My name is Tammy and here is the story of my experience with labor and the delivery of my daughter Sarah, who is now 5 years old.

It all started on October 16, 2000. I was admitted into the hospital to be induced at 38 weeks because they knew she was a big baby and my blood pressure was very high. Around 9 a.m. they got the Pitocin drip going (slow drip). By 1 p.m. I still wasn't feeling anything so they upped the drip and it still took till 4 p.m. before I started having any contractions (mild).

Since this was my first pregnancy I wanted to try to do it all naturally. By 8 p.m. the contractions were extremely painful and coming every one to two minutes. I couldn't take it anymore and asked for an epidural and by then they had told me the lady had gone home and I had to wait for another doctor to do the epidural. That took another two hours. Finally around 10:30 p.m. I got the medicine and was finally able to relax.

I rested for about 45 minutes before the urge to push was getting really strong. I began to push and very slowly she was coming down, but her heart rate started to rise with each contraction, and this was a big concern for the doctor. He tried forceps, failed. He tried the vacuum and I was told he was pulling hard, but failed. So he told me with the next contraction to brace myself, that this baby was coming out. I was given an oxygen mask and never expected what was about to happen.

The contraction came and this man reached inside of me and manual pulled this baby out of me. I screamed and it took four people to hold me down in the bed. I was coming out of that bed!

Finally at 11:48 p.m., Sarah was out weighing a whopping 10 pounds, 6 ounces. Because of the delivery I ripped horribly, a 3rd degree. Next thing I remember after the delivery was throwing up and then I passed out from exhaustion.

Here I am today two days from my due date with my second and very worried. I mean, who wouldn't be after going through that? But I have a great doctor and they know I want an epidural right away, so hopefully this time my experience will be a much happier one. Wish me luck. Thanks for reading my story.