Welcome to the World Little Matthew

October 20, 2010
10:40 am
5lbs 5oz 18 1/2 inches

I went in for my growth scan ultrasound on 10/18 Monday morning, at approximately 9am. The baby was measuring small, about 3 weeks behind. Apparently my baby was diagnosed with IUGR.. for why I'm not so sure, they said possibly my placenta went bad, or something. So according to the doctor, it was safer that I had the baby early, as we can't control what may happen if I were to wait. That same day, I was admitted to the L&D floor to be induced. It was so sudden and shocking for both my husband and I... yet we were super excited.

I was admitted to the labor and delivery floor at around 11am. My labor lasted pretty long, much longer than I thought. Doctors had to put 3 pills in me to get me effaced the way they wanted. I was finally 3cm dilated the night of the 18th, that was when my contractions felt a little strong, but inconsistent. The next day, they finally put me on pitocin, which made my contractions super duper strong. When I finally hit 6cm dilated, I could no longer bear the pain, and so I asked for an epidural at around 9pm. The epidural lasted only about 5-6 hrs. Before asking for another shot, I tried to bear with the pain for just a bit longer. The anesthetist said the EPI alone wouldn't stop the pain for me, so they gave me something else in addition, I believe what they gave me was normally given to people whom get c-sections. Boy did it stop the pain! But then again, the contractions came right back a few hours later, however I was completely numb from waist down. At 10am on 10/20/2010 Wednesday, I was finally 10cm dilated. I was so excited. I was completely calm during the pushing phase, thanks to the epidural and whatever they had given me. I pushed for 25 minutes and finally little Matthew arrived, at 10:40 am being 5lbs 5 oz and 18 1/2 inches in length. We were so happy, nothing could ever describe how I felt that morning.

I had an amazing experience at the L&D floor at University of PA hospital. The nurses and doctors were so nice and generous. I couldn't have asked for more.