Our Birth Story

On Wednesday July 16th, I awoke feeling kinda yucky. It was about 2:30 am and I just knew I wasn't right. I was having to go to the bathroom a lot and was having some mild cramping. It wasn't anything I could time but was intense at times. At about 3:30 I noticed more wetness in my underwear. It was more than I was familiar with and it wasn't urine. I kinda became concerned. At about the same time I was also bleeding. I figured it was the beginning of labor so I rested, ate something, and watched the contractions.

I was a little concerned with the extra wetness in the underwear and was afraid I was leaking amniotic fluid. I always imaged a huge gush but also new people could leak or have little amounts. I decided to call my doctor at 7:00 but got the after hours service. The nurse called me back around 8:00 and after explaining my symptoms asked me to go to labor and delivery. So I got Clint up and we were soon on our way.
We arrived at the hospital around 8:30 and were in the check-in room by 8:45. Here they hooked me up to a fetal heart monitor and a contraction monitor. They checked and I wasn't leaking any fluid which was a good sign. I was bleeding but this was result to early labor. The nurse said she would be calling my doctor and he would probably have me walk around for an hour or so and come back to be checked. She left the room for a while and then came back and said the doctor became concerned when he saw the babies heart rate drop during contractions. She said I would be monitored for a while to see if it continued. After about 45 minutes of monitoring, the doctor decided to go ahead and admit me since the baby was in distress. He felt it would be better if the baby had complications while at the hospital rather than at home. At this time I was only dialated to a 2.

So, around 10:30ish we were taken into the labor room. It was nice. The contractions were still mild and irregular.

11:15 I was given my first dose of pitocin. I was already somewhat in labor but the doctor didn't want it to go on too long considering the baby's drop in heart rate during some contractions.

12:30 A doctor came by to break my water. My regular OB wasn't able to make it and didn't think he would be able to deliver. Instead he had a collegue come meet me and break the water in case she ended up delivering the baby.

12:45 OUCH!!! The contractions were very intense and right on top of each other. The nurse prepared me for this saying it normally happens after the water breaks and was even worse considering I was already on pitocen. I believe I was dialated to a 3 at this point.

1:00 As soon as I had my water broken, the nurse began setting up for the epidural. She knew I was nervous so she gave me some stadeol to take the edge of the contractions and to help me relax. Before I knew it I was in position to receive the epidural. It took the doctor 3 tries to find the right spot. It didn't hurt but was uncomfortable at times. I would do it again in a heart beat! I felt the effects soon.

1:30 As the epidural was taking shape, I suffered the baby shakes. It is a common side effect of the epidural. I hated it and couldn't control it. If I didn't think about it they got worse. The best I could do was relax and did this the best I could.

2:00ish I was checked for progress and was found to be a 4. This was a good sign the labor was progressing!

Not to much later.... I was checked again and was a 6! The nurse was suprised. She said it is normally a cm an hour but I was doing more than that. I just tried to relax and rest as I prepared for pushing later on. The babies heart rate was still dropping some so my IV was switched to include sugar and I was placed on oxygen.

5:30ish I was checked again and already at a 9! The nurse said she would give me an hour to labor and would come back then to see where the baby was positioned.

6:30 I was dilated to a 10 and ready to push! She got the room ready and I was set! It didn't seem as hard as I had thought or seen on TV. She had Clint and I play tug of war to get me to push correctly. I have to say, I was really good at pushing. I was doing a great job.

7:30 Still pushing! I as making some progress. Clint and the nurse could see hair. The baby was near the pelvis bones.

8:30 Stil pushing! Again making progress and continuing the great pushing Something didn't seem right so the nurse wanted the doctor to take a look.

9:00ish The doctor came by to see how I was going. I was still pushing. She checked the baby and watched me push. She said I was doing a great job with pushing but it seemed the baby was in a transverse position. This means the baby was sideways instead of facing the back.

9:15 The doctor said she needed to go deliver another baby so shetold me to stop pushing and rest. I was still doing great with pushing and had the engergy. But I welcomed the break!

9:30 The doctor came back and said she wanted to try forceps. She attempted but the baby kept moving his head so she didn't feel comfortable using them. She also couldn't get the proper hold. She also tried the vacuum but this didn't get us anywhere either. She kept having me push and I still had the energy to do so. It was looking, however, like I wasn't going anywhere

9:45 We had the discussion. The baby was still doing good as far as heartrate but I had been in labor 12 hours and pushing for over 3. She said I still had energy to go on but thought we could do it for another hour and still not get anywhere. She said I needed to consider a c-section. This thought terrified me! I started to cry at the thought. The doctor was very patient with me and explained it to me. She allowed me to continue to push while we discussed it but we weren't getting anywhere. I finally consented to it and she was out the door getting ready. I just cried harder. This was my worst fear but I knew it was best for baby.

10:00 I was getting prepared for the c-section. I was wheeled down before Clint was allowed in. I didn't like the room as it was an operating room. I kept my face covered and was crying hysterically the whole time. The nurses did a great job comforting me. They kept taking the towel off my face but I wanted it there. I was strapped in and ready to go. My epidural was upped to surgical level and I got the baby shakes even more so. I felt like I could flop off the table. I felt a lot of pressure below but wasn't sure what was going on. I finally started to calm down. I don't think I had the energy for it anymore. Clint soon joined me.

10:32 Clint was sitting with me and calming me down. We heard a cry and were exstactic! The doctor held him over the curtain to let me see him. I hadn't even realized she had started. That explains all the pressure and pulling I was feeling. (No pain!)

10:32-11:00 The baby was being cleaned and I was being stitched It wasn't to bad. I loved seeing my son. I was still shaking really bad so I hated that! It made the process so much worse. They laid him on my chest but I wasn't able to do much and was shaking so hard. I was ready to be done.

After recovering in the recovering room and breastfeeding, I was moved up to my room. I was so out of it! I did get a chance to breastfeed so I was happy about that. Once in my room I was able to get little rest. I was running a high fever so this prompted a lot of concern. My vitals were checked every 15 minutes throughout the night. Eventually they weaned me off and I was started on antibotics. I continued to run the fever for the next 2 days but it gradually got lower. Things uplifted through my 3 day hospital stay. I was able to get a private room and the pain meds helped. Eventually I was up and moving around.

I am blessed I was able to welcome a 8lb 6oz baby boy named Kolby Gordon McKoy into the world that night. It was a hard road for me but everyone was great. I think I had the best nurses throught the entire stay! After the c-section I couldn't get out of bed and was dependent on others. Gradually I was allowed out of bed but still couldn't do more than go to the bathroom on my own. (Which was great!) I couldn't have done it without everyones help.

Clint, Kolby and I are now happy at home. Kolby is a great breastfeeder! The dog is getting used to the idea of sharing the attention. I am placed on restrictions of what I can do. Clint is taking a week off to help around the house. (I can't drive for 3 weeks, lift anything heavier than the baby, clean, etc.) My mom has been helping and later next week Clint's mom is coming to stay with us. I have also had wonderful friends offer to help as well. Thank you guys!!!!

I have included a few pictures of the Kolby and the day. Sorry this post was so long but I am glad I could share my story.









Nana and Papa McKoy


Granddaddy Gordon

MommyDee

Uncle Kyle


Uncle Kevin


Aunt Shawna and Cousin Marrin


Friend Melissa


Friend Miranda