I was having contractions for probably a couple of days before going into actual labor. I phoned my in-laws to come down from where they live (2 1/2 hrs away), to watch my oldest child while my husband took me in. By the time I got to the hospital, I was already 3 1/2 cm dialated, and definately not feeling good. My water had not broke at that point yet, and I knew once it happened, I would be feeling worse. I was grateful that almost as soon as I came in and they checked me, they ordered the epidural.
The second thing I was grateful about was that this epidural (which did hurt) went a LOT easier than the one I had for my first child's labor/delivery, in California. I was practically hyperventilating out of fear it would hurt badly, but it wasn't that bad.
I would also say I was glad they kept the baby in the nursery for the rest of the night (about 6 hours), but they didn't tell me they planned to let me sleep. I assumed they were going to bathe him, etc.. then bring him to me. So I stayed awake most of the night- I was dead tired and in and out of sleep, but waiting for them. I wish they could have communicated better.
Also, they told me that the first time I needed to urniate, I should call the nurses' station. I had to wait about a half hour for somebody to come in, and she stood there in the room with me. of course nothing happened. She left, and a while later, I told them I wanted to try again. I waited a long time until I just couldn't wait anymore. I was not happy with that.
I was also upset that they gave him a pacifier in the nursery, when they could have brought him in to me to nurse.
Also, they did not offer me any stool softeners or pain medication. And I could have used both. (I got them after the birth of my first child and was expecting them this time around as well- especially when this time around I was in a lot more pain).
So.. I have good and bad to say about their maternity ward.
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