Roger returned to the hospital around 5:30 a.m. In the meantime, Miyo was moved
to a labor and delivery room (the nurses called it the "Presidential Suite" of
delivery rooms in the hospital) and started the breathing and concentration
exercises we made fun of in our Lamaze classes. ... the breathing patterns weren't
so funny any more!
Miyo was hooked back up to all the machines that told us when a contraction was
coming and how strong they were. They also had her hooked up to an IV bag with
Pitocin, the labor-inducing drug. As the day progressed, the nurses administered
higher and higher dosages of the drug through the IV, and boy did Miyo feel the
burn!
To help the dilation and effacement move along, Miyo and Roger took several strolls
up and down the small maternity ward. We looked at cards and pictures previous
patients had sent, read every single sign posted on the walls of that hallway,
and made fun of the stench of the overcooked coffee in the waiting/snack area.
After using every technique we made fun of in Lamaze class, by noon, Miyo was
only dilated 1 centimeter. For the laypeople out there, that's CRAP!
The doctor discussed with us that if the labor wasn't showing signs of progressing
by 4:30 p.m. that night, that it would be necessary to do a c-section.
Miyo labored for four more hours or so before the doctors checked her progress. We
did everything we could: Walk, sit on the "labor ball," labor in all sorts of squatting
and kneeling positions, back rubs, you name it, we did it. By 4:30, there was
still no progress ...
The jig was up. It was time for the big guns, and THAT'S when Miyo started
freaking out!
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