Birth Story (not too bad)
The Birth Story of Carsten Lee Balch
On Thursday, March 9th, 2006, I was taken off of bed rest and allowed to go out to dinner. Mark and I went out for Mexican food with another couple. While in bed, I began contracting around 11:00pm. I was able to sleep off and on through them, but about 2:00 am, March 10th I woke up and the contractions were too strong to sleep through. I started timing them and woke Mark at 2:30 because they were 3-4 minutes apart. By 2:50 we were on our way to the hospital. I was 4 cm upon arrival and 70% effaced. I was monitored for an hour and rechecked without a change. So they sent us out to walk. After walking, I was dilated 4-5 cm and my bag of waters was bulging. I was in some real pain by this point and I told the triage nurse that she could not send me home because I wanted my epidural.
After speaking with my doctor, they decided to admit me (5:45am), get my epidural started (6:30am), and when my doctor arrived she broke my bag of waters (6:55 am). When my doctor checked me I was 5-6 cm and 90 minutes (8:20am) later pitocin was started. At 10:30 am I began feeling a lot of pressure and asked if my nurse could check me. I was complete! My doctor was called and she headed back to the hospital. Luckily I had a wonderful epidural and didn’t mind waiting for her. I began to push at 11:15 am and pushed through about 5 contractions and 20 minutes later Carsten Lee was born. I was able to watch the delivery in a mirror and it was just amazing. Carsten weighed 7 lbs 13 oz and was 21 inches long. He had a head full of dark hair and was just darling! He took to nursing like a champ!
