tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48638308824753668932024-03-12T19:05:20.946-07:00au naturaleEmily Framehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04009176107471035747noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863830882475366893.post-82406985301179973702012-12-29T21:08:00.001-08:002012-12-29T21:08:22.102-08:00Katherine<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Misty, age 32 </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> When I found out I was pregnant with Katherine I knew that I was going to have a natural birth no matter what. My first three babies were all born with the assistance of an epidural. I felt so strongly that I needed to do this without pain relief and began searching for the method right for me. I decided to use the Bradley method because it encouraged my husband to be my partner and coach in the process. I also loved how simply it explained childbirth and relaxation techniques. Because I live in a small town I had no access to assistance from a midwife or way to take natural childbirth education classes in this method so I ordered Natural Childbirth The Bradley Way book from amazon.com and my husband became my coach. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We prepared well together. We practiced all the exercises and I learned to relax my entire body. Learning to relax has always been difficult for me and following their methods helped me in many ways during the 9 months of Labor. Especially in my ablility to sleep at night. Out of 4 pregnancies this was the only one that I was able to sleep comfortably up until the day I had the baby. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-omK4W_-x-A4/UN_MIqH-4_I/AAAAAAAAUCM/n_UqDuWJAJI/s1600/DSC01631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-omK4W_-x-A4/UN_MIqH-4_I/AAAAAAAAUCM/n_UqDuWJAJI/s400/DSC01631.JPG" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> So…on with the birthing story…
Before the labor began I preregistered at the hospital. I sent in a note with my paperwork stating that I did not under any circumstance want an epidural. I didn’t want to meet with an anesthesiologist, I didn’t want the nurse to tell me it was time for an epidural. I just wanted no talk of one in my room. They were amazing nurses and no one brought it up…not once. They were very supportive.
Excluding the fact that I have been contracting for weeks and quite ill for the last week of my pregnancy this was the easiest labor and delivery I have ever had. My husband and I spent most of the labor joking and talking. It was actually a relaxing experience and I never would have thought I could say that. My first 3 experiences with childbirth where extremely long and painful deliveries! I just needed to learn to relax. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> After contracting all night on Wednesday, all day on Thursday, and into Friday morning I called Labor and Delivery because I was experiencing quite a bit of bloody show with the contractions. The contractions were very strong but I was able to relax through them. After visiting with them for a few minutes they asked me to come and be checked. I was actually upset they wanted to see me. My contractions were tapering off. They were only coming about every 5 minutes and the intensity was not as strong as I thought they should be. I went in and found I was dilated to a 4-5. That was shocking to me! I am usually admitted at a 2 or 3 and in so much pain I am begging for an epidural. Labor and delivery decided to observe me for an hour. I was upset because I only had about 10 contractions that hour and they were wimpy. But I kept walking around, squatting, etc. and resigned myself to the fact they would send me home until the contractions came closer together. I was emotional and crying a bit because I wanted to have my baby. The doctor came and checked me and informed me that I was a 7. I couldn't believe it. The contractions weren't painful enough in my mind! Actually they weren't consistent, hard, long or following any pattern...but they were working and I was relaxing through them as I should. My husband and I frequently joke that I relaxed the contractions away. I probably did! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was finally admitted at 6:00 am on Friday morning. With a smile on my face I began the work I prepared myself for bringing my baby into the world!
