Dottie Lou Lindquist
Born on June 23rd at 5:56 PM
8 lbs 9 oz
20 inches long
This delivery was so much different than my first two. Both Cash and Lolli came on their own right on or around their due date. Both of them being born right after having appointments with my OB and getting my membranes stripped. With Dottie, we went in to have this procedure done, but there was nothing more my dr could do to speed the process along. So we scheduled to get induced for June 23rd, a week after my due date. However, Scott and I left my appointment thinking okay, we will just go on long walks and she'll come out anytime now. NOPE. we walked probably at least 20 miles worth that week. NOTHING. We never thought we would make it all the way to Saturday and have to get induced. I guess Dottie must have been pretty comfy and content in there.
Writing this has been a struggle, because it literally all happened so fast. After just waiting and waiting, BAM baby was out. So here it is:
June 23rd finally came. I was feeling really nervous the whole drive to the hospital, mainly because I didn't know what to expect with getting induced. I had heard horror stories where women were induced and labored for DAYS! I was scared my labor was going to be either super long or so quick that I'd be in pain and not have time for an epidural.
6:30 AM: As we walked into the birthing center we were greeted by the nurse that was going to take care of us that day, I immediately noticed the hospital water bottle she had in her hand all ready for me with ice and water. Scott laughs that I love my hospital cups so much, but really, besides the baby it's the best thing I get to bring home with me. We were then guided to Suite 1 where we got settled in and I dressed into the hospital gown. The nurse came in to check me to determine how they would start the induction, I was thinking, I've GOT to be at least dilated to a 3 from walking So much. NOPE. Still at a 1. So they inserted a pill to soften the cervix and dilate more. This took about 3-4 hrs, and unfortunately scott and I both didn't even think to bring dvds, computer, headphones, anything really to entertain ourselves! You would have thought this was our first rodeo.
1:00 PM: the nurse came to check again and I was dilated to a 2. The OB on call decided to go ahead and start me on pitoccin. I had heard the contractions would be a lot stronger and come faster when getting induced with that drug so I wanted to make sure to get an epidural soon but not so soon that I didn't feel any contractions.
2:00 PM: the anesthesiologist came to start my epidural. Anyone who gives birth naturally is an absolute champion. Me, I need the epidural. Going numb I was able to start to relax! Soon after getting the epidural my mother in law got to the hospital. Just killing time at this point and waiting.
3:00 PM: the nurse came and checked me again, I was at a 3 not sure how much longer it would be I called my mom and told her she better head to the hospital. Soon after
my right leg seemed to be getting a lot more numb than my left to the point where I couldn't move it at all. We adjusted my position to lean to my left side but this made the babies heart rate drop so we had to change my position back to the right side and had the anesthesiologist come back to lower the dosage I was getting. All throughout this Scott, my mom, my mother in law, and I were all playing cards to try to distract and kill time, which to this day scott says he was winning. I started to become really hot and uncomfortable. Scott had to fan me for a while, then the nurse was nice enough to find me a little handheld fan.
Embarrassingly I told Scott I wanted the epidural adjusted back up again. With the discomfort and medicine I became nauseous and started to vomit (barely making it into the bag). I was confused as to why I was feeling so much discomfort! Surprised by my pain even with the edipuradal, our nurse decided to go ahead and check me again. After looking, she looked up startled and she asked "so are you ready to have a baby?" I had gone from a 5 to a 10 in a matter of minutes. It was no wonder I was feeling so much discomfort and pressure.
5:50 PM: I started pushing. This is the point I was most nervous about, because with both Cash and Lolli I had to push for so long! Near the end of pushing, Cash had his cord wrapped around his neck and lolli ended up having to get vacuumed out. Both scary moments during birth. To our surprise after just 4 pushes she was out. Heaven. If I could play the moment the baby comes out, is handed to me, and is skin to skin over and over I would. There is absolutely no other feeling like it. It really is a little heaven on earth. So much sacrifice carrying and growing a baby for 9 months, so much work and pain bringing the baby to this world, and then the relief and just utter peace when they are out and just soaking up every detail of their face. So innocent and helpless. Completing falling in love with someone instantly that you just met. It's an empowering feeling knowing that you brought them to this earth they depend on you. We feel so blessed with how smooth the delivery went and couldn't love our sweet baby Dot more than we do.
