Everyone Has A Story
I was shocked to find out that I would be having a Baby, while in my 40’s. The more shocking thing, was to have it happen during a Pandemic. I had a healthy, normal pregnancy until I got closer to my due date. I was pregnant with my third child. By week 35, my tummy was very large, so I had a scan performed. They confirmed that there was only one baby, and determined that I had excessive amniotic fluid. Their medical concern was that I might have a large baby. My Doctor was guesstimating a ten pound baby by my due date, so I was induced at 38 weeks. They were thinking my baby would already be 8.5 pounds, at that point. They were wrong. My baby was 7 pounds, at birth. Science and yes, even medical Doctors and machines are not always right or accurate.
To begin my induction, I was given Misoprostol to thin out my cervix.This was placed in my cervix via a pill and we waited 2 hours for a result. I was supposed to have a second dose, orally, but it never happened. So I was given Pitosin via my IV. I was on it for three days with no food, only apple juice and jello. After all this time, I had only dilated to a 1 and it was obviously not working! At this point, my husband called the Doctor in and questioned why I was being placed on Pitocin for so long if I was supposed to have been given a second dose of the Misoprostol, but never was given one. The Pitocin was pointless because it should’ve only been started after the Misoprostol was showing that it was working. The Doctor agreed with my husband and immediately took me off the Pitocin and said that they were “going to start all over again.” They allowed me to have breakfast and continued with two doses of the Misoprostol.
Starting All Over Again
I couldn’t believe I had to “start all over again.” So, now it was getting frustrating because I just wanted to have my baby already. I had already been waiting 36 hours with no food. I just wanted to have my baby in my arms. After 4 hours, I was only at a 3 and the medical team were beginning to get frustrated. The Doctor and my nurse came in and had a suggestive discussion about inserting a Folley bulb to help dilate my cervix. I asked to have some time to think about it and began to research more online. Basically, this balloon would keep my cervix dilated at 4cm for hours and it would feel like a constant contraction. I was not going to deal with constant pain, which according to what I read could last from 4-12 hours.
When having a contraction, the good part is that you know they only last a little while and you are able to rest in between them. Did they tell me this? No. They will not tell you anything, unless you know what questions to ask, so make sure you are well informed and advocate for yourself. I discussed this with the Doctor and she quickly threw in the option to just go for a cesarean. I told the Doctor that I did NOT want a cesarean, unless it was medically necessary, which at this point, it was not! So, I suggested to the Doctor that I would allow them to insert the Folley bulb, only after getting an epidural. If it could place me into a faster labor, I would go along with it.
I had the epidural placed, then the Folley bulb and we waited for it to dilate me to a 4. I reached 4 and the folley bulb was removed. From there, it was just a waiting game to reach 10 so that I could begin pushing. Once I did reach 10, it was time to push and it only took 8 pushes before my baby was born. I was able to have skin to skin time with my baby for an hour, they placed my baby on my chest and it was an amazing experience to hold her instantly! During that time of holding my baby, I delivered my placenta. I asked to see it and have pictures taken of it.
I personally, find the placenta fascinating because of it’s function and purpose. The Doctor then had to check for any damage and I was told that I was torn in two places, second and third degree tears. I was stitched up, luckily I was still numb. The funny thing is that my baby was the smallest of my three and I tore. My middle son was 9.2 pounds and I never tore, but I believe it was due to being checked vaginally by each nurse rotation. I was checked by multiple Doctors and Midwives in a period of 6 days that made me tear.
After giving birth, I had to have my uterus massaged to remove any clotting from the placenta. Unfortunately, because of my prolonged experience (6 days total), my uterus was exhausted and the Doctor took 30 minutes to massage my uterus. I was bleeding more than the Doctor wanted, but did not need a blood transfusion. From there, my baby was cleaned up and so was I, then we were moved to the recovery rooms.The laboring room was plenty roomy, but cold. The recovery room was so small and tight, I was shocked, but it was warmer than the labor and delivery room. Unfortunately, for my husband, both rooms had horrible beds for the Dads. His back was killing him. The beds for the Moms were not any better, mine was also uncomfortable and the one in the recovery room didn’t work, electrically.
As time went by, I found it very difficult to walk. This was normal, as I recall my last two deliveries, but this time it was different. I could not even take normal steps, but had to shuffle my feet sideways and hold the walls to get to the bathroom. When it came time to be discharged, I spoke with my Doctor and told her that there was something wrong. She agreed and had me sent to get x-rays. It turned out that I had one cm of separation of my pelvis and although small, this was the cause of extreme pain and the culprit for why I found it difficult to walk! She diagnosed me with SPD (Spontaneous Pelvic Dysfunction).
