We had an appointment at 5:30am (originally 6:30) at the hospital, and arrived without incident or exciting event. Check-in was also smooth, and by 6am, I was attached to the bed with an IV drip and the synthetic labor-inducing hormone, Pitocin. The nurse who examined me said I was at 3cm, 80% effaced (once dilation gets to 10cm, and 100% effaced, ‘pushing’ begins).  Travis and I watched Battlestar Galactica (episode commentary) for a while, and then my mom arrived around 9:30. About 9:45, my OBGYN arrived, and ‘ruptured my membranes’. This was quite gushy, but would hurry labor along (Dr’s assessment was that I was still at 3cm, 80%). I believe they also increased the Pitocin dosage, for suddenly I was able to feel the contractions quite strongly! The plan was for me to dilate by 1cm, every hour. The nurse and I also discussed an epidural, and she thought that perhaps it would be good for me to experience ‘natural’ labor for a while. By 10:30, I had enough of this ‘natural’ business, and was ready for medication, especially since I was promised ‘comfortable’. The anesthesiologist came, administered, and left. And came back, as I wasn’t feeling relief.  “Are your toes tingly?” Yes. Unfortunately, the pain had not been with my toes. A stronger dose was administered. And most of my legs were numb. Unfortunately, that is not where the pains of labor occur, either. He (anesthesiologist) came back again, this time with a big syringe. And I didn’t feel a thing from the waist down, and couldn’t feel my legs at all. Or the contractions, blessedly.

The nurse came in around 1:15pm to check me (and notify the OBGYN of my status), and announced that I was at 8cm, 100%. Yeah! The contractions had been rather strong, which was why the smaller doses of anesthetic hadn’t been working (to my understanding, at least). The OBGYN returned about 20 minutes later, and said we were ready to push. Oh!