Birth: pt 1- The Beginning

Monday April 26, 9:45 am: Scheduled ob appt during which the dr was supposed to have removed the mucus plug, but I was not progressed enough to do this procedure so it was skipped. I was found to be 2 cm dilated and slightly effaced, which I was delighted to discover. Scheduled another appt for May 3.

Monday April 26, 7:00 pm: Contractions began. Started timing them about 15 minutes later because of the frequency. They were coming a minute apart and lasting a minute long. As I put Mark to bed I continued to contract.

Monday April 26, 8:15 pm: After one hour I called my Aunt and asked her what she thought I should do. I called Dr Marotta's answering service and we decided I should be seen in triage at labor and delivery. I called Jarod, my mother, and Mike M. as planned and told them to be ready.

Monday April 26 9:30 pm: Arrive at Crouse hospital and seen in triage. I was found to be 4 cm dilated and 80% effaced, the baby still at -2 station. They admitted me and began monitoring my contractions as well as the fetal heartbeat. I walked, used the tub, showered, and used nipple stimulation to sustain contractions. My mother arrived to relieve my cousin of babysitting at 11:30 that evening.

Tuesday April 27, 6:00 am: I was given the option of using pitocin to induce the continuation of labor, or else go home. My contractions had reduced to about 10 minutes apart. I chose to go home because I wanted to avoid inducing labor. We arrived home around 8:30 am. Mark was very disappointed we did not bring baby Miles home with us. This was just the beginning of a very hard week.