Kellen James - 7.22.10

alinne1026 · #1 March 13th, 2012, 11:08 AM

I had this all typed up and it was lost, so I will try again!! Since Kellen is sleeping and I've had my nap, I figure now's my chance!

I woke up at 2am to pee and, when I wiped, there was the bloody show! Soon after, the cramping started and I knew it was go time. I walked around a bit and then woke dh and called Mom to drive over to stay with the kids. Now I remembered what real contractions feel like - cramping in the back that wraps around to the front and extremely painful!!

When Mom and Dad got to the house, we headed to the hospital. At 3 am, I was hooked up to monitors and continued to contract every 3-5 minutes. When I was checked, I was 2-3 cm but they decided to keep me because of my discomfort. I walked the halls for 10 minutes and then they wanted to start my IV. Contractions were still coming every 2-3 minutes and some back to back. They were quite painful. The nurse asked me if I was ready for the epidural and I certainly was. She said she'd give me 10 minutes, check me, and if I was at least 4 cm she would call the doc and order the epi.

Ten minutes later, I was 5 cm with a bulging bag of waters and doc was on the way. By 4am, doc was there and checked me and I was now 6-7 cm. The anisthesiolgist came in and the whole experience started to go down hill. I was expecting the instant relief I felt with dd2. Nope! I was only numb on one side and barely numb at that. They had me rolling and sitting up and twisting; all the while, I'm having contractions like I've never felt before. The anesthesiologist decided to 'fix' things by adding a spinal block. The doc was waiting in the hall to break my bag of waters. As soon as the spinal was done, the doc took a couple minutes to break my bag and I went from 8-10 cm in a matter of a couple minutes. Unfortunately, the pain was unbearable and my personality took a turn for the worse! Thankfully, my lady bits were numb so at least I didn't feel the ring of fire.

The pain felt like my c-section scar was about to rip but doc said it was probably just because baby was so low. He wanted me to try to push around 6:45 and I was more than ready. I was crying from the pain and I believe I told everyone that 'I can't do this' at least 10 times. I pushed as soon as I got my next contraction and I could tell that this was my only way to get relief. Doc was soon telling me that baby would be out with my next push. That's when things got scary...

With my next contraction, I pushed with everything I had. The doc quickly discovered that the cord was around the neck and that one shoulder was stuck. I was told to push with everything I had and, according to dh, doc was trying to pull the cord away from his neck while trying to get the arm out. Finally after what seemed like an eternity, baby was out. Doc was calling for the NICU to recessitate baby because he was blue and not breathing. DH was shaking with fear and I saw the tears in his eyes. I was in shock. They were giving him oxygen and rubbing his back while he layed there blue on my chest. The NICU nurse quickly whisked him to the warming table and finally after at least a full minute, Kellen's eyes opened and there was a weak cry. Huge sighs of relief!!

Unfortunately, Kellen's face is all blue and bruised from this experience and I think dh has at least 30 more grey hairs. The good news is that he is thriving and did not need to spend any time in the NICU. His color is slowly coming back and he's eating, sleeping, and pooping like a champ.

He was 9lbs, 10.5oz and 20.5 inches long. I only had a 1st degree tear which is awesome! He's sleeping peacefully next to me as we speak and I will be sending him to the nursery tonight for some peace of mind. I know I will be exhausted and they will monitor him like a hawk.

That's the story of my successful VBAC, Kellen's 'exciting' entrance, and the start of our new life with our precious little boy!! I will post pics soon.

Gray_baby · #2 March 13th, 2012, 11:08 AM

Congrats on a successful VBAC and your baby boy! How scary but I'm glad he's doing ok. What a fast labor too - WOW! Have all your labors been that short?

alinne1026 · #3 March 13th, 2012, 11:08 AM

Good luck with your VBAC's ladies!!

My first VBAC was pretty short too from the 5 cm - birth point. I think I was pushing about 30 minutes with my first VBAC but this time the whole labor was much shorter from the first contraction to his birth.

lovely_serendipity · #4 March 13th, 2012, 11:08 AM

Lurking from Sept. DDC!!! He is beautiful. Congrats!!!

SouleBaby · #5 March 13th, 2012, 11:08 AM

Awww, thank you for sharing such a great story. I hope Kellen continues to do well and you get some well deserved rest! I too am hoping for a VBAC. This is my second pregnancy and my first was September 2005 ending with E-C section. I am hoping that with such time in between, I should have no problems.
You accomplished a lot today and I am proud of you!!