My 2nd Labor Story...

I'm now expecting my 3rd baby boy and it makes me think about the 2 very different pregnancy and labors I've had with the first two. Read about my first labor story here.

My last labor started a little over a year ago on January 29, 2013...

My 38 week appointment is disappointing and confusing as the last two visits, I was told I was 70% effaced so now the doctor says I’m 50%... hmmm I’m still only 2 to 2.5 cm dilated. I guess this baby is taking his time.

So, I made plans for the next day with my sister and mom to go try the prego pizza that people swore by. A pizza topped with tons of meat, cheese, garlic.... mmm why not? I was 38 weeks along. I had my first son at 38 weeks.

At 38 Weeks & 1 day (the same day as my appointment on 1/29) I went into labor. After the appointment I went back to my mom’s house until dinner time. While I fed my son dinner at home, I started to feel cramps and they were coming and go every so often. As the night went on… it got stronger so I wondered if they were contractions. (I never felt early contractions with my first) I timed them and they were all very close… I called Labor & Delivery that night and due to my record of rapid delivery, I went in for a check up. A friend stayed home (my son was asleep).

We stayed until about 1am and I didn’t dilated that much more. The baby wasn’t moving as much as he normally did. They asked if I wanted to stay of labor at home so I decided to go home as I hated being connected to all those machines. I didn’t sleep well as the labor pains got more intense (nothing I couldn’t handle). I called my friend and asked her to come back in the morning and we went back in around 6-7. Since I was 4cm, they admitted me….

The pain was annoying. I hate that I was mostly in the bed which was very uncomfortable. I asked to move around but they said I needed to be attached to the machines. My doctor actually came in and talked to me and convinced me to let him break my water. I didn’t want to do it but he says it will make the labor go faster so I agreed. As I laid down, I felt a gush and said "ugh, oh I think it just broke on it’s own." As he and the nurse cleaned me up they kept saying there is a lot of meconium (thick) coming out and for some reason the heart monitor on my belly wasn’t working as well so they suggested the one where they clip it to the head of the baby. So I agreed since I want him to be monitored closely too but this meant I really couldn’t get out of bed. UGH.

The doctor came back in an hour and checked me again and I was only 5 cm so he says it’s going slower than he expected and asked If I wanted epidural. They kept asking me this the whole time but I kept refusing because I didn’t want it but at this point I was in pain and he said it’s going slower?!?! So I agreed. How did they expect me to stay still when I’m in pain while they did the epidural. They kept trying to pump more until I didn’t feel it but it felt more intense for some reason. I said I feel it more! Why!?! Almost an hour later, I sent my poor husband to get lunch since he hadn’t eaten. The heart monitor wasn’t working again so they had to re-position or reinsert it and when they went to do that, they said I was ready to push! WTF!!! I was so upset that I got the epidural when I could have waited another hour. I think I felt more intensity after epidural because the meds were playing catch up with the most intense part of my labor (5-10cm). At this point I was numb! So I called my husband to come back and doctor was able to come back and deliver. I only had to push 2-3 times and Connor came out! I cried. Was I relieved since the labor was about 18 hours? I didn’t cry when my first was delivered. We were still undecided on a name. Wesley or Connor? It wasn’t until later that we decided on Connor Wesley. But I was thinking ConnEr and Ryan says ConnOr so we went with the "O".

Connor was born at 11:29 am on 1/30/2013 @ 6.14 lbs & 19 inches (although I think the length is incorrect). He was bruised in the head and they said that was normal. So little so tiny. I was so happy to see him. He nursed great. Latched on right away. We decided to do the circumcision. It didn’t affect him as much as it did his brother. He didn’t want to eat after it but later, he latched on again and was fine. We went home the next day.

Journey to mommyhood

Where do I start? I remember as kids playing "house" with my sisters. I wanted to be mommy. I wanted to be mommy with a baby bump giving birth to a baby. Of course at the age of 5 (ish?) I had no idea exactly how babies got out of the tummy. I would ask my sisters to do surgery to take the baby out. They were my doctors.

Maybe it's built into a lot of us, the desire to become a mother. Maybe it's how we are raised... who knows. All I know is I wanted to fall in love and make babies (Thanks a lot Cinderella for the idea of finding prince charming).

Dating and finding a suitable mate to be your husband and the father of your kids is not an easy task. Through many heartbreaks and having broken a few hearts myself (yeah, yeah.. I'm not evil. There's no point in being with someone when there is no spark, right?) I eventually found someone. I  wasn't picky. I had my own issues. I'm no prom queen but never felt like an ugly duckling either. I just wanted a nice man that made me feel special and that would be responsible enough to be "daddy" material... is that too much to ask for? Oh wait, I had to be attractive to him too, he must be a good kisser and gives me butterflies in my tummy. Well, well I guess that's a little more I'm asking for! :) Trust me, kissing... it's important. If I'm trying to break for air because your tongue is fishing for something at the bottom of my throat, I'm done.

