Riley Stavola

RILEYMAE STAVOLA

7.4LBS 20INCHES

RILEY’S BIRTH STORY

This journey started a long nine months ago back in September

Overall, my pregnancy with Riley was . My favorite things to eat were I found exercise to be good for me and baby I was able to work right up until the last week.

FastforwardtoApril29 Aswewerenearingtheendofmythird trimester,Iattendedsomeofmyfinaldoctorsappointments.Itwasonthis appointment,IfoundoutthatIhadlowamnioticfluidandbegantofeel anxiousoverthat Itrytolaylowandstaycalm

May3

Anotherdoctor’svisit ThistimeIam2-3CMdilatedand75%effaced My amnioticfluidisofcourse,stilllowandthedoctorsaresayingIcouldgo intolaboratanytime

May4

IbegintofeelveryanxiousasIfeelitcouldhappenatanymoment.Ihave somedischargebutI’mnotsureifthat’smymucusplug

May6

Mydoula,TheresaandIgoforapedicurethinkingthattheoldwivestale offoottreatmentsmaybringthebabyout.Itwasgoodtogetoutofthe house.JoeandItookasunsetbeachwalkwithTaylor.Itwasabeautiful nightbutIhadafewsharppainsandpressurethatwasdistracting.

May 8

Again, we listen to the wives tale and head to another foot and back massage to try and bring labor on It was great to get out of the house, sitting around wondering when it will happen stirs up lots of feelings so it was nice to be out and about. I got to relax my tense muscles and mind. At our foot massage, I felt pelvic pressure almost immediately when I started the massage It was wild That day I went out on a walk in the morning and at night when just to try and move this baby around.

May 9

Went for a morning walk No change

May 10

My birthday! Lot’s of people were guessing the baby would come today. I went for a walk in the morning again trying to get this baby to move Mid-day we headed to a doctor’s appointment and there was no change. I was still 2-3 cm dilated and 75% effaced. My doctor said they would like to see me in 5 days (May 15)

May 11

Ugh... I’m super tired today. I have very little energy and feel extremely week. My allergies have flared up since so many trees have bloomed. I am really not feeling it today and I stay in bed almost all day

May 12

Mother’s Day! I am feeling better, thank god, so I am able to move around a bit more. Overall there is no change with baby, I’m wondering if she’ll ever come out!

May 13

The day we met YOU

I went for a morning walk around the block.

5:00 pm

I call Theresa because I am starting to feel super anxious.

I’m so hungry and I desperately want dinner but Joe is off playing tennis. While we are on the phone I tell her I’m going to do some exercises to try and induce labor - I wish Joe was home in case it starts to happen

5:30 pm

I’m having lots of pelvic pressure after doing the Miles Circuit.

6:40 pm

I have my first contraction. I have an app on my phone and I start to record them.

6:44 pm

I have another contraction. They are close together but only lasting 30-35 seconds each. Theresa’s encourages me to start to get ready.

Around 7:00 pm

Theresa drives over to our house and finds me bouncing on my birth ball drinking water and laughing. It was a sweet moment. Julie and Dan are here too trying to keep Taylor busy. 7:30 pm

We say our goobye’s and leave for the hospital.

7:35 pm Theresa and I ride in the back timing my contractions. They are a few minutes at apart at this point lasting about 40 seconds each time Joe is driving very fast with a flashing light on the dashboard he got from a friend. Not sure if this is legal! We pass a cop near the Amagansett firehouse, thank goodness we don’t get pulled over. 7:50 pm

By the time we get to East Hampton Village, we are pulled over by another police officer! Oh my god, I can’t believe this is happening! Joe and I explain that I am in labor and we are trying to get to the hospital ASAP The police officer says he HAS to call an ambulance. I start to cry begging him to just let us go. I really didn’t want to get into an ambulance. The cop was very torn about what to do, but finally let us drive. 8:10 pm

I’m in the back super anxious to get there but also, Joe’s driving is making me crazy! He is driving down the middle of the highway in Bridgehampton - man on a mission.

here we go!

8:20 pm

We arrive to SH Hospital, thank god.

8:30 - 8:45 pm

We are in the labor room and I get my first exam. He is a large bald guy who is very loud. He’s surprised how far along I am. At this point I am 7 1/2 cm dilated and 100% effaced They are saying it could be a very quick delivery Yay! I ask him about getting an epidural, and he relays that it’s my choice. He let’s me know that I am super close to giving birth.

I have a hard time trying to decide, so we take some time to discuss I’m super nervous and having a difficult time weighing out both options: epidural or drug free. I really did want one for the pain, but I did not want the same experience as when I gave birth to Taylor 9:30 pm

The anesthesiologist comes to visit. I explain my fears of going through without an epidural It’s so nerve racking because you truly do not know what to expect The doctor explains to me that there is no way I knowing how I will react to it. That didn’t help at all...

The doctors checked to see how far along I was and at this point I was at 9cm dilated and 100% effaced. Almost ready to give birth 9:55 pm

Joe helps me to decide not to take an epidural. Joe continues to massage my back to try and distract me from the pressure and pain. TT is giving my ice chips and these beautiful oils for smelling I feel like I am at a spa! Sort of 10:10 pm

I have the urge to poop! LOL! The nurse is urging me not to push saying it might be the baby. Everyone gets me out of the bed and I stand over the bed with my head down It’s super intense and I don’t want TT or Joe out of my sight, this is so nerve-racking!

Contractions are very strong at this point 10:30 pm The doctor does another exam to check on how things are going down there. At this point I am 9-10 cm dilated. He wants to break my water but I’m extremely afraid of this.

We ask him for more time so we can discuss. 10:55 pm The doctor comes back into the room again asking me if he can break my water. Joe explains to me that this has to happen in order to move delivery along. I reluctantly agree.

11:00 pm

Intense contractions are happening very frequently. I’m extremely overwhelmed by all of the feelings and the intensity of the situation. I’m in a sitting position with a birth bar.

11:10 pm I feel as if I can’t be any more uncomfortable Everyone moves me to all 4s

11:15 pm I return back to a sitting position

11:16 pm TT and Joe turn me over to my left side. I’m super restless from the pain, pressure, and anxiety. The nurses return to the room.

11:21 pm Baby is born! 11:40 pm Placenta is delivered back into the room.

12:15 am Baby is trying to nurse. 12:30 am Joe and I eat snacks! Life is good.

Pounds

Riley Mae Stavola

May 13, 2024