I'm Lindsay Ferrier, a Nashville writer with a passion for family travel, exploring Tennessee, and raising kids without losing my mind in the process. This is where I share my discoveries, along with occasional deep thoughts, pop culture tangents and a sprinkling of snark. Want to get in touch? Use the CONTACT form at the top of the page.
March 18, 2007
Hubs and I were taking a walk Tuesday night when, for the first time in my life, I wet my pants.
I had already hit rock bottom in this pregnancy at least a month ago; wetting my pants was like drilling a large hole in the limestone. I didn’t say anything to Hubs when it happened, of course- I’d never have heard the end of it. Anyway, it was only a little, so no one could tell. I figured the baby was sitting right on top of my bladder, making me go whether I needed to or not.
An hour or two later, we went to bed and I fell asleep almost instantly. Suddenly at 1am, I sat bolt upright in bed and felt a little gush.
“What?” I said groggily. It felt like I had wet my pants again, except that there was a lot more liquid there than there should have been. Oh no. Had my water broken? Panicked, I looked over at Hubs snoring beside me.
“Hubs,” I whispered loudly. Nothing. “Hubs. Hubs. Hubs. Hubs. Hubs. Hubs. Hubs. Hubs!”
He kept on snoring.
“Shit,” I said and got up to head for the bathroom. I was pretty sure that this wasn’t pee I was dealing with, but having just read several stories about women who’d gone to the hospital with broken water, only to be told that they’d actually wet their pants, I had a bit of a phobia about it. I stood in the bathroom for a moment and stared at the clear liquid pooling at my feet. After a few long moments, the realization hit me.
“Hubs!” I shouted. “My water has broken!”
Nine days before my due date. Two days before my scheduled induction. No contractions. No warning. I hadn’t planned for this possibility at all. We called the doctor’s office and headed for the hospital.
When we got there, the place was packed. A cold front was coming in and the resulting drop in barometric pressure was causing broken water all over town. Thank God I took that walk Tuesday night- I’m pretty sure that and the eggplant mojo pretty much sent the baby packing. And thank God I got to the hospital when I did- They had only two rooms left and overflow patients would have to deliver in the women’s center, separated from other patients only by curtains.
We were checked into a delivery room and since I had tested positive a few days before for Group B strep, I was hooked up to a fetal monitor and an IV for antibiotics. I had started having contractions, but I could barely feel them. While I was answering the nurse’s routine questions, the fetal monitor machine went off and within seconds, the room filled with nurses and anesthesiologists. Inexplicably, the baby’s heart rate had dropped from 140 to 60.
As my nurse began prodding my stomach, an oxygen mask was placed over my face and an anesthesiologist began firing off dozens of questions about my medical history. I realized with a shock that they were all preparing for an emergency c-section. Within a minute, though, the baby’s heartrate had returned to normal. The nurse assured me afterward that it was common for the baby’s heartrate to drop once like that during labor, probably because I was lying on my back or possibly, he had grabbed his umbilical cord. However, they were going to closely monitor me and if it kept happening, they’d do a c-section.
“So if it’s all right with you, we’d like to go ahead and put in your epidural,” she said. “That way if we have to do a c-section, we can keep you awake for it- and it also gives us about ten extra minutes to prepare.”
I felt like I was cheating- I hadn’t had a single labor pain. But how could I say no? I got my epidural and settled in for what would be a long wait. A long, lonnnnng wait. I had dilated to between 4 and 5 centimeters by around 6am, then stayed that way until about 2pm.
Finally at about 2:30, I started feeling intense pressure from the contractions. The nurse checked me and I had dilated from 4 cm to 9 cm within about 30 minutes. The baby, who had stayed pretty high in my uterus all morning, had dropped and I could literally feel his head between my legs. We cleared everyone but Hubs out of the room and I pushed through three contractions. At that point, the nurse called in my doctor, I pushed through two more contractions, and out he came. I couldn’t believe how easy it was-and how HUGE he was when they put him on my chest. For ten pounder, he’s not very chubby, just extraordinarily solid and barrel-chested like his dad. He looks like his father, too, which makes me really happy since Baby is my Mini Me.
He was purple and covered in scratches and bruises, which didn’t surprise me, considering how much he’d been kicking and moving around during the last few months. As soon as the nurses took him, he peed all over everyone- twice. That’s my boy!
We were something of a circus side show in the maternity ward. Bruiser was the biggest baby they’d had all week, Hubs was creating minor chaos in the hallways by being “that TV guy,” and I was the talk of the nursing staff,who couldn’t believe I’d given birth to a ten-pounder and had only a first degree laceration to show for it. I actually came out of this birth in better shape than I did with Baby, who was a comparatively tiny 8 lbs, 14 oz. All I can say is that some women have fabulous metabolisms and others have perfect abs, but I, I have a proven pelvis. Try to contain your jealousy.
