04-8-2009 - Poet Allana Barry's Birthstory

My mood while writing this blog: Tired

We got to L&D at about 8 pm. At L&D I was so excited to see that my OB was working I was almost in tears. I though she was working day shift that day and would be on her way home, but she was on for the night. The nurse checked me right away and I was 4 cms dilated, fully effaced with bulging membranes. My OB said that she was going to break my waters and send me on my way. Whenever they break my water I go fast and furious. She mentioned something about getting an epidural which I have never had before with 5 previous deliveries. I had always said I would never get one, but with laboring all day I was tired of pain. My contractions were still bearable and only starting to get to the point where I could not talk through them. I decided on the epi anyhow. I though why not? Now I am asking myself why I have never had one before. I got my epi at 21:50 and my labor became instantly painless. I felt absolutely no pain until they broke my water at 10:41 pm and the contractions became transitional, but I still could only feel some, but none of them were painful... they just felt like tightening. At 23:30 the nurse, Ingrid(the most awesome nurse btw), checked me and I was dilated to 10 and ready to push. I gave three good pushes and baby girl Poet Allana Barry was born at 23:36 and was instantly placed on my chest for a snuggle and a warm up. Shaun(Daddy) cut the cord. They left her with me for a long time before they did their assessment, weighed her and measured her. She weighed 8 lbs 11 oz. She was 21 3/4 inches long. She was perfectly healthy!

As soon as I saw her I said how much she looked like my 2 year old, Corgan. And boy does she ever, but she does have Caprice's(my 9 year old's) lips. She is so gorgeous to me. I forgot how much you fall in love

with them when you see them. Her apgar score was 9 and 9! I was happy. I only had a small abrasion and

my OB gave me one stitch for it so urination does not cause a burning pain. I never tear so I was not surprised. 2 days postpartum and I am barely bleeding. I have no more swelling. I am still having some cramping uterine contractions when I feed Poet, but they are getting milder and I am no longer taking any thing for the pain. Aside from the epi it was a typical delivery for me. I am so happy she is finally here!