Rocks in my dryer has a fun post about labors in tune with today being Labor Day. I thought I would join in.
Here's an interesting fact about me, too. My mom was in labor with me on Labor Day. Yes, I was born just after Labor Day, in....well, we won't discuss the year. Let's just say my birthday is not on Labor Day this year.
How long were your labors?
Kid #1: 4 hours
Kid #2: 5 hours
Kid #3: 16 hours (Hey, I thought it was supposed to get easier, not harder)
Please ladies, don't get upset with me here. I'm just reporting the facts! If you'll keep reading about how overdue this child was, I may not seem so blessed!
Just for fun, I thought I would throw this in, too.
How Much Weight Did You Gain and Lose
Kid #1: I gained 88 lbs. I went from 92 to 180 lbs! I wore my size 0 back to school one week after birth.
Kid #2: I gained 33 lbs. Again I went from 92 lbs. to 125 lbs. Many people did not know I was expecting when I had to take maternity leave early because of premature labor, I was 7 months along when I went on leave. Again, in several weeks I was back to my size 0's.
Kid #3: I gained around 80 lbs. I was 180 lbs. Ok, this is what you're waiting for. The weight didn't come off nearly as quickly since I was in my 30's by now! But I'm happy to report at 7 years later, again I'm back in my size 0's.
How did you know you were in labor?
Kid #1: Water broke - but it was about time considering she was due July 4th and didn't decide to make an appearance until August 20th!
Kid #2: Water broke - I had just driven Kid #1 to school, cleaned house, and packed up Christmas decorations. She was about 2 weeks early, but I wasn't real sure about when I conceived. Her dad and other family members were upset that I waited until the day after Christmas break was over to give birth. They thought they would lose holiday pay if they missed work.
Kid #3: Very uncomfortable feelings, inconsistant contractions (just like other births) sometimes coming at 5 minutes apart, sometimes 1 minute apart. She was also 2 weeks early. It was fortunate that she came when she did because her cord was wrapped loosely around her neck. This time everyone was pleased about her coming on May 20, instead of June 5 because the family got to enjoy her over the Memorial Day holiday.
Where did you deliver?
All three in hospitals - although different ones. Since my kids are each 7 years apart, it's fun to see the improvements made in birthing centers over the years. Although I say it's fun, I will not be repeating the labor experience, now that youngest is 7 years old.
I wanted to add too, that I thought Kid #1 would arrive before we arrived at the hospital. My parents were driving me and they kept threatening that I better not have that baby in mom's Cadillac! LOL!
Drugs?
Kid #1: No, by the time I said I wanted drugs, they said it was too late. I delivered her - all 10 lbs & 2 oz. of her naturally! And, are you ready for this? She was the easiest! Maybe I was just young & naiive.
Kid #2: No, I tried to tell them I wanted drugs, but again it was too late. Are you seeing a pattern? I have a knack for going from 2-4cm to delivering RIGHT NOW! Seriously, the nurse checked me, I was 4 cm then 30 seconds later I said, I have to push. She's like no, no, you can't push. I'm like "It's pushing me!" The doctor literally caught child #2, which weighed in at 5 lbs. 8oz.
Kid #3: Yes, Yes, and Yes. After being up all night, she finally arrived at 8 lbs. 7 oz.
Who delivered?
Kid #1: Again, a story behind that one. I went sooo long past my due date because my regular OB/GYN went on a 3 week vacation to Europe. I don't know why the fill-in doc didn't induce. Anyway, I was scheduled to be induced the next day, but the night before I went into labor and guess what? My doctor again was called out of town by his sick mother. I delivered with a doctor I had never met before! He spent all of 10 minutes in my room. Seriously! Anyway, since I was an unwed teenager, my mom wanted to make sure that I was humiliated enough and thought that would insure that I not go out and get pregnant again right away. She allowed a whole team of medical students to observe my labor and delivery! That's right! In addition to the nurses, and the doctor, there was a whole group of medical students observing and writing notes! Modesty went right out the door!
Kid #2: Basically the nurses delivered. The doctor caught this baby, too.
Kid #3: The doctor, a midwife, and a whole team of nurses.
Happy Labor Days to all the moms out there!
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7 comments:
Great birth stories. Wow...I would have been jogging the block sipping on castor oil if I'd been that overdue! Lucky she was an easy birth! Thanks for sharing.
I would definately try that if ever in the position again, but with first child, I was 15, and oh, so young and naiive. LOL!
Ok, so my third was 10lbs. 2oz. as well and she was definitely my easiest delivery as well. Isn't that weird?
Great stories! Mine were both preemies, so I can't imagine being overdue. :)
Great stories! Must have been awful waiting for that first baby to put you into labour over the long summer!
Oh my goodness it was a terrible summer! And my parents made me help with firewood, mow our BUMPY two acre lawn, and other things, trying to make me go into labor!
As I look back now, maybe that is why she was the easiest. Maybe I was just in better shape! LOL!
She finally arrived on Aug 20 and I had to go back to high school as a junior on August 27!
Wow, some crazy deliveries in there! I've been reading some stories from RIMD and am glad so many people have shared. I am due in less than 4 weeks and can't wait to meet our little one!
My friends are sharing advice for my labor this week on our blog if you'd like to join along and send some my way!
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