Finally! I am no longer pregnant...

Kurt Ryan Gammell
December 26, 2008, 2:25pm
8lbs, 12 oz, 20 1/2 inches
Delivery was intense and I honestly have to say I don't know if I would do that over again! He was on the large side to begin with and I had a feeling I'd have problems pushing him out. Determination, motivation & stubborness got the best of me. I pushed for 3 hours. I was told not push for a good 1/2 hour in hope that the contractions would move the baby's head further down to my pelvic area. As intense the contractions were and having an epidural at the same time, let's just say I couldn't bare the 'pain' b/c even w/the epidural, I felt the intensity of the pain in the late phase of labor (last phase). Unusual if you ask me b/c I didn't feel any pain w/Bryce and I have no idea why I felt all of that this time. I wonder if the epidural is not as strong as it used to be? Jill? Anything different w/today's epidural compared to 8 yrs ago? How come I felt no pain or no urge to push w/Bryce (8 yrs ago) and then with this one? I felt the intensity, pressure & the pain. The nurse even said the pain med was still working and my leg was numb still too!? Anyhow, yes I pushed for 3 hours. The thought of a C-section wasn't what I wanted to go through despite how much easier it might've been if I went that route. I mean I just felt like I came that far and I was "that" close, I didn't want to give up. Contractions were long & hard and 2 minutes apart. I pushed until the baby moved down close enough for him to be delivered via vacuum method. With the vaccum on Kurt's head, the doctor ready to do the episiotomies, everyone assisting in the L&D was loud and in unison, "PUUUUSH! One more, PUUUUSH". My OB was the loudest and it was her voice that just got the last part of delivery over & done with. So, taking that long deep breath....I Puuuuushed til I was red in the face...

Out came our little guy with the tinyest little cry ever...it just overwhelmed with a lump in my throat & pure joy!

Talk about bodily trauma! Let's just say 3 hours of pushing did some pretty bad damage. The doctor had to cut me open and had to do some reconstructive surgery to repair me back to "normal". It took her close to 1/2 hr-45 minutes repairing me and reconstructing me too. I didn't know how bad it was until I saw the reflection on my OB's eyeglasses and saw how awful I looked down there! Omg it was pretty awful. If I had seen it earlier during the labor process, I think I would've seriously opted for a C-Section instead. It was pretty baaaad!

Through it all, I give all the credit to Dave. The whole time he was strong throughout the birth. Not once did he give up or get nervous. He gave it his all and that really helped me stay focus & determined to deliver him w/out a C Section...