Welcome To Our Crazy World Miles: The Long Story Short Version

On June 10th at 2:48am the world was graced with a new presence. I gave birth to a healthy 9lbs 12oz baby boy named Miles.

Our day began at 7am on June 9th, I was exactly two weeks overdue. Dave and I had decided that we had no option but to induce labour by having the obstrician break my water. Otherwise we may risk losing the care of our midwife Aimee who we loved so much. So there it was, without even knowing, we were going to have a baby that day.....or so we thought.

Dave decided that we definitely needed more money on the parking meter and left for but a moment. I sat with my midwife Aimee discussing the events that were to come. While she chatted away, I began to feel strange. This odd feeling was shortly followed by a lovely gush of water. I danced around the room shouting "Water! Water! Water!". Needless to say, my water broke on its own. No need to get induced after all...or so we thought. Unfortunately, there was meconium in the water (not such a good sign). The obstrician gave us exactly three hours to begin contractions and or dilating. If nothing happened in three hours they would have to induce labour with Oxytocin, and we would sadly lose the care of our midwife. Aimee popped into action giving us directions on how to try and induce labour. Dave and I walked the halls arm in arm an endless amount of times. We listened to birth after birth after birth. I imagined how lucky those women were that they were to be screaming like that. The walking was followed by an interesting nipple stimulation session with some olive oil (if you want full details, you'll have to ask one of us) but to no avail....Three hours later I had to be induced.

So the Oxytocin drip began, and with it followed some company, yeah!. Mom, dad, Jillian and Penny all arrived within an hour of one another. So there we sat chatting, all the while I was was having contractions that could only be described as comparable to period cramps. I easily denied the numerous offers from the nurses for an epidural. Mom and Dad left to get some dinner and to walk Chewy for us.

At about 7pm or so, with Dave, Jillian and Penny in the room, the contractions began to intensify. I was informed by my midwife that when a woman is induced by oxytocin the contractions are more frequent, more intense, and more painful than when they occur naturally and that I shouldn't be ashamed to ask for an epidural if I needed one. I still believed that I could do it without and epidural (man was I wrong). My three assistants ripped into action. Dave held onto my right arm and coached me through three or so hours of the most intense pain I have ever experienced. Dave was so incredible, he took control like he had coached me a million times before, even as he grew light headed from lack of food and breathing along with me. He is truly the most amazing man for having been such a support to me. I see you in a whole new light now. Jillian and Penny worked in tandem tossing ice in my mouth and putting cool washcloths on my face. I really don't know what Dave and I would have done without you both there. You were a relief to both of us. I'm still not sure if either one of them intended on such an experience when they visited me.

After three hours or so (what really seemed like an eternity) the nurse came in to see how far I had progressed. 5 cm.... STILL!!!! "See you in a few hours" she says. "A few hours!" I say.
"F%$* that, give me some f%$#ing drugs". I had cracked. I just couldn't take the pain anymore, and I don't think Dave could either. And so drugs I did get. It was a wonder that I lasted so long without them after what my midwife had said. Though it felt better at the time, I really wish I hadn't. It really is the most awful feeling to not feel your body. It did however come with its perks. For those of you who know me, know that I go to the bathroom like a million times a day, so having a catheter was a nice touch.

Things began to calm down a bit, and the contractions began to fade. Two of my assistants left (Jillian and Penny) as it was thought that nothing was likely to happen for hours. My mother and father arrived once again, only to discover that they too should go home and rest, we were at a stand still, and it was getting late.

Just as we were settling down to get some rest FINALLY!! (I think it was 12am) the obstrician came in and informed us that I was still 5cm and it was becoming more apparent that the baby's head would never fit through my pelvic bone. They would have to perform an emergency c-section (guess that epidural wasn't a totally waste, I would have had to get one anyways). Dave and I were heart broken. We so badly wanted to have a natural birth, and it seemed like everything was turning upside down. We were both terribly scared of what was to come. This was one of the most extremely intense experiences of my life. I was terrified and excited all at the same time. I not only went through major surgery, but we would finally get to meet this amazing person that had been growing inside me for 42 weeks. **I'm leaving the operating room story out of this blog as it was a time I would like to keep for myself and Dave.** I am so glad that our midwife could be there with us and that Dave was able to endure such a profound experience with me. I looked in his eyes and held his hand the entire time.

After roughly 22 hours of the most amazing, crazy, tiring, and seemingly endless day of my life, Dave and I were both beaming and exhausted as we presented the world with the most amazing child, Miles.