Joshua's Birth Story

January 26, 2000 was my due date and also my next doctor's appointment. I already had my speech ready! "Doctor, PLEASE induce me", I would cry. This was my first baby and at 25 years old and my husband at 29, we basically swore we would never do this again!! I had morning sickness everyday, all day for 3 1/2 straight months and just the plain common discomforts of pregnancy made me feel that another child would be just too much for us to bear. However, I never made it to that appointment. At about 6:00 p.m., January 24th, I lost my mucus plug and at about 9:00 that same evening my water bag began to leak. It was off to the hospital for my husband, family and I. I was sure that on the way to the hospital I would begin experiencing strong cramps and contractions, but they never came. When I got to the hospital, I was checked and told that I was just a fingertip dilated. What a disappointment!! I was sooo ready to have this baby. The night went on and my water bag leaked, and leaked, and leaked. Still no contractions nor did I dilate any more. The doctor was called and she informed the nurse to put what is called a cervadil in my cervix to make me dilate. That was to stay in me for 12 hours. After that was removed, I was checked and was still a fingertip dilated. After that, I was given Pitocin for another 6 or 7 hours, upping the dosage every hour or so. Not only did that not work, but I never felt a contraction, only cramps very similar to menstrual cramps. It was then that the doctor recommended a C-Section for the baby's safe delivery.

We were not at all prepared for this news. My husband and I cried on each other for what seemed forever. This was not happening to me. I was not supposed to have a C-section birth. My baby was supposed to be born vaginally and everything would be fine. Well, this turned out to be our blessing in disguise.

I was wheeled down to the operating room where I was put totally under. The anasthesioligist tried to numb me but could not find the proper spot in my back for the needle. (That was not fun, either) When I awoke from what seemed a few minutes, I felt my stomach to find that my huge lump was no longer there. It was then that I was told that I had a very healthy, precious, 9 pound baby boy.

The reason I say this was my blessing in disguise is because of the size of my child, he could have gotten stuck and gotten hurt and so could I. I am very thankful for my beautiful child and the C-Section.