Well, Little Roo is a little over a week old now and I’m finally getting some time to post part one of his birth story. If you see any parts that read something like cvfkasrjgrfkjglaj, that just means I fell asleep while typing this due to exhaustion.
His story has to start with a little background on Big Roo’s birth. With Big Roo, I labored for 12 hours before ending up with a C-section. Recovery was horrible. I was floored how difficult it was on me, especially since I was healthy and in shape. At first I felt cheated since I never got to push him into this world but I got over it. Just because I had a C didn’t mean I didn’t BIRTH him. It’s ludicrous to think otherwise. But the recovery haunted me so much that this go around, I was determined to attempt a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean).
Well, determined may not be the perfect word. I flip-flopped through most of the pregnancy but never let them take “VBAC” off my chart. Certain phrases like “uterine rupture” scared me but I was also annoyed how few doctors let women attempt VBACs. Around 30 weeks, I made up my mind for good. I’d done the research, weighed the options and talked to my OB doctors. The doctors supported me. Daddy Roo supported me too. So VBAC attempt it would be.
Fast forward to Monday, February 22. For some reason, I was full of productivity that day. I’d gotten lots done at work. I talked with my friend about the details surrounding what she dubbed “Operation Big Roo” – aka the plan for when I go into labor and she comes to the house to take care of Big Roo. I even asked daycare for a permission form for her to pick him up if need be.
That night, I had a hard time getting to sleep, which is unlike me. I attributed it to being Big Roo’s birthday the next day. For the month of February, I had a list of dates I hoped Little Roo wouldn’t be born. I mentally checked them off with a sigh of relief as they passed…
… my baby shower… Big Roo’s 3 year photo shoot (and maternity pics too)… Valentine’s Day… Big Roo’s birthday party…
I had a few more don’t-come-on-this-date dates left to go: Big Roo’s third birthday 2/23), my niece’s birthday (2/26) and Big Roo’s sibling tour at the hospital (2/27, which had been rescheduled from 2/13 due to snow) but Big Roo’s birthday was the big one.
Life has a funny way of working out.
On February 23rd around 3:30 a.m., I woke up to a dull crampy feeling. And like every night for the past few months, I had to pee. I heaved my belly over to the edge of the bed and sat up.
Then I felt it.
My… water… just… broke.
At first, I was in denial that it was actually my water. Maybe I just really had to pee? But deep down I knew. With a laugh, I said, “you’ve gotta be kidding me.” I knew Little Roo was going to share a birthday with his big brother!
Daddy Roo was quickly up and alert, despite being up until 2 am working on a work project. After calling the doc, I called my friend from Follow Linus to start “Operation Big Roo,” which consisted of being at the house when Big Roo woke up and getting him fed, clothed and off to daycare. My contractions picked up and by the time she arrived they were about 2 minutes apart and starting to get painful.
We got to the hospital around 4:30 a.m. and the contractions were getting stronger. From about 4:30 until 6:30 I labored and got up to an impressive 5 cm. The contractions were REALLY starting to suck but Daddy Roo was helping me through- holding my hand, reminding me to breathe, all the right stuff your “support partner” is supposed to do. At this point I was ready for the epidural but feeling blissful at the same time. I said to Daddy Roo, “Can you believe how great this is going so far? Maybe I’ll get a VBAC after all!”
I then got my much-wanted epidural. I remember how much the needle stung last time but this time I hardly felt a thing… well, except for the contraction pain slowly dissolving with each one. Aaahhhh. After that set in, the doctor came and checked me.
And then, not 20 minutes after my optimistic proclamation, it all changed.
