#17: Induced +Introduced

Genevieve entered the world on Monday, May 17th at 6:45 at 38 weeks and 4 days via a planned induction. Overall, my induction experience was positive. I had some apprehension about beginning labor before my body and baby were "naturally ready." However, based on my consistently elevated blood pressure, my doctor assured me that inducing between weeks 37-38 would be safer for me and baby as well as minimize the likelihood for a c-section. Looking back now, I am actually very happy that I was induced. For my personality, knowing when I was going in and when the process would begin was very calming for me. I want to share all the details related to my induction (probably TMI but the TMI stuff was most helpful to me when I talked to women prior to labor and delivery).  It was really hard to find podcasts or birth stories about induction as those things aren't as celebrated or on-trend like natural birth methods. Therefore I am going to share all the details in hopes that it may help someone else in a similar situation.

My induction process began Sunday night. We arrived at the hospital at 10 pm and the cervical ripening process started around midnight. Genevieve's head was down and she was situated really low. This made placing the balloon to ripen my cervix difficult because the doctor had to work around her head: lots of pressure and it took a while. Then I was given a medicine vaginally called cytotec to aid in the process. Initially I had planned to send Andrew home that night once I got situated to keep things as normal as possible for the dogs. However, when I started experiencing the contractions for this process I changed my mind and had him stay.

At my 36-week check up I was tested (like all pregnant women) for GBS. This is an innocuous bacteria that is found in one in four pregnant women. While this bacteria is harmless to adults, it can be dangerous to a baby born vaginally. I tested positive for this. All this meant was that I received an IV with antibiotics throughout my labor; this basically eliminates the risk of the baby being negatively impacted. Since I was being induced, this was easy to facilitate but if a woman is GBS positive and goes into labor its imperative she goes to the hospital early in the laboring process in order for them to get the antibiotics in her system. So early on I found myself in a decent amount of pain from the cytotec contractions and my arm hooked up to an IV. I chose to have Andrew stay because he could help me to the bathroom and be there as a support. Luckily we had amazing neighbors volunteer to help with Heidi and Burlioz. Due to the pain, I opted for pain medicine during the cervical ripening process. I did two rounds and BOY am I glad I did. I immediately could relax and get some rest. After I reached 5 cm dilated, the balloon basically just slipped out and fortunately those uncomfortable contractions ended. 

I joked with Andrew that the pain of those early contractions made my consecutive contractions with pitocin, the medicine used to create artificial contractions, seem like nothing. I was warned how pitocin made more more painful contractions and was a bit nervous about them. But for whatever reason, they weren't bothersome to me. In fact, if it wasn't for the monitor I was attached to telling me I was having contractions, I wouldn't even have felt them. And at this point the pain medicine I previously had was out of my system. Occasionally I'd feel a mild cramping in my ovaries and need to take deep breaths as a contraction passed, but I was not feeling any pain. I knew I wanted an epidural, and frequently was asked when I wanted it. Since I wasn't in pain, I opted to wait. When they were going to break my water I decided I wanted the epidural prior to my water breaking. This is because contractions can become intense quickly and progress can happen rapidly. I wanted to ensure I could be still for the epidural and therefore thought for me that would be the best time for it. 

If I had one thing to say about my epidural it would be this: hallelujah. I would get one again in a heartbeat. Placing the epidural took a bit of time because I could not easily get my back into the slouchy bad posture they required (the joys of a strong back and good deadlift form...). And funny enough, a neighbor was the one who administered my epidural. Talk about a small world. Once I got my epidural, a doctor broke my water (I felt nothing) and then I took a nap. Thanks to the pain medicine I chose to receive, I was able to rest and relax throughout my labor process. This not only gave me strength and energy at the pushing stage, but also had me feeling refreshed and great in my postpartum recovery. 

One side effect that I experienced during labor that was unexpected was vomiting. I did not throw up a single time during my pregnancy. I was nauseous in the first trimester but never threw up. Three different times--all during transitional phases of labor--I threw up. I was told this is fairly common, but was surprised since I hadn't heard of this happening. I was not nauseous the whole time, but each time I would suddenly feel a lot of saliva in my mouth and need to spit. I would throw up for a couple minutes and then feel 100% better. I hadn't eaten solid food since 8 pm on Sunday (at this stage I was well into Monday) and I was glad that I was exclusively on clear liquids only. 

