Congrats to our "Labor Day" Contest Winner!

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Permalink Reply by Tonya Williams on September 1, 2009 at 9:42am

Both of my labor and deliveries were pretty short but both had some interesting things happening.

With my first birth, I was at the hospital so many times with Braxton Hicks that they knew me on a first name basis. The night I actually began labor was rather comical. I could not sleep so I decided to go into the living room to read a book. As I turned to shut the bedroom door, my water broke. I calmly woke my husband to tell him and his response was "Are you sure?" I told him I would let him clean up the mess so that he would be sure. We were living with my mother-in-law and our car had died about 2 days prior, so he had to wake her for the keys to her car. Her response, "Is she sure?". We got to the hospital at approximately 2am and I still had not started having pains yet. The pains began around 5 so I called my mom and told her. Everything moved very quickly. When they came in to give me my epidural, my husband gasped when he saw the size of the needle and the anesthesiologist almost made him leave the room. My mother showed at around 7:45, but they were only allowing visitors for 5 mins every hour. She came in at 8 to see me and an intern came in to check my progress and insert a cathetor. He told me that he couldn't do either because my son had already crowned. By the time they got me moved to a delivery room, it was pretty much over. I pushed a couple of times (or at least did my best impression of pushing since I couldn't feel anything from the waist down). My son was born at 8:17 AM

My daughter was a whole other story. She tried to come earlier, but my doctor wouldn't let her because she had not developed enough. When he finally was willing to let her arrive, she decided she wasnt ready. My labor began at eight and was fast and furious. Based on my previous experience, the doctor told me to head in to the hospital. We got there at about 9am, got into a room and I was already dilated to a 5. When they checked me at 10, I was at a 9. Then my labor stopped..no more pains, no more contractions...absolutely nothing was happening. They gave me a pit drip to try an move things along, but it did not help. I actually had to push myself to 10. When all was said and done, it was 1:45pm so I kicked everyone out of the room in order to watch my favorite soap General Hospital. My mother-in-law said she was going to write a letter to the producer letting them know what a devoted fan they had.

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Permalink Reply by April on September 1, 2009 at 10:06am

I never felt one labor pain; I really couldn't tell even tell you what a Braxton-Hicks feels like either because if I had them I didn't recognize them for what they were. Before you hate me though read my following story.

My son was breech, so his birth was planned down to the minute it seemed. I tried everything to get that boy to turn while he was in the womb, but he was just not having any part of it. He had found a cozy spot with his head tucked up under my ribs and his bum on my bladder and there he was determined to stay. Yes, I will even admit that with the help of my husband and an ironing board I laid upside down for the better part of an hour everyday for weeks hoping he would flip and turn the right way (I read that tip in one of the numerous books meant to scare pregnant women to death). Needless to say his tenacity and stubbornness began early.

So my husband and I show up at the ungodly hour of 4 am for the 7 am surgery scheduled slot to get prepped for my inevitable C-section. Yes I even made them do one final ultrasound just to make sure....even though I could feel his ginormous head cutting off my oxygen supply.

Next in walks what appears to be an experienced, kind nurse who proceeds to stick me no less than 8 times, all in the same hand. Now I was a nervous wreck, so at that point a herd of elephant could have stomped into my room and I really wouldn't have noticed, but it sure did garner my husband's attention. He of the kind, soothing words and laid back attitude (seriously for what I put this man through when I was pregnant, well lets just say he's a saint) proceeded to flip his lid. I have never before, or since, viewed such a 180 degree turn from anyone. It was like watching Linda Blair's head spinning all over again right before the pea soup hits the wall. Needless to say that nurse left the room quickly and soon after a nurse with better aim started my IV, in the opposite hand mind you. Just so you know I am an RN now and to this day, I have never, ever tried to start an IV in someone's hand, that crap hurts let me tell you.

I was then given a spinal block, which I would rather not ever experience again and whisked off to the OR. Back then there was a tiny window, large enough for two people to view the surgery, those two chosen ones would be my parents. My parents have been divorced since I was the ripe old age of 9, so I was really amazed that they were able to huddle that close together without hell actually freezing over. I was later told they actually hugged once my son was born. Good thing I didn't see it because the shock could have killed me and left my son an orphan way to early. Of course now this same hospital has stadium viewing seats, enough for your entire family and whomever else you deem worthy to watch the fuzzy, feel good moments of you being cut open and a squirmy, bloody looking alien being lifted from within.

With my husband standing by my side they prepped, draped and anesthetized me lickety split. Once the actual cutting began, my husband who did I also mention never cries or gets sick (I should know since he eats my cooking), turns an ugly shade of green and looked at me with tears in his eyes and says, "OMG they just sliced open your stomach and I think I just saw some of your insides." Yes those were his exact words. Not something you should ever say to a hysterical, doped up pregnant woman ever. I told him, listen dude buck up and shut up or I'm kicking you out of this room. Well honestly it wasn't quite that nice, but I transgress. Next my husband says, "Oh he's out, no I think your more experienced you can cut the cord."

That's it, that's all I heard. No crying, no wailing, not even a hiccup and this child had hiccups everyday for 9 long months. I can't see him, I can't hear him and boy was I pissed and hysterical by this point. They rushed him over to a little bassinet and proceeded to do their thing. Next thing I hear is one heck of wail and my husband saying, "Wow he's so little." They're all over in a corner, my husband included, huddling over this little wiggly bundle of joy that I carried for 9 months and I couldn't see a damn thing. "Uh hello, somebody better bring him over here right this instant." Once he came into my line of site I started bawling, you know the kind where snot is flying and your making these horrible animalistic sounds that you would rather not have anyone bear witness to.

