Pregnancy: Third Trimester Community

First of all - sorry this took sooooooo long and second possible triggs. Jeremiah David Kleinschmidt - Born Friday August 14th, 2009 at 2:51pm Thursday, August 13th, we were scheduled to go in at 7:00pm. The doctor was going to administer Cervadill or something similar to help soften my cervix and then start Pitocin at 7:00am on Friday... Well, when we got to the hospital, I was already dilated to a 3 almost a 4, so at 8:00, just before they were getting ready to administer the cervix softener, the doctor told the nurses to just go ahead and start me on the pitocin - right then and there! (Ahhhhh!!!! I ran myself ragged all day, thinking "well, at least I'll get some down time at the hospital", but no, no rest for the weary!!! They started the pitocin drip and and about 10:00 to 12:00 I was having light contractions that were very manageable, but since I was on the pitocin, the nurses kept coming in to monitor me every 20 min to 40 min and of course not letting me sleep, so I dozed off and on all night. Somewhere around 5:00am I started to really feel the contractions, painful but tolerable. About 8:00am they were really hurting. (I delivered DS all natural with no drugs and wanted to do the same with Jeremiah) I was using my breathing techniques and managing quite well, but after laboring all night and having my 3rd cervical check, I was getting frustrated, tired and worn down. I HAD progressed but only about a cm over the whole night... still on pitocin and stuck in my hard as a rock bed. At 11:00, I finally decided that I had been in labor LONGER that I had with DS and made way less progress - DH and decided that I shouldn't put myself through anymore than I really had to and I opted for the Epidural. I was very nervous and by this time, even though I was only 4cm my contractions were running about 1-2 minutes appart. I had 3 contractions while they were giving me my epidural, DH and were praying that I would be able to hold still long enough to get the epidural in! Once I got the epidural I felt about one more contraction and then... BLISS!! I didn't have a epidural with DS, did it all natural - Lordy!!! I will definately do an epidural again! All of the fears that I had were completely put to rest... literally! After I got the epidural, I took a nap! Then my sister came in and we joked and hung out until it was pretty much go time! The doctor waited until the very end to fully break my water, in hopes that it would help apply pressure that Jeremiah's head would not. It was kinda funny, my OB had all of her scrubs and gloves and booties on and was actually hiding from the water breakage. I was feeling great from the epidural, no pain, no pressure, so the nurses just told me when to push, it took maybe 10 minutes and then there he was! No episiotomy, no tears! Even with his defects, he was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. His body was so perfect and the most beautiful shade of baby pink. It was instant love! The nurses gave him right to us and we got to hold him, bring in DS and introduce them as brothers. Then the families got to come in and meet my little guy. He was such a tough guy! My doctor let me leave the hospital on Saturday (the next day) and take Jeremiah with us! Because of his condition, he was alot of work - we had to keep his head covered, his eyes moist (he couldn't close them) and he didn't take to feeding - but I didn't mind one bit, he was my baby boy, I worked so hard to keep him safe and I was going to continue as long as God would allow. He did pass peacefully after a seisure in my arms on Monday afternoon. I miss him so much, but I know I will see him again someday. Mommy loves you Jeremiah!!! My doctor was amazing, my nurses were incredible, and my room was NEVER empty - Under the circumstances, I had the best support possible. It really was an excellent experience.