Flashback!

Looking through old files I found this log from the day I went in to be induced with Toby!  Kind of funny to look back on it now, 5 years later.  I do however remember not being able to get online, and how frustrating it was!!

The longest day

We all got up at 6am to get ready.  Grandma Ellen and Pops arrived at 6.20am and Emma was all set for a day of fun!  She couldn’t have cared less as I tried to cuddle on her for a few minutes.  When Scott told her to give me a big squeeze she hugged me, putting a hand on each shoulder and preceded to squeeze my shoulders!!

Scott and I headed to the hospital, got checked in and strapped to the monitors for a few minutes.  The baby looked good and started moving around right away.  I was quite relieved since he’d been quiet all morning.  We took a quick walk around, peeked at the babies in the nursery and contemplated how strange it will be to have a newborn at home.  We can’t wait to see how Emma is with him – and are thankful she is so gentle with things!!

Then we waited for the midwife to turn-up! 

We tried to get online many times, even had the hospital techy look at the laptop and we can’t get it to pick up the network.  (Scott is posting this from home!)  That is one of the biggest frustrations – my connection to the outside world!!

There are a few options for inducing labor and we opted to go for one that worked on contractions and cervix ripening.  It’s such a drag to not know if they will work, or how long it might be before labor even begins, let alone ends in delivery!!  God willing the whole process won’t be too long, whatever that means.

It’s hard not knowing how long I’ll be away from Emma.  If it looks like I’ll be here all night I labor we planned for Scott to go home and put Emma to bed so she doesn’t have to wonder where we both are.

Within two hours of arriving at the hospital our nurse, Jean and midwife, Sarah, had us sharing the story of how we met and also telling about Emma.  It makes everything worthwhile when you are able to share the goodness of God with the people around you!

By the time I ate lunch I’d had two doses of the labor inducing drug, with on very occasional cramping, no contractions or discernible changes.  The midwife didn’t see the point in checking me until I started contracting. 

In the meantime I struggled with boredom and restlessness.  Being stuck in a hospital bed with very little to do!  Scott was great though, and kept giving me foot massages. 

I watched a couple episodes of Baby Story and one had a woman in labor for over 24 hours.  It was not encouraging to me!!

Before the third (increased) dose of meds I quizzed the midwife on what we are facing.  She said she figured something would have started by now. In fact, I have the longest cervix she has ever seen – not good when you’re trying to go into labor!!

Shortly afterwards though the contractions started coming, although they are still drug-induced!

So far the plan is to change to a different medication for overnight to finish the job on my cervix and/or kickstart me into labor.  That’s right, we’re expecting to go overnight and then start contraction meds in the morning if necessary. 

They put the new stuff in at 6pm after I got checked again.  Something has been happening as I am 50% effaced and baby’s head is lower.  For now though, we’re still waiting for my body to take over the labor by itself.

It’s very difficult to not get discouraged.  I miss Emma so much, and had hoped (however delusionally) that she might be able to visit her new brother today!  Hah!

Instead Scott is going home and spend an hour or two with her before bedtime.  Tomorrow I will need to see her!  I haven’t spent more than 24hours away from her since November last year, and that was torture!  With any luck things will get going before hand! 

Want to help? Turn up the volume on those prayers, please!!!