Third Time is the Charm

After two trips to labor and delivery on the Thursday before Elliott's arrival (due to painful contractions) and being sent home, Chad and I were reluctant to go in on Sunday July 19. We spent the day celebrating Marla's birthday by seeing Harry Potter (3 of the longest, most terrible hours of my life) and then going to dinner. The contractions that started Thursday, after having the terb pump removed the day before, continued through the weekend...hurting about 70% of the time, but not getting any more intense then a 6 or 7 on a 10 scale for pain and not getting closer then 5-6 minutes apart. In fact, Sunday evening (after leaving the dinner early because I was hurting too bad to sit and eat...even to just sit) the contractions still were only every 4-6 minutes, I was just in too much pain to make it through the night, so Chad and I packed up and headed to the hospital. When we got there I was still only dialated to a 1, no progression since the Thursday night visit to l&d. They had me walk for 45 minutes and checked me again, no progress. They gave me a couple of pills for the pain, no relief. They checked me in overnight and gave me a shot of Demerol, some relief...and kept me until the doctor could see me in the morning (at this point it was about 4am, and he was expected around 7am or so). The doctor came in (not my doctor, but this was a relief since I ended up not liking him at all and was dreading that I would be in his care during labor...instead it was Dr.White (the same doctor that delivered LD for Trish)) and checked me and I had progressed to a 2 and my 'membranes' were bulging so he went ahead and broke my water (gross). I thought I was in pain before with the contractions, but they immediatley intensified both in the front and in my back. I was sobbing and thrashing about in my bed for about 45 minutes waiting on the epidural. Threatened Chad that if his mom came in with a camera I'd be pissed, almost didn't want to call my family and let them know that Elliott would be making her appearance by the days end because I didn't want anyone to see me like that (I would compare this entire scene to something out of the Excorcist). Of course, once the epidural was in I was dilated to a 5 and very relaxed...ready for visitors. Mel, Dan and Briley stopped by for a visit...things were going well. At noon they came in and told me to let them know if I felt any pressure, Trish was on her way up so that she could be our photographer (since my Dad had first dibs, but was in Iowa for his mardi gras on bikes ride across the state -RAGBRAI, Trish was the only person I would even consider having by my side...no offense Mom, but I know you too well and your worrying would make me worry more), my mom and Marla were there hanging out. Trish got there with the boys and since Grayson hadn't eaten, Mom, Trish and G went to the cafeteria for lunch. Marla stayed in the room watching little D. I looked at Chad and told him that I thought I might be feeling pressure, but since I was completely numb was having a hard time telling. Chad told me that the nurses were gonna be back in 15 minutes and just to wait. I waited about 5 and told him that I thought we should call them, Marla called Trish to let her know they were checking me. Dr. Gagnon came in and said it was go time. Marla gathered up baby D and tried to get out of the room, called Trish and told her to get upstairs asap. Dr. Gagnon had me do a couple of test pushes, told me I'd be pushing about an hour and left. Marla called Trish and told her I'd be pushing, but it would be a while....Trish was trying to find an elevator or stairs since the elevator they took downstairs was no longer working. Marla was still in the hallway gathering everything to take to the waiting room, I'm pushing with the nurses in the room and Chad by my side, when they tell me to stop and page Dr. Gagnon. As he came rushing back, Marla called Trish again and told her to hurry. Mom, Trish and G make it back upstairs. Mom and Marla gather the boys and head towards the waiting room. Trish gets the camera ready, Chad is still by my side, and after 7 hours of labor and about 5 minutes of pushing...Elliott arrives-7 pounds, 21 inches, full head of hair (darker than either of ours...Tracy has some explaining to do), and screaming. Mom and Marla had not even made it down the hall yet. I guess after 9 weeks of contractions, Elliott was ready to come out and play. NICU nurses were standing by because she was 4 weeks early, they laid her on my tummy for a second and then got to work on checking her and cleaning her up. They let us know that her breathing was not where they wanted it to be, but not bad...they'd be keeping her for 4 hours in NICU to monitor her. Chad went with Elliott to NICU, and came back with the news that she would be there overnight. It was very surreal to have had a baby, but not have her with us...not get to hold her. It was difficult to tell people not to come visit because there wouldn't be a baby to see. Elliott spent the first 15 hours in NICU on oxygen and a feeding tube, they removed them the next morning and began bottle feeding her. We were able to go visit at 11am, and Chad held Elliott for the first time (I cried)...since she was taking the bottle so well, we were able to try to breast feed her at her 2pm feeding (Chad missed this due to a quick trip home turned to a 5 hour deal due to a flat tire and no jack), since she did so good on that they brought her to us at 5pm and we were able to go home the next afternoon. Below are pictures from the hospital and Elliott's trip home. Another blog to follow soon with updates on the past 3 weeks. Tracy really got on a roll here and I can't imagine a detail that has been left out...so I'll chime in more on the next one.