Baby Brooke: Born the Day Before Scheduled Induction!
Name: Lindsay Bryan
Baby’s Name: Brooke Bryan
Weight: 6lbs 2oz
Length: 18in
Birthday: June 20, 2018
Gestation: 40 weeks 4 days
Time of Birth: 11am
Location of Birth: La Canada, CA
I woke up that morning like any other morning. Rolled out of bed still half asleep, stumbled to the bathroom, went pee for what felt like the 20th time that hour and instantly realized something was different. I noticed I was spotting which I hadn’t done this entire pregnancy so I called my Dr right away.
(Before I continue, I was supposed to be induced the following day if I had not shown any progress before then. I was already past my due date.)
After talking to my Dr, he instructed me to just go straight to the hospital. My nerves set in instantly. I woke up my husband and said, “Get ready!! She’s coming! But don’t rush because I need to blow-dry my hair and put makeup on.” Yes, I was that crazy person that wanted to show up to the hospital completely put together.
As we were on our way, I was sending out mass text messages to friends and family saying, “It’s go time!” getting myself and everyone else all hyped up for her big arrival. It was then that I felt like the past 9 months had just flashed before my eyes.. I couldn’t believe this day had finally come!
When we got to the hospital the nurses immediately greeted us and showed me to my room. I changed into my hospital gown and socks where I waited with such excitement! All I could think about was, I’m finally going to meet her and that today was the day my life was going to change!
But not so fast.
It was then where I was told the news I wasn’t prepared to hear..
“You’re only 1cm dilated and your water hasn’t broken. It’s time to go home.”
“Wait.. what?! I can’t go home. I have to come back tomorrow anyways. Can’t you just keep me?”
I was so upset. I had gotten myself so mentally ready to get this started all to just go back home?! I felt like I was doing “the walk of shame” down the hospital halls. Here I was.. still very pregnant, uncomfortable and heading back to our house.
Oh another thing I forgot to mention: We live about an hour away from the hospital. So imagine how much fun those car rides were.
Naturally I rush to the bathroom as soon as we get home and what do you know.. the minute I hit the kitchen my water breaks ALL OVER THE FLOOR. For a minute I was second guessing myself. I thought, am I this pregnant that I really just peed all over the place?! However, there was no mistaking this. Not only was it my amniotic fluid everywhere but there was also meconium. Which if you don’t know what that is, it’s the baby’s first stool. Apparently common if you’ve passed your due date, however a risk if the baby had inhaled it.
Fast forward to an hour later.. We are back at the hospital and this time WE WERE STAYING!
It was when I was dilated to 3cm I realized there was no way I was doing this thing naturally. I give those mamas that do go the natural route so much credit. You moms are like Superwoman! Maybe I have a low pain tolerance but wow, that pain was unlike anything I’ve ever felt in my lifetime. I remember digging my own nails into my arms and legs trying to distract myself from the contractions.
Now here comes the worst part of my labor experience. I requested an epidural and within 45 minutes the anesthesiologist arrives. Never did I imagine I’d actually be happy to see someone that’s planning to stick a giant needle into my back. Well it didn’t go as planned. What should have taken 20 minutes ended up taking an hour and after 4 miserable pokes, they got it right. Do you know how hard it is to sit still, bent over, while you’re having contractions?
Once that kicked in, I was in la la land. I slept, watched The Office and before you know it I was dilated to 10cm and ready to push. 2 1/2 hours later, my little babe made her way into this world!
All in all, I can’t say I had an awful experience in fact I honestly consider myself quite lucky. I was in labor for technically 15 1/2 hours and was out of the hospital in 2 days. I didn’t have any other complications other than the meconium issue which she checked out just fine by the NICU nurses. I got to avoid being induced and was able to have the vaginal birth I had planned for.
The ironic thing, even though I can remember I was in pain during my contractions, I couldn’t even tell you what they felt like. I think the joy of actually having my little girl has wiped any bad memory away.
It’s true when they say you don’t know love until you have a child.
She’s so perfect.
She is my everything.
Giving birth to Brooke has taught me I’m a lot stronger than what I ever thought I was!