I met my husband when I was just 19 years old (almost 20). Yeah, I know. It felt like I've been searching for.... forever! He was tall, dark and handsome. Really, I'm serious. Well, In my eyes he was. I don't care what anyone says. Anyway, I kinda asked him out and jotted his number down. Yes, I asked him out. Actually it was more of a group date to the movies to watch X-Men. I always feel more comfortable being in a group setting first.

Our first date (it wasn't labeled then) was at one of my favorite Thai Restaurants. Honestly, I was afraid to kiss him because I liked him so much. We talked all the time. We started spending a lot of time together and one night, he finally kissed me good night. There were definitely butterflies...

Fast forward 7 years later... we got married in Maui. Why 7 years? I still ask him that question myself! I went off the pill a few months before we got married hoping to get pregnant right away! By the way, I know it was crazy but when we met, I made it clear that I want a large family (5 kids) in the future.

After a few months off birth control, I never really got my period. I started doing research on women's health and fertility. I found a book called Taking Charge of Your Fertility. After reading this book (with more information that I was ever aware of)... I started charting and keeping track of everything that was going on with my body. After just a few months, I realized that I'm not ovulating. If I'm not ovulating, how will I ever have my babies???

I started taking hormones to force periods but it wasn't helping. The doctors won't refer me to a fertility specialist if it hasn't been a year of trying. Who makes up that rule? If you know you're not ovulating and having problems, why do I need to wait a year for someone to tell me I have a problem?!

After a frustrating 8 months, I told the doctors that it has been over a year. I know they don't check my chart that closely. After a few test and the Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) test (ouch), the ultrasound determined that I had Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). I started Clomid and on our first round we were pregnant! Unfortunately, at around 5-6 weeks, I miscarried. It was hard because my HCG levels were tested every 2 days and the HCG was not going up as it should so I was already warned that I will probably miscarry. I was so sad after that I kept myself busy by creating a craft room and started to do tons of crafting and scrapbooking.

Okay, we will try again. But the Clomid no longer worked. We started injections using Menopur. I would inject my tummy area every night and have them monitor the growth of my follicles with ultrasounds and adjust medications as necessary. When the follicles were the right size (and there aren't too many of them), I would have hubby give me a trigger injection in the buttocks followed by insemination the next morning.

It seemed like we were going through this for a long time.... but it was only a total of 11 months when I finally broke down and gave up on the fertility treatments. It was so stressful and not to mention expensive because  insurance doesn't cover 100% of costs. We then had a consultation for In Vitro (IVF). This would be the most expensive procedure and there were no guarantees. A few days before our appointment, I canceled.

I don't know if it's because of all the stress of fertility treatments that kept me from getting pregnant... Kept me from ovulating . After just a few months of stopping, I was pregnant. Really? My fear was I would have another miscarriage because only a year ago, I had my first miscarriage. I delivered my first healthy baby boy on May 12, 2010. Don't let anyone tell you that your first labor will be a long tedious one. Everyone is different and mine, well let's say I probably could have given birth in the car! Read about my labor here.

My first labor story

This happened 4 years ago but....

I took all the classes that were available for new parents. I wanted to know everything that might happen and my biggest concern was "Will I know when i'm in labor?" I was assured that I will know. My experience were a little different from most first time moms.....

I am still just waiting for Logan to arrive. I have been dilating for weeks according to the doctors. I was surprised at how I was dilating about a cm each week.. so I knew he’d arrive soon…

The morning of 5/12/2010, I walked the dog to the park down the street several times this morning. I came across a little boy & his grandmother. The little boy thought it was funny to squeeze my tummy! I wanted to kick him but I know that he didn't know any better. He’s just a kid.

All morning, I’ve had Braxton Hicks. The so-called “contractions” (tightening of my uterus) didn't feel strong enough to be contractions. I couldn't pin point when it started or ended as I tried.

I talked to my husband several times that morning. I kept asking him if maybe he thought I might be in labor and if I should call Kaiser. I had been in the hospital 2 days before due to food poisoning so I didn't want to make another trip to the hospital. I notice that I had more discharge than usual but not enough to be my water breaking (or at least that’s what I thought). I searched the web looking for signs of “water breaking” from other people. It was described as discharge that flowed when you stand up. I notice I also had discharge when I stood up from sitting but it just wasn't “enough” to make me consider it my bag of waters. As the time past, I noticed more and more of this discharge so I finally called Kaiser around 2 pm. They said if it drips on the side of my leg, then it might possibly be my Bag of Waters… I didn't have any drip on my thighs. They recommend I come in to get checked anyway. So I called my husband and told him to take his time coming home since I wasn't in any pain. I decided to go to the bathroom again. This time, I notice drips on my thigh! (Ugh OH! Did the nurse just say it’s a sign of my water breaking?) I decided to take the dog for another walk while I wait for him to get home… this is when things changed.... and FAST.

