Stories

Labour and Delivery of Jack Harris

Thursday, October 19, 2006

4:20 p.m.
Water broke, lots of leaking and gushing at different stages, you keep leaking until you have the baby, only random contractions

6:00 p.m.
Contractions a little more regular but still random intervals and length

8:00 p.m.
Contractions every 7 minutes for about 40 seconds. I was told to walk lots. Gravity helps speed up delivery. Must stop and bend over and breathe deeply when I get a contraction. The hospital is so busy, I wanted a private room, but could only get a semi-private, but they let Luke sleep over anyway. Should have brought Luke some snacks and drinks.

9:30 p.m.
Luke left to straighten out loose ends at the house

11:00 p.m.
Luke returned and began timing contractions again. We met 2 other couples from our prenatal class!

Friday, October 20, 2006

3:23 a.m.
2cm dilated going for a walk and a shower. Could be induced if not regular contractions by 5pm Friday. We are very exhausted.

9:30 a.m.
Contractions are very painful and are in the lower back. Definitely need pain medication. Took morphine, but it does not work very well (only takes the “edge” off) and makes me VERY drowsy. I was able to dose off a bit and get some sleep.

11:00 a.m.
Less pain and contractions slowing down

1:00 p.m.
Few contractions. Ate some lunch. Ready to get this show on the road.

5:00 p.m.
Contractions picking up again

6:00 p.m.
Major contractions, VERY painful, may need to get an epidural since I am in so much pain! Contractions every 4 minutes. Told not to eat or drink much now so that I don’t feel sick in delivery.

7:00 p.m.
4cm dilated. Got transferred from Room 507 Kidd to the birthing room #5. The room is huge and the IV with water is now installed. Pain from the contractions was terrible. I will definitely need the epidural!

8:30 p.m.
Epidural attempt was a disaster. Took 7 tries and 2 doctors over an hour to do it. Very difficult to stay still when having contractions.

10:30 p.m.
Epidural did not work. I ended up with a frozen shin. I am 5cm dilated so will have the epidural redone since the pain is so bad.

11:40 p.m.
The epidural worked. Another doctor put it in. Now we wait for the arrival of the baby. Crystal feels great with the epidural and is able to get some rest before she needs to push.

Saturday, October 21, 2006

12:30 a.m.
6 cm dilated. Doctors are checking on me every 2 hours. It will probably be another 4-5 hours.

6:00 a.m.
Doctors wake Crystal up. Contractions are strong and regular. 10 cm dilated. It is time to push. The epidural allows me to feel the pushing, but not the pain. Must do 3 big pushes as if you are going to the washroom with every contraction. Luke is a great labour coach telling me when to push.

6:44 a.m.
After 44 minutes of pushing, head out first and doctors pull out the body.
It’s a BOY! Jack Brayden Harris, 6lbs 14.5 oz, 19 inches long. So beautiful! One small push to get the placenta out. Very healthy boy, Apgar test of 9! Excellent skin colour. Everything is perfect! Now we go back to the room for 2 nights and get to know each other.

2:00 p.m. Nurses check on me regularly to make sure I am okay. I am very tired. The nurses help with the breast feeding (it is not easy!) By Sunday night we are doing better with the breast feeding. Jack is doing very well and is so content! We can’t wait to go home tomorrow!

Definitely an experience I will NEVER forget. :)