The Hospital
As far as the hospital stay, the only thing different was that everyone wore masks, including myself. I refused to wear my mask when pushing and my Provider was fine with that. There were no Mommy perks, as before. There was no photographer to take pictures of my baby. There was no hospital bag filled with freebies and coupons. Lastly, I didn’t receive a Mommy massage before being discharged. I was given a disgusting sandwich with chips and apple juice, whereas before I had been given a tasty steak with veggies and mashed potatoes.
The worst part of my stay was having a mandatory rapid Covid test. I was taken by a nurse to a secluded area of the hospital. It looked like something you would expect to see in a movie. E.T. came to my mind when I saw the room. It had a secure door, then plastic slats you had to walk through. The room also had a large machine that was filtering the air particles. My nurse had to sign in, along with myself, before entering. She also had to put on the full hazmat suit, which did freak me out, but she told me not to worry, it was just protocol. The test was horrific because I had a long swab placed into my nostril and felt that it had gone up to my brain cavity, not to the back of my throat. I grabbed her hand and pulled it out. I told her we were done. She wanted to do the other nostril and I said “no.” Just a note, the regular test is a swab of the throat, but this one is awful.
Spontaneous Pelvic Disfunction
After being discharged, I was given a wheelchair, a walker and a cane. I was also told I would need 3 months of physical therapy and that I had a 50/50 chance of recovering or walking again. As mentioned above, I could not walk, I was dragging my legs (one at a time). Getting home was my main priority, little did I know my nightmare was just beginning. When we arrived, I refused to use the wheelchair and used my walker, instead. To my shock, I was unable to step up the small step at my front door. I literally could not lift my legs to get into my house.
I had to go in through the garage and even the small lift of cement was so difficult, that I had to have my husband lift my legs for me. I had prepared everything for the arrival of our baby, but it was all upstairs. The shock continued. I realized that I was stuck downstairs, although I did not realize for how long, it would be for two weeks. My world was turning upside down. I was barely able to drag myself to the bathroom. To my sorrow, I could barely use our downstairs shower because it too, had a small border at the bottom and lifting my legs up even an inch was impossible.
When it was time to sleep, I realized that one of my couches was too soft and I could not use my pelvic or stomach muscles to “get up.” So, I moved to my other couch that was very firm, but even then, I could not rise to tend to my crying baby, when she needed to be breastfed. I had to use a recliner, which was awful because although it helped, I was going through my normal postpartum sweats for the first two weeks. The worst part was not being able to grab my newborn from her bassinet. I had to wake up my husband, who was also downstairs sleeping on our couch. He would change our baby and hand her to me. I was unable to walk around with my baby for 2.5 months. To a Mother that wants to comfort her crying Baby, this was torture. I couldn’t even change her diaper because I could not lean over. My back was shot and it would be a slow process to recovery. My husband was great at changing our baby and my oldest daughter learned how to, as well.
Having to depend on others was an experience I was not used to. I couldn’t do anything. I was literally confined to a recliner. There was no cleaning, cooking, driving or laundry. My Mother and Husband had to get things done, the best they could. I have never appreciated walking more than I do now! I will never take walking for granted, ever! It is such a blessing. Although my experience was 2.5 months, I cannot imagine people that have suffered not being able to walk for years. Although you have help, you feel isolated, confined and useless.
Physical Therapy
I was supposed to be receiving home health and getting a Physical Therapist the week after discharge. To my dismay, the hospital forgot to file my paperwork and I was told that I would have to re-admit myself into the hospital, in order to get a home health Physical Therapist to come to my home. Although it was not my fault or on my end, they refused to take responsibility. My own Obstetrician was unable to do anything for me, either. I would have to go to Physical Therapy, but the terrible thing was that I literally couldn’t walk to get to the car! It was such a struggle. I passed on this option and decided to look up pelvic floor exercises on Youtube. I did my exercises every day, as difficult as it was.
I made up my mind that I would move upstairs to my comfortable bed, where everything was ready and waiting for me and my newborn. I had to use my arms to lift myself up my stairs, going backwards. I did it and realized that I would be stuck upstairs for a very long time. Nonetheless, I would have everything I needed. It took a long time before I could move my own legs down from the bed. Time passed and my back and pelvic floor became stronger each day.
To anyone with this diagnosis, I understand your pain and there is nothing more horrible than having a newborn and not being able to walk. Know that your body is healing and that you will recover with time. This is my raw, recent experience. Feel free to ask questions or give a comment. At the end of the day, it was a hospital stay and experience, not a stay at a luxury hotel. I have a beautiful, healthy baby and can now walk. I am so thankful to God for answering my prayers for both!
