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Delaney Christy Hooven's Birth

I just wanted to thank everyone for telling their birth stories.  I'm a
first time mom and your birth stories were very helpful to me during my
pregnancy (I didn't know what to expect of the childbirth/labor
process).  

My husband and I were 28 years old, married for 1 1/2 years and
expecting our first baby.  We were very excited.  I had a pretty smooth
pregnancy for the most part.  I was monitored for pre-term labor during
the last two months of my pregnancy.  I was having mild contractions, I
was dilated to 2 and +1 during those months.  My doctor felt as though I
would have my baby early, so she kept a close eye on me.  I didn't gain
a lot of weight during my pregnancy so we (me, husband, doc and family)
thought I would have a little 6 pounder - Huh!  Well, as Murphys Law
would have it, I went passed my due date by two weeks!  So much for
Pre-term labor.  We decided that I should be induced.  So off to the
hospital my husband and I went.  I was told to show up at 6:00 a.m.
November 17, 1996 to begin the induction.  My very good friend Maureen
was to be our back up coach (just in case things got a little hairy),
she arrived about 7:00 a.m..  We basically sat around all morning just
waiting for the Pitocin to kick in.  My doctor was in and out checking
on me during the morning and early afternoon.  Nothing really major
began happening until 2:30 p.m.. At 2:30 things stated happening.  My
contractions started with a bang.  My doctor had told me that according
to the Bio-Physical Exam I had had two days before that my baby was
sunny-side up and that it might be a good idea for me to try to work the
baby around by using different positions during my labor.   Otherwise I
might just experience some back labor if the baby didn't turn.  Well, I
was able to escape the back labor, the baby turned.  However,my
contractions were very painful. 
I didn't really have any time between the contractions to catch my
breath.  I asked (no begged my husband to ask the nurses to give me some
Fentynl).  They did, and it helped for a few minutes (I was told that I
was progressing too fast for an epidural).  Fentynl did help the pain
somewhat, it didn't take it away, but it took the edge off.  Basically I
labored very hard.  My water broke when I had dilated to 6 (boy did that
feel good).  I continued to dilate from 6 to 10 within the next hour. 
My doctor came in to check me and said that I was ready to push.  I used
a birth bar during my pushing stage, it seemed to help a lot.  It felt
really good to push.  I never got the urge to push, but when the doc
told me to give it a try, it actually felt OK.  I have to say that none
of my friends ever told me about the incrediable burning feeling you
have when the babys head is crowning - ouch!!!  Anyhow, I pushed for 45
minutes and out came our sweet and very beautiful baby girl.  My doctor
but her on my tummy and she opened those big eyes and looked right at my
husband and I.  We were in love!  The little 6 pounder we thought we
were going to have turned out to be an 8lb 2oz (big difference).  She
was born Nov. 17, 1996 at 7:34 p.m..  I ended up with a nasty tear and
some stitches.  Giving birth was the most painful thing I've ever
experienced, but on the other hand it was the most wonderful experience
too.  We have a beautiful and very sweet baby girl.  I think having my
wonderful husband, our good friend Maureen, a very caring doctor and a
great nuring staff made all the difference in the world.  Our birth
story is very special to us!

Thanks for letting me tell our story!