I woke up on July 1st at 2am and just didn't feel myself. I thought it might be the food I ate at a wine tasting event the evening before. Of course, I wondered if this might also be the beginning of labor. I used the bathroom and laid back down, trying not to get too excited, since I knew I'd need my rest, if this really was labor. I surprisingly was able to go back to sleep, even though I did wake up 2 or 3 times with strong cramping. These were different than what I had experienced in the past - they only lasted a short time and I knew they were contractions. I eventually woke up at 6am that morning and decided to go to work. I had mild contractions all day that were anywhere between 5 and 15 minutes apart. Around 3, I decided to go home to see if I could get some rest. Great decision on my part! I slept for 2 hours and as soon as I sat up, had a contraction - again, nothing too major. When Brook got home, we went to Qdoba for dinner and then to get some groceries. We started timing the contractions in Meijer. They were about 10 minutes apart and I could still walk and talk through them, so I still wasn't sure if this was "it" or a false alarm. As soon as we got home, I rec'd a text from my mom . . . she must have a 6th sense, b/c she asked "How ya feeling?" We hadn't told our families that I was having contractions, b/c we didn't want to get everyone excited. But when she asked, I let her know what was going on and she said she'd keep her phone close-by throughout the night.
I cleaned, while Brook was painting in the basement and then wanted to take a walk at Rosy Mound. I thought if that didn't kick labor into gear, nothing would! So, we hiked the trail and prayed a Rosary together for a safe delivery of our baby boy. At the end of the trail, we sat at Lake Michigan and watched the beautiful sunset before heading back. When we got home, I finished cleaning and then I laid down, hoping to get some sleep before contractions got any worse. Well, that lasted about 10 minutes! They were now coming every 5 minutes and much more intense. Laying down was definitely not the best position to be in! So, I bounced on the birth ball, used the bathroom many times to make sure my bladder was empty and tried to stay hydrated. All tips from our Bradley Class. Brook was sleeping and I let him be, b/c I knew he'd need his energy, too. At least one of us was getting some sleep! At about 3am, the birth ball was no longer comfortable and I walked around the kitchen, leaning on the counter as each contraction happened. (I wrote the first part of this birth story to keep my mind distracted.)
By 3:30am, Brook was awake and the contractions we coming at 4 minutes apart, lasting about 45 seconds. They were still manageable and I could breath / relax / sway through them. I was getting tired, though, but kept repeating "I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me." And, instead of dreading each contraction, I'd think, 'Each contraction brings me closer to meeting my baby.' I can't explain it, but I was relieved to see the sun come up - maybe b/c I had made it through the night? Around 8am, I decided to see if I could get a little nap in. I laid down and the contractions stopped for about 1/2 hour and I was able to sleep, thank goodness. As soon as I sat up, they kicked in again. At that point, I asked Brook to call the mid-wife on call and see about going up to the hospital. Even though the contractions were still quite manageable, I wanted to see how dilated I was. The plan was to come back home if I wasn't past a 5 (since we only live 5 blocks from the hospital).
I don't know why it took so long, but we didn't get up to the hospital until 10:30ish - I think we were waiting and waiting for the mid wife to return our call. Rachel - the nurse who would be with us throughout all of L&D - checked me and I was "3-4." This was disappointing to me and Brook and I discussed whether or not we should go back home. Since I didn't want any medication or to be hooked up to anything, we decided going back home would be the best bet, b/c I would be more comfortable. Rachel asked us to wait for the mid wife before we left. Once Gail got there (about an hour later), she checked me and I was "6-7!!" I asked her if she was lying to me to make me stay! :-) So, we stayed and Gail didn't make me get the hep-lock (I was thrilled about this!) We walked the halls to get through each contraction. Around 1 or 2, my mom, Veronica and Sophie arrived. And the rest of the Bisonet / Stevens clan arrived after that - there were 18 people in the waiting room!
I decided to get in the jacuzzi and my contractions slowed a bit. At the next check, I was still a 7 (I had plateaued for about 3 hours), so Gail asked to break my bag of waters. I was nervous about this, b/c I knew things would get intense; but I didn't want Pitocin, so I let her do it. And boy, did things get intense! I continued to stay on my feet and lean over the counter to get through each contraction. Being in the the bed (when I had to be monitored) was excruciating. If I would've stayed in the bed the entire time, I would've gotten the epidural, but being able to be mobile helped a lot. It took me 2 hours to go through transition and, at the beginning, I was saying things like "I can't do this" and begging God for relief. The pain was terrible and I felt out of control. But I knew that I needed to be more positive, b/c I believe the body follows the mind. So, I tried to say, "I CAN do this" and change my attitude. It really helped me get through each contraction.
I decided to get in the jacuzzi and my contractions slowed a bit. At the next check, I was still a 7 (I had plateaued for about 3 hours), so Gail asked to break my bag of waters. I was nervous about this, b/c I knew things would get intense; but I didn't want Pitocin, so I let her do it. And boy, did things get intense! I continued to stay on my feet and lean over the counter to get through each contraction. Being in the the bed (when I had to be monitored) was excruciating. If I would've stayed in the bed the entire time, I would've gotten the epidural, but being able to be mobile helped a lot. It took me 2 hours to go through transition and, at the beginning, I was saying things like "I can't do this" and begging God for relief. The pain was terrible and I felt out of control. But I knew that I needed to be more positive, b/c I believe the body follows the mind. So, I tried to say, "I CAN do this" and change my attitude. It really helped me get through each contraction.
During all of this, Brook was right by my side. He helped me remember to stay relaxed, kept me hydrated and told me what a good job I was doing. He was an incredible coach and when I thought I was going to die, he was there to remind me that I knew I'd get to this point and this meant I was almost done. He was also the one I yelled at to not yawn through a contraction (he didn't, btw) and not drink Mountain Dew through a contraction! ;-) Brook, being the wonderful husband he is, took it all in stride, of course!
After about 2 hours, Gail was asking if I felt the urge to push. She said she wasn't going to let me push until I felt that urge. I was starting to get scared, b/c I never felt that urge. Luckily, Veronica was there and said that she never felt the urge to push, either. So, Brook asked that I be checked again and I was a "10 plus!" Yippee! I started to push and, much to my horror, it hurt! When I said, "It huuurrrttsss!" Veronica said, "It's going to!" LOL. Looking back, I guess I was expecting this great sense of relief (and no pain) from pushing, but I never got that. Luckily, I only had to push for 19 minutes, b/c on July 2nd at 5:19pm, Maximilian Luke entered the world.