I took a picture of myself at a 7 and sent it to my mom. I remember just thinking over and over "See me! Smiling! Happy! Almost done! What the heck?" I had a really good labor coach (my sweet husband) and apparently The Bradly Method really works... The scary part of the labor was ahead for me! It took me 4 hours to contract to a 9 and after another 3 hours I was still at a 9. It had been too easy. My really nice contractions were not quite enough to get the baby out so they gave me a very little bit of pitocinn. I didn't like that at all but I knew if the baby was going to come out I needed some help with the contractions. They also broke my water at that time and the pressure was so intense and the urge to push just overwhelmed me. (I wouldn’t let them break my water earlier because I knew it would make the contractions much more difficult) The doctor quickly came in to check and they discovered why I wasn’t progressing to a ten. The baby was turned face up…so the doc got to put his hand inside and turned her around. The moment he put his hand in to turn the baby I thought I was going to maybe die and the tears and nausea began to flow. It took a few contractions for me to recover from that before I could focus and push. For the next half hour the pain was intense. Yet it was amazing to be able to feel the baby as it was time to push. It was also great that I was able to run my own show. I had studied so well I knew exactly what my body needed and what was going on. It was invigorating. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">From this point on Relaxing was getting more difficult and My husband said that I kept sobbing that I should have got an epidural over and over. He kept responding sweetly that all I needed to do was give it a good push and our little baby would be here. He was right and after I finally convinced myself to push really hard little Katherine began her final descent. . A few pushes later and she was out. Beautiful little thing. I sure am happy I didn't give up and that my husband helped me stay strong to the end and not have any pain medication. I kept my eyes shut the entire time I was pushing and when they placed her on me I finally cracked them to see my beautiful baby was a girl. That was a pleasant surprise!
With no epidural recovery was fast...with all the labor practice and preparation there was no tearing. (This was a first for me!) I didn't even swell after birth. I was a little shaky but I could walk around the room, go to the bathroom on my own and best of all I could take care of my baby without being stuck to the bed.
With the best labor coach in the world there were no tears or stress and he even helped me through the last hour with all one could wish for in a husband/coach. The nurses were so supportive of me having a natural birth! They joke about how some women can just come to the hospital and give a baby as if there was nothing to it. Apparently that is me. Good thing they didn't witness the other three long painful labors I have had. I like the reputation I have here. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">1. When did you decide you wanted to deliver your baby naturally?
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As soon as I found out I was pregnant with #4 I told my husband we were going to have her natural. It just needed to be that way. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">2. What reasons or factors went into your decision?</span></i>
After having 3 births with epidurals I just knew I had to do it. I had some odd things happen with the last two epidurals and I didn’t want to worry about those with this delivery. Plus I wanted to prove to myself that I could master the pain and bring my baby into the world naturally. I wanted to understand how my body worked and see for myself what an amazing experience natural childbirth was. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"> 3. What did you do to prepare for natural childbirth?</span></i> (midwife, classes, methods, books, etc.)
I wanted to have a midwife when I decided to go natural but I moved to a small town where they didn’t have midwifes or classes. I did contact an instructor for The Bradley Method via email and she answered my questions. My husband and I read, studied and practiced the exercises in the book entitled Natural Childbirth The Bradley Way. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"> 4. What was the hardest part of your experience - before, during, or after childbirth?</span></i>
The hardest part was the last 30 minutes. The contractions were intense and I was terrified of feeling the pain of actually giving birth. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"> 5. What was most helpful to you during labor to help make pain from contractions manageable?
</span></i>Breathing, relaxing, having my husband by my side reminding me of how to relax and let the contractions do their work. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"> 6. What do you wish you would have known going into delivery?
</span></i>This time was number 4 so I was really prepared. When I had number 1 wish I would have known how to relax fully and let my body do the work. It made all the difference!