Throughout the induction, Genevieve's vitals remained constant, my blood pressure was never problematic, and every time I was checked I had progressed in one or more category (dilation, effacement, and station). While the process was long, around 18 hours, it did not feel cumbersome or lengthy. In fact, it felt like each stage was separate and passed quickly. One very useful tool to help me progress and change positions with my epidural was a peanut ball. I would move into different positions to help the labor progress and it was quite comfortable as well. 

After a while I did start feeling uncomfortable. The doctor came in to check the epidural because I felt like I was feeling a lot and had an impressive amount of control still over my legs. We opted to add another dose of pain medicine. We went back and forth on this but after receiving it I felt INSTANT relief. I took a long nap and when the doctor returned to check my status, she informed me it was just about time to push and I was 9.5 cm, 100% effaced, and G was in the appropriate station. This timing worked perfectly because my main nurse (another great neighbor) who had been an INCREDIBLE support throughout the entire process was off at 7 pm. Genevieve made her arrival just in time at 6:35 pm. 

The doctor reminded me that first time moms often push for 2-4 hours and to prepare myself for this part taking a while. When I was about to have a contraction the doctor would ask me to push hard for a count of 10 seconds, take a deep breath, and repeat. Soon after I started pushing she informed me that I would not be pushing for hours, but more likely minutes (thank you years of consistent ab work). Early on the doctor mentioned that Genevieve's head was turned and we needed to correct its position. She said normally this alone takes 30 minutes of pushing and I managed to do it in a couple pushes. While I did have the epidural I can say that pressure IS pain. I cannot (and never want to) imagine the pain of the ring of fire without an epidural because it was TERRIBLE even with one. While I was a trooper and cracking jokes and pushed hard for most of the pushing process, the last ten minutes were rough. I cried and screamed and the nurses hit my button to administer more epidural. Genevieve was so low, her head was popping in and out, and the monitors were bothering me between contractions (they were not internal monitors but the pushing of them on my pelvis was so uncomfortable, albeit necessary). When Genevieve came out she immediately screamed and I uttered the words "it was definitely worth it." I have never felt a greater sense of physical (or mental) relief. 

The nurses and doctors were all shouting "happy birthday" to Genevieve and she was placed on my chest. We delayed cord clapping until the pulsing stopped and the nurses were inspecting her on my chest. They noticed her arms were a bit limp and asked if they could take her to more closely inspect her. I immediately thought of another Mike Birbiglia joke about how "they are called vitals not optionals" and quickly okay'd the request so that G could be more closely observed. She was fine and was then replaced on my chest to attempt breast feeding. I was shocked my colostrum was already in and with the help of a nipple shield was able to get a latch.  

I totally forgot I had to birth the placenta and when they asked if I wanted it, I quickly waved it away. Similarly to when they asked me to look up at the light that acted as a mirror in labor--the medical visuals were a no-go for me. After that, the doctor gave me necessary stitches. I had a level 2 tear with stitches in 3 different places. I felt lots of pressure as I was stitched, but tried focusing on the cute baby on my chest. Those first couple of hours with Genevieve (and honestly hour and day that followed) were so wonderful.

I want to express a word of caution for anyone overly committed to a birth plan or journey. You simply cannot predict how it will all go. For instance, I had a scheduled induction; but my doctor was not able to attend my delivery. She was sick with a high fever and was unable to come in for the induction. Fortunately the team of doctors I did have were absolutely amazing. While my heart was in my throat and I was slightly nervous when I first heard MY doctor wouldn't be there, I quickly warmed to the idea of trusting the experts I did have, and they were attentive and wonderful. I believe my attitude and flexibility benefited me. If I would have been wrapped up in my doctor being there, I cannot imagine the stress or worry would have benefited Genevieve or myself in any way. I remained calm and attempted to rest at any opportunity and while I had challenges, discomfort and disruptions at times, I am so happy with the labor and delivery experience I had. Each birth journey is unique. And regardless of the process going as planned or with pivots: the outcome of meeting your child for the first time is well worth it all.