Christa's Birth

I had such a wonderful labor and delivery, and I know I'd be curious, so here is the story.

As you know, we were induced at 40 weeks and 4 days. John and I arrived at the hospital at 7:15am. We had the BEST nurse, Kristi, and by 8:30 I was on the pitocin drip and we were all chatting and laughing away like best friends. Although I was on the pitocin I was still able to be on my feet and on the "ball" which was great. I really didn't want to be in the bed.


10:30 my amazing Dr, Bryan, came and broke my water....I was 2cm. No meconium thank goodness! My body took a lot of pit to start getting good contractions going. Finally at 12:30 the contractions were coming right on top of each other, and although each contraction was bearable, the frequency was enough to bring in the CRNA. She, Jody, was great....she listened to my concerns about my last epidural. We had a game plan. John stayed in the room to watch with great interest. He wanted to ask TONS of questions of Jody and chat with her while she was putting in my epidural....I had to be "rude" (but I was the laboring mom right?!!) and tell him to stop talking to the person who was sticking a giant needle into my epidural space!


The Epidural was perfect. My body seemed to relax and figure things out right after that, because the nurse was able to turn down the pit drip and let my body do a lot of the work of contractions. I was 4cm then.

I rested, chatted with Kristi and John. At 3:15 John said he was going to grab a bite to eat....I suggested he run down the street to subway. Kristi suggested he just run to the basement and get something made to order at the grill in the cafeteria (the hospital food is so gross). Good call on her part, granted she is experienced at this, cause at 3:40 I started to get "the feeling."

It isn't pain, but pressure.....sorry to use the word...but it is rectal pressure. Although I couldn't feel the contractions, I could feel that "feeling." I knew what it was. I told Kristi....we waited for a few more of those "feelings" to pass, then she checked me.....I was complete! WOW! I didn't expect that at all. Immediately I start crying, Kristi was so compassionate and wants to know what's wrong.....I replied, "I'm worried John won't make it back." Thankfully a quick call verified he was in the elevator on his way back. WHEW!


Kristi call Bryan, who came from his house 3 minutes away. I started pushing at 3:45. I pushed only with contractions, and at 4:12 my sweet daughter was born. Kristi was so awesome, and let me warm Christa up on my skin with warm blankets on top of both of us....which was so wonderful. Bryan tried turning her little body 3 times during delivery, trying to get her face downward, but she wouldn't have anything to do with that. She was born face up....causing her face to be very bruised and leaving me in need of ...... well lets just say..... a few stitches. Yikes!
Thankfully, I didn't feel that part with my wonderful epidural. Poor John saw it coming.....and I could see it on his face. I wasn't concerned....at that point, what can you do, nothing! I was so calm during the delivery, when Bryan told me I'd have a tear I was fine with it. But Poor John was so concerned Bryan had to reassure him several times that everything was going to be okay. Needless to say John has been very compassionate to me this week, not asking me go up and down the stairs more than necessary :)


Christa had wonderful apgar scores. She wasn't interested in eating at.....but she just looked at me and John for hours. It was so wonderful!



I continue to be amazed that I did it, and that women have babies. It is a miracle and hard hard work, but worth every second for positive outcomes. I'm so thankful for my opportunity to travel a scary road for my children....I know it isn't an opportunity that comes to all women.....and I'm thankful for my positive happy outcome....my beautiful children!