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">7. Is there anything you would have done differently?</span></i>
Nothing…except I wish I hadn’t cried for an epidural at the end. I didn’t get one…but I wish I would have stayed a little tougher. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"> 8. What did you feel were the positive benefits to your natural childbirth - were the benefits what you expected?</span></i>
It was empowering to feel the process that my body went through to bring Katherine into the world. The benefits were above and beyond what I would have expected. It was educational, wonderful, exciting. I just absolutely LOVED it! I loved that all the work I did educating myself and preparing myself really paid off this time. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"> 9. Is natural childbirth something you recommend to other mothers, or something you'd do again?</span></i>
I think so. I realize that every delivery is different. I felt very empowered this time and happier than I have ever felt before at the end of a birth. But it took a lot of studying, practicing and emotional preparation to get to that point for me. I think you have to be really strong and really determined to make it work. If you aren’t willing to work for it then it isn’t going to be successful! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">10. What advice do you have for other mothers interested in natural childbirth?</span></i>
Read everything there is on the internet about natural childbirth. Watch movies of other natural deliveries. Be prepared. Find a method that works for you and stick to it. The Bradley Method worked for me…if it doesn’t work for you for you find something that does and stick to it. Relaxation is the key. When you are relaxed your body just does the work for you</span>Emily Framehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04009176107471035747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863830882475366893.post-16079372524675597852012-07-30T15:52:00.000-07:002012-07-30T15:52:18.922-07:00JudeGretchen, age 22.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wvxuIa6Uf0o/UBcQDkdidTI/AAAAAAAASh4/MnovMMwskdw/s1600/birth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wvxuIa6Uf0o/UBcQDkdidTI/AAAAAAAASh4/MnovMMwskdw/s400/birth.JPG" width="400" /></a> Before I was even thinking about having babies, I had it in my head that when I did have a baby, of course I would get an epidural. Why go through all that pain when I didn’t have to? But when I found out I was pregnant, it didn’t take me long to decide I wanted to give birth naturally. I had a friend who had showed me some Hypnobirthing videos and after more research, decided that’s the route I wanted to take. My husband and I took a 5 week course, and felt more than confident that we could do it.<br />
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When I told my OB we wanted a natural birth, he pulled out some statistic that most women who go in wanting a natural birth, end up not doing it. It made me mad, but more determined for this natural birth to prove this guy wrong. (That’s also when I should have found another doctor but I just didn’t want the hassle.)
Jude’s due date was November 8. In the weeks approaching, I had some Braxton-Hicks contractions and was dilated to a 2-3. Every time I felt a big contraction, I’d hurry and pack the hospital bag. But the contractions would stop not too soon after they started. A week before my due date, the Dr. stripped my membranes. I thought for sure it was going to put me into labor because I started to get heavier contractions, but after a week, nothing happened. The Dr. told me that if I still hadn’t gone into labor by the next week, to come see him and they’d send me over to the hospital to induce me. I wasn’t really excited about it. I’d been warned that it’s sometimes painful to be induced and I wanted the baby to come naturally, but after a week I couldn’t take it anymore.<br />
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The morning of November 14, we went to the Dr., all ready to have this baby. Well, the Dr. neglected to tell me that we wouldn’t be going straight to the hospital that day. They had to call and schedule and maybe I’d go the next day if the hospital had room for me. I wanted to punch this guy in the face but my husband didn’t think that was a good idea, so we went home and waited for the hospital to call and tell us we could come next morning. It was the longest day ever recorded in history but we got a call that night from a nurse telling us to come early in the morning.
We arrived at the hospital at 6:00 AM on November 15. We signed all the paperwork and got in our room and at about 7:30 AM they hooked me up to the pitocin. I was working on my relaxation when my Dr. came and broke my water and found out that there was meconium in the water (which isn’t uncommon for overdue babies.) They had to put a tube in to dilute the amniotic fluid to make sure Jude didn’t swallow any of the meconium. And then the monitor they had on me wouldn’t stay on so they had to insert one to keep track of my little baby. It was definitely hard for me to relax and get in a comfortable position with all those wires and tubes strapped but I made sure to keep breathing through the contractions, which were getting stronger and coming every 2 minutes. I was soon at 5 cm when the nurses were having trouble with the monitor again. It had fallen off of Jude and they were trying to get it back on while I was having major contractions. My awesome nurses worked fast in between contractions to get that monitor back on. With the monitor back on, the nurses told me I should be dilating 1 cm an hour but not more than an hour later, I was at 8 cm and feeling ready to push. I pushed for maybe an hour and half, maybe two hours and made it through with the encouragement from my awesome nurses, my mother, and my sweet husband. At 1:15 PM, Jude was born. What a relief.<br />
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My first thoughts were (in order), “Yay! My sweet baby is finally here!” “Oh. My. Gosh. I just gave birth naturally. In your face Dr Baxter!”
