A long awaited miracle: The birth of Lillyan

Lillyan is our first child and our little miracle because we were always told that we couldn’t have children.

She was due June 18th and our family was eagerly awaiting her arrival, so when that day came and went without a hitch I was saddened. I really wanted to meet her, I was so uncomfortable, and I was very ready to deliver. I went to see my midwife on the 21st and found that I was only a fingertip dilated and 50% effaced. I was very discouraged. They set up my induction for the 29th but I was praying she would come on her own before then.

I was sent that Friday the 24th for a non-stress test. Everything sounded great but my fluids were low so they decided to induce me that day. I started to freak out a little. I was very excited but everything became so real—we were going to have our baby in a day or so! They walked me right to labor and delivery, I was feeling great except for some sniffles. They checked me in, let me eat, and explained my options. I was offered the option of getting a C-section that evening or going through with an induced vaginal delivery because they thought she was going to be big. I didn’t want a C-section unless it was medically necessary so I opted for the induction.

Around 9 p.m. the doctor inserted Cervidil to thin out my cervix. I had to have it in for 12 hours. It was the longest 12 hours ever—I had to get up and pee every hour or so. I kept hearing other women screaming in pain and it made me panic a little. The next morning the Cervidil fell out on its own about 30 minutes before it was supposed to but the nurse didn’t seem to worry. I had begun bleeding when they started the Pitocin around 9 a.m. Then the real fun began!

I began to have contractions. They weren’t so bad at first but when they picked up around 11 a.m. I was in a lot of pain. My water broke around 2 p.m. At that point I was 1 cm dilated and 75% effaced. I felt like things were never going to pick up! The contractions were very intense but my midwife said that Pitocin makes them more intense. At 4 p.m. I was finally at 6 cm so I was able to get the epidural. I was excited for some relief, but I did not get it. They came and gave me another epidural and that didn’t work either. I was a mystery, so I was prepared to go natural. I was not progressing and the baby’s heart rate was dropping (they didn’t tell me but the cord was around her neck twice).

Around 12:30 p.m. my midwife said we would have to do a C-section. I didn’t mind—I was so exhausted that I just wanted her out safe! They got me right into the OR and gave me a spinal (which was simply amazing). I slept through 90 percent of the operation and when I woke I saw my beautiful baby girl! She was born at 1:01 a.m. on Sunday, June 26, 2011. I was so elated and tired. I got to hold her in recovery and I just fell in love. My husband was there by my side the whole time for which I am so thankful. Lillyan was born 8 days late but it was very worth the wait. I would do it all over again the same way!

Lillyan Spirit Concilio
7 Ibs. 13 ounces, 21 inches

Send us your birth story! Whether you had a home birth, hospital birth, 37-hour labor or emergency C-section, we’d love to read the tale of your little one’s grand entrance. Write up your birth story (click here for tips on getting started) and email it, along with a few photos, to birthstory@pnmag.com. We’ll share it on our Birth Day blog and may even print it in an upcoming issue!