A Birth Story

It has been awhile since my last update, which gives some indication that, indeed, little Miles has arrived!

Miles Gene Littlefield

Born: July 1, 2011 11:37am

6 lbs. 15 oz., 20 1/2 inches 

We went into the hospital on June 30th. The idea was to place an insert of Cervadil on my cervix to send me into active labor. Mostly this decision was based the facts that (1) my mom had run out of vacation days and had to head back to Texas soon and (2) we anticipated that with the antibiotics and gestational diabetes, we would not want to risk a holiday baby (on the fourth of July). They put the Cervadil in at 6pm and I was still at 3 cm. They checked my cervix again at 6am and I was still at 3 cm ("maybe 4cm") but my contractions were still not regular or strong. So, they started me on Pitocin at that point. Around 7am my contractions were coming pretty regularly and getting stronger by the minute.

I was trying to earn my stripes by holding out on getting the epidural (which I knew I wanted prior to getting to the hospital). I asked my mom when to get the epidural and she said when I got to the point of feeling "desparate." I didn't know what that meant at the time, but I soon found out. At around 9am, I asked the nurse how long women usually wait to get the epidural. She said that since this was my first kid, it was going to be a while. So, I figured I would hold out a little longer - til 9:30a - at which point I asked for it. The nurse said I was third in line. I was definitely starting to feel a little desparate because I asked my mom (who used to be a labor & delivery nurse) how long it took to put in an epidural, so that I could calculate how long it would be until they got to me. By this time, I was moaning and using breathing exercises to get through the contractions. I was also squeezing Andrew's hand (and my eyes shut) pretty much during the start of each contraction until the peak. He was really good about remaining calm and whispering encouraging words in my ear ("You're doing so great" "I love you" "I am really proud of you."). This was nice. I remember hearing those things despite that I was pretty out of my mind. Appearantly, at some point, (Andrew informed me later) I said I would "Punch a baby (not mine, of course) to make the pain end." and I lamented that "I wish contractions felt more like orgasms." I am hoping that only Andrew and my mom were in the room during these gems but I am not sure.

Regardless, the doctor finally came in to give the epidural. As he finished putting in, he commented on the fact that I seemed to be in "pretty active" labor and had the nurse checked my cervix recently (this was around 10:45a). She checked at this point and was surprised when I was at 9 1/2 or 10 cm. I really got desparate and asked if the epidural was going to kick in before the transition phase. The doctor said it would be 10-15 minutes. I started to do my Dana from Ghostbusters type panting to keeping from pushing so that I could hold out for the pain killers to kick in. The nurse asked me how I was feeling (my contraction monitor had already been pushed out) and I told her that I had the "a strong urge to push". In the meantime, the nurse had gone to get my Ob/Gyn.

My doctor came in and I started pushing almost immediately. Again, my eyes were closed most of this time. But I remember asking over and over, "What happens if I pass out?" Pretty much they ignored me and told me to push went I felt the urge. At another point, the doctor asked if I wanted to feel his head and I just said that I would hold him after he was out. Ha! Then, they doctor started saying that she wasn't going to get him a jump rope for his birthday. I didn't know what the heck this meant at the time, but appearantly, Miles had the cord wrapped around his neck - twice! After 20-30 minutes of pushing, Miles was here. His apgar scores were 8 and 9 - so appearantly he is a strong little bugger.

They handed me to him and I was just crying and kept saying how perfect he looked. Andrew and I were just glowing. We couldn't believe he was here and that he was so amazing. It was a pretty awesome few minutes.

After the birth, we had the family in pretty much right away and the pictures started. Here are a few highlights.

Miles with Daddy

Miles first "weigh in"

Miles with Nana

Miles with Grammy

Miles with Daddy and Grampa

Miles with Aunt Amanda