Jude weighed 10 lbs 10 oz and was 22.5 inches long. They rushed him over to the cleaning station to check on him and make sure he didn’t swallow any of the meconium, and since he was so big, they were worried about his blood sugar levels. I was very sad I didn’t get to hold him right as he came out, but after he was cleaned and I was stitched up, I got to finally hold and nurse my sweet baby boy. This is what I’d worked so hard for. This is what I’d imagined not just for the 9 months that I was carrying him but for my whole life as I pictured having my first child.
I’m proud to say that I gave birth to my baby naturally. I’m proud that my body can do that. I can’t imagine giving birth any other way.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"> 1. When did you decide you wanted to deliver your baby naturally? </span></i><br />
When I first heard about Hypnobirthing and watched the birthing videos, I knew that’s how I wanted to deliver my baby.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">2. What reasons or factors went into your decision?</span></i><br />
I had heard about all things epidurals can do to harm you and your baby and to slow down labor and I knew that’s not what I wanted. Plus the idea of a big, long needle scared me more than giving birth naturally.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;">3. What did you do to prepare for natural childbirth? </span></i>(midwife, classes, methods, books, etc.)<br />
We took Hypnobirthing classes from Fiona Judd in Orem, UT. She was wonderful and I’d highly recommend her class. Find her info at <a href="http://www.ihypnobirth.com/utah-hypnobirthing-classes">http://www.ihypnobirth.com/utah-hypnobirthing-classes</a>.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">4. What was the hardest part of your experience - before, during, or after childbirth? </span></i><br />
Not being able to move around during labor made it hard for me to relax and get comfortable. Laying on the bed put more pressure on my body.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">5. What was most helpful to you during labor to help make pain from contractions manageable?</span></i><br />
My wonderful husband pushed on my lower back every time I had a contraction. I couldn’t believe how it took the pain out of my back. It helped me focus on controlling the pain in my lower regions.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">6. What do you wish you would have known going into delivery? </span></i><br />
That no matter how hard you try, you can’t plan on anything. I made a birth plan but after they found meconium in the water, it all went out the window.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">7. Is there anything you would have done differently?</span></i><br />
The one thing I regret is not sticking up for myself and what I wanted. The number 1 thing I wanted was that baby handed to me when he was born. I understand they had to check him but they didn’t hand me my baby until 40 minutes after I’d given birth!!! The Dr. wanted to stitch me up first. Oh! There’s another thing. I would have found a different Dr. when I found out he wasn’t really into natural childbirth (but I wouldn’t recommend Dr. Jae Baxter to anyone.) I’m finding a woman/someone who’s actually given birth - OB or a midwife next time.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">8. What did you feel were the positive benefits to your natural childbirth - were the benefits what you expected?</span></i>
I think for with Jude’s birth, if I would have had an epidural, it would have caused more stress and prolonged the labor. I didn’t know how calm and aware my baby would be without medicine. And I felt good right after birth. I guess I shouldn’t say “good” but I was able to get up and move around and go to the bathroom by myself.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">9. Is natural childbirth something you recommend to other mothers, or something you'd do again?</span></i>
I would highly recommend it to other mothers! I know that it’s just not possible for some people but I think the relaxation and breathing techniques are great for everyone to learn, whether you’re planning on natural childbirth or not. I definitely plan on doing it again.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">10. What advice do you have for other mothers interested in natural childbirth?</span></i>
Do what feels right for you and your baby whether it’s having a midwife or doula. Whether you want to give birth in a hospital or birthing center, at home or in a tub. Do what feels best to you. You can’t plan on anything but stick up for what you really want.Emily Framehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04009176107471035747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863830882475366893.post-41113632010272183052012-07-13T16:32:00.001-07:002012-07-13T16:32:59.426-07:00Callum<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Emily, age 26.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">as we approached my 36 week appointment i think we were all a little bit curious to see if things would replay the way they went with my first baby's birth only 16 months previously. i posted his birth story to this blog and you can read it <a href="http://naturalbirthstories.blogspot.com/2010/04/hayes.html">here</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but basically, it was super fast, and i was unknowingly dilated to a 6 at my 37 week appointment and told to head to the hospital.