Billy and I had just enjoyed driving around town in his new car in celebration of July 4th. We watched the fireworks in the comfort of his VW Golf R and drove in circles around town. When we got home I plopped myself on the couch and turned on Friends. Around midnight something didn’t feel right so Billy encouraged me to call the night nurse for some advice since I thought I was leaking fluid. The nurse suggested I drink a large glass of water, lay on my side for an hour, do kick counts and get up and cough after to see if fluid was leaking. After following her advice we were able to relax because there were no signs to continue to worry about. At 3:30 am I felt and “heard“ my water break... it was such a weird sensation that I can’t explain, but I knew right then and there that my water broke. I started to panic inside as I was only 34 weeks and 5 days pregnant and knew it was too soon for Violet to be born. I shouted to Billy that my water had just broke (he was sitting at the dining room table behind me) and that’s when pure panic set in for both of us. Billy and I has joked about this day... we had an induction scheduled for 8/4/19 and Billy would tell me how he wished it would happen naturally so we could feel the rush If excitement... well his wish was coming true!
Let me back track a little... Billy and I thought we had another month to pack our hospital bags, put together her stroller, assemble her swing and bassinet... we had soooo much left to do in preparation for Violet but time had just run out. I will always cherish the moments of Billy running around the house aimlessly after my water broke. It was hilarious and a sight to see. He frantically asked me what he needed to do and what he needed to pack as he ran around in circles. I told him I wanted to jump in the shower and I just yelled out for him to pack a few items from the pile of clean laundry on our bed. We packed my robe, some clothes, our laptop and chargers. As I got out of the shower I started to panic. I was overwhelmed with emotions, especially fear! I was worried if Violet was okay... I was worried that excruciating pain would hit me at any moment, I was worried about giving birth, I was worried about the unknown.
We jumped in the car and rushed to the hospital. It was about 3 am and honestly this part of the experience was a huge blur. I remember calling the night nurse and telling her we were on the way. I remember her being a bit hesitant that I was coming in. Labor and delivery often get calls and visits from expecting mothers only to be sent home because it wasn’t time.... but I was 100% sure of what was going on. We got to the hospital and had to enter through the emergency room since it was so early in the morning. We signed in and had to wait for a L&D nurse to escort us upstairs. We checked in and was put in an exam room since they wanted to test to make sure it was amniotic fluid. After confirming that it was amniotic fluid, a doctor came in to discuss our situation. I was only 34 weeks and 5 days and their main concern were her lungs. The doctor thought it would be best to give me a type of steroid shot that consists of 2 injections given 24 hours apart in hopes to mature her lungs as quick as possible. They wanted me to relax and hope that the labor wouldn’t progress so that Violet would have time to get the steroids the next 48 hours.
Shortly after, I was moved into my own room. I was so scared and worried about Violet. the Doctor would not check if I was dilated because it could risk infection. I sat in the hospital bed with my mind racing with a million thoughts. Contractions were slow to start so Billy decided to take a nap while we waited. I couldn’t sleep because I was pumped up on adrenaline! My nurses names was Deanna and I honestly am so thankful to have had her by my side through the whole labor. She was the BEST!! As labor progressed, I tired my best to hold out on any pain medication because I wasn’t sure how dilated I was since no one would check me! I believe around noon I started to feel the contractions becoming stronger and more painful... tears were starting to roll down my face as I tried to tough it out. Deanna came in and insisted to check and see how dilated I was. I remember asking her if it was safe to check since all the doctors refused to. She told me my doctor was delivering a baby and that she was going to make the executive decision to check me. (I’m pretty sure she waited till my doctor was busy so she could check me!)
Things got crazy at this point in my labor. Deanna checked and I was 7cm dilated. I was SHOCKED.. I couldn’t believe I was already that far along and then I started to panic. I had expressed my fear of missing my epidural window and I was begging for her to call the anesthesiologist!! The doctor walked in shortly after and said she wanted to check me because she didn’t think I was 7cm because I wasn’t showing the signs of being that far along. I guess my pain threshold was high because indeed I was 7cm dilated. (I’m pretty sure my nurse and the doctor didn’t get along well since my nurse kept proving the doctor wrong!) Deanna then gave me fentanyl, which was AMAZING and it took the edge off and allowed me to relax a little while waiting for my epidural. Billy has a video of me right after getting the fentanyl and I look high on life with tears in my eyes, ha!
The anesthesiologist arrived and saved the day! I was scared of the pain from the needle but honestly I barely felt a thing. Contractions were way way way worse. Deana came to check on me before going on her lunch break and everything was calm and I finally able to relax. Next thing I know it was time to push.... the nurse that was covering the shift checked me one more time and I was 10cm. She walked out the door for a minute and next thing I know there are over 10 people in the delivery room. The L&D doctor, L&D nurses, NICU doctor, NICU team and my husband and sister. It was go time! Deanna came back from her break in the middle of me pushing and was able to be there when Violet was born! After 20 minutes of pushing, Violet was born at 2:42 pm and weighed 5 pounds 9 ounces and was 18 inches long.
They put her on my chest and she started to cry. All I can remember was crying and asking if she was ok. Billy got to cut her umbilical cord and shortly after she was taken by the NICU team and rolled out of my room.
