Induction With First Baby After Molar Pregnancy: The Birth of Audrey Lynn! by Misty Deal

After suffering a molar pregnancy, my husband and I were thrilled to be expecting again. With a due date of May 1, 2003, I journeyed through a perfect pregnancy. I was energetic, my blood pressure was good and I didn’t have morning sickness. In my 36th week I started having mild contractions. At my 39-week appointment, we discussed induction because my blood pressure was elevated and my feet had begun to swell. When my doctor asked me the next week if I wanted to be induced (I was not dilated at all), I said, “Yes, when!?!”

On April 30, I was admitted to the hospital, hooked up to a monitor, given an IV and a pill was placed in my cervix to soften it (new moms usually need this pill three times every three hours). After the pills I was put on Pitocin. My water broke at 7 a.m. I was told it would be a while, and it was. At 11:30 p.m., I sent my husband home for a while. Not too long after, serious contractions began (five minutes apart 45 seconds long). I decided against an epidural and tried Demerol at 12:45 a.m.

At 4 a.m. I woke up to contractions coming one after the other and was 4-5 cm dilated. I literally screamed and cried through every one of them – and forgot I could have an epidural. When I was 6-7 cm dilated, in walked the anesthesiologist to give me an epidural. The pain relief was instant. After the epidural, I was 9 cm dilated. I moved 3 cm in 10 minutes!

Panic set in at 6:30 a.m. when I was still alone. My husband called and assured me he would be there for the birth. As I hung up, my mother and stepfather, who lived in another state, walked in. About 30 minutes later, here comes my husband. Now I could relax!

At 7:15 a.m., I was fully dilated and prepared to push. Not too long after that, my mother was cutting my daughter’s cord – and once again I was crying. However, this time my tears were from pure joy. 

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