Sondra's Web Page

Thomas' Arrival - Labor & Delivery:

I was supposed to check into the hospital Thursday, May 26th, but to "call first to make sure there was a bed." However, every time I called, they would tell us they were slammed and to call back in 2 hours. Finally they said for us to come up and we could "wait in the hall for a room." Well, that had been my biggest concern - that we would have to wait. You see Tom was a bit "irritated" that while we were waiting in the hallway, others who are not here as legally and as paid-in-full as we, were in OUR birthing room. I feared if we went up there and ended up in the hall on a cot, I'd end up bailing my husband out of jail instead of delivering a baby. Fortunately when we arrived, they had their largest room available!

 Grandmas in the Labor/Delivery Room

So, I still got to check into the hospital Wednesday night. I was 75% effaced, 1 cm dilated, and Thomas was stationed as high as you can be (you want them to be low); so they administered Cervidil to get the cervix ready. 

    Dad trying to get some sleep Wednesday night

On Thursday morning, I was still 75% effaced and 1 cm dilated, but they went ahead and induced. For the first several hours, I had some contractions, but I thought "well, this is no big deal. I can handle this!" And, when the midwife would see that look on my face, she would say I hadn't progressed any, as I was TOO happy.

    "Happy Sondra"

At about 3:30 p.m., all that changed. I was suddenly presented with the feeling of "real" contractions. For those of you who labored through hours (days) of that - I salute you! You are better women than me. Unfortunately, with every contraction, Thomas heart beat dropped.  He was under stress.

    Sondra on her side & on oxygen during a contraction & Thomas' heart beat dropping

At 5 p.m. they checked me again, and I showed no sign of progress, and Thomas had not dropped any! So, they decided to do a C-Section.

    Dad suits up for the C-Section

At a little after 7:00 p.m., they started the procedures for a C-Section. For those of you who do not know - the big epidural needle has been my biggest fear. So imagine my joy to find out the Spinal Block needle is a little smaller - but a lot longer. It has to go in 3 inches (?) more than the Epidural. I tried so hard to sit still, but I did jerk twice. I am not brave in the face of needle pain/discomfort.

    Mom suits up for the C-Section

The Spinal Block took effect immediately and affected me more than it usually affects people. Instead of being numb from the chest down, but awake, I was in a twilight kind of awake - I could sometimes hear the conversation and even reply (sometimes with effort). But, for the most part, I was out of it. And, I felt numb from my throat down - so I couldn't swallow. I kept telling the doctor I was going to puke, but my heart rate was fine so he didn't believe me.

    Thomas - moments after birth.

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