Sunday, June 1, 2008

A "Labor" of Love...The detailed version



Tyler and I came home from the hospital today. It was a wild ride on Friday. I thought I'd post the details of Friday's delivery for those of you that are interested. My induction was scheduled for Friday because my doctor is going out of town tomorrow. Friday also happened to be my birthday, but it was the only day he could do it before he left!

We called Tri-City at 4:30 Friday morning and the charge nurse said to come on in because they were not busy. David and I got ready and arrived to Tri-City about 5:30. By 7:30 I had my pitocin going and my doctor broke my water. By 8:30 I had my epidural by the best anesthesiologist that the hospital had (according to all the nurses) and by 8:45 I was feeling good and thinking things would go really fast......but I was wrong. By 11:00, I was still at a 2 and the baby hadn't dropped yet. I had David give me a blessing and he said that things would start happening and that I would have the best of care and everything would be ok and that the baby and I would both be fine. The next time the nurse checked me I was at a 4, but the baby still hadn't dropped any.
As time went on and I started dilating more, the baby's heartbeat would drop done below 100 during each contraction. My doctor, who was checking in on me regularly, was getting really worried. By 3:15, he was sitting by my side, watching the monitors and not sounding too positive. He did not like seeing the heartbeat drop so low and was worried about the baby being so high still. He said that I probably needed a C-section right away. He got everyone prepped and the anesthesiologist was right there ready to make me numb. Within 30 seconds of him saying that, I felt this amazing amount of pressure and pain throughout my whole lower back. He checked me again and the baby had dropped and the heartbeat was back up. It was truly a miracle. He had me start pushing and an hour later....a long, exhausting, painful hour later, Tyler was born face up. So, even with the epidural, I had very painful contractions because of the way his head was. With me, David, my mom, David's sister, two nurses, one doctor, one anesthesiologist, and a team of Neonatal nurses standing by, Tyler was welcomed safely into this world.
The neonatal specialists helped get Tyler to breathe right away and clear his lungs. It was scary because he was so floppy, but with time and help from these wonderfully skilled doctors and nurses, Tyler is now healthy and perfect.

After the delivery was done, my doctor covered in sweat gave me a big hug and said, "This was truly a miracle. I have rarely had to work this hard to get a baby out, so I can't imagine how you are feeling. My doctor is a blessing and and answer to prayer. Without him, I would have had a C-section a long time ago. I don't even have any stitched because he was able to sit there and stretch me the whole time, rare for a posterior-faced baby!

I am glad to be home and count my blessings. The power of the priesthood is truly from God, and with it, everything worked out great in the end! David kept telling me to have faith, and at times, I wanted to give up, but I held on to the words of his blessing and was able to have enough strength to make it through.
You think the third time around it would have been slightly easier.....I guess that's not in the cards for me. Maybe I need to have these hard labors to appreciate more the special gift I am now holding in my arms. What a joy it is to be a mother....so the journey begins with three.

16 comments:

Raadgep Fam said...

Wow well happy birthday and congrates all at the same time! I am so happy you had your precious baby tyler! And I am sorry to hear it went so bumpy! But he is here and he looks perfect!

Charlotta-love said...

Happy birthday and congratulations! It looks like you got breakfast in bed! :o) happy birthday to both of you.

Hazen5 said...

I love knowing all the details of births!! I am so glad you were able to have him without a C-section. R.J. had the same problem being Sunny Side up and I almost had to have one. I feel your pain, good job getting that baby hear safely!

I saw your Grandparents at the temple on Thurs. and they told me you were going to be induced! I was thinking of you on Friday, glad everything went okay!

queenieweenie said...

I'm so glad he's here! My sister named her little guy Henry too. I love how those old names are coming back. Thanks for the details...I'm always fascinated by delivery stories. Sammy was face up too and MAN was that hard! Geesh.

Enjoy that sweet little bundle of love!

Matt & Brooke said...

Congratulations Leanna (and the rest of your family too) He is so darn cute! Sorry the delivery didn't go quite as planned..we were thinking about you Friday!

NoLessThanJess said...

Congratulations! You will have to change your profile information on the blog to say you have 3 kids! I can't wait to see the little guy.

Love Jess

Mike and Amie said...

You and David are such a great team. It felt so good to hear how you two really worked together with the Lord to help little Henry Tyler arrive safely after his long wait. Your little angel has just arrived to a choice family.
Thank you for sharing your miracle with us.
Amie

xcdenke said...

Congratulations! Henry is beautiful. What a scary ordeal for you guys. Thank goodness for the power of the Priesthood. We are so glad you're all doing well. Miracles are everywhere.

Julie Dawn said...

Congrats! Now I see why you wanted so bad to have YOUR Dr.! I am so glad things worked out! Can't wait to meet him!

Christian and Karina said...

Atta girl, looking at the positive side of things! I am so happy for you, three is a joy. I am sending you good vibes... you will heal quickly, he will be an easy baby, nursing will be a breeze, no jealousy from siblings.. is it working?

Marcie said...

I'm sorry that it was such a difficult labor but what a blessing and miracle that you didn't need a c-section. So glad that he is healthy. Three is fun but busy! P.S. Happy Belated Birthday!

Alice said...

LEANNA!!!!!! HI!!!!!! I just found your blog through Lauren because she just commented on mine! Cute family! How's life? email me when you're not busy with your 3 kids.

aquayellow@gmail.com

-Alice

ps. Annie lives in Oklahoma with twin girls...Staci (Alms) Von Harton just had twins

The Pratts said...

Congratulations! i found your blog on Melissa's, hope you don't mind! You have a beautiful family, good luck with #3... that is scary to think about. We are just getting #2 under control and potty training #1, I can't imagine having another - I guess that is my sign I am not ready! Sounds like you are, good luck!

PS you look so cute with you children - so happy!

shayla said...

TRULY a blessing. c-sec's are for the birds...Love little miracles like this!

brooke said...

Wow! That is an amazing birth story Leanna! I LOVE hearing stories like that. All I have to say is GOOD JOB! You are an amazing mama!

Lacey said...

wow, congrats and i'm glad everything workded out!


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