friday, march 23rd. 9am. my stomach had been experiencing false contractions for the past two weeks, nothing painful but definitely noticeable. just like any other first time mom, i had done my share of reading and attended all the birthing classes to know that there was nothing to worry about and just wait patiently for the arrival of our little one. i was supposed to go and watch the hunger games but since it was a late showing, i decided to be "responsible" and stay home instead. at 8pm, my stomach was starting to get uncomfortable. again, i decided to just relax and indulged in a almost three hour nap. when evan came home that night from work, i mentioned to him the tightness in my stomach as we go to bed. little did i know, the next few hours would be sleepless.
saturday, march 24th. i couldn't fall asleep. my stomach was so uncomfortable that nothing i did could distract me from it. i drank glass after glass of water. i walked around for a little bit.i changed sleeping positions. no luck. i decided to start timing my contractions. they were 5-10 minutes apart. no pattern at all. finally, at 5 am, i decide to wake up evan. "hey babe, i think we need to go to the hospital". groggy eyes and all, we quietly drive to UCI hospital in Orange. we arrive and discover that the labor and delivery ward was quite busy, despite the early hour. i had to wait an hour before even getting an observation bed! it was finally my turn to be seen by the doctor. we discover that i am 80% effaced, at plus 1 (baby was very low in my pelvic bone) and 1 cm dilated. the doctor instructs me to walk for 2 hours to see if i progress since they couldn't admit me due to early measurements. i remember walking around with evan inside and outside of the hospital in my unflattering hospital gown thinking that the baby will soon be in our arms. thank goodness for evan being an awesome breathing coach because my contractions were getting stronger and starting to take my breath away. after two hours, we return to labor and delivery to hear that there was no progress. the doctor instructs us to go home (HORRIBLE WORDS TO HEAR WHEN ALL YOU WANT IS FOR THE BABY TO COME OUT!) and try to do stuff like have lunch, watch a movie, go shopping. basically anything that distracts me from my contractions but to return to the hospital if my contractions become very painful or if my water breaks. i sadly look at evan who hands me my clothes. i stand up to feel [this is when it starts to get graphic!] wetness drip down my leg. i look down to see a small puddle form on the tile. i glance up at evan "thats not pee cause i can't pinch it to make it stop!" the nurse overhears me. "OH! looks like you are not going home, your water broke". evan and i are in shock but also excited!! its really happening! we are then moved into our labor and delivery room (a very large and nice room with a view). the doctor decides to check me again "baby is really low! looks like we may have a baby by 7 tonite!!" the next 24 hours seemed like an eternity...
i wasn't dilating. so pitocin was introduced. i was also tested positive for strep b (something that doesn't harm adults but can be dangerous to a newborn) so i was also given penicillin every 4 hours through my ivy so i had a very achy burning sensation in my left arm. my contractions continued to increase with intensity while the pitocin tried to aid in my dilation process. evan was such an amazing breathing coach and helped me stay calm during each contraction, despite the tightness and pain growing in my belly. the doctor continued to check me every so often. i wasn't progressing well so they decided to up my pitocin intake to speed things up a bit more. around 2:30pm, my contractions had gone from uncomfortable to tears streaming down my face. "we are going to turn off the pitocin for you because your contractions are really really strong" the nurse could tell i was in pain. not only that, but the baby wasn't reacting to the pitocin well so then i was given extra oxygen to help the baby. at this point, i wasn't scared but definitely getting a bit stressed. the last thing we would want is for the baby to be stressed during the delivery. after 30 minutes, my contractions had still not lessened in intensity, my body had taken over the strength of the contractions. thats when evan said "don't be a hero babe! if you are in pain, remember, the epidural will take another hour or so before it kicks in so if you want it, its best to get it as soon as possible." i listened to his advice and requested the epidural. sure enough, i had to wait over an hour for the epidural procedure. there are precautions, questions, observations and setting up that needs to be done before i am even asked to hunch over like a scared cat so they can give me the epidural. i remember the anesthesiologist saying that the local anetheshia placed in my back will burn and hurt and when she did it, it wasn't painful at all. i joked how my tattoo hurt more then that! the procedure wasn't bad at all (i guess it depends on your tolerance of pain) and soon i could feel my entire lower body go numb. i couldn't feel my contractions at all! it was wonderful. i was able to visit with my parents and evans parents in our L/D room before i started to drift into dreamland. i needed that sleep too since i hadn't slept at all for almost 24 hours.
sunday, march 25th. 5am. another check by the doctor. i was finally at 4 cm. thats when things started to speed up. before we knew it, it was 11am and i was completely effaced and at 9 cm. the doctor decides its time for me to sit up in a labor position and start laboring down to get me at a full 10 cm. both evan and i are so ready for this baby to be born. at noon, its time to start pushing. my contractions were still about 4-5 minutes apart so between my pushes, i was able to have conversations with the nurse and the doctor; nothing like the movies with continuous pushing and sweating and discomfort. i am so thankful for the nurse and doctor because they made my delivery peaceful and i was at ease even though they noticed that my epidural was very low. they gave me the encouragement to push through and get the baby delivered despite the lack of medicine. i could feel the immense pressure in my lower area and that made me even push harder. and finally, at 1:46pm, with all my might, Travis Evan Barry was born. "he is so small!" they gently placed him on my bare chest and tears of joy filled my eyes. Travis first cry was music to our ears. i was holding our new born son. it was the most incredible feeling and there is no way to describe it. the moment just takes your breath away. time stops and all is well in the world for those precious moments. all the pain i had gone through in the last 36 hours was worth it. at 5 lbs 9 oz and 19 inches, Travis fit perfectly in our arms.
already, as i gaze upon travis while he naps or sits in his lamb rocker, i see he has grown so much. i am trying to take in every minute while he still this small because i know he will grow fast. our family is so blessed and travis is proof of that. becoming a parent truly changes your an entire outlook on life. yes, i am still the same person. i just know that what i do and say isn't just for myself, its for travis and our family.
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