - he just knew that we were going to get pulled over since he was driving a little too fast.

3:00 A.M. We arrived at the hospital's emergency room. Even though we had preregistered online, the registrar had to chat with us a few minutes. I was calmly smiling and talking through each contraction, even though I wanted to scream. Greg and I went to the triage room in the OB wing, where the nurse said I was 5 cms dilated and 100% effaced - they decided to send me to a L&D room. The nurses at the desk were surprised that I was being admitted because I had walked past them smiling, and they thought that I wasn't in labor. They were wrong & once I was uncomfortably lying in bed, I asked when I could receive an epidural. The Anesthesiologist had already been called to the OB department and I was second in line. They also started an IV for fluids - the IV in the arm was uncomfortable the entire time.

5:30 A.M. The epidural arrived and worked wonderfully. The most painful part was the numbing shot. From my waist down, I was numb but could still feel the contractions, even though they were now painless. The RN said that it would make the pushing process easier since I knew when I was having a contraction. Contractions were still about 4 - 5 minutes apart at this point.

After receiving the epidural, it was almost boring until around 12:00 P.M. Pressure started and the grandparents were called because it was about push time! (I thought that pushing wouldn't take too long since everything was going so well, but I was wrong.)

Pushing started around 12:30 P.M. Emma's head was turned sideways, and I thought very little progress was being made. It was hard and the pressure never went away! After about an hour, the doctor came in & said that she could use the vacuum after 3 hours, but then there is a higher chance of having a c-section - this was about 1:30 P.M. Both Greg and the RN said that progress was being made, but I didn't believe them. I was getting tired & frustrated. I kept pushing during each contraction and Greg was able to see Emma's full head of hair. Around 2:30, I was ready to quit and ask for a c-section but Greg talked me through it and Emma's head turned and pushed through the pelvis. The pressure was unbearable when Emma crowned but sweet relief soon followed.

Emma was born 2:57 P.M., approximately 14 hours after my first contraction and 2.5 hours of pushing. It was exhausting but I am very proud of myself for sticking with it. A HUGE thanks to my husband, Greg, for helping me through this spectacular day!

Emma Diane Wassel, born 2.12.12, weighing 7 lbs 14 oz and 20 3/4 inches long.