Driving home from W's house at 9PM on September 14, 2010 I felt a contraction, a pop and then a gush of fluid exiting my body. I still cannot really describe what it felt like to have my water break. It was the weirdest thing I think I have ever experienced!
"I think my water just broke," I stammered. I was half smiling and yet feeling like crying.
"Are you sure?" Joel questioned.
"Feel the seat! It's soaked!"
He reached over and felt the seat in the car. It was soaking wet. I was soaking wet!
We looked at each other wide-eyed for a moment smiling and shocked.
The walk from the car to the house was an awkward one- I kept leaking fluid!
It was really time!
We started talking about what to do. I had a contraction. More fluid leaked out. (Ok, this is getting weird. I am wetting my pants and have no control over it!) The books and the class both said it could be hours before active labor was upon us. We wanted to stay at home as long as possible so we had decided to wait until the contractions were painful and close together before heading to the hospital. I called my doctor's phone service and she asked if I was sure my water had broken. Yes, I am sure. How much fluid had come out- approximately? Ummm, a gallon? They advised me to go to the hospital right away since my water had broken. (Insert another contraction and more fluid leakage...eww.) Yeah, yeah, and sit in the hospital for who knows how long being pestered by nurses? I thought. No thanks. "I'll wait until my contractions are close together," I told the operator. She connected me to my doctor and he said to call back when I was heading to the hospital. He was already there with another patient.
As soon as I hung up I had another contraction. (More fluid? How much is in there???) It was more uncomfortable than any I had already experienced. We prayed. Joel asked God to give us strength and endurance for the night ahead! He prayed a blessing over the the baby and our home. He asked God to give us wisdom as we raised this child.
I cried. It was really time. We were going to meet this new life SOON. Labor was upon me. What would it be like? Would I be able to handle all the pain I was about to face? What would it be like to be a mother? Was I ready?
Oh, God, make me ready! I earnestly prayed.
We started timing the contractions and I got in the shower.
If you know anything about timing contractions you can see that they were coming fast from the beginning. (AND with each one I kept leaking fluid... nice.) The first couple of contractions after my water broke were strong and by 10PM the contractions were getting painful. I could barely get the rest of my bag packed without wincing. We headed to the hospital at 10:40PM.
The 20 minutes to the hospital was the longest car ride of my entire life. I was not able to move around and the pressure I was feeling on my lower back was horrible. Joel was a great encourager and kept reminding me to look to the prize- our first baby!
The check-in process at the ER entrance took entirely too long. I had pre-registered for goodness sake! Why do you need to verify all the information again? Besides, I am leaking amniotic fluid everywhere... which is not only gross, but slightly awkward and embarrassing. The clerk kept telling me it was ok and we were almost done. Yeah, thanks, you are not the one in labor, lady! They brought a wheelchair out after what seemed like an eternity and we were headed to the labor and delivery room!
Read Part 4.
4 comments:
This is great! I love birth stories and the anticipation of the next installment is exciting :) Thanks for being willing to share.
I love birth stories! Thanks for sharing!
Loving these little chapters! What a great story! I'm so glad you are willing to share your experience.
LOL This is so fun to read. I remember trying to eat strawberry mini wheats and doubling over the kitchen counter during contractions. My longest car ride ever was also when I was in labor -- and it was only 10 minutes. I can't even imagine 20! And yes, why on EARTH do they make women in labor stop and answer questions/sign papers. Ridiculous! :-)
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