BabyT is here. Very long but crazy birthstory

[EllieT]

TL;DR Rosie was born on the bathroom floor after a crazy fast labour on Monday Sept 2 (41w1d) at approx. 4:49 pm. She was 7 lbs 13 oz and 50 cm.

Sorry this is long. And crazy.

A short recap of DS birth for background. Contractions were regular at every 3 minutes from the start but very manageable and not very painful. We ended up going to the hospital after 4 hours any way because we were nervous first time parents and because we wanted a specific small hospital about an hour away. We were told we could stay no matter (one of the benefits of this hospital) which was good because I was only 2 cm dialated. Turns out baby had decels at every contraction so we were admitted for real. Spent the next 1.5 hours with contractions all the same, every 3 minutes but manageable. Then the water broke and the contractions intensified. As there was meconium the ob on call was contacted and she spent the next 30 minutes trying to get a scalp sample and monitoring the baby with me stuck laying down feet in stirrups. It was crazy intense and painful but I was only 3 cm. I heard the midwife and ob discussing how my contractions were too weak (?!). Suddenly the ob burst out in laughter saying ‘wow this is going fast,she’s 7-8 cm now’. One more contraction and she said I was apparently pushing. Less than 20 min later DS was born. So a pretty fast delivery. Because of this we agreed not to go to the same hospital this time even though it was fantastic and I would have much preferred it to the big local university hospital. My midwife also instructed me to not wait at home too long and my chart stressed to the admitting staff not to tell me to wait at home or to turn me away.

So as I posted in the weekend thread I spent about 4 hours Sunday night having contractions. It was exactly the same as the start of DS labour. First period like cramps for an hour that then turned into regular almost minute long contractions every 3 minutes. Not super painful though. At 4 am I figured I would call the hospital but when I sat down to do so the contractions slowed way down and eventually completely disappeared. We went back to sleep feeling pretty disappointed.

Woke up Monday morning and had a few random contractions but nothing even close to regular. We went for a walk to see if that would help but by lunchtime all signs of anything happening that day were completely gone. Not a single contraction. I was so confused and disappointed. DH even went into work for a few hours. I took a nap and woke up to a contraction at 2 pm

Between 2 pm and 3.30 pm I had about one contraction every 30 minutes. Over the next 30minutes they sped up to about every 10 minutes. Still short at 40 seconds and not very painful. And by 4 pm they were down to every 6-7 minutes and I was in the bathroom leaning on the changing table and timing them with an app. Same duration and intensity though.

And then it happened. I got one really strong and painful contraction and at the same time felt the need for a BM (some diarrhea). When that was over I figured it was time to call the hospital. But before I had time to do so the next contraction came, even stronger and I felt the need for a BM again. Then felt strong pressure between my legs and like something was coming. Wasn’t sure if it was more poop or the baby. I called out for help and my mom came running.
She pulled my pants off and there was like a water balloon hanging out and she could see the baby’s head behind it.

Mom helped my lay down on the bathroom floor and DH called the ambulance. He was pretty frazzled and ran around yelling on the phone for them to come. Mom told him to get towels and he couldn’t even remember where we keep them. DS (3 yrs old) was home and apparently sat on the couch looking terrified with teddy bear in his arms so DH also tried to keep him occupied with Daniel Tiger and got his soother.

At the same time mom and I were fairly calm. She kept telling me to not push and to just pant. I could feel the pressure and how my body was pushing but I did everything I could to not push. Then suddenly DD was born with the waters breaking behind her. She screamed instantly and all was good. The ambulance arrived shortly after. They spent a little time making sure me and baby was ok and talking to the midwife on the phone that DH had been transferred to. Then they packed us up on the stretcher, DH got our bag (thank god I had finished packing it the night before!) and we left waving to a big eyed little boy and a soaked grandmother.

As we got loaded in the ambulance someone handed me my iPhone and I could see the contraction timer was still running at 18 minutes from the start of that last crazy contraction. The contraction had apparently started at 4:45 and the official arrival time of the ambulance was 4:49 - she was already born then...

