MY HOSPITAL VISIT

BIOPHYSICAL PROFILE (BPP)MEASUREMENTS

Joel and I went in for my 34 week appointment to check baby’s growth. Back at our 32 week appointment, baby’s fundal measurement was 29, which meant she was a little small for how far along I was. Once the doctor checked her growth via ultrasound, we found out baby was in the 15th percentile with her abdomen measuring in the 2nd percentile. You can imagine how big my eyes got and the 1,000 questions I had. Our doctor went on to explain that weekly ultrasounds going forward will be given to monitor 5  physical attributes in a BioPhysical Profile test (BPP) - movement, fetal hr, muscle tone, breathing and amniotic fluid. Baby was then given a score of 0-8. This score told us if she is better off continuing to grow and get strong outside or inside my belly. Each week was a new BPP test and each week she showed growth and strength!!! Whew! Our doctor decided that she would still be more safe coming a little early to continue to grow so at week 39 I was scheduled (Wednesday 15th) for induction. 

Well... contractions started Monday morning around 3 am so our game plan was a little more exciting. I started noticing my contractions lasting about 60 seconds and happening every 5 minutes. They started as cramps but by 8:30, we decided to go to my clinic to check it out. They put baby and I on a non stress test and checked my cervix. I was anxious they would send us home and that’s exactly what happened. I was only 1.5cm dilated and contractions weren’t intolerable at this point so back home we went. 

We got home and about 2 hours later the fun started. Contractions started to become SUPER STRONG so I started moving my body to try and alleviate the pressure each time a contraction came. I bounced slowly on my ball, rocked my hips side to side and back and fourth and also got into table top position and rocked my hips side to side. These positions seemed to help but the pressure was getting unbearable at this point. I looked at the clock and it was around 1:30 pm. I called my clinic again and they told us to go to the hospital for a maternal assessment. We jumped in the car with our bags and hoped that we wouldn't get turned away again. What happened in the next hour truly shocked me, Joel and the nurses. [I truly believe that doing the above exercises is what really helped kick my labor into gear.]

GOING TO THE HOSPITAL

I got into the car and contractions were crazy close together, about 3 minutes and STRONG. I had to have Joel stop in the hospital parking lot 3 times because they were so strong. (The bumps we’re not fun). Once we got to the MAC (maternal assessment center) the nurse asked all the questions while baby was being monitored. She then checked my cervix and I had jumped to 6cm! I was ecstatic; I was here to stay! Then BOOM, my water broke. Weirdest feeling ever. 

DELIVERY + POSTPARTUM

Once we got settled in the delivery room, Joel wasted no time in making it comfortable for me. I had packed some labor oils and a diffuser which Joel set up right away. I also brought our own pillows for Joel and I, a blanket, my own cozy robe (which I didn’t use until after delivery), snacks (a must for postpartum!!) and my water bottle. Our delivery room was big; couch for Joel, tub/soaker, bathroom, TV, fridge; it was very welcoming. I had pre-registered online months before which made things so easy with paperwork. The nurses knew my pregancy background, knew what medication I was supposed to be given + knew my birth goals.

My contractions were, yep, STRONG AF. I could handle the pressure of each contraction but the pain was WILD! I told myself that the most important thing to do is breath with every contraction. Each time I could feel one coming on, I would close my eyes, breath a heavy yoga-like breath and try to remain as calm as I could. 

BREATH.BREATH.BREATH. That's really all I could think about when each contraction started.

A little side note: Once your water breaks, it necessarily doesn't just break then stop. For me, each time I had a contraction she moved which caused more fluid to escape. 

My delivery nurse was amazing and so supportive. Her and Joel were by my side for EVERY contraction helping me through it and making sure I was breathing. Since I didn't have a birth plan, I set my intentions on just getting through each contraction and deciding what to do next. I pat myself on the back because I think I made it pretty far before I asked for the epidural. I knew that it would take about an hour for it to kick in after requesting it so I kept that in mind as well. There was certainly other options to choose from for pain management but I decided that the GOOD stuff was where it was at. After being administered the epidural, the pain went away but the pressure of each contraction was still present. It wasn’t a horrible feeling; just like a long cramp. After about an hour I was almost ready to start pushing. I had to wait a little longer for her to descend a little bit more but as soon as my body was ready, I was ready. To get her to descend, I used a peanut ball between my legs. This helped open my hips so she could move down the birth canal easier. Once she was all the way down, the doctor came in and it was go time! 

Our doctor came in, slapped her gloves on and said, “You’re ready, let’s celebrate a birthday!”. The delivery nurse started setting up the end of the bed, the baby nurse got her station ready for Finley, and Joel perched himself right by my shoulders. My body + mind was ready for this bundle of joy to come into this world. I was so excited to meet her and I just kept thinking, “Wow, what an amazing experience. My body is going to do something so incredible and when this is all over, I will be a mother to my daughter.” The nurse and doctor set me up in the pushing position [legs up on those weird holders], and once a contraction started, I wrapped my hands around the back of my thighs and started to push down. One big deep breath in and a big push for 10 slow seconds while holding my breath. The nurse counted and I did my thing :) After the first round of pushing, she crowned. I reached down and felt her head and Joel was simply amazed [maybe in shock too] at the beautiful sight lol. Two more rounds of pushing and Finley Harte came into the world! She made a 10 minute speedy delivery and was perfect in every way. 

I had one small tear and was relived that I didn't poop during delivery LOL. 

On August 13th 2018, we welcomed a healthy and happy baby girl. 

Welcome to the world Finley Harte Livingood ❤️

xx,

GL