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Taylor Moore's Birth

I woke up at about 4:00 am because I felt wet. I wasn't sure what was happening but I was so tired because my sister had just had surgery and we had spent the whole day at the hospital. I got up and went to the bathroom and put a pad on, and went back to sleep. At about 8:00 am I woke up again, this time I was soaked. I called the hospital and they told me it sounds like my water had broke, and to come on in. I jumped in the shower so I could be fresh, threw on my clothes, called my husband at work, jumped into the car and DROVE myself to the hospital.

I got to the hospital at around 9:00 am. Because I wasn't having any contractions, they decided that I would need pitocin to induce me. My husband got to the hospital at about 11:00 am. At about the same time, the nurse and the anesthesiologist came in to get the pitocin started. They got the IV started and then the anesthesiologist wanted me to sign the epidural consent form. I had already made a decision that I wanted to have the baby natural, but he talked me into it just in case. At that time I also asked him if a woman can become paralyzed from getting an epidural. ( I had always heard rumors that it could happen) The doctor said, " That never happens, that's just an old wives tale.

Hours pasted. The contractions got stronger. Friends and family members filled my room. The nurse decided that the room was to small for all my company, so I was moved to a larger room. It was much better, and the room got fuller! MY husband never left my side! At around 11:30 pm the pain was getting so intense. I needed something because the pitocin was still dripping. I didn't want an epidural so the nurse suggested nubain for the pain. It was just what I needed! Nathan (my husband) had everyone leave the room so I could rest and before I knew it, I was fast asleep.

I ended up sleeping for about an hour. When I woke up I was still tired. The next thing I knew, the nurse told me that I was going to receive an epidural. I could start feeling the contractions coming on strong again and I was still very groggy, so I didn't argue it. The anesthesiologist came in and started prepping me. I was laying on my right side and my husband was standing up by my head. The next thing I knew the doctor told me he was about to but the needle in and I would feel a pinch. When he put the needle in I screamed " MY LEG!" It felt like my right leg had just exploded into a million tiny pieces. Then he proceeded to take the needle out and put it in again. I don't know if I felt the second one because I was still in so much pain from the first stick.

After that, the anesthesiologist left. Soon after that the baby crowned and I started pushing. I also couldn't move my legs! With every push my husband and the nurse had to pick my legs up and bring them in close to my abdomen. The weird thing was, I could feel the contraction pains. Nathan and I kept asking the nurse if this was normal and she continued to assure us that it was This went on for the next 4-5 hours, along with the hard core pushing! The baby's heart rate kept going up and down during this whole process! I was so scared and so many emotions were running through my head. During this time I was also administered oxygen.

Finally at about 4:45 am the next morning, My OB came. She had been calling the nurse to stay abreast of my progress. When my doctor got there, she could see that the baby was ready to come out. I was having a hard time and very tired. She decided it was time to use suction. She got another nurse and the vacuum. They also got me a mirror so I could see the baby's head. With more pushing and the vacuum, Taylor Allen Moore was finally born weighting 10 pounds, 12 oz, 21 inches long. He was born on his due date which was January 13th at 5:40 am

I ended up having a forth degree tear that took and hour to sow up. In the process I got sick! I was very tired and at about 6:45, I fell asleep. When I woke up, I was in a semi-private room. It was about 9:00 am. The baby was still in the nursery and all I wanted to do was hold him. However, I still could not move or feel my legs. The nurse came in shortly after waking me up and told me that I was going to get a catheter because I could walk or anything. All I wanted was my baby!

Nathan went to the nursery and got Taylor. He was perfect! I nursed him for the first time. AT about lunch time we were moved into the private room the our insurance told us we were going to have. We had lots of friends and family that came to see us. At about 1:00 pm the anesthesiologist came in to see me. I thought it was a nice visit, ( not yet knowing the serious of my condition) and he stayed for a little bit looking very distraught! He told me that he was going to have a neurologist come in to see me. I didn't really understand what was going on. I was so interested in my son that's where my focus was. At about 5:00 PM the neurologist came in. He poked my legs and asked me if I could feel it. I still could not move my legs or feel them!

After 5:00 pm, I went in for a Cat-Scan. It showed nothing. Sunday, the next day came, still no feeling or movement. The anesthesiologist came in, then the neurologist. I had to go get another Cat-Scan, this one higher. Results came back still nothing. By this time we were very upset! No one would tell us what was going on! They wouldn't tell us anything!

Finally at about 9:00 PM Sunday evening, a neurosurgeon came in. He told us that it look like I might be paralyzed! If there was anything they could have done it should have been within the first 24 hours or so and now it was to late!

The next day (Monday) I ended up getting a MRI, Milo-gram, Cat Scan, and then I was rushed into emergency spinal cord surgery.

To make a long story short, or try to anyway, I am now paralyzed from the waist down with no movement or feeling. I ended up being in the hospital for three months. Two and a half of that was in rehabilitation. My paralyzation was due to the epidural. Its now been a year, and I hope by reading this letter, it can save someone from having to go through what I have had to go through! This has been the most challenging thing I have ever gone through in my whole life!

If anyone has any questions, comments or suggestions, please feel free to e-mail me anytime at NMoore7180@aol.com

Thank you for taking the time to read my sons birth story!

LISA MOORE