Lotus over at Sarcastic Mom came up with this grand little idea of a Birth Story Carnival…and, I really couldn’t just say no. So, here it is.

I have to say, being pregnant with Lorelei was NOTHING like I expected. In fact, the models for maternity clothing made we want to cry. Here I was, swollen and waddling, and these chicks looked amazing…and in 5 inch heels? What the frick? Food made me want to vomit. For the entire first Trimester, I was in and out of the hospital, having IVs ran. I simply couldn’t keep food down. I would pass out for no reason and have blackouts. Half the time, I was so weak, I literally crawled through the house…and my husband? Well, he wasn’t nearly as supportive as I had imagined he’d be. For some crazy reason, I expected half an ounce of concern when I called to tell him I’d fallen…because I blacked out. Well, he did show concern, it just wasn’t for me. Moreso because I was keeping him from something.

So, after adding about 35-40 lbs to my tiny figure, I was ready for this kiddo to get out. I mean, I can only expand so much, right? She was gaining weight steadily (which is a good thing), but my doctor and I both agreed it was time for her to get out. I was hoping to not have an 8-12 lb kid exiting. That, and I was MISERABLE.

So, on April 11th, 2007, the date was set. We were to go to the hospital and be checked in to be induced (unless I had her before then). Husband and I headed out early to eat out at Olive Garden – Ravioli di Portobello and Spinach Artichoke Dip. Mmm. Except, there was the spinach scare (which had been months before), so no dip. And, they were fresh out of Ravioli Di Portobello. Oh well. So, I closed my eyes and picked a different entree (which ended up sounding much better than it tasted).

Next, we headed to to the hospital. We had been told to check in at the ER, then we’d be taken to the OB. I was hooked up to an IV – with medicine for a bladder infection and some regular fluids. They put the cervadil in, and attached a monitor to me, to monitor the baby’s heartbeat and my contractions (I was actually having contractions…I just hadn’t felt them until that point!). The contractions were very slow…and very sporadic. Probably even Braxton Hicks. Who knows.

The nurse examined me. I was a “fingertip” dilated. Whatever that is. I think she lied just to give me a glimmer of hope. My worst fear was that I’d go through it all and NOTHING would happen. Okay, that wasn’t my WORST fear…but it did scare me.

So, we cracked out the Mad Libs I’d packed. Talked. Laughed. The contractions gradually got stronger and stronger. The nurses gave me a couple of Ambien so I could sleep at around 10 pm. Steven made a run to Wendys AND McDonalds for me. I wanted a chocolate frosty and a cinnamon melt. He began to argue but with one look he was out the door. When you have the power to kick everyone out of the birthing room, they listen to you. So, I got my food and I went to sleep.

I slept off and on but my contractions kept getting stronger and stronger…and more regular. The nurses gave me Feenigrin (sp?) and Stadol through my IV for the pain – I couldn’t sleep. It mostly made me feel a little loopy. Around 5am, the nurses woke me up. This was my chance to take a shower. I knew it’d be a while til I felt like having a real shower again, so I took it! They unhooked the monitors and bagged what was attached. I took a LONG 30 minute shower. Mostly because I could barely move and I was trying to keep the bag dry…Then, Steven showered and the nurse started my Pitocin.

It was on.

A nurse checked me and I was a total of 1cm dilated. Oh woohoo. So, they turned the Pitocin back off. An hour later, they checked me again and I was 2 cm dilated. The anesthesiologist came in and gave me the epidural. It was a little uncomfortable and I felt the sharp pinch of the numbing needle, but the rest was mostly pressure (like pressing on my back). And then…he hit a nerve. My ENTIRE left leg jerked out, making the rest of my body jerk. The nurse reprimanded me, told me to be still. Sorry bout that, but maybe next time, you could miss the nerve? So, the needle goes through something (he explained it like this…he basically did what he would if he were giving me a spinal tap…but with a bigger needle. Oops.). I was a bit loopy and…um…in labor…so forgive me for not remembering the technical jargon. I had a horrid headache – similar to a “brainfreeze”, it lasted for a bit but then subsided. He pulled the needle out and had to repeat the procedure (with a new needle). So, through the contractions, I had my second epidural for the day.

Thanks to some Stadol they gave me (right before the epidural), I got a little sleep (off and on). The next time they checked me, I was 6 cm dilated. Then, a few minutes (literally) later, another nurse checked. I was 8 cm. 30 cm later? 9 cm.

My parents, brother, and Steven’s parents all came in. They talked, and I mostly stared, trying to just remember to breathe. You know how you have to concentrate REALLY hard when you first wake up just to understand people? Yeh, that was me. Except, not only was I “out of it” …I was in pain.

My nurse ventured to tell me I had low pain tolerance. Maybe. But, if the epidural was working (it was not), I’d have felt a lot better. I’ve had an epidural before. And let me tell you…it worked. Fine. Dandy, actually. But, since the dude decided to hit a nerve…not so much now. The contractions were strong, so they gave me extra oxygen. I was having trouble “catching” my breath. A Eucharistic minister came in and gave myself and my dad Eucharist. And then…it was time to push.

I won’t tell you what it felt like. Either you know, or you don’t. And..no explanation will ever help you understand. In between pushes, I used my handy dandy oxygen mask. At that point, they’d told me to rest every other contraction. Right. Easier said than done. I think it’s like going against nature actually. My body and her body…wanted her OUT. Now. After 39 minutes of pushing, Lorelei was born. (12:39 in the afternoon)

For the pushing, I don’t remember a whole lot. Time was blurry. My mom and husband were present. He didn’t pass out. Mom couldn’t give me ice chips fast enough. I wanted them in between contractions, so by the time she got them to me, I was shoving them out of the way. I also remember there was a nurse gal in training. She actually “measured” my dilation at one point because my nurse, Sally, thought it’d be cool for her. Good for you, dear. This attraction/amusement park is now closed.

So, Lorelei came. She was blue and didn’t cry much at first. They put her on my chest and wiped her down, then put her under the heat lamp to do the suctioning and such. For a few minutes, I didn’t hear her cry. I kept asking “Is she okay? Is she okay?” Of course, they told me yes…but I could see worry in Steven’s face. Apparently, her cord had gotten around her neck a little tightly. She was okay, though.

Before I even laid eyes upon my daughter, I knew I loved her. It’s one of the deepest connections I have EVER felt. The deepest. And, when I laid eyes on that beautiful little face? I fell so deeply and madly in love all over again. Nothing else mattered…I just needed her in my arms.

Welcome back!