Luke's Birth

Luke's birth was the most pleasant labor and delivery experience I've had. Everything went pretty smoothly and I really enjoyed the process. I never thought I would say that I actually enjoyed giving birth.

On Friday, September 5th I had an OB appointment, and found out I was 3-4 cm dilated. My doctor stripped my membranes. He has offered to do this with all 4 of my kids and sometimes it works, but sometimes it doesn't. I figured it wouldn't work because I was just shy of 39 weeks (38 wks 5 days) and none of my kids have come that early, but I was willing to try anything to jump start labor.

On Friday evening and during the day on Saturday, I was having contractions off and on. They were uncomfortable, and sometimes painful, but they weren't getting regular at all, so I wasn't sure if it was true labor. Membrane stripping can cause cramping and contractions that don't really amount to anything, so it's hard to know. But then, at around 6 or 7 PM on Saturday, I started to feel super crampy and the contractions started to come about every 3-5 minutes. You would think that was a clear sign that I was in labor, but I was still unsure because of the fact that I wasn't in very much pain. I didn't want to risk waiting too long though, because I tested positive for Group B Strep and so I would need a 4 hour course of IV antibiotics before the baby was born. So we called Nate's mom to come stay with the girls and we headed for the hospital at around 9 PM. During the drive, I kept doubting myself because sometimes the contractions were more like 7 or 8 minutes apart, and still not that painful. I really didn't want to go all the way to the hospital, only to get sent home.

When I got to Labor and Delivery, and into a triage room, the nurse checked me and I was 4 cm. I thought for sure I would be more than that! But it was clear on the monitor that I was having regular contractions, so they told me to walk the halls for an hour and then come back. During that hour, I started to feel more pain with the contractions, but they were still bearable. I came back to the room at 11 PM and she checked me. Still 4 cm. Dang it. I really didn't want to be sent home because I was confident that things were starting to pick up, and I was feeling more and more pain.

After checking me, the nurse went and talked to the OB who was on call there and he said that I could either go home and come back when things really picked up, or they could admit me and see if I progressed over the next couple hours and then possibly break my water. I chose the second option. Duh.

So a little after 11 PM they got me into a room, and pretty soon after that, I was able to get into the jacuzzi tub. I had never done that with my previous pregnancies and it felt awesome. It seemed to take the edge off the contractions. After about an hour of that, they checked me and I was 5 cm. I really thought my labor would go more quickly because Kate's was pretty fast and Halle's was even faster (I had her 40 minutes after arriving at the hospital.). They started me on the IV antibiotics around this time (for Group B Strep).

The CRNA (nurse anesthetist) came in around midnight and talked about getting an epidural. I was quite sure that I wanted an epidural this time around. I didn't feel like there were major benefits to doing it natural when I had Halle. I wanted to hold off on getting it for a little while though. I'm not really sure why. I think I was afraid that it would slow my labor down even more, but I don't even think that's true. Some people believe that it is though. Who knows. So I just kept breathing through contractions, which were really, really painful, but not to the point where I was crying and hyperventilating, like I was when I had Halle. :)

By 3 AM I was very ready for the epidural. I was exhausted and in so much pain, and I just wanted to relax so badly. The CRNA did such an amazing job. The epidural went in very quickly and took effect right away. It was such a huge relief! Nate fell asleep after the epidural was in.

The doctor came in and talked about breaking my water. They checked me again and I was 5-6 cm, but Luke's head had not dropped yet. It was still pretty high, so they said breaking my water would be a bad idea since it could cause the cord to come out first. So instead, they started some pitocin in hopes of getting his head to drop. After 30 minutes of that, his head had dropped, so they stopped the pitocin and broke my water.

For the next 3 hours or so, I was able to just relax, and I slept a little bit. Everyone was so friendly and helpful, and it was so nice to sit there peacefully and enjoy the moment, knowing our son was about to be born.

At around 8 AM I was starting to feel the familiar pressure down there, but unlike my other 3 deliveries, it was not painful! Again, the epidural was awesome. I told the nurse about the pressure I was feeling and the doctor came in and checked me. I was 9 CM.

Everyone started getting things ready and just waited until I was completely dilated. At about 8:45 I started pushing. It only took 3 pushes and little Luke was born! Best feeling ever. We were so excited to finally see our little boy!!

This was the first time that my OB was not the one who delivered my baby, but I didn't mind. The doctor on call was so nice and laid back. It was just a great experience.

I would consider doing it again. Maybe. Someday.

Luke Hudson Carter

6 lbs 11 oz

19 in

We love him!