Let the pushing begin!

At 12 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 24th the nurse came in to teach me some "practice pushing" and to cut off my epidural in preparation for me to start pushing. Our nurse explained that at any time I needed more epidural they could get it for me. Rashelle, our nurse, had Chris grab a leg and help her with my pushes.  Yep, Chris was all up in the action! It was at that time that she discovered that Bella was face up.  This posed a problem. So at 12:30 p.m. they decided to see if Bella would turn naturally. I sat for an hour or so (without epidural) waiting to see if she would turn on her own. At 1:30 a.m. they came in and said she had still not turned. We were going to push and see if they could turn her as she was coming out.  My epidural had been turned off since 12, so I knew I was in for a treat.

I started pushing and boy was it hard work! Chris was right there with me, holding my leg, wiping off my sweat, encouraging me. I was sweating and in lots of pain. But it was totally worth it!  I just kept thinking about seeing my little girl's face!  After pushing for what seemed like an eternity (really only 15 minutes), the doctor came in to assist.  She told me that Bella would come out a little bit and then inch back in...well, that wasn't encouraging.  I told them at that point I needed more drugs...and it was silent. Hmm, ok..guess they weren't going to give me my meds!  I continued to push and breathe, push and breathe. I just wanted Bella out!

The doctor kept telling me to push "him" out. I was a little concerned that she knew something I didn't know...but I rolled with it. Then Dr. Klein told me to get angry...and boy did I get angry. I pushed harder and harder. When I saw 5 more nurses come in and start cheering me on...I knew I was close! 

After pushing for 50 minutes or so, Chris said he looked down and didn't see Bella. He looked back at me to check and see if I was alright...and when he turned back down he saw her head...then her body! She came out super fast!

I was so relieved to have her out. Although, pushing without pain meds was not my original plan. As Dr. Klein was finishing up, I told her that was in a lot of pain and she immediately called for more epidural. Yep, that's right, I got drugs after I had the baby! Irony!

Chris said when they put her on my chest I kept saying "it's ok sweet girl" because she was crying. All I know is... I was exhausted, hungry, and had just been given pain meds. I wasn't going to last long. Apparently, they fingerprinted me at some point after delivery...definitely don't remember that.

The nurses weighed and cleaned up Bella in the room so Chris was over with her telling me all the details.  7 lbs 7 oz. 19 inches!  What a beautiful baby!

After delivery, I passed out. Chris watched Bella while I took a nap.  Within 2 hours, we were moved to a recovery room. I remember holding Bella and saying to her "your first elevator ride".  After that, we both crashed.

More to come....