So now comes the rough part. Breastfeeding. Sweet Jeebus, the pain of childbirth was nothing compared to the pain of nursing the first week. More later.
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>What a story! You (and your proven pelvis) have done an amazing job. He’s so beautiful! Can’t wait to see more pictures when you get the chance!
>He is darling!
>They had only two rooms left and overflow patients would have to deliver in the women’s center, separated from other patients only by curtains.YIKES. Glad you made it there when you did. Congrats again!
>How exciting! And lucky you, gettin’ that epidural so early! good luck with the breastfeeding…its gotta get better, right? 🙂
>Congratulations! I am de-lurking to wish you all the best and to say how much I enjoy reading your blog. The fact that you are posting is impressive! After my daughter was born I remember thinking that if I had time to email and be at the computer, I had time to sleep. You can imagine which activity won out…So congrats again – here’s to posting AND sleeping 🙂 Caroline
>So happy for you! Ten pounds – wow, that’s one healthy child you made their. Many congrats to all of you and your pee-happy little guy.
>I so know what you mean with the breastfeeding! I had a homebirth (no drugs) and I found breastfeeding to be 100 times more painful than the birth. Just keep working at it, and remember that love is the most important ingredient in any baby food.
>I am SO with ya on the nursing the first week. It sucks. After that, not so bad, but the first week is always the worst. Congrats on Bruiser! 🙂
>Post partum…nursing, the horror of bowel movements, hemorrhoids, exhaustion and the constant wondering when that excess body weight might fade away, is noooo picnic.But you done good and that’s all that matters. Now get some sleep.
>great! I am so happy for you that he’s out in the world now! congrats again.
>You are truly my hero.Congratulations! 🙂
>”…he peed all over everyone- twice.”HAHAHA! Good Boy!!!
>Easy? No pain? Those are the birth stories I like to hear. Yay! Congrats!
>Glad you could feel something during the delivery. Unfortunately when I had an epidural for the first time with my third child (I know, what was I thinking on those first two??) I DIDN’T feel him between my legs and one only knows how long I sat on his head before the nurse decided to take a peek to see how I was “progressing” and screamed like a wild woman when she pulled back the blanket.Whew…so glad he appears to have no long term effects. He’s almost 5 now and we haven’t had the guts to tell him that mommy sat on him yet!Congrats! Love your fun personality!
>I had the same problem with my 9-lb monster. Lactation consultant told me about these wonderful Hydrogel Discs.Keep four in the fridge, 2 in your bra and rotate rotate rotate! Congratulations and good luck, keep it up, it’ll get better!
>So glad you didn’t have to have the c-section. As the proud owner of two “emergency c-section” babies, I wouldn’t wish it on ANYONE. (you can read my son’s birth story on my blog for March 1). What a trooper you are! And yes, I hated the first few weeks of breastfeeding…who knew a tiny baby could provide enough suction to try and take your shoulder blade out thru a nipple????
>Ah, breaking water. Great times. Congrats again!
>You are awesome! I had almost the EXACT same thing happen when I had Trent, and he was 10 lbs 7.5 oz, except I had to have a c-section. I think my pelvis is incredibly unproven or something. Other than that you and I could have the same birthing story!Good job, congrats on Bruiser. 🙂 Can’t wait for more pictures and stories. Oh, and I don’t know if you bought a bunch of newborn diapers or not, but here’s a tip, Bruiser won’t be able to fit into them….
>Congratulations! I’m another one coming out of the cyber-shadows to tell you how much I enjoy your blog. And I could not agree more that nursing that first week is soo much worse than labor! My daughter tore my nipple clean off and spat it across the room on several occassions, little punk. Major props for posting and congrats again!
>Congratulations. My first pregnancy also ended in a sudden water breakage that I confused with peeing my pants. But aren’t those early epidurals great?
>WAIT! You left out the paragraph where you reveal whether or not you snipped…..And that is about the easiest labor I’ve ever heard of. Sign me up for this “proven pelvis” thing!
>Congratulations! What a little cutie he is.Please don’t mention the breastfeeding. My toes have broken out in a sweat at the very thought of the three months I struggled with the pain of breastfeeding until it finally all worked properly!
>Gotta love a birth story like this one!
>Wow, fantastic! Delurking to say congratulations. Amazing birth story – and that Bruiser sure is a cutie!
>Holy Cow! I read your website once before and couldn’t remember the name. After searching forever I find it and YOU’VE HAD THE BABY! How exciting. I’m definitely linking to your site and will read daily. Good luck with that breast feeding.
>I was 11 pounds, 7 ounces & 24 inches long when I was born.And, I was NOT a C-section baby.I was 20 days late (born July 31st, 1978) so it was in the heat of the summer.Ironically, I was always the skinniest, shortest person in my class. Today, I weigh about 111 pounds & I’m 5 foot, 3 inches tall.For a long time, I was the biggest baby born at the hospital, where my mom had me. I’m sure God will make me have a big baby just show me what I put my mom through. 🙂
>Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you and your family.