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">but, back to Callum. the a few nights that week i had contractions, and then they would go away. my midwife and just about everyone else insisted from the beginning of my pregnancy that if i had hard contractions, <i>ever</i>, to go to the hospital. their words like "have, baby, in, car, on, side of road" haunted me.<br /><br /><br />saturday july 23rd i had contractions every 5-10 minutes for 3 hours. i called my midwife, she told me to take a bath and if they kept coming to go to the hospital. sure enough after the bath they kept coming. so i got in the car and went to the hospital. no hospital bag, no husband, no plan of staying because i was pretty sure this wasn't <b>"it."</b> but, obediently, i went in.<br /><br /><br />the nurse checked me... i was still a 4. i was shocked. she made me stay another hour to monitor me, and without fail contractions came every 7 minutes. she checked me again at the end of the hour, i was still a 4+. all in all it was a good experience, now i knew that i could have a contraction that doesn't equal baby! on the side of the road!<br /><br />after no real action for the next couple days, i was prepared for just about anything when i walked into my 37 week appointment. everything except what actually happened, of course.<br />my midwife checked me and sat with her arm WAY in there for at least 30 seconds without saying a single word. she finally looked up and said "i literally couldn't find your cervix, you're dilated to an 8 and 100% effaced... i. i. i. just can't believe it."<br /><br />a rush of excitement & nervous laughter overcame me. it's baby time! and once again, i had no idea. the on-call midwife met me at the office and we made a game plan. just like with my first, i tested positive for strep B, which can i just say: strep B is the wrench in my baby delivering machine?!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><br />the plan ended up being just like Hayes'. come to the hospital & get the 4-hour antibiotic treatment. i asked if i could just go home after the treatment and wait to really go into labor, but they said <i>absolutely not</i>.<br />so, i packed my hospital bag, took a shower, called my sister to come watch Hayes, and got things ready to head out the door. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">here's the play by play: at 12:30 pm i get the antibiotics. contractions are coming every so often, our midwife Jenn says she'll be back at 4:30 pm to break my water and get the party started. we watch a movie, Russ snuck me a string cheese, we took a nap. she comes at 4:30 pm, checks me again, i am still dilated to an 8.<br />aka: NOT IN ACTIVE LABOR. active labor as defined by american fork hospital is dilating 1 cm in one hour.<br />this is where all my mom friends start to hate me. i don't know why, but i don't have painful contractions until my water breaks. yes, i can feel the pressure, but no real debilitating pain. i know i am the luckiest woman in the world!<br /><br />so the midwife breaks my water and my contractions are now coming every 7 minutes so it's a pretty slow process. a contraction comes, i breathe through it, and then wait another 7 minutes. the first 2 contractions my water is just flooding out with each one. the 3rd contraction i dilate to a 9, 4th contraction i dilate to a 10. 5th contraction i'm ready to push.<br /><br />pushing hurts considerably more than it did last time. i am acutely aware that i am just getting owned down there (TMI sorry.) i can't help but cry between every push, but nevertheless for 4 sets of fierce pushing i know i am almost done & could care less about anything but seeing that baby's face.<br /><br />Russ has been holding my left leg while i've been pushing and i notice he swaps places with a nurse. i realize the baby is almost here! Jenn the midwife said that if Russ wanted, when Cal was ready, he could be the one to deliver him. at 5:05 pm Russ laid him on my chest and we both just sobbed. i looked up and the labor and delivery nurse was sobbing too, it was a moment i'll never forget. Cal didn't cry right away he just looked around and was so angelic. Russ cut the cord after it was done surging and a few towel rubs to the back and his little mouse squeaker cry came out.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">now, don't worry, i didn't get let off </span><i style="color: #333333;">that</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> easy. unfortunately, the afterbirth process was brutal. i felt a painful tugging with every stitch, but when i finally asked for more lidocaine she was pretty much done. and then i had to be put on a whole bag of pitocin to get things to stop bleeding. between that and the brutal kneading to my stomach every 15 minutes, i was not a happy girl for about an hour. it is true what you hear - getting your cervix to go back to normal hurts worse with each kid.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">1. When did you decide you wanted to deliver your baby naturally?