Gavin's birth story...


23 weeks preggo with #3... Gavin... I started having contractions. I had been having them off and on for a few weeks but they didn't seem to be of any concern... even though I hadn't had BH before, this was my 3rd pregnancy within 3 years so it was not uncommon. They started coming more frequently so my OB wanted me to go into l&d. When we got there they started monitoring my contractions and they were getting closer together and not slowing down. They gave me a shot (trebutalane) and it didn't work... they tried another dose... still didn't work... they tried another dose.... still wasn't working so they called the NICU and gave me a pill that was a heart med (can't think of the name) and bam... the contractions stopped. They checked me and I was only a fingertip dilated so they sent me home. Although we headed to a Christmas party instead. Ha! I had my next OB appointment and was put on modified bedrest and given a prescription for whatever the pill was that stopped my contractions. I only had 2 little ones at home and it was actually a very nice and peaceful bedrest. I continued to have contractions and my cervix was thinning but I wasn't going into preterm labor again. Then at 38 weeks and in the middle of the night I went into labor with Gavin. We headed to the hospital around 3am. When I got there they put me in an observation room to 'rule out labor'. When they finally came to check me I was 9 pushing 10cm. They rushed me to a room and I told them I wanted an epi... although I REALLY thought long and hard about not having one. I am SO glad I did... it took 8 hours for Gavin to drop low enough to start pushing. That's when my OB noticed that he was face up and chin up so she turned him OWWWWWWWWW! After 2 1/2 hours of pushing he was here... perfect little boy just like his brothers! It was easier to push him out because she turned him... but the turning really hurt. Vance wasn't turned and I wish he would have been. Once again a 27 hour labor.

picture is of Gavin 3 days old...
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12 comments:

  1. Another sweet boy! I really love reading your birth stories!

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  2. Oh how I wish you knew the name of the heart medication they gave you. Stacie over at it's a corny life is back in hospital and yesterday morning at 5am one of her membranes broke. So they told her that she cant take the trebutalane anymore that if she starts having contractions and it is time they will take surviving baby
    She is only 26weeks and some days so obviously this is way too early. I am wondering if she would be able to use the heart medication you spoke of in her case. You never know until you ask. I am convinced that doctors arent perfect and they might not be thinking of that heart medication at this given time. Does that make sense. Anyhow, I thought you might like to know and if you can recall please post it to my site. Also I have a prayer button over at my site if you want to pick it up and post on your site. I know you get so many hits that the prayers from your readers can only be helpful. Thanks.
    ML

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  3. I think its great that you're recording your birth stories here. Did you do that back when Jennisa hosted Mommy Talk? My post with birth stories is stuck in my old blog, but someday when I finish designing my blog book I'll be able to share the stories with the kids.

    You look great by the way!

    My sister is walking around at 3cm and 100% effaced. (She was due yesterday)
    Me? I was begging for my epidural before I was 2cm with Julia. I was trying to go drug-free with Sam so I was 15 hours into it before I screamed for the drug that makes me feel better (I was in so much pain that I forgot the word epidural. Ha!)
    I'm surprised they let you get an epidural that late in the game - obviously you need it since your babies take so long to drop.

    Praying for a safe delivery!

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  4. All the boys facing the opposite direction! Don't they just have a mind of their own! ;)
    Beautiful boy. :)

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  5. I'm really enjoying your birth stories! You mentioning worrying about the prolapsed cord made me remember something... four years ago my aunt was pregnant, she was about 37 weeks from what I can remember... and she also got the flu bug... well it was coming out both ends (sorry if TMI!) and then the cord came out!! She couldn't believe it! She called 911 and the paramedics came and rushed her to the hospital for an emergency c-section. Thankfully little Ethan made it, and was fine!! He had no problems at all!! Apparently the chances of a baby surviving without any problems are pretty slim, so he was very much a miracle baby! I mentioned this story to a L & D nurse a while ago, and she was really shocked to hear how well he did considering the prolapsed cord happened at home and not even at the hospital. So if it were to happen to you with baby B, there is some peace of mind that you'll be in the hospital and they'll be able to attend to you much faster!!

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  6. I love your stories. Do you ever get a shorter labor?!

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  7. Oh, he's so cute......I can't imagine being fully dilated but yet not ready to push!

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  8. Here's praying for a much shorter labor with these babies... you poor thing!

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  9. I can TOTALLY tell that's Gavin! Oh my gosh....his face is still as sweet and cute as when he was just a lil' guy!

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  10. What a cool thing to tribute your boys like this. Each story is so special. Love these!

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  11. Oh yeah that turning thing does sound quite painful!! Look at that sweet face....

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  12. Hi, I've been reading your blog for a little while, and just happened upon your birth stories. My twins are 5 y/o now, and I'm pretty sure the heart drug you were on to stop the contractions was Nifedipine (the same drug I took for most of the 13-1/2 weeks I was on bedrest with my twins).

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Thank you for blessing me with your words!

Brittany