Hudson Valley Parent

I can't believe I'm going to be a mom today," I thought as I nerv- ously walked toward the check- in desk at Orange Regional Medical Center. I was going in for a planned induction. My prior false labor prompted my husband to take his leave from work. After a week of staring at my belly and waiting miserably in the August heat, I jumped at my doctor's suggestion of an induction. Please let me push! I was scheduled to be induced at 10am, but after waiting anxiously I was finally given pitocin, a synthetic hormone used to induce labor. Just as my doctor had explained, my contractions began soon after the IV was started. They were painful from the beginning. When my doctor checked me six hours later I said, "Are you kidding me; I'm only four centimeters?" He finally broke my water and ordered the epidural. The anesthesiologist came in to give me the epidural. What I didn't count on was the epidural wearing off after an hour. I was in the worst pain of my life. "I just can't do this," I sobbed as my husband held my hand and told me to breathe. All I could do was cry. After an hour of waiting in excruciating pain the anesthesiol- ogist finally returned to give me an extra dose of pitocin. I came to terms with the fact that I was on this rollercoaster ride until the end and there was no stopping it. She's finally here! My husband, sister-in-law and nurse provided constant support and reassurance. Five hours later, I was relieved when they told me I could push. After an exhausting hour of pushing and pleading for someone to "just get her out," I summoned all of my will and told myself that I could do it. Suddenly, Hannah slid into the doctors waiting arms and they placed her on my stomach. She was purple and covered in slime and absolutely the most beautiful thing I ever saw. You'll never forget The old adage that you forget what labor is like is 100 percent false. You never forget, but you look at your child and think, "what wouldn't I have endured for you?" It obviously didn't stop me from visiting the labor and delivery room two years later when I gave birth to my son, Jayden. Here's what I learned about making it through the delivery room: 1. Surround yourself with people you love. There were times when I listened to my sister- in-law or my husband coaching me when I couldn't focus on anything else. My trust for them got me through the moments when I wanted to give up. 2. If possible, avoid being induced. Although the misery of pregnancy in the last few weeks can have you begging your doctor to get the baby out, keep in mind that the first phase of labor might be more painful. 3. Every labor is different. Just because one of your labors went a certain way doesn't mean subsequent ones will go the same way. Thankfully, subsequent births tend to go quicker than the first. I labored with my daughter for eleven hours and pushed for an hour, but I only labored for six hours with my son and pushed for ten minutes. 4. Make up your own mind about medication. I urge you to do your research and decide what type of pain relief you want, if any. Labor is hard, a lot harder than you may think, so keep an open mind. Leave any guilt you may feel about getting help with your pain out of the labor and delivery room. Don't let anyone tell you what your labor should be like and be open to whichever way your child comes into this world. 5. Keep your eye on the prize. Try to focus on the end result of labor - your child. Trust that your body knows what to do even if you don't. You are stronger than you could ever imagine. Erin Johnson is a freelance writer and mother of two from Sullivan county. FINDING INNER STRENGTH LDP room BY ERIN JOHNSON HVParent.com Q Hudson Valley Parent 7 Erin Johnsons' daughter, Hannah, shortly after her birth. Photo provided Labor/Delivery/Postpartum "

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