The Story!

I guess I can take a minute now and tell the story of Haylee's arrival...

I was induced with Whitney, so lucky for me, I never felt a real contraction. So, the last couple of nights before I had Haylee, I thought the contractions I was feeling were gas pains or something. Yeah.

I went to the doctor the day before and had progressed some more. We talked about induction, but she didn't think I'd need it. I was more doubtful. My sister had to be induced with all of her kids, even when she waited 2 weeks past her due date. I figured I was the same. That night I went to Transformers 2 with Jason. Now I know that I was having contractions through the movie but they were irregular and I didn't worry.

The next morning at 4:30, I woke up with a horrible contraction. I got up and tried to distract myself while I dealt with the pain every couple of minutes. After half an hour, I told Jason I was showering and he needed to get ready to take me to the hospital. He thought I was overreacting and even told my mom to wait at home until we called because he thought they would send me away. She didn't make it in time... I held out for an hour because my doctor said when I've had 10 contractions in an hour, I should head to the hospital. In the meantime, I did my hair and make-up, got all the hospital stuff together and made the bed.

We left home at 5:30 and in the 20 minute drive, I managed to tell Jason off for not driving fast enough but withheld all of the "you did this to me" thoughts I was having. They checked to see if I was really in labor (apparently I was not convincing enough) and wheeled me straight to my room and started readying everything for delivery. I had her at 6:15 without an epidural because there obviously wasn't enough time for that. I guess if you are going to be forced to have your baby naturally, completely against your will, that is the way to do it but my behavior was nothing to be proud of. I was not happy that I was feeling everything and totally unprepared.

One memorable moment was when I shouted that I didn't think I could do it and the doctor (just one at the hospital because the on-call doctor was still on her way) said, "Well, you've already done most of it. Your baby is about an inch from the world." With those inspiring words, she was born within minutes.

Anyway, I think anyone who elects to have their baby naturally is crazy and if there is anyway I can get an epidural in me before I have my next baby, I will do it! I hear every baby comes faster, but Haylee set a record and I would rather not have a baby at home! Can't my preferences be respected? Can't a girl have a pain-free, safe in the hospital, mom and husband at her side, with her doctor delivery? Is that too much to ask in this upside down world where people would choose to feel that pain when they don't have to? If you can do it and feel good about it and not act ridiculously like I did, then I'll give you some props.