Every pregnancy and delivery is different, and Mikelle's was no exception; well, kind of. The delivery was eerily similar to the other ones in different ways.
I was 3.5 weeks early with Chase, but only 4 days early with Mason, so I half expected to go past my due date-at least I was mentally preparing myself in case that happened. Maybe deep down I knew she would come early, though. I actually had a hospital bag packed this time.
I'd had one or two nights of a couple of mild contractions leading up to her birth-day, but it was still a surprise when my water broke at 3am on tuesday. I had gotten up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, and couldn't sleep too well after, so I decided to hang out on the couch for a bit and read.
When my water broke it didn't explode (so really, it was a early rupture like Chase's birth), so luckily I was able to get off the couch and make it to the bathroom without making a mess. Contractions started soon after, but they were only strong enough that I could tell they were contractions, nothing that took my breath away or anything. We called the Doctor and headed to the hospital soon after, with contractions being about 7-8 mins apart. We got to the hospital at 4.
Since I thought I was in real labor, I was pretty proud of myself for handling the pain so well, and I pretty much thought I had this thing in the bag-no epidural even if it was offered. I was only dilated to a 4.5 though, so I had a ways to go.
The main thing that was different this time was that I didn't feel tied down to the hospital bed. With Chase I had an epidural, pitocin, and antibiotics that kept me to the bed, and with Mason I was already in late/transition labor and they wanted to keep the monitor on me since they thought the baby would come any time (but turned out to be 4 hours later....yikes!). With Mikelle I was allowed to wander the halls and walk to deal with the labor pain--which was so much better than sitting and dealing with it in the hospital bed. I don't know how many laps I made around the labor and delivery floor. My estimate is probably around 80-100.
I wandered the halls on and off until they decided to monitor me at 8. Which is when the contractions stopped. I wasn't in labor anymore!! I was surprised, and the Doctor said "do you feel like you're in labor? I mean, you're smiling and joking!..." It was false labor for 5 hours, just like with Mason the week before he actually came! I should have known since the contractions weren't that hard to handle (I thought I was just being super tough).
The OB (Dr. Patel) suggested we try pitocin, since my water had already broken and we didn't want to risk infection. I was hesitant since I was induced with Chase and was still worried that it would make the labor go forever and would intensify the contractions. I asked if I could wait an hour to see if labor started up again. They said I could do what I wanted, but I'd have to sign something if I waited too long. I was just afraid of pitocin, really. I wanted to deliver without an epidural, and was afraid I wouldn't be able to handle the pain. 20 mins later I decided to go with the pitocin, and just see if I can handle the pain or not. "play it by ear," as the nurse suggested.
They started me at 9:30. The contractions were still 8-12 mins apart until they upped the dose at 10 and 10:30. At 10:30 the contractions were getting really painful, but not so close together that I didn't have a break. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to handle that kind of pain close together (since I thought it would last hours, like with Mason), so I asked the nurse to get the Dr to check me to see how far I was dilated. If I wasn't at least an 8, I would probably ask for an epidural. The Dr didn't come for a few mins, and right before she came in I got a really hard contraction and felt pressure down low--and said "I feel pressure!! I have to push!!!" Everyone panicked and said "No, no, no no!! Just wait!" and the Dr rushed in and checked me--I was at a 10! "Complete," as she said. They put me into position, and with the next contraction that came--I PUSHED. One long (and strong--if I say so myself) push and she was out!!
With Mason, I just remember being so relieved that he was out of me. With Chase I felt no pain, so I was happy to be done and glad to see he was ok. With Mikelle (I think it was because I was still on pitocin) I was still in pain. Not pushing pain, but not yet experiencing relief. I don't think I felt a bigger relief until they took me off of the pitocin drip later.
She was here! And healthy! 7 lbs 1 oz and 20.5 in long. A 9-9 on the APGAR (which is really good, as I understand). She didn't have any complications, and neither did I. Surprising since she came out so fast.
We're so happy to have baby Mikelle in our family. The boys are already good and helpful big brothers, and she is already having some good bonding time with Mommy and Daddy. She sleeps best when she's held, so we try to oblige when we can since she's so little still :)
ps. funny side note. Just like Chase's birth, I was due a couple weeks later than a close friend of mine. I went into labor first just like with Chase, but ended up delivering after my friend--but on the same day. Isaac and Chase were born on the same day, and Mikelle was born just three hours after Nora- in the same hospital (two rooms away-we could hear each other delivering... :) ).