We got to go in the ambulance with full on flashing lights and sirens as it was through the worst part of rush hour traffic. Arrived at the hospital and the midwives there took over clamping the cord and delivering the placenta. I was told to push to get it out and I literally had no idea how to push as I never did any pushing so she had to instruct me how to do it. I bled a little more than what they liked (was the same with DS, they told me it was due to the fast delivery) but it stopped after extra oxytocin and endometrine.

You might remember I was not too happy about this hospital really pushing early discharge and I was hoping I would be able to stay longer. Well, you have to stay at l&d for 6 hours and by then it was after 11 pm so they said of course you can stay overnight. Turns out it was no different than going home as I got put in the special early discharge ward that actually had no staff overnight. I guess they just won’t force you out in the middle of the night but other than that it was no different than going home. I’m not at all impressed and definitely would much rather prefer the hospital I delivered DS at.

I’ve been trying to figure out if I could have done anything different but looking at the contraction timer I can’t really see we missed the right time. Maybe we could/should have left when I was having regular contractions at every 10 minutes. But that was less than an hour before she was born and considering the time it would have taken to call and wait for a taxi and then rush hour traffic I think I would have ended up delivering in the taxi. So that would have been even worse.

[EllieT]

Holy shit that was long. Sorry.

Here she is. Our little Rosie.

[fairfax]

That is crazy but she’s lovely!!! Congrats!!

[boymomof2]

I'm so glad everything went well despite the crazy entrance. I delivered on the bathroom floor at the hospital after a quick labor so this is one of my fears is delivering at home or on the side of the road. Congrats on your new little one!

[aprilsails]

Congratulations!!! I have several friends who had their second babies at home by accident, so you’re not alone. Sounds like a wild ride though.

I hope you’re all getting settled in. Baby girl is a beauty and big brother looks so proud. Congrats T Family!

[urbancowgirl]

Oh my goodness! What a crazy story. Congratulations!

[stellelinds25]

What a story you have to tell her when she's older! Congratulatoins...she is such a cutie!

[G22]

What a whirlwind story!! I'm so glad everything turned out ok! Congrats!

[sloan]

Wow, that’s wild your contractions didn’t get closer, I don’t think I would have thought to go to the hospital earlier!

She is absolutely beautiful, as is her name <3
Congratulations!!!

[chocolatepie]

Wow, what a crazy fast labor! She was ready! Congratulations - she's beautiful. Glad you are all back home resting!

[doglove]

Wow! Congrats !!

[swiftlyirun]

Wow!! That’s crazy!! You are amazing momma (and grandma and DH!).

My heart is still pounding for you!

[pickel]

Oh my gosh! What a story! Congratulations! Both DS and DD are ADORABLE!

[farfalla2011]

Congratulations! I'm glad she's here and healthy, but what a crazy experience! Awesome that you and your mom were able to keep calm through it all and get through it.

[jennistarr1]

wow, baby #3 you need to pick a good hospital and just live there! or just prepare for a home birth anyways?

[UMaineTeach]

Congratulations! That is certainly an eventful birth story!

[red]

Wow, that’s wild! Glad you are both healthy and home, she’s adorable!

[robinsbff]

omg, that's one of the more insane birth stories i've read! congrats on making it through!

[murphybrown]

That's an amazing story - one I'm sure she'll hear throughout her lifetime. She is super cute! Congratulations!

[lucky428]

WOW! That's crazy!! She's super adorable and I love her name. Congrats!!!

[WinterWine]

Woah, this first time Mom's mind is blown! What a crazy fast labor. Glad that everything turned out safely for all of you. She is a cutie!

[elleblue]

Wow, that is a crazy fast birth EllieT! Congratulations, she's beautiful.

[jorja]

Wow! Congratulations!!

[dreamcrisp1]

Omg! Our September 2 babies were so dramatic!! Congratulations!