2 weeks before we were due to deliver, my benefits at work kicked in, making it very inexpensive to delivery at Maricopa (compared to a couple thousand if we were to delivery at West Valley as originally planned) so last minute, we decided to switch obstetricians and deliver at Maricopa Medical Center. I am SO glad we made that decision! We received excellent care. :) We were scheduled to be induced Tuesday morning (5/8) at 8:00A.M. at 41 weeks gestation. I never wanted to be induced, I always thought I'd go into labor naturally, but I just wanted Abigail out! But in God's perfect timing, at approximately 4:40A.M. on the day were scheduled to be induced, my water broke!!! Which is actually not that common, only about 10% of womens' water break naturally (well it would be more, but doctors actificially rupture the membranes once mom is at the hospital and in labor). I was so happy that Abigail would've came that day anyway and felt so much better going to the hospital in labor. :)
We got the hospital at 7:00A.M. We were surprised to see my mom in the lobby (although I called my parents when my water broke, wasn't expecting them to be at the hospital already). It turns out my mom had a work meeting that morning, thus being the reason why she was already there! So convenient. ;) While we were waiting for the elevator, my dad came around the corner from getting a coffee in the cafeteria, hugged us and said he'd be back later (he went to work that day). We checked into L&D and got settled in. My nurse was this Filipino lady named Noreen who knew my mom! She was there with us all day throughout my labor. She was great. My mom got to our room around 9:00A.M. I felt like I was given special treatment not only because I was an employee at the hospital but because all the doctors and nurses on the L&D floor knew my mom! :) The doctor checked us when we were first admitted and I was still only 1cm dilated (same as I'd been for weeks). Noreen said they'd be giving me cytotec, which is a pill, to help ripen my cervix. I was surprised to find out the pill was not taken orally, but actually put in the place where it is to ripen my cervix hahaha. The doctor said they migh have to inflate a foley catheter inside of me to help dilate my cervix. Luckily when he checked me again, I was far enough along that it wasn't needed. Then they started me on pitocin. THAT I was scared about, because I knew my contractions would start getting more frequent and stronger. My contractions did get to the point where they were seemingly unbearable, but I thought that when the doctor checked me next, if I was at least 8cm dilated, then maybe I could do it without the epidural. But around 5:00P.M. when he checked me again, I was only 5!!! I was so disappointed. I was only half way through dilating and didn't think I could do it anymore. So I opted for the epidural. I tried going into the whole labor and delivery process with an open mind. I knew I would've felt guilty and thoroughly disappointed in myself if I made a birth plan that I planned on sticking with. Everyone reassured me that it was okay that I was getting the epidural and after I received it, I definitely was happy with my decision! I felt so much better and I could still move my feet and feel my contractions but no pain. It was wonderful. Definitely going to get an epidural earlier next time hehe. After the epidural, which was around 6:00P.M., things moved pretty quickly and by 9:45P.M. I was fully dilated and ready to push!!! Forgot to mention that by that time, my mom, dad and in-laws were all there waiting for Abby to arrive. :)
I decided to have Jim, my mom, mom-in-law and sis-in-law in the room with me during delivery. I pushed for about an hour and a half, and at 11:06P.M. our daughter Abigail Grace was born at 7lbs 12oz and 21 inches long. :) I could not stop sobbing when she finally came out. It was the most wonderful, emotional and surreal moment I have ever experienced.
We had so many family and friends praying for us and for a safe delivery and it definitely was. I was so thankful that Abigail remained stable throughout the whole labor and delivery, not once did her heart rate get too low and I did not experience any complications. Although I did tear during delivery, that is a small price to pay. Since I had the epidural, I did not even feel it nor the sewing up afterwards. I am just so glad we did not have to have an emergency cesarean section and that everything went smoothly with the vaginal delivery. God is so good!!! Abigail is the greatest blessing we could ever receive. We love her so much already and our love grows for her everyday! After I delivered her I thought, how am I ever going to do that again?! But almost 2 weeks later, I can hardly remember the pain and looking forward to growing our family in the future. :)
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