Ask The Pros
Pregnancy Photos
Pregnancy Calendar
Birth Plans
Birth Stories
Bookstore
Boy or Girl
Cesareans
Chat Room
Complications
Doulas
Educators
Episiotomy
FAQs
Feeding Baby
Fertility
Finding a Class
Health
Interactive
Labor
Message Board
Monitoring
Newborns
Newsletter
Postcards
Postpartum
Pregnancy
Reviews/Awards
Search
VBAC
Week by Week
Who We Are

Shelby's Birth

Born: November 8, 1995
6 pounds, 4 ounces
19 inches
Apgars 10 and 10

First, I have trully enjoyed reading everyone's stories.

My husband and I tried for 6 years to get pregnant, we went to wonderful infertility specialists at the medical center where I work. I did the tracking your temperature thing, had an exploratory surgery, the whole nine yards. They couldn't really come up with a specific reason why we weren't getting pregnant. We went through artificial insemination with Clomid three times with no avail. When they talked about infertility SHOTS we decided to relax and try ourselves. We stopped going in October of 1994 and in February of 1995 - PREGNANT!! We were so excited!

I had a wonderful pregnancy, no morning sickness, not a single problem!! It was wonderful. I had a sonogram at the 14th week, it was beautiful. To look at it now - you see our Shelby! It was the clearest one I had every seen. I was due November 2nd...which I was totally convinced it would be sooner (doesn't everyone?). Well of course my due date came and went...nothing. I saw my wonderful, wonderful, OB on November 7th and was 100% effaced and 2cm dilated. I was sure it would be soon. He said if nothing happened they would bring me in on the 13th to be induced. I decided to go ahead and stop working so I could get some things done and relax. I said goodbye to all at work on Tuesday and Tuesday night around 11pm my contractions started. (So much for rest!) So I stayed up and timed them, I didn't wake my husband because they weren't too close or painful. I was so excited!! I finally woke him up at 3 or so and told him what was going on. They were sometimes 5 minutes apart sometimes closer, sometimes stopped for a few minutes. We called the Labor and Delivery nurses and they said to lay down for awhile and see what happens. I could not sleep - I was too excited.

About 6:00am, they were about 4 minutes pretty consistently so we went to the hospital. It was cold and dark, I was pretty scared but so excited at the same time. In the car, the contractions stopped completely for awhile. When we arrived they hooked me up to the good ol' monitor. My contractions were not consistent - they talked about sending me home!! I just wanted to have my baby and I wasn't leaving without one! I was dilated to 2cm still. They sent us out walking. We walked and I had some pretty good contractions. We walked, and walked, and walked. Since I work here it was pretty embarrassing to be walking around in such a beautiful gown!! I lost my mucus plug after awhile, I read in someone's story that they couldn't believe that someone could miss this and I totally agree!! What a mess!! Anyway, they decided I would not be going home and they were going to try to get things moving.

About 1:00pm, they put us in a very nice birthing room where I took a shower before they broke my bag of water. After they broke it the contractions really starting coming. I had terrible back labor. They finally gave me an epidural around 3pm, thank you God!! The bad news is I am at 4cm and not moving past..I was exhausted. I had to keep an oxygen mask on when it got heavy which I hated. By 6pm, nothing was progressing...they had put an internal monitor on the baby and her heartbeat was going down. I woke up to a room full of people....this man telling me to get on all fours!! I am thinking, are you crazy? I am nine months pregnant and numb from the waist down!! So they flipped me up and the baby's heartbeat returned to somewhat normal. But I still wasn't progressing.

By 7:30pm my doctor came in and said he thought we should go have a baby. I was trully getting concerned that I was too tired to push too. I have never been so tired in my life. I agreed mainly for the safety of the baby. I wasn't too concerned, I trusted this man with all of my heart. I have known him since I was a child.

My husband got in all the garb, which my family tells me was very funny. He was very nervous as well. They turned up the epidural and began prepping me. The anesthesiologists were absolutely wonderful! The chief anesthesiologist held my hand until my husband got in there. I remember the feeling of my legs falling off of the table! I remember the sensation of pushing and pulling when they got my Shelby out. One thing I found strange, they didn't let my husband watch either, but I don't think he minded to much! My beautiful, wonderful Shelby Delores was born at 8:11pm on 11/8/95, with apgars 10 and 10.

Recovery from the c-section wasn't bad at all. I was a little uncomfortable for a few days, but I didn't think it was bad. I figured you were going to hurt one way or another after giving birth. I would have another section in a minute if I need one.

Shelby has been the delight of our lives!! She is a wonderful baby, she slept all night since January, only cries when she is hungry or tired and eats like a horse. She will be eight months old on Monday. They grow up so fast!! I'm not sure if I will have anymore children, we worked so hard to get her and she is absolutely perfect. I almost hate to push my luck. I think my husband would like a boy, so we'll wait and see in a couple of years.

Having a child is the most joyous and loving experience. I never knew that kind of love before, it is profound. Thank you for letting me share. I enjoy all of the stories!