Next my anesthesiologist tells me they have to fix me up and I might experience some nausea. I looked over at him to tell him I'm sure I'll be fine and blew chunks all over his pants and shoes. Honestly, at that point and probably being high as a kite I really didn't care. I work at this hospital now though and I get hassled about this constantly, even though it's been like 12 years since "the vomiting incident" occurred.

I was then able to tell my husband quickly to stick to my son like white on rice right before the anesthesiologist administered the Phenergen. I didn't hold or even see my son for several long hours later. Apparently I was afflicted with intractable vomiting and dry heaves. Yeah wrap your head around that one after just recently having your belly cut open. Saying it merely hurt would be an understatement. I'm still amazed to this day that I only blew out two staples during those long, dark hours. When they finally brought my son to me later that evening his diaper was filled with meconium, the stickiest, nastiest poo known to man, which I got the pleasure of changing. My son is, to this day, an only child.

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Permalink Reply by Brenda Faulkner on September 1, 2009 at 10:11am

My "labor day" started on Christmas eve. I lived 20 miles from the hospital and we took off in my dad's old car that only had bucket seats - I laid on the gearshift. It was sleeting like crazy and when we got to the hospital, they had recently moved the ER entrance so I had to walk around the building, in the sleet, in labor on Christmas morning. Needless to say, my son was the best Christmas present ever!

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Permalink Reply by Tiffany Merritt on September 1, 2009 at 11:59am

I was admitted to the hospital at 6am on August 6th (just last month!). I was induced at 8am...baby was in NO hurry to arrive, and didn't hit the scene until 3:15am on the 7th! I labored with pitocin but without an epidural until 4pm on the 6th, and after I got my epidural, I pretty much slept until it was time to push!

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Permalink Reply by Monica Johnson on September 1, 2009 at 12:56pm

Not all of us have gone into physical labor to become a mom and to not include the vast number of us is unconscionable.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Larson on September 1, 2009 at 1:45pm

Our Labor Day is going to be just that, Hard Labor. We recently purchased a new home and being it's a three day weekend, My husband, daughter and myself will be emptying boxes and trying to decide where we want everything. On Monday, if we have time, we'll grill and eat out on our deck.

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Permalink Reply by rebecca on September 1, 2009 at 1:59pm

I will be spending my labor day homeless and alone.My daughter and I have been homeless for 4 1/2 years now and she went to live with her dad because she couldn't take it anymore.Her birthday is September 7th on Labor Day so it will be bitter sweet for both of ud because it is her 18th birthday and we wont be together.

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Permalink Reply by martin bodnar on September 1, 2009 at 4:56pm

An ABSOLUTE miracle - the very best day of my life!!

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Permalink Reply by Tiffany on September 1, 2009 at 5:05pm

My last labor was just 8 weeks ago. This being my 5th child I kind of knew what I was in for and what to watch for. But she surprised me by coming 2 days before my due date(all my others where late). I knew something was happening around 1am so I went to bed and slept for a few hours...finally around noon i felt like in needed to get in the birth pool (we had a home water birth). I was ok for a while relaxing and laboring well then she slipped down and it became quite painful...she had turned during labor to a posterior position which is very painful to deliver. Finally I felt her head emerge and i lifted her to the surface. We were surrounded by family in the peace of our home.

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Permalink Reply by Amy L on September 1, 2009 at 7:58pm

My husband was in the Navy when we had our first baby (26 years ago), and the Naval hospital was not great. I was having contractions about 36 hours before my daughter's birth, went to the hospital, but was sent home, and told to drink a glass of wine & rest (yes, that's what they said.) I did not drink wine, but could not sleep, as the contractions kept getting stronger, so a few hours later we again went to the hospital. They checked me in and gave me a shot of Demerol & told me to try to rest. The medication made me very tired, so I dozed off, but woke up whenever a contraction came. Since I wasn't dilating enough, I was given patocin (spelling?), which made my contractions come fast and hard, but the demerol was still making me sleepy, so I would fall asleep between contractions, waking up when they were at their peak. My husband said my eyes popped open and got as big as saucers, lol. They gave me demerol again for the pain, which made things worse. At least the actual delivery went pretty well and I had a beautiful baby girl.

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Permalink Reply by Robin Stephens on September 1, 2009 at 9:14pm

Labor day has always had a special significance to me, as I was born on labor day. And my birthday, sept. 4 has only been on labor day 1 time since.

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Permalink Reply by nichole on September 1, 2009 at 9:44pm

My kids couldnt wait to get out of my tummy and into the real world my first was at 37 weeks and my 2nd ws induced at 35 weeks. She had an infection around her in the womb and made super sick. When I first went into labor with my 1st daughter I had no idea what was going on I didnt feel contractions and I didnt know my water broke I seriously thought I just had to pee and couldnt tell. I thought I was peeing on myself and I kept going through pads because I didnt know what was going on so I asked a couple of my friends and they immediately began laughing and then got on the phone to another friend and said lets go. Off to the hospital we went. Even after being in the hospital and hooked up to all the machines I couldn't feel the contractions and apparently they were getting pretty good. I wasnt dilating like they expected me to even though I was on the petosin drip so they told me that if I didnt dilate soon all the way I would be going into an emergency c-section which I didn't want at all so they checked me about 15 minutes later and I was fully dilated from like a 2 -10 and ready to go. It was an amazing experience and I was actually able to talk to my hubby who was deployed at the time while I was pushing and then after she was born. If only he could have actually been there with me.

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