Coming out singing: The birth of Benji

On October 10, Benji’s due date, I woke up with intense contractions at around 3:45 in the morning. We timed them at two minutes apart, lasting 60 to 90 seconds each. About an hour later, at 4:45 a.m., my water broke.

We called the hospital and were told to come straight in. Prenatal tests showed that I was GBS positive, which is harmless to me but if Benji got it, he would be very sick. Since my water broke, it was not safe and I would need antibiotics during labor.

When I got to the hospital they did an internal exam. I was “closed” so they decided to augment my labor with Pitocin IV. After an hour on Pitocin, my contractions got VERY strong and I asked for an epidural. At around noon, I was checked again. I was dilated 2 to 3 centimeters. There were times when Benji’s heart rate would drop because of the Pitocin, which caused uterine hyperstimulation so they would periodically turn off the Pitocin drip. When they did this, my contractions would get very slow and weak and they would turn the Pitocin back on. Then the whole cycle would repeat itself. At 5:30 p.m., I was checked again. I was dilated 5 centimeters.

During labor, my temperature rose and the fever caused Benji’s heart rate to get very high. I was vomiting and shaking with chills. I was not a happy camper and neither was Benji. They checked me again at 10:00 p.m. I was dilated 8 centimeters. At midnight, I was dilated 9 and a half centimeters. During my last check, however, my cervix was still thick on one side and Benji was lying face up. If I wanted to have him vaginally, they would need to use forceps, a vacuum extractor on Benji’s head and I would need an episiotomy.

The doctor saw that I was exhausted and feeling quite ill and Benji was in distress as well. She recommended an emergency cesarean section. I was a bit scared but I knew it was the best decision. Throughout my labor and surgery, my husband was wonderful and so supportive. I am so lucky! The C-section was a piece of cake. It went beautifully and I wish they had decided to do it sooner! Benji came out singing!

I was so so glad to be home in my own bed after only two days. My hubby took a week off from work and waited on me hand and foot. I wish my birth experience had been better (I wanted an all natural water birth—so much for birth plans!) but I would do it all over again a million times for Benji. He is truly an angel from heaven. It is so wonderful! I am overwhelmed with love and joy every time I look at him. It’s amazing how you can love someone so much that you’ve only just met.

Little Benji was born at 1:24 a.m. on October 11. He was 7 lbs. 4 oz. and 20.5 inches long.

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!