Because What Mom Doesn't Like To Talk About This?
Shannon, over at (one of my favorite blogs of all time) Rocks In My Dryer, is doing this surprise meme in honor of Labor Day. Thought I'd join in...
How long were your labors?
Kid #1: 16 hours
Kid #2: 7 hours
Kid #3: 6 hours
Kid #4: 9 hours
How did you know you were in labor?
#1: Started having contractions...they got stronger...they got more regular...and hubby got me to a hospital
#2: Was in the doctor's office for an exam. She said "Oh my! You're a good 6 centimeters! Go to the hospital NOW!" I hadn't been having painful or consistent contractions. No fair, I know.
#3: Was 4 cm dilated again, just like with #2. Doc was willing to let me go for a while (new doctor), but I was nervous. Scheduled an induction.
#4: Yep...a good 5 cm again with no effort (yes, you may hate me, but only for a little while). Again, scheduled an induction to ensure I didn't deliver in the car on the way to the hospital.
Where did you deliver?
Hospital with the very best reputation for NICU care and L&D care. I'm picky that way.
Drugs?
#1: No. Bad, poor, unwise, unnecessarily painful choice! I wanted to do it as "naturally as possible". Isn't that sweet? And stupid? I pushed for almost 3 excruciating hours with that kid! At one point during labor, I started sobbing. Everyone thought it was because I was in so much pain. I was actually crying for my sweet hubby, since clearly, I was DYING and he would be without his wife or new baby. Since I was DYING. No joke.
#2: Most definitely.
#3: Yes, ma'am.
#4: I considered going natural for, oh, 4 seconds.
C-section?
No, thankfully. Although, do you think they could have done a tummy tuck while they were at it if I had? I've always wondered if I missed an opportunity there...
Who delivered?
#1: Doctor, who did such a great job of working with me through all the screeching about me dying.
#2: Hubby! Just before the baby made her appearance, the doctor turned to hubby and said, "You wanna deliver your daughter?" He gloved and gowned up, and made it down there just in time to help guide her out, get the cord off her neck, and hand her to me. It was a really incredible moment!
#3: Doctor
#4: Doctor
Go see Shannon for other Labor Day labor stories :)
This was really fun! I found you on momdot.com. I also linked up on your earlier post. I've enjoyed your site!
I think it's so cool that your hubby was able to deliver your second!
Great stories! How cool that your husband delivered #2. I suppose that "dying" made the drug decision a little easier with #s 2, 3, & 4? :)
Great post!
You are hilarious! I loved the idea of a tummy tuck.lol
My husband was supposed to deliver our #2, but the cord was wrapped around her neck, so a no go for him.
Wow, cool that your husband delivered.
I'm so glad I found this Labor Day event hosted by Rocks in My Dryer! I am due in exactly 4 weeks, so I'm glad to read all these labor stories! :) Thanks for sharing!!
No way! That is so cool about your hubby doing the second delivery! I so hope we can do that with #4- ha! (He would too, he's into that med stuff ;)
This was hilareous! I can totally imagine busting up thinking I was going to leave my husband all alone in the world- ha! (And I've only suffered through about 45 minutes of painful labor in my life- yeah- I'm very well hated by women world-wide ;-)
Awesome post hahaha!