FInally got around to writing this story before I forget it!

So I was one of those people who didn't know her water broke. Very early in the morning the day before my due date, I started having real contractions, about every 30 minutes. I had noticed increased fluid coming out, but it seemed thicker and mucousy, not liquidy and there was no "gush." The contractions kind of subsided in the morning, and I went to my 40 week appointment. The midwife told us my water had broken and to head to L and D!

The midwife there confirmed it was my water, and explained that we could wait about 12 hours to come back in for labor to start, or start an induction now. We opted to wait, feeling comfortable that baby was fine and the infection risk was low because I hadn't had any internal checks yet.

We spent the rest of the day settling in, getting bags together and coming to terms with the fact that we were having a baby! I tried lots of labor induction tactics but never tried the castor oil suggested by the midwife as a last resort. Nothing got my labor going and contractions essentially stopped.

We headed to the hospital around 1:30am and I was at 3cm. They started me on pitocin at around 5:35am. Here's where things got interesting. I had planned on an unmedicated delivery, but once I knew about the pitocin induction I was considering an epidural, knowing all the pitocin horror stories I'd heard. Around 8am, midwife came in and told me that my platelets were low and that I was not eligible for an epidural. I was OK with it at this point, but I don't think I really was internalizing what that meant.

We had an amazing nurse come on shift in the morning - she's also a doula - and I don't think I could have survived the labor without her! My contractions picked up mid morning. Even though they weren't very strong I couldn't really sit or lay down through them even from the beginning, and even though everyone was telling me to rest. Because I was moving so much I kept slipping the monitors, but my nurse was great, coming in to reposition them so I didn't have to labor laying down.

I was checked a second time around midday and was still at a 3 - very discouraging. Everyone said once I hit 5 things would probably pick up, and not to do labor math and think things would progress in linear fashion, but I was extremely frustrated. After noon things started to get more intense, but I don't think I was in active labor until later in the afternoon. I was checked at around 2pm, I think, and was at a 5. Again, frustratingly little progress. At this point, I was trying to bargain my way in to an epidural - trying to get them to check my platelets again! I was offered IV drugs but I was afraid of the contractions after the drugs wore off, so I never took them.

Things are very foggy after this point but I know I was in active labor. I would sit in the rocking chair or ball between contractions, kind of dozing, and then would stand and grab SO's hand through each contraction, breathe, moan whatever was necessary. I understand what everyone says about your body providing its own drugs, because I was really out of it between contractions - no sense of time or space really at all. I was sure I had 8 or 10 hours left because it took so long to get to a 5, and I was at this point dreaming of a c-section. This was how far gone I was at this point, because a c-section was my number one fear about childbirth.

Around 5pm I started to feel a lot of pressure, and I asked to be checked, even though I was sure I was only at a 7 or something and knew that would be totally discouraging. Turns out I was at a 9 and almost ready to push. After the check I immediately went through transition, which was the most intense, scary experience, and the toughest part of labor. Our nurse and SO were with me through the whole thing - I think only about six contractions. Everyone said it was really fast.

After that it was time to push. My BP was spiking so I had to lay on my back - not how I wanted to push, but at this point I wanted the baby OUT. I had planned to take my time pushing to prevent tearing, but had absolutely no control at this point. Maybe it was the pitocin but I don't know how anyone waits at that time! I pushed little girl out in 25 minutes, and she is perfect!

I ended up with fourth degree tearing and it took about an hour to stitch me up. At this point I accepted some IV meds to get me through the stitches.

While I ended up with a pitocin induction, something I never wanted, I actually feel very empowered by my birth, and amazed at my strength. I would love to be able to say that I stuck to my plan and didn't want the epidural, but in some ways I see the low platelets as a blessing in disguise because it got me the unmedicated birth I wanted.

I'm very curious if we ever have another one to see if the contractions are more manageable without pitocin. My SO was an absolute rock during labor and he amazed me with how great he did. LO is almost 3 weeks old and we are doing pretty well. Memories of the pain of labor have already faded. The body is a truly amazing thing.

Thanks for letting me share - I hope maybe this will be helpful to other ladies facing an induction.