Reshen's Birth Story

Reshen's impending arrival made itself known on Thursday, November 17 when regular contractions began around 10:30 p.m. that night. They progressively became stronger and by 3:30 a.m. were 6-3 minutes apart. We went to the birthing center and I was monitored for awhile. I was, indeed, in early labor, but the contractions were a bit erratic and not productive (I was only dilated 1.5 cm), so was sent home. During this time they also noted that my heart rate was excessively fast (150 bpm), but because I was feeling no ill effects, they released me. We made it home by 6 a.m. and went to sleep- me with the aid of muscle relaxers, as my contractions were still present.

By 3 p.m. on Friday, November 18, the contractions were stronger- hard to breathe through. Although they were still variable in their time, the intensity of them prompted us to go to the birthing center once again. I was 3 cm dilated and having contractions 3-6 min apart. They admitted me around 5 p.m. and monitored me and baby for awhile. They were still concerned about my rapid pulse and gave me an EKG to check it out. After 5 hours of laboring au naturale in the hospital, they decided to give me an epidural around 10 p.m., hoping that it was the pain that was causing my pulse to race. I was more than happy to receive it! They also decided to give me Ptosin in order to give me more productive contractions- especially since my heart rate was so high they didn't want me to labor too long.

Throughout the night nurse, midwife, and obstetrician were in often to check on me. I was hooked up to a blood pressure sleeve that went off automatically every-so often, making any kind of real sleep impossible. I also couldn't get up since I was numb from the epidural and the nurse helped me switch from side-to-side every now and then. Sometime in the early morning the midwife checked and I was 7 cm dilated. Baby still looked great and it looked like we would be pushing him out sometime that afternoon. My progress was checked again around 9a.m. on Saturday, November 19 and I was almost fully dilated, only a little bit of cervix left around the front and right side of Reshen's head. The top of his head was in the birth canal, just waiting. The midwife had me give a few pushes, hoping we could get his head past the cervix, but it didn't work and we waited a bit longer. At noon, she checked me again, but it was the same- no progress had been made. She then decided to insert an instrument into the uterus to measure contraction strength and get an idea of why I had stopped dilating. They couldn't get it in correctly past Reshen's head and the OB on call was called in. He tried to do it as well, but couldn't get it in either. He felt my belly and deduced that Reshen was in OP position (not good for delivering), and that he could be too big to pass through my pelvis. He tried to turn Reshen, but instead of helping, it caused Reshen a bit of distress and they quickly changed my position and put me on oxygen for awhile. It was decided the safest route to go was a C-Section. I wasn't happy to hear this, but it seemed there was little choice-- there was a reason why labor hadn't progressed beyond that point and I just wanted Reshen out safely. Around 3 p.m. they prepped me for the operation. Alan sat beside me and was great support. At 3:30 p.m., Reshen Davidson Tseng was born! I couldn't see him at first, but heard his cry and was overwhelmed that I was hearing my son for the first time. Alan followed them to the table and was able to cut the cord and take some photos. I really wanted to hold him, but couldn't until they were finished sewing me up and had me back in bed. We were able to snuggle, though, in less than an hour after his birth- really an amazing thing!!

Reshen weighed in at 7lbs, 13 oz and is 19 inches long. We were able to bring him home on Monday, November 22 and have been getting to know each other. He is a snuggly baby and loves to eat. Doesn't love to sleep too much yet though. Hopefully this will come soon. We love him and thank everyone for their warm wishes. Reshen is excited to meet you all someday.