Three Days - Conclusion

The third day is the most difficult to write about, I suppose because there are so many things I want to remember about the day Myles was born and so much happened during that time.

I managed to catch a bit of sleep in the morning and the Pitocin drip was resumed around 9am. Jeff snuck in a protein drink for me. I don't do well skipping meals - it tends to make me cranky. So by the third day with no solid food, I was starving and I knew I would need some protein for strength if I intended to push the baby out.

The early part of the day was slow. I encouraged Jeff to get some sleep and I tried to nap too. The contractions started to pick back up again in the afternoon. By 6pm, I was at 6 centimeters but I was starting to really feel each contraction.

The epidural was wearing off. According to the labor nurse, it was almost unprecedented for a patient to go through an entire epidural cycle without delivering a baby. So I have that dubious honor.

Things were really intensifying. Jeff was reading to me from David Sedaris' "Me Talk Pretty One Day" when he made me laugh so hard that my water broke around 6:30.

The labor nurse had me lying on my side but the baby's heartbeat began dipping with each contraction so we changed positions several times. There was a terrifying moment when the heartbeat went too low and the nurse called Dr. George to come in.

And here's where I have to say wonderful things about this man. It was his daughter's birthday and he left her party to come back to the hospital. He sat with us in our room for hours, just talking and helping us pass the time.

At one point, when the baby's heartbeat was fluctuating, Jeff and I got scared. We asked Dr. George if we needed to move to surgery to get Myles out. He looked me in the eye and told me that he was sure we could deliver the baby vaginally and I believed him. 

At 8pm, I was at nine centimeters, but there was a problem with my cervix - something about a band of tissue around the rim that was preventing me from dilating the rest of the way. This was getting ridiculous.

I decided to take matters into my own hands. With each contraction, as we sat with our doctor talking about boating and diving and the Florida Keys, I began using my hypnobirthing techniques to breath the baby down. By nine o'clock, I was ready to push.

It took a total of 48 hours for me to dilate to ten centimeters and 30 minutes for me to push Myles into the world. Once we got to the point where I had control of the situation, I was not messing around. It was the easiest and most empowering part of the entire process.

I felt Myles' head as it was crowning. Jeff cut his cord and then there he was on my chest - a beautiful, tiny, goopy, miraculous baby. I have never felt such a sense of accomplishment. I've never felt such pure joy. From before the time he was conceived, I've never worked so hard for anything or wanted anything more.   

The placenta and cord (decroded pieces of crap) were both in poor shape according to Dr. George. The cord was wrapped twice around Myles' arm, which is probably what caused the dips in his heart rate.

After that, everything is a happy blur. I wolfed down an Arby's roast beef sandwich, something I would never normally eat, in a minute flat and it was the best thing I've ever tasted.

Everything changed in the moment that Myles entered our lives. Now, after only 11 days, I can't imagine life without him. We have a son and he's got my stubbornness and low tolerance for bullshit. I hope he gets the rest of his disposition from his father. 

Although his birth didn't go as we planned, I believe with all my heart that it happened just the way it was supposed to. We saved his life by inducing labor and as difficult as it was to get my body to respond, it was the right thing to do. I have some incredible memories of those three days and the time absolutely brought Jeff and I closer.  

And now Myles is here and nothing else matters.

Comments

[Chris]

*sniff* I am so happy for all of yout! That picture of Myles and Jeff is absolutely wonderful.

[V-Grrrl]

I'm amazed that even though you were that far along, the Pictocin didn't push you rapidly over the edge. I'm glad your story had a happy ending and that you received good medical care. Mostly I'm glad Myles is here to pose for pictures and keep us all entertained. : )

[Arabella]

I am crying.

Absolutely incredible.

(As a side note, hooray for Me Talk Pretty One Day! I almost put that in my overnight bag for the hospital, too! Instead, I went with Mad Magazine. :) )

[wordgirl]

Nothing. Else. Matters. It's a life mantra that all of us would do well to remember.

[ceece]

agreed. the above picture is wonderful!

Get used to the camera M! :-)

[mayberry]

Ditto--I love the picture--he's so tiny and sweet but you can tell he has personality!

I'm so proud of you and happy for you all.

[Jess]

Must . . .wipe away . . .tears.

Great job, Tammie. Truly heroic and what an adorable little fighter you two made. All the best wishes in the world to you.

[madge]

Am also teary. Great job, Tammie!

He's such a little peanut!

[Mrs. Harridan]

Wonderful stuff! I'm all teary, too.

I had a crappy cord as well. Unfortunately mine broke after the baby's delivery and required my midwife to manually extract the placenta. NOT recommended.

Myles is adorable.

[www.nolanotes.com]

I just love a happy ending! Very inspirational. I LOVE your attitude and lack of regret--that all was as it should be. Very positive and healthy!

Thanks so much for sharing your story. He is a little gem!

[mamatulip]

I have goosebumps.

You are amazing.

[jocelyn]

i am so happy for you. thrilled. my thoughts and prayers are with you and i send you all super smusses. a whole new novel of your lives are beginning, and from what i know of you, you will be and are a stellar mother. i look forward to hearing about your joys and challenges. let me know if i can help you in any way.

much love.

[Kristen]

It's an amazing story and a testiment to your strength.

He's adorable.

The baby too :)

[the new girl]

You worked so hard.

And by the looks of it, you and Myles both did great.

What a champ he is. And cute too.

[Ortizzle]

Beautiful baby, beautiful story, and beautifully told. And the photo is priceless. Looking forward to more!

[stella]

awesome. you rock.
all 3 of you.

;-)

[Jess]

I just caught up on things--I have been away too long! Tammie, my goodness...you are such a beautiful family! (Welcome little Myles!!!) He is simply perfect. And what an incredible entry into the world.

Congratulations to the 150th power!!!

[Tink]

Ok, I'm crying.

How silly is that?

The picture? AMAZING. I love it so much I would frame it and put it in MY house.

I love that Jeff made you laugh so hard your water broke! I love that the doctor left his daughter's birthday party to attend the one for your son. The whole thing makes my insides tingly.

Although I have to say, this line: "I decided to take matters into my own hands." Made me laugh out loud. I got this crazy mental image of you doubling over, reaching your hands up there and pulling Myles out.

I love you girl. I'm so glad everything turned out OK!

[Karen]

I'm also crying. What a great story, what a amazing thing you did! Nice baby, too! (and very nice doctor!) Congratulations, again.

[jen]

My God, he's a peanut. So damn cute.
I love hearing these stories, yours no exception (*sniff*).

I don't know what's more impressive, the 48 hours of labor/dialiting bit, that you were able to push him out in 30 minutes or that you ate Arby's.
Really, it's to close to call.

[Jen from Boston]

"too" close.

[DebbieDoesLife]

I love that picture. And, totally agree - once these little people are in our lives, nothing else matters.

That was an extremely well written piece Teebs. Submit it elsewhere, please.

[Her Bad Mother]

Few births go as planned - how can such a miracle really be planned? Any successful birth is a GOOD birth.

He's gorgeous. You're gorgeous. Smooches to you.

[savia]

Wow. You have got me so choked up and filled with joy for all of you. Sounds like you've found your soul mate ;)

[Mommy off the Record]

Congratulations! I am sorry to be late with my visit here, but just read somewhere else that you had delivered and came right over!

I am excited to hear that you used some hypnobirthing and am curious how it went for you. I am studying the hypnobabies program and planning to use it in my birth (i'm due in August).

Anyway, congrats again. Your baby is beautiful. Enjoy your new miracle :)