This blog is really special bc I am going to share our daughter DUA, birth story. The best day of my life.. And for those who are following me on social media know that I have an induction delivery. Inducing labor, also known as labor induction, is a procedure where a doctor or midwife uses methods to help you go into labor.
My OBY offered me an induction on my 39th week, Initially we were not sure whether we should do it or not.. there were many factors that lead to me making this choice. Dua is my first baby so I had dreams and plans of how I would give birth naturally… Although I had made in mind that I have no control over how birth will go so I was open minded and accepting if a c- section was necessary. So we decided and gave a date to the hospital for my induction. I was anxious and also more excited to see the lil one. In this way we had enough time to plan, pack for my labor.
We were all set with all packing and planning before the D day.
We checked in Saturday evening, March 12 at Stone Spring Hospital, VA. Bags packed ready to go, full of excitement I just knew this was going to be easy breezy once the induction got started and I can have the baby the next day on my arms, cuddling and snuggling.
Day 1:12th March 2022
Once we arrived I had an initial cervical exam and was disappointed to know that I was only 2cm dilated just 1cm progress since my last ob chk in 36 weeks. The doctor suggested starting our induction of labor with Pitocin to start my labor pain. My dose starts at 9:30 pm ..
I was been hooked up with a tight belly band to monitor baby's heart rate and to track my contractions. We laid back and chilled and ordered delicious food from the hospital.. (I swear this hospital have the best food service,).And I was allowed to eat food until my epidural dose starts.. I was happily walking full of energy taking picture, doing reels with my Pitocin on.
Right after 2 hrs, I was having contractions but they weren’t painful, and were not in any particular pattern.. And slowly the contraction started up. I breathed through them and rested as much I could, not wanting to wake up Pratik until I Was sure we were getting to “Go time”. After 30 mins I woke him bc it was getting more intense and started doing my breathing techniques to keep me calm That entire night was a NO sleep. And that night I made up my mind that if this is the maximum level of pain then I can take it with no epidural.
Day 2: 13th March 2022
Next day Morning 8:am through the afternoon there was still no progression of dilation. Nurses came and examined my cervix..Damn! I was still 2cm dilated. No improvement. They increased the dosage of Pitocin. Nurses were kept monitoring baby's heart beat. She was doing beautiful inside. That’s keep me motivated when every time nurses says baby is doing great inside. Doctor came and check my cervix at 2 pm. (Huh, cervix chk was the most painful part) And I was just 2.5 can dilated. This make me disappointed. As I was exhausted and tired now.. I wanted to sleep. We were having a discussion of changing the procedure Like inserting a balloon catheter, stick with more Pitocin, or go home. So we decided to stick on Pitocin and increase my dosage and chk for another few hours.. its been more than 18 hrs I am dealing with intense contractions. And I reached at point where I was just so exhausted and in such pain that by this point I had also made the decision that I was going to get the epidural.
I had always hoped I might be able to give birth unmedicated, but this intense pain kept me awake for over 15 hours– I knew there was absolutely no way I was going to have the energy for pushing I thought I would be more bummed about opting for a medicated birth, but in the moment the only thing I cared about was getting rest and relief. Even looking back now I have no regrets about my decision.
At 4:30 I took the epidural and guess what Once I got the epidural , I completely passed out. I had the best 3-4 hrs of sleep after that..
And nurses were so sweet that they didn’t wake me up in between bc they knew how tired and exhausted I was.. we both slept for good 3 hrs. And guess what, when nurse came to chk the dilation , I was only 3 cm at night 11. I know!
Day 3: 14th March 2022
Still no progress.. We went over our options to move forward and Cerviidil was the route we decided to take. Cervidil is a cervical ripening medication on a string that is inserted into your vagina like a tampon, this was inserted at noon. A boring 12 hours of continual fetal monitoring and at midnight the doctor removed the Cervidil and told me I am still 3cm dilated (this was the most uncomfortable cervical exam as the Cervidil makes your cervix sensitive over the 12 hours, this sensitivity goes away).
At night doc came and we discussed about the other options as we were mentally broke down at that point, we were already so tired and our decision making skills were sub par to say the least. So we decided lets go with the C-section and scheduled for C-section next day morning 9.
I was little sad bc even though having healthy pregnancy with no complications I got schedule for C. But also I was happy and excited to see the little one next morning.
Day 4: 15th March 2022
We woke up had breakfast, I did my makeup on and get ready for 9 am c section. My doc came and did the last time cervix chk before doing the surgery.
And guess what I am 5 cm at that time.. Things finally felt like they were moving. She broke my water around 12:00 noon and this was honestly the easiest intervention that I had encountered so far. It was less uncomfortable than a cervical exam and pain free. And my c-section was cancelled. pheww.. After few minutes I started having incredibly intense pressure on my lower half which felt like I needed to take a giant poop! I knew right away this meant that I had entered the transition phase of active labor. This is the point in labor when my body progresses from 5cm-10cm which means its time for PUSH baby... 5:10 I started pushing.. Pushing wasn’t that hard like contractions was.. After a good push of 45 mins I gave birth to the most beautiful Girl, our little princess at 6:14 (and I am so glad that I practiced breathing exercises on YouTube videos and online labor classes, which helps me a lot for a quick push. )
Happy Birthday : 15th March 2022, 6:14 PM
I have never had such a rush of happiness and joy run through my body. My heart burst with love..We both were in tears seeing our baby girl. That birth moment is truly indescribable.
The nurses put my baby onto my chest. I was overjoyed and after 10 minutes, nurse took the baby to the baby warmer to measure and test her throughly. Pratik cut the cord and he was scared to do that..lol ..I was overcome with emotion and cried happy tears. The golden time, I felt so surreal. The best feeling ever..
The nurses and doctors quietly did their job in the background, we didn’t even notice that my doc Dr. Shalini, already delivered my placenta and stitched me up, I had a first degree tear. But I must mention here that these guys in this picture are truly a blessings for me. They comfort, took good care of me and baby so lovingly for the four days.. A big heart to Stone Spring hospital
I spent the next hour and a half skin to skin with my baby, completely mesmerized by her beauty, falling more in love by the second.
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