11/28
2PM Doctor’s visit: 3cm dilated, 100% effaced.
My back was sore like menstrual cramp and contractions came more frequent, after the doctor checked my cervix. And I noticed spotting.
6PM Mucous plug dislodged.
By dinner, I am pretty sure my mucous plug has dislodged – I had bloody show, a mixture of brown and pink mucous with tiny amount of blood. With the frequent and short, but irregular contractions, I also feel a little light headed. That may be caused by fighting with the contractions.
10:30PM Bedtime
I put a piece of shiroro’s wee-wee pad underneath the bed sheet incase my water break in the middle of the night.
11/29
1:30AM Waken by contractions
It did feel like menstrual cramp, but it came and went, only lasted about 20 to 30 seconds. I was a little disappointed when I found out it was just 1:30 in the morning. I wished I had gone to bed earlier so I would had more rest before dealing with contractions. I tried to time my contractions and they seemed quiet regular.
3:00AM Last meal
2 mochi breads, 1 cup of milk, and 6 pieces of almonds.
I decided to get up and eat something. This could my last solid food before the baby comes.
6:40AM Maybe we should get ready
I think it is almost time to go to the hospital. I woke up hubby, and start to get myself ready.
9:30AM Arrive at hospital: 4cm dilated, 100% effaced
After the nurse checked me into the triage, and repeated asked me some question, such as if I smoke, drink, or have any allergies, I was admitted into the hospital. The labor room is big and quiet. They hooked me up with baby heart rate and contraction monitors, plus IV and antibiotic right away. I was so sleepy and spent plenty of time on the bed in the morning.
1:00PM check up: 5.5cm dilated, 100% effaced.
After lunch time, my nurse came in and check my cervix. The progress seemed slow, but my doctor still considered this is good progress, didn’t order any oxytocin. Contractions was less frequent in the afternoon, and didn’t get more painful. I stood up and walked around to release the soreness on my hip.
5:30PM Still 6cm dilated
My doctor finally dropped by, but my labor did not progress much from earlier. He tried to break my bag of water without success, because the baby’s head was too engaged to the pelvic bone – scratch too hard may hurt the baby. He ordered 2 milliunit/min oxytocin, hoping to speed things up.
9:30PM Epidural salesman arrived
Even with all the warmth and caring in this hospital, it still made me feel that they were plotting something. I was such a good patient, never complained or screamed at my discomfort, except for occupied the spacious labor room for whole 12 hours without much progress.
One of the night shift nurses was very loud and energetic. She came in and checked on me, asked how I felt and praised me that I was still smiling after dealing the contractions whole day. Then she repeated my options for pain management. On top of that, she, the first one in my stay, encouraged me to use epidural since my dilation didn’t progress much, and it is going to be long way to delivery. Besides epidural , I was also offered a short term pain meds, which will only last 1 to 2 hours and not as strong. I decided to take a shot of the latter to take a nap and think about what to do next.
11PM “Push, Jade-chan, push…”
When I woke up from my even more painful contractions, it was close to 11.
Finally, I agreed on the epidural. At the same time, my doctor came in, planning to insert a monitor inside to better monitor the contractions, which helps determine how much more oxytocin can be used. He tried to break my water again. This time, it broke. I felt a stream of warm fluid exited my body. Then, he said, “Why don’t we try to push. You are 9 centimeter, almost 10.”
I began to push every time contraction came. The nurse started opening a large package which has been sitting on a rolling table from the beginning. She came over to help me whenever I need to push and tried to encourage me by calling “push, Jade-chan, push! Ganbare!” I wanted to laugh but couldn’t.
When I was pushing, all the pain subsided. I just felt an unstoppable urge to push, squeezing every organ in my chest.
11/30
00:47 AM The first cry
After who knows how many push, the nurse said she can see the head of the baby, asked if I want to see. Before I answered, she brought in a mirror. Well, I saw it, but it definitely not going to help.
After a short while, my doctor and a resident OB, and another nurse came in. They started putting on scrubs, laying large blue fabric on me. I felt needle poking and numbness – crap, epistonomy! I ran away from epidural, but still couldn’t avoid a cut and some stitches later.
After a few pushes and stops. Just when I was worried that I would not be able to push much longer, my doctor asked me if I wanted to pull her out myself. What?! Pull what out? The nurse pushed me up. OMG! I couldn’t believe my eyes – it is over! Half of the baby’s body is out. And then, she started crying.
She got a quick wiped-off and handed to me. Dark hair with chestnut highlight covers her head. She was alert. Her eyes are open, looking around. Lips liked soft petals, opened and closed. Skin was pink and soft, covered with a layer of very fine golden hair. Look at those tiny figures and tiny toes… Thank god! She is healthy, she is perfect!
Hello, sweetie, sugar pie, little bunny, panda-chan! You’re my daughter. We finally met!
