Babies Name: Joseph Allen
Babies Sex: Male
Due Date: 7/7/2013
Babies Birth Date: 7/9/2013
# of weeks pregnant: 40
Type of Birth: C-section
Babies Stats: 7lbs, 11oz 18in
Parents: Amber and Tylor
I imagine my reaction to finding out that I was pregnant was very different from how other normal women feel. In all honesty, I struggled to be happy despite having tons of support from my husband, parents, etc. It wasn’t until the third trimester that I actually started to feel like it was right; like I could be a mom. I was getting anxious. I had a very smooth pregnancy and was so excited to welcome my son into the world.
At 39 weeks I was still only dilated to a fingertip but was 80% effaced. The day after my due date I passed my mucus plug and was having strong contractions but they weren’t strong enough. I went to the hospital and after about 3 hours, I was sent home. My best friend Lexii came over and we walked up and down the street so many times, I felt like my feet were going to fall off. I bounced on that stupid yoga ball til I was blue in the face. But my contractions got stronger and boy, I was excited.
Around 12 am (the 9th), my contractions were really horrible. They were period cramps from hell. And of course, by the time we got to the hospital, they subsided. But I was at a 4 already so I was able to stay. Honestly, the only thought running through my mind was not about meeting my baby, but how hungry I suddenly was. I tried to bribe my husband and mom into getting me something from Wendy’s but no such luck.
I was given the epidural, though I didn’t really need it. Those IV drugs made me really loopy so I suppose I was game for anything. And guess what? The epidural didn’t even work! I was put on a really high dose of pitocin and felt every single contraction. Eventually, it got so bad, I started to cry and I even threw up a few times. I wish I hadn’t had the epidural because I think maybe I could have walked around to progress more. I couldn’t get passed a 7, not even after having my doctor break my water for me and my little guy just didn’t want to scoot down. Shortly after breaking my water, it was decided that I was to have a c section. Totally not the way I wanted things to go down but I was just so sad about not giving birth the ‘right way’ and I was in so much pain, I just wanted it all to end. I think maybe that’s why my PPD was so bad. I also learned that my mom had c sections with me and my three other sisters! So maybe that had something to do with it.
I was wheeled to the operating room and had to wait about 45 minutes because the nurses didn’t have anything set up yet. I was pissed, my doctor was pissed, and I was in so much pain. I wanted Tylor (husband) to rub my back. It hurt like hell. When I was finally given the spinal block, everything felt like heaven. I was talking to my doctor, talking to Tylor and the nurses. I couldn’t feel a thing and I was so relieved. And before I knew it, my baby was here and I was seeing his beautiful face. I said I couldn’t imagine being a mom. It was there in that moment that I felt like a mother. Tylor and a nurse took my Joseph out to meet the family while I was being sown back up. I couldn’t believe I was finally a mother and to the cutest little guy I’d ever seen. I love him with every inch of my soul, every part of me that I can give. Joseph (or Joey, as I call him) is now a very happy 3 month old 🙂
A big Thank-you to Amber for sharing her story with us!
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