Ellia’s Birth Story
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July 8, 2020: induction date! When we got to the hospital at 830am for induction, the OB examined me and discovered I was 3cm dilated. I had no contractions and my water had not broken so I was shocked, but happy. This meant no induction was needed. Instead, the OB told us to come back in the afternoon and she’d break my water to “get the show started”.
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Delighted with the news, Chris and I ran some errands and then had “our last lunch” before baby at a restaurant nearby the hospital.
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Upon returning to the hospital, we were checked into our labour and delivery room where I dressed in my stylish hospital gown and awaited the OB. At 520 she and a very large hook greeted me. She broke my water, which took no time at all, and there I sat feeling like I was peeing myself all in the bed. Glam life!
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Not knowing how long after contractions would start, Chris and I sat there chatting about the excitement and were over the moon that we would meet our daughter soon.
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45 minutes later I could feel contractions starting but they weren’t intense or regular enough for the epidural quite yet. I eagerly and persistently reminded every single face I saw that I wanted that damn needle in my back. The entire staff knew and would laugh, “yes, we know you want it. Don’t worry!”
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Within no time, my contractions were so intense and were getting closer together. The nurse called for the epidural. YAY! I was beyond excited for relief and I’m sure Chris’ arm was too - I was scratching the crap out of it and digging my nails in so deep while sucking back the gas. My god, contractions are the worst. Or so I thought...
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The needle in my back happened about 7pm and shortly thereafter my contractions were SO close together everyone told me I had to start pushing. I was reluctant because I could still feel EVERYTHING, but my body didn’t give me a choice. I started to push.
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And push, and push, and push. Zero progress and I could still feel EVERYTHING. Why?
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“Someone help me!”
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“I’m going to die!”
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“I can’t FU<KING do this!”
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I’ve never sworn so much in my entire life.
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“We have to get the OB in. We can’t deliver this baby. We aren’t sure why she’s not moving.”
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Once the OB came in and felt around, she discovered that baby girl was face up instead of down. This was making it impossible for her head to pass under the pubic bone. She was wedged.
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Her heart rate was dropping so they placed a heart rate monitor on her skull while still inside of me so they could more accurately read how she was doing with it all.
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“I have to go in and turn your baby with my hand”, said the OB. I wanted to die (again). Ok, THAT was the worst pain. Or was it?
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By now it was determined my epidural didn’t work. No idea why, but I was feeling every single thing. The turning of the baby didn’t work. After continuing to push she still wasn’t able to pass under the public bone.
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Forceps was the next step. Chris was looking at me in utter fear. He didn’t want forceps, but I looked at him in the eyes, probably swore a crap ton and said, “I need help. I can’t do it.” So, seconds later the forceps were in the OB’s hands and she had one foot on the bed, pulling as hard as she could through a few contractions as I pushed like hell.
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Still nothing.
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“I’m sorry, I have to slice you open now,” the OB said.
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More swearing and yelling from me as the largest, longest needle I’ve ever seen was placed in me to freeze me locally. The next second? A scalpel in her hand and one chop of the wrist and I think I sounded off car alarms in the parking lot with my screaming.
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I pushed through 2 more contractions and finally felt her head and then shoulders come out. Next, she was on my chest and I was frozen. I had no tears, no sounds, no words. I was in shock. I was traumatized.
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Chris was over the moon, cutting her cord, watching her get weighed and measured, but I was enduring more pain of birthing the placenta and then getting sewn back together like a rag doll.
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After some pain meds I could finally focus on Ellia and not the pain. I cannot believe what my body went through. I could not believe I was still alive. I was so thankful for the team that helped me and am forever grateful I live in a country and time of life where I am able to survive something like that.
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As for the epidural? There was a kink so I wasn’t actually getting any meds into my body.
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As for Ellia? She’s perfect. She’s worth every single second of pain I had to endure. She’s our angel, our gift, and I’m forever thankful for Chris who co-created this little lady with me. She’s the most perfect addition to our blended family and I can’t wait to watch her grow up with two loving, caring, bodyguard brothers. Good luck ever dating! Xo
