Calem's Birth Story!

Ok here is Calem’s birth story.
It starts with my doctor’s appointment the day before. I was so discouraged after this appointment. My doctor checked my cervix. I had not dilated at all and my cervix was hard. My doctor told me there was no way I would go into labor within the week. Calem hadn't even dropped either. Needless to say, I was distraught. I thought I was going to have to give birth to a six year old (even though my due date was 2 weeks away). That night I asked Rob to take me out on a date to get some Mexican food. I really needed some comfort food and instant gratification.

Well, that night I could not sleep. So, I was lying in bed praying that morning when I felt some light cramping (menstrual like) at 4am. I shook it off as nothing as I only felt the pain intermittently. When I got up at 6am, it was still going on, nothing to talk about though. I contemplated going into work, but decided this was not labor and if I stayed home, it would stop. Rob helped me make this decision. He said, “Honey, sounds like you really don’t want to go to work, so if you want to then stay home.” like I was playing hookey or something. I immediately called my mom and dad (5am their time) to ask what mom’s thoughts were. She also shook off the cramps as nothing. Especially given the prognosis I had the day before. A bit furious that nobody else thought I may be in early labor, I packed the car with my labor bag just in case. I eventually began to believe that these signs were nothing to get worked up about. To be safe, I called my doctor on the way to work (cramps about 6 minutes apart) and told her about the cramps and she suggested I go into the hospital. I argued with her because I figured with the results of the internal the day before, how could this be labor. (I was also scared that they might admit me and try to start pitocin or something to advance this if it was really labor) So, she agreed with me and told me to come into her office instead. I made a 9am appointment and continued on to work.

I arrived at work at 7:30 and my menstrual like cramps (contractions) had started to come consistently every 5 minutes. I told some of the ladies I work with (they did not have children so they were not concerned either as they didn’t know what early labor signs are) After being at the school for about 45 minutes, the girls took notice to the consistency of my contractions and asked a lady down the hall what she thought. She came by to see me and saw the way I was carrying myself and immediately suggested I get to the doctor's office just in case. I drove myself to the hospital and the pains were getting increasingly stronger. In fact, as soon as I made it out of Houston traffic and into the doctor's office, I could not stand up. When the nurse saw me she asked how far apart the cramps were. I told her every three minutes. She freaked! She literally freaked. She said, "we have to go to the hospital now." She could not even take the time to get a wheel chair to wheel me over there. I panicked at this point and decided I should probably call my husband. Then it got really hard to stand up and I began to get very sweaty. I had to sit for a minute and I asked the nurse to call my husband. At this point it was hard to even talk. I could not concentrate. Well, wouldn't you know…. He did not answer his phone. So I demanded that the nurse hold my phone and keep dialing my husband until he finally answered. (7 calls later)

We walked from the professional building to the hospital stopping every 2 minutes for me to rest through the contraction. By the time I made it up to Labor and delivery, I came to the realization that I was really in labor. As soon as I arrived they threw me into a room and I stripped down not caring about the nurse whom I hadn’t even introduced myself to or that the door was open. I knew I needed to get into the bed and begin my relaxation techniques (stuff for natural labor, I wanted to have this baby naturally). After about 3 minutes, I felt a really strong contraction and my water broke. It was the best feeling! The nurse came back a few minutes after that and I calmly said, "my water broke" She was floored. So, she checked me to see how far along I was. When I came in, I was at 3 cm and within 20 minutes, I had progressed to 6 cm. I was very calm from 3-6cm. I stayed in the bed on my side like I was sleeping. I did not make a noise and I was able to make it through each contraction without much pain this way. My nurses and doctors were in awe. One nurse asked me if this was my 2nd or 3rd child. When I told her my first, she was amazed!

About an hour after I arrived to the hospital, Rob finally arrived. He helped me labor to 10 in about 3 hours. He was wonderful! But, his breath smelled and I told him that. The nurse called in the team and I pushed while she checked me again. I had pushed at the wrong time and had caused my cervix to swell. This brought me back to 8 cm. VERY DISCOURAGING. Well, I labored for 2 more hours and stayed at 9cm. forever. I did not move and was not showing any signs of progression. I was in severe pain and very irritable. I broke down and contemplated getting an epidural. Rob was given strict orders (months ago) to not let me give in at this point. We were fully aware that I would eventually come to a point where I thought it entirely impossible. Well, I weighed the options and circumstances (no progression in 2 hours, lots of pain, very exhausting, not enjoying my husband) Well, I broke down and got the epidural!!!!! That was the best feeling shot in my back I will ever have. It didn’t even hurt. I could have had 30 of those for one contraction at 9cm.

HALLELELUJAH HALLELUJAH HALLELUJAH!!!! The heavens were rejoicing with Rob after I got the epidural. I was a new woman. I was enjoying the whole experience from here on out. I loved my husband again. I was on the phone with my loved ones and it was so very beautiful. I labored with the epi for about 3 hours (they had to start pit. to intensify the cx to get my cervix to open fully). When it was time to push, I pushed for 2 hours and our little boy was born into this world at 4:55pm. It was so absolutely amazing.

I was so glad to make it to 9 (naturally) AND so glad to have the epi. I would not have had it any other way.

Calme Charles
4-5-06
1655