A Plane Family Story

Well if you ask me, Labor and Delivery are still the easiest part about being pregnant.  I'm not sure why I get so nervous about it.  I was expecting for things to go very quickly again this time like they did with Abigail.  So much that both the Doctor and I were worried about me getting to the hospital on time to deliver, let alone to be able to get the antibiotic I needed for being Strep B Positive.  However, this was the longest Labor I have had so far.....

At about midnight Wednesday Night, Thursday Morning I woke up and thought my water had broke.  I know what you're thinking.  This is your third, shouldn't you know if your water has broken.  Well, I thought it had, so we called Mike's brother Jeff to come over and stay with the girls.  We made it to the hospital about 12:45am and everything was very relaxed.  I was having minor contractions about every 15 mins, so thinks were fine.  The labor and delivery ward was backed up with a couple of emergencies so we waited patiently.  After a couple of tests it was confirmed that my water had in fact not broken, yet it was leaking and I was dilated to 6 cm plus.   So it was decided that I would be admitted and that antibiotics would be started.  Since I am highly allergic to Sulfa, doctors are very weary of giving me penicillin, so I was given a different antibiotic that takes four long hours to get into your system to stop the transfer on the Strep B infection to the baby.  I was dreading this...good things my contractions almost completely stopped at this point.  I was able to get a few hours of sleep while I waited. 

My doctor came in at about 7:00 am to check on me.  He was very surprised to hear that my water had not been broken yet, so he broke it and ordered Patoisen to be started.  Almost immediately contractions started.  Within an hour I was ready for my spinal block (this is what I had had with Izabella). It took almost another 45 mins for the doctor to come to administer and epidural.  This was an interesting experience. The little "Zing" from the epidural going into my spinal column was by far the most painful part of all my Labor. 

By 10:00 am I was fully dilated and ready to deliver.  It only took moments for them to prepare the room, and before I knew it we were ready to push.  Two very short pushes later, our new little baby boy was born at 10:18 am!

The hospital has found that if they place the baby directly on the mothers chest just after birth that this helps with baby's that have had a lot of distress or problems during delivery.  It also helps with warming the body and the bonding of mother and child.  So now they offer this to every mother who delivers.  I have to say this was a wonderful experience.  With both girls, they were born and immediately whisked off to be inspected.  It was about four hours after delivery that I even got to see Abigail. 

Mike finally got the opportunity to cut the umbilical cord, and said he was surprised at how think and tough it was to cut.  Then the nurses laid our little man on my chest and covered us with a warm blanket.  This was so awesome, to be able to hold him so close and know that he was here, and everything was ok.  It was also amazing to look up at my wonderful husband and see him smiling down at me and his new son. 

Even though I was technically in Labor for 10 hours, it was such an amazing experience and I was grateful to no longer be pregnant anymore.  Mike was quite tired since he was still awake when we left to go to the hospital and the couch was miserably uncomfortable for sleeping.  But he was quite the trooper and didn't leave my side until after we were settled in the recovery room and had eaten lunch.  I love him and appreciate him so much. 

That night the girls came in to visit mommy and Baby brother.  Izabella couldn't wait to see him and hold him and kiss him.  Abigail could have cared less about baby brother, she just wanted to see mommy and eat mommy's dinner.  It was great that they were able to come to the hospital to visit.  When Abigail was born they were having the H1N2 scare in Twin Falls, and wouldn't let anyone under the age of 18 into the hospital to visit.  Izabella had to wait four days to see mommy, and five days to see sister.  I thought it was going to kill her.

I need to thank Mike for giving up his birthday to stay with me in the hospital.  I know that was NOT what he wanted to do.  In fact he had threatened to "put the baby back" if I thought about having him on March 10th.  I knew from day one that was the day we would be born.  I mean its kind of a family tradition now.  I share a birthday with my sister Kira (one Year apart), Izabella and Abigail share a birthday (two Years apart), and even the dog shares Mike and My anniversary (she was born the day we were married.  Mike was the only one left out.  Well, not any more!!

Love you all,

Stefanie Plane