It was only 10-15 minutes after calling my husband. As soon as I got out the door, I felt this INTENSE pain. I stopped & took a breath and started to walk again. After 2 steps, the PAIN got WORSE. So I walked back into the house and sat down. The PAIN continued to get worse. This is when I knew that I was finally in labor. This pain I’m feeling must be the contractions I’ve been waiting for and dreading the last 9 months. I took out the log from Kaiser to time my contractions. I could barely think. I looked at the clock and as soon as I felt the pain, I wrote down the time (while breathing really hard). The pain lasted longer than I remember being told in the labor classes. When the pain stopped I looked at the clock again to wait for the next one. The next one came only a few seconds after that last one ended. This seems to be the cycle I was getting. Are they supposed to hurt this bad?!? Is it supposed to be that close together!?!? I threw the paper and pen down. I’m in too much pain. I can’t keep track. It’s too close. I need to get to the HOSPITAL NOW. I called my husband and told him to HURRY & that I was in A LOT of pain! He was already on the road. The next 20 minutes or so seemed like FOREVER. The pain just got worse and worse and it seemed like there was very little time in between. I tried to pack the car as I waited for him. I had to stop moving occasionally to breathe (more like curse because breathing was NOT helping). I kept thinking I need to call 911. This hurts TOO MUCH to be normal. How can it hurt this much? Is it going to hurt more!?! We learned in class that there are different stages of labor & that early labor is less painful than active labor. I kept thinking that if the pain is going to get worse, I can’t do this! I felt like pushing. I remembered the classes teaching us to breathe if we feel like pushing… so I kept trying to breath but IT HURT SO MUCH! I called my husgband again… “WHERE ARE YOU!?!? I’M GOING TO DIE!!!” He said he’s exiting the freeway (which also felt like FOREVER before he actually got home). I sat in the car as I watch him go in and out of the house “What the hell is he doing?!?!” I kept thinking “I’m going to kill him, HURRY UP”.

The drive to the hospital felt like FOREVER… I managed to do a quick mass text to the people I wanted to notify of my labor (I had sent an email earlier when I first called Kaiser letting them know that I “think” I was in labor & that I would update them later). I couldn't answer my phone after that because I was hanging on to the car… the pain was so intense and so close together. I kept thinking “I might have this baby in the car!!!” When my best friend called, my husband answered and ALMOST turned down the wrong street!!!

When we arrived at the hospital around 3 pm, we parked in the handicap parking since I still had my placard. I told him that I couldn't walk, it was too painful! He grabbed a wheelchair stroller thing from the lady that stands out in the front and wheeled me to L&D. When we got there, they took their time to get me into a room to get checked. I just keep breathing and thinking to myself “Don’t push yet!”

When they finally wheeled me into a room to get checked, I was 9.5 cm! I was relieved because I knew that what I had experienced was the worst pain and that it’s not going to get any worse! And I wanted to push, I knew I would be shortly. My plan was to have a natural birth but I was open to getting an epidural because of all the horror labor stories I heard. I was glad that I was already 9.5 cm & I was ready to push!

They wheeled me into the delivery room at about 3:30 and I got onto the bed and the midwife told me that I could push when I felt like it… I was so happy to hear that because I felt like pushing at home! I started pushing on my next contraction right away…My husband was next to me.. doing a great job of not freaking out (or a good job of pretending). I was asked a series of questions and was getting admitted in-between contractions which I thought was very annoying but they didn't get a chance to admit me and I knew it was hospital procedures. I actually had to sign something. Of course I just grabbed the pen and drew a line on the documents.

Another friend showed up some time shortly after I started pushing. She had already called when I arrived but they couldn't give out my information without my consent. They asked me if I wanted to see the delivery & I told them yes so they brought a mirror for me to see. The midwife was very nice & explained everything she was doing and encouraging me through my labor. I had wanted to try different delivery positions but I was in so much pain, lying on my back seem the best at the moment.

I was tired. I felt weak. I was sweaty and my hands were clammy. It took a long time for me to even see the top of Logan’s head. I think I was pushing wrong. I didn't quite understand the instructions. After they told me a few more times, I got it down. They kept telling me not to breathe so hard. REALLY?!?! I can’t help it!

After pushing for an hour & a half, they started to get panicked. Something about not finding his heart beat. Should I freak out? Is that going to make it worse? The midwife explained that he was fine but I needed to give it one more BIG push (and I saw her push Logan’s head back in, why would you do that?! I want him OUT, not back in!) So I gave it my best with the last push and there he was….

They put him in my gown right away on my chest. He was perfect, with 10 little fingers, his fist to his face peeking out the corner of his eyes… my precious little baby boy. How I've waited so long to meet him. And here he was, this little human being lying on me brought into this new world. But I didn't cry like I saw in the movies… haha What’s wrong with me? I was so happy I didn't care if I cried or laughed or whatever.

Logan Tyler Fong was born on 5/12/2010 at 5:05PM. He was 7 pounds & 21 inches. Born 2 weeks early.