>Congratulations! He is beautiful! Welcome to the world Jack!
>Congratulations and good on ya for your proven pelvis. That feat of childbirth was mega-impressive. And, oh yeah, nurses and lactation consultants are all liars for saying the breastfeeding shouldn’t ever hurt. Liars, liars, I say!Man, my nips were on fire for 4 straight weeks.
>I wet my pants every time I laugh hard! that’s embarrassing too. i try to be boring and not laugh when i’m in public as a result 🙂
>Glad your birth experience was fairly smooth.And the pain of nursing WILL pass. I remember doing more lamaze breathing through nursing than I did during actual labor. It felt like knives stabbing me through my boobs each time he latched on. The agony was when he popped off and I had to endure a repeat-session of the latch-on with tears streaming down my cheeks. But it does get better. Thankfully.
>No painful contractions before your epidural was in?Oh, how I hate you 🙂
>Well done!!!Congratulations on the little dude’s arrival.And I’m with you. I’ve got big babies and a proven pelvis. Or as my hubs likes to say, I’ve got birthing hips…Asshat.Best of luck with the boob feeding.
>Looks like my comment vanished….But hooray for your proven pelvis, Lindsay! So glad you didn’t need a C.Can’t believe you’re posting, but it’s great to read your story…Hope you have all the help you want at home… hugs to all!
>Sounds like you had not too bad of a time, considering he was 10 lbs and all!I think he’s chubby from the arm and the chin I saw in the video. Heck, most kids in our family are not that weight till what? 6 to 8 weeks old! When they start filling out and stop looking like an alien.He’s already filled out and adorable!
>Congratulations!!!!!
>Congratulations! He is gorgeous!
>exactly the kind of story I need to hear more of–thanks! I’m just hoping my own pelvis proves itself in a few months. congrats on a great birth 🙂
>Congratulations! (And? Lucky you! My MIL had these two-hour, one-pain labours, too. I’m thinking, “You call that labour?”)
>Congratulations! He’s already a charmer. I’m not sure about the timeline, but do I gather that the eggplant worked? If so, they ought to patent that stuff!Congrats again,Amalia
>Lindsay-An unsolicited idea: you may be hurting from nursing because he’s latching on wrong. And he may be latching on wrong ’cause he’s using a pacifier.If I were having pain nursing the first few weeks, I’d ditch the pacifier. You’ll likely find this helps.:-)Katie
>I am so glad labor went so quickly…little guy is eager to see the world, isn’t he?Re: breastfeeding…if the latch is off…owie. As I recall it doesn’t take long to do damage, and then it doesn’t matter if the latch is good. It still hurts. For a while anyway. I was a Lansinoh junkie for the first month. Good luck!
>Congratulations!!!
>Wow! Congratulations to all of you! So happy to hear he’s huge and healthy. Am quite envious of you and your “proven pelvis.” Need it myself. =)
>Congratulations Lindsay … I am sure you’ll have some great stories to share.Be well.
>I’m holding my 7 month belly and saying “OUCH! OUCH!” Down the chute with a 10 pounder?! Oh lawd! Please let that not be me! Congrats to you and your growing family Lindsay! He’s a handsome dude! I feel your pain on the breast thing! This will be our 4th child and I don’t look forward to those first two weeks of sore nipples at all!!
>Congratulations!!! Great birth story! I sympathize about the BF pain. Just keep telling yourself it will get better and apply Lansinoh and let them air dry after feedings and they’ll toughen up soon. 😉
>Hooray for baby Bruiser! And hooray for your awesome pelvis! Sending lots of positive energy and kisses your way.
>Congrats!!! I have been reading your blog for awhile!! I just delivered my 2nd daughter Thursday morning. 1/2 the size of your baby i might add!! She was 4 lbs 11 oz! Congrats again!
>Congratulations! He’s beautiful!
>Congratulations!
>yea! Cograts! Such a handsome fella.
>OH how I hope I have a proven pelvis. I’ve always thought I had birthing hips. Let’s hope I have easy labor. Otherwise I’ll cry like a baby b/c I’ve lab coat syndrome.
>Congratulations to the proven pelvis and all involved in bringing Bruiser into the world!
>Congratulations to your Proven Pelvis!! Hang in there with the nursing. It gets better. But do get help if you need it. Us La Leche League ladies aren’t ALL breastfeeding nazis.Welcome, Bruiser!
>Congratulations Lindsay! All of us at DivineCaroline are so glad to hear you had a healthy birth. I hope you’ll keep posting photos!
>congratulations – and I’ve saved the link to that eggplant recipe!
>Congratulations! I’m glad you such an easy delivery 🙂
>Congratulations! That is ONE big baby!And I’m the one who actually DID wet her pants, and not break her waters. Sigh.
>You did it! You did it! You did it! Congratulations, Lindsey!
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