The loooong birth of Finley

[Asparagus78]

If anyone in the November DDC remembers, I was terrified of having another lighting fast birth. My DS1's labour was less than 2 hours from start to finish, and he was ultimately born on a stretcher in the hallway of the hospital, with no dr. present. Quick, almost painless, and super-fast recovery, although the panic was no fun... This time I wanted to make sure we made it to the birthing room. So when I started feeling low-back pressure and menstrual-like cramps on Monday afternoon, I called my husband, who agreed we should head over to the hospital to get checked out. By 4 p.m. contractions were 4 mins. apart, and pretty strong. We made childcare plans and headed out, convinced we'd have a baby by supper time. At the hospital they told me I was 3 cm, and unlikely to be in active labour, so we opted to walk around a bit and come back for a check. At 8 p.m. I was having ctx 2 mins. apart, but much to my dismay, still at 3 cm. The nurse told us to go home... We reluctantly agreed, even though I was in a lot of discomfort, and could hardly move even between ctx because of insane back pain (they did offer to admit me if I needed pain meds, but I didn't). We laboured at home all night, with the ctx staying at 2 mins. and remaining at the same intensity. At 6 am, we headed back to the hospital. Still 3 cm, so back home we went. At that point, I told my DH that I was staying in the tub and having the baby there. At 2 pm, I decided to see if I could feel my own cervix, and I was pretty sure I was more than 3 cm, although not much. Back in the tub I went. I was starting to feel pretty discouraged and didn't think I could tolerate much more pain. I felt like I was handling the ctx ok, but the back pain kept me from moving and was just plain excruciating. By 6 pm, I was crying and pretty much begging for someone to take this baby out. My DH decided we should go back to the hospital. Another check... 4 cm! (Although I think the nurse just said that so I wouldn't have a complete meltdown...). They decided to admit, and by 8 pm, we were in the L&D room. I begged to talk to a dr., but they said they would only call for a consult if I needed pain meds or if no change happened in the next hour. Come 9 pm, and another nurse, and yet another exam. Back to 3 cm!!! The dr. was called, and she decided to break my water at 9:36 pm. By 9:50 I started feeling a lot of pressure, a lo and behold, it was the baby coming down. Little Finley was born just 20 minutes after having my water broken at 3 cm, and he came out in one push! What a relief, but I wish someone would have offered to break my water 20 hours earlier. I have no idea why I stalled at 3 cm for so long, but I'm happy it's done! Yay!

[bicyclingbethany]

That's bizarre...what position was your baby in? Sorry about the back labour...I feel for you.

But congratulations on your baby!

[jess152]

Holy cow, he was just too comfy in there! no rush to get out!

Welcome Finley!