Deena's Page
Kyler's Birth Story - Mom's Perspective
I'm happy to say that
Kyler, our baby boy, was finally born on March 22, although not without causing
quite a commotion. Following is what I can remember of the events leading up
to his birth. The story is kind of long, so don’t feel like you have to read
all of it. If you do want to read it, make yourself comfortable!!
The contractions started on Sunday night, March 19, and I stayed up all night thinking that we would be going to the hospital soon. Christopher was up most of the night with me helping me through the contractions. We knew they weren’t close enough together to go to the hospital, so I used my breathing techniques to cope with them. They really weren’t too bad, just a bit disruptive enough to get our attention.
Monday the contractions continued. I called Bryan to let him know I wouldn’t be in to work. He was immediately prepared to make phone calls and go to the hospital whenever the time came. Christopher took off work, and we ended up going for a walk at the mall to try to speed things along. I didn’t call the doctor until late that afternoon, because I knew I wasn’t ready for the hospital yet. The nurse confirmed that I wasn’t ready and told me to call in the morning. Once again we were up all night with contractions. They were starting to get stronger and closer together, and we thought that we would be going to the hospital that night. Bryan, Kendra and my mom came over at about 9:00 to bring me some juice, and I told them it would probably be pretty soon, maybe as early as in an hour. When the contractions were about 5 minutes apart for an hour I called the hospital, and they told us to wait awhile longer, until the contractions were 3-4 minutes apart. Unfortunately they just became less regular, and we spent the night at home, without getting much rest.
The next morning I went to the doctor, and I found out I was only dilated to a 3 (if I recall correctly). This meant I was still not ready to go to the hospital. They would have sent me home. The doctor told me to call back at about 2:30 and to come back in if I hadn’t gone to the hospital by then. That’s what we did, and this time we were given permission (not orders) to go to the hospital if we wanted to. Dr. Calvert also stripped my membranes to help speed things along. We arrived to the hospital and had to wait for a room. I finally got in at about 4:00, and my water broke shortly after that, at about 5:00 or so.
Eventually I was transferred to labor and delivery, where I labored all night. That night the contractions were still not regular enough, although their intensity was increasing. I finally decided to ask for some Stadol to help with the pain, and I was able to rest (actually sleep!) between contractions. As my labor was not progressing as it should, the doctor suggested giving me Pitocin to speed things up. I knew this would make the contractions more intense, so I asked for more Stadol to help me with the pain. Eventually the Stadol wore off, and the Pitocin was pumped up. This part was very uncomfortable for me. I couldn’t have any more Stadol until the baby’s heart rate picked up (The baby was sleeping.) Eventually when it was safe I was given another dose. Christopher and I were alone most of the night, with soft music playing, breathing through the contractions.
Although I felt like we were making progress, I was only dilated to about 5 centimeters by the next morning. The nurses changed shifts, and in came two very noisy nurses. One was a trainee. I was not happy with their bedside manner. They didn’t seem to understand or respect what we had been through all night. My doctor came in and suggested that I have an epidural in hopes that my muscles would relax enough for my cervix to dilate. He mentioned the possibility of a C Section if this plan was not effective. I was ready for anything by then, so I agreed. For something I really didn’t want to have, the epidural was wonderful. I really was able to get some sleep for the first time in over 72 hours. However, it did not help with dilation as we had hoped. I only progressed to 5 or 6 centimeters, and the morning was almost over. So the decision was made to do a C Section. This was mostly due to the fact that it had been so long since my waters had broken. Again, I readily agreed. I was excited about being able to see my baby soon.
I was wheeled into the operating room at 12:15 to prep for surgery. Christopher got to come in with me during the surgery, and I was glad he was there. We talked to each other and to the doctors and nurses throughout the whole operation. It was a strange experience for me. I felt pretty good except for being really tense and shaky out of nervousness and excitement. Finally we were blessed with a baby boy, Kyler Christopher.
(Later I found out that Kyler was 9 pounds, 6.4 ounces, 21 ¼ inches long. He was born at precisely 12:58 PM.)
As the baby was being born my doctor couldn’t get over how big he was. I desperately wanted to see him, but I didn’t get to until he was wiped off, wrapped up and brought over to me. This seemed to take an eternity. When they brought him over, all I could see was his face, and I didn’t have the opportunity to hold him. This was really difficult for me. Thank goodness I was so tired. Christopher went with him to the nursery for his bath and all of this tests and procedures. The family got to see him at that point.
Meanwhile, I was wheeled off to recovery, and on the way I had the opportunity to hold Kyler for a minute or so. I rested in a room by myself. My minister somehow found me, came in to see me and then let my parents know where I was. They paid me a visit, and then Christopher came in with me. I was fairly spaced out from the drugs and the whole experience. I gradually regained movement and feeling (in that order!) in my legs and body. I felt REALLY strange when I was able to move my feet without being aware that I was moving them!
Finally I was transferred to post pardom, where I was able to hold and nurse the baby. We had lots of visitors and got lots of wonderful gifts for Kyler over the next three days. (Check out the pictures on Kyler’s page!) Christopher and I stayed in the hospital together with the baby for three nights and went home on Saturday. We were ready by then!
Thank you to everyone who was with us in the hospital during labor and came to visit after Kyler was born. We are blessed with wonderful, supportive friends and family in addition to our beautiful healthy baby boy!!
If you would like to send email to the new mother, she can be contacted at Deena@Powerhouse-Online.Com.