Birth Story

On Monday September 5^th (my due date), Michael and I made our way to Inova Fairfax to check in for our pre-induction appointment at 8pm. Dr. Wolf had decided that if Carmen did not come on her own by her due date then she would induce me. She confidently made that decision based on the healthy signs of the baby and the way my body was progressing on its own. We were thrilled! We calmly packed our bags in the car, reviewed our hospital check-list and then Michael took some time to lead us in prayer for our family and our home. It was hard to believe that this was our “going to the hospital” moment. So calm and peaceful – a theme that would play out for the rest of our birth experience.

After a quick visit to each of our parent’s homes, we finally were on the road to the hospital. We made it to registration nice and early. I thought that I was as cool as a cucumber until I started filling out the paper work. I don’t know what I would have done without Michael next to me. I couldn’t figure out the order of first and last name, couldn’t remember my social, and answered “yes” to questions such as “are you hard of hearing” and “are you deaf.” Thankfully Michael corrected everything and took care of me. We were sent up to the 3^rd floor where we were met by our nurse and taken to our labor and delivery room. Set up didn’t take long and before I knew it I was hooked up to the monitors, the medicine was on its way to preparing for a 7am induction, and I was lounging on the bed watching The Bachelor Pad. I ended up not getting much sleep because the cramping had begun, but was able to rest and think about how unknown all this was to me. Michael so sweetly slept in a less than comfy reclining chair next to me all night.

Right at 7am on Tuesday our new day shift nurse, Renee, came in and began preparations for the induction. We loved her. She was just the type of nurse I had prayed for and really seemed to care about me and the baby. Peace once again settled over me in this unfamiliar place. Not more than 15 minutes later, Dr. Wolf walked in, hugged me and then did an internal exam. She determined that my cervix was now open and was at 1cm dilated. The medicine did its job perfectly! While Dr. Wolf was checking me, she secretly broke my water. I had no idea that’s what she was doing until she said “There we go!” and I certainly felt it afterwards. No pain, no discomfort just a new experience. So blessed. Renee started me on the pitocin and contractions began within the next 10 minutes. About every 15-20 minutes Renee would up the dose of pitocin and I would notice the contractions get a little stronger. I labored this way for the next few hours. Around 10am, the contractions were pretty strong and only 1-2 minutes apart so I relied heavily on Michael to help me focus during the pain. When they were really bad, all I wanted was for him to rub my hand and fingers with a lot of pressure. I had a lot of pain in my back and lower abdomen so there was really no position that felt comfortable. Mid-morning, a family friend, youth leader and former Sunday school teacher of mine walks in to our room. Lynne has worked as a LD nurse for years and just happened to be mentoring on our floor that day! She was such a great resource and source of comfort. As the contractions got to be very painful around 12noon, Lynne popped back in I was able to express some concerns to her and get advice. I told her that I was concerned about getting an epidural too soon and that it might slow down my labor/contractions. She and Renee confidently told me that there is no possible way that would happen because I was on pitocin and that would always keep my labor progressing. She recommended that when I begin to experience pain in a way that I knew I couldn’t take it to another level, then it was time to ask for the epidural. My mom had come to see us in the room during the 12 o’clock hour which helped to pass the most painful time. By 1pm, I had taken Lynne’s advice and told Renee that I would like the epidural very soon. Again, the Lord’s blessing was upon us because it took no more than 15 minutes from the time I asked for it to the time that the anesthesiologist walked into my room. No excessive wait time! She was a beautiful and brilliant doctor who also gave me great peace about the medicine. Michael and Renee held me through the epidural and it actually wasn’t that bad. And the best part was that within 15 minutes I was no longer feeling the pain of the contractions! Our room was calm, peaceful and I was able to rest and take a nap. The epidural was incredible and I am forever grateful for it.

Renee checked me at 3pm and determined I was about 4 or 5 cm. I was a little discouraged and Michael guessed that we’d probably be having this baby close to 8 or 9pm. Dr. Wolf planned to come back in around 5 after she finished up at her office so I just waited until then to see what she would say. Right before 5pm, I began to feel an unusual pressure and thought of the women who said that they could feel when their baby’s head was ready to come out. I asked Michael to go get Renee but as he did, in walks Dr. Wolf who quickly checks me and says, “Wow, you’re at 9.5 cm. It’s time to push!” Michael got really excited and so did I, just in a more subdued way. I still could not believe that I was in labor. I couldn’t believe that it was time to push. There was no mad rushing about, just Dr. Wolf and Renee quietly and happily preparing for what was about to happen. Michael held my hand and we waited for instructions. Lynne came back in and taught me how to push and coached Michael on his role in all of this – to hold one of my legs and support my head. I began pushing and all in all it was 1 hour and 15 minutes of pushing. As crazy as it sounds, it was peaceful. In between contractions (which were about 30 secs – 1 min apart) we talked and joked a little. I could still smile and make conversation. Dr. Wolf sat on the side of my bed and coached me through each push while Renee counted to 10. There was no pain, just the natural pressure of what was happening. I clearly remember that hour of pushing. I remember the thoughts I had, the little conversations, the smiles and affirmation from my husband, doctor and nurse, and the building excitement of what was coming. Dr. Wolf did eventually bring in a mirror, which I was highly opposed to, but like everything else she told me she was completely right in that it would help me focus and use the right muscles. Whatever – I got over it and it ended up being great. As the end was in sight I began to watch my doctor’s face instead because her smiles got bigger and I knew that our baby was about to be born. At 6:34pm Carmen Isabelle was born and all the pushing, all the puffiness, all the exhaustion became worth it!

We continued to have amazing nurses who made us feel very cared for, we never felt rushed or as if we were just another number, and we got to spend so much time just holding our little baby. Overall the hospital was fantastic, my doctor was the best, and my labor and delivery was pretty flawless. I couldn’t feel more thankful. The Lord was blessing us in every little way. Now, I’m going to go hold my little baby…