My Birth Story

I went into labor on July 19, 1999 at about 4pm. It wasn't at all like I had expected. I was feeling a little sick that day so Justins mom told me to rest for awhile, so that's what I did and was awakened by a strong tightening in my upper abdomen, not too strong but strong enough to wake me up. I thought it might just be braxton hicks but they felt like more of a dull pain, like nothing I had felt before. The braxton hicks never hurt like these did. So I got up and went to the bathroom where I noticed I was leaking some clear fluid. At first I thought I was peeing my pants, so I sat down on the toilet, but when it didn't stop I knew something was different. It scared me so I immediately called up Justins mom at work and told her I thought I might be in labor and she told me to call my OB, so I did. When I told her I had some fluid leaking and that I was having some contractions she said I should definitely come to the hospital. So I called up Justins mom again and told her I had to go to the hospital, and as I hung up the phone my heart was beating so fast as I realized my baby might be in my arms in a few hours!

Before leaving for the hospital I started having stronger, closer contractions and I just had this feeling that this WAS it! I put my bag near the door then found time to brush my teeth, my hair, and shave my legs! Looking back I have no idea how I managed to do that. But I've always been self conscious, and couldn't possibly have hairy legs when I gave birth! And then I was off to the hospital where it was declared, my water had broke and I was dilated 3 and 1/2 centimeters, I was in labor.

Justin, my mom, my twin sister, my dad, and Justins dad arrived and everything at that point was going pretty well, contractions were getting closer still and although I was in a good amount of pain I felt like I was handling it ok. I kept thinking, this isn't as bad as I thought. Even so, I was given an epidural when I reached 5 and 1/2 centimeters so I could get some rest and that I definitely needed!

At about 3am I awoke in so much pain! I started crying for my mom, and saying that everything hurt. That's when I was checked, and had reached 10 centimeters. The nurse said I could start pushing when I was ready. I was both relieved it was almost over, and scared to death of pushing. It hurt, and I cried at every push. I always said I wouldn't do that, but it made me feel better. I felt like I was pushing and pushing forever and nothing was happenening and I was dissappointed, I just wanted to see my baby and get it over with! I was also exhausted which made my pushing not as efficient as it should have been. So, my OB said to me, "Ok, Salome, do you want this baby in 5 minutes of 5 hours!?" And I was like, "5 minutes" and I think 5 minutes later Coralyn came out of me in one big gush, she was finally in the real world!! I did it, we all had did it, that was a great feeling!! Everyone said I would forget the pain as soon as I saw her, and they were right. All I could think about was the little baby in my arms, my baby girl!

About Coralyn
My Pregnancy
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