Birth Story

My heart grew more that I could have ever imagined possible on 05.11.13

I had 2 weeks to finish spring semester before my due date. I was frantically working 40+ hours a week at clinical so I would be ready for our sweet baby to arrive. This running made me progress faster than I thought was ever imaginable. At my 36 week appointment I was dilated to a 2. At 40 weeks I was still at a 2 but the doctor kept feeling contractions about a minute apart. She felt really comfortable inducing me because my bishop score was high and I was contracting consistently. I told myself I would never get induced but the thought of holding my baby in just a couple of days + being extremely uncomfortable, sealed the deal.

The day before my induction date I went to clinical. I was having painful contractions and my teacher sent me home early because I was so pale. The whole day I had contractions but I never felt comfortable enough to go to the hospital. Zach and I enjoyed our last night together as a family of two. We made sure our home was spotless for our little girl to come home to. We went to bed talking about how excited we were to meet little miss Chipman.  

On D-day we woke up and Zach gave me a beautiful blessing. We got our hospital stuff together and said good-bye to our Tug and off to the hospital we went. We made it to the hospital at 0630 and started the induction process. First things first we had to get my IV in. I have large veins and no one has ever seemed to struggle with getting an IV in (even first time nursing students) but my nurse had the shakes. She tried to get it in 2 times and then went and got another nurse who thankfully got it in first try. After the IV was in they started me on pitocin to make my contraction stronger and more consistent, D5 to hydrate me and give me energy, NS to hydrate me and give me more fluid volume so my blood pressure did not bottom out (I started at 100/50), and penicillin because I had group b strep. She put all the monitors on my belly and checked me and I had progressed and dilated to a 4 over night. 

At about 10 my doctor came in and broke my water. After that the painful contractions started and I was ready to get an epidural. Zach was a little nerved because she thought the nurse with the shakes would be the one doing my epidural but I assured him that an anesthesiologist would be doing the job. I was so scared and was shaking like a leaf but Zach held my hand through the epidural and I was surprised how little it hurt. I then lay there comfortable till about 4:30 and then we were ready to push. I pushed for 2 and a half hours, and threw up all over myself, but at 7:27 little miss arrived and it was all worth it. They put her on my chest and I felt as if my heart was going to burst. She was perfect.

Stats:
7 lb. 9 oz.
18.5 inches