I had Mya's birth story written down but I can't seem to find where I saved it. So, I'm going to write it down here before I have baby #2 and confuse the 2 births. If you don't want to read this I won't be offended it's really just for my own personal record.
We checked into the hospital on November 6th (my official due date) at 7:00 PM. I was only 1cm dilated. I was admitted and hooked up to all the usual equipment. My doctor prescribed cervidil to help thin my cervix and a pain killer just in case I needed it. I received both. By this time it was around 9:00 PM and I was trying to rest and relax. Brandon hadn't eaten yet so he went down to the cafeteria for a quick bite to eat. When he got back he wasn't feeling so good. That was not OK because I needed him and there was no way I was going to let him be sick on me! So I sent him to get something to help him feel better. It was around 12:00AM and most places were closed but a gas station down the street from the hospital. Thankfully they had what he needed and he started to feel better. That was good because not long after I started feeling major contractions. They were coming fast and were very strong. My pain meds were not working anymore so I asked the nurse for more. She told me I had 1 more hour before I could have more. So, my strong-willed brain decided I could tough it out for 1 hour. The pain was very intense and the contractions were VERY strong and I wasn't getting any rest time in between. They were coming one right after another. I was also having a lot of "back labor" which is no fun! Brandon was really great and practically rubbed my back for an entire hour. I had no idea that I was in "full on labor" but I was. After the hour was up my nurse came in and decided to check me and I was dilated to 5cm - WHEW!! I wished I would have had someone check me sooner! The nursed asked me if I would like an epidural and I immediately said YES PLEASE!! She left to get the anesthesiologist. Unfortunately he was sent home because they thought I wouldn't need him for a few more hours (no one expected me to be so far along.) The nurse gave me my second round of pain meds while I waited for the anesthesiologist to come back in. That helped - ALOT!! It helped to take the edge off so I could relax a bit. I was still feeling pain but it just wasn't as intense. After I finally received the epidural I finally felt comfortable again and was able to get a quick nap in. The nurses broke my water after that and I progressed pretty fast to about 9 1/2cm then it slowed down so they wanted to start me on pitocin to get me to the full 10cm. I really didn't want to be put on pitocin and I was starting to feel the urge to push. My wonderful nurse (who had been a labor and delivery nurse for longer than I had been alive) said she could try and "help" my body stretch the last 1/2cm. I had complete faith in her abilities and felt good about letting her do what she thought she could do. And it worked!! I pushed a few times to move the baby down and I was almost ready to deliver. My doctor wasn't expecting me to be delivering yet so he had to rush to the hospital. They actually made me hold off on pushing so the doctor could get there. I think holding a baby in is much more difficult that pushing it out! One of my nurses came in and said "I see the doctor running down the hallway." I thought that was pretty funny and I was glad he was trying to get there as fast as possible!! Once the doctor got to my room and was ready for the birth I was able to push Mya out in 2 sets of 3 pushes! YAY!! I would have had her so much sooner if I wouldn't have had to wait on Dr. Groom to get there!! :) But I was glad I waited because Dr. Groom is a great doctor! Once Mya's head was out he commented on her red hair and then when she was fully out he wished her a happy birthday, showed her to us, cleaned her up a bit, let Brandon cut the cord and then finally he laid her on my chest! It was one of the most physical, emotional, spiritual, and wonderful experiences of my life! Mya was born at 7:56AM on November 7, 2006. So, I checked in at 7:00PM (not in labor) on the 6th and just under 13 hours later Mya was born! Not too bad! I hope that this next delivery will go just as well.
My sweet baby girl!
Mya Lee Bartlett
7 lbs 1 oz