</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This was my second med-free delivery, and I always said I could do it again if the labor went as fast as my first. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 20px;"><i style="color: #783f04;">2. What reasons or factors went into your decision?</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I love all the benefits of a natural delivery, I love the self-empowerment that comes from accomplishing such a thing. And I founded this blog, so I sort of felt like I had to. :)</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><i style="color: #783f04;">3. What did you do to prepare for natural childbirth? (midwife, classes, methods, books, etc.)</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 20px;">Nothing! Horrible right? I had a midwife and felt really comfortable that she would know what to do.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 20px;"><i style="color: #783f04;">4. What was the hardest part of your experience - before, during, or after childbirth?</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Pushing/Tearing and the post-partum contracting while I was on pitocin. Also, my boys are 16 months apart and in some ways that helped me and some ways it hurt me. My body was like "hey I remember this!" during delivery but while I was pregnant my poor hips and joints made me miserable!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 20px;"><i style="color: #783f04;">5. What was most helpful to you during labor to help make pain from contractions manageable?</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Having the illustration in my mind that any time I held tension or stress in my shoulders, head, or face, I was taking blood & oxygen away from my lady parts. Knowing that the more relaxed I could stay, the better job my body would do helped me a little bit.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><i><br /></i></span><i style="color: #783f04;">6. What do you wish you would have known going into delivery?</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">My midwife asked right as we were ready to push what position I wanted to push in. I had not mentally prepared to do anything but push on my back. I wish we would have discussed it earlier and I wish I would have prepared for it. She prefers to have her patients push on all fours, and I would love to give that a shot next time!<br /><i style="color: #783f04;">7. Is there anything you would have done differently?</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Maybe pushing positions? Also, having a midwife was amazing and I felt like I didn't need my mom to try and be so hands-on and directive, she was telling me to do one thing and the midwife was trying to get me to do another. She was my #1 support and coach through my first delivery so she was just acting on experience, but turns out she could take the day off!<br /><i style="color: #783f04;">8. What did you feel were the positive benefits to your natural childbirth - were the benefits what you expected? </i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Having an alert and calm baby. Nursing came really easy, my emotions were manageable, and I've never done drugs, but the high you get is unlike anything I've ever experienced.<br /><i style="color: #783f04;">9. Is natural childbirth something you recommend to other mothers, or something you'd do again?</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">100% yes. Like I've said before, your body successfully created a baby from some chromosomes and blood. It knows what it's doing, and if you let it, it will do it's thing all the way until that baby is safely on your chest. Don't let doctors/protocol/or the popular majority get in it's way!<br /><i style="color: #783f04;">10. What advice do you have for other mothers interested in natural childbirth?</i></span><br />I loved my midwife experience. Knowing there were doctors in the next room over for all of my check-ups and at the hospital during my delivery was comforting, but a midwife can create the most amazing experience for a natural birthing woman. We hugged and cried together while I held my baby, she didn't even have to ask if i wanted to wait until the cord stopped surging to cut it, she let my husband deliver our son for crying out loud! It was incredible. They are just like doctors in the sense that their #1 priority is delivering a healthy baby safely and doing all they can for mom, too, but what they're willing to try to do so without unnecessary interventions is far more vast than any doctor i've seen.<br /><br />Emily blogs at <a href="http://emilyframe.blogspot.com/">Ruffling Feathers.</a></span></div>
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<br />Emily Framehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04009176107471035747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863830882475366893.post-7619336854684128902012-07-13T15:56:00.001-07:002012-07-13T15:56:52.221-07:00Camille<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Becky, age 28.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To read the story of my first natural birth posted on this blog, click <a href="http://naturalbirthstories.blogspot.com/2010/08/eliza.html.">here</a>. The week before our second daughter was born, we walked and walked and
walked hoping labor would start, but it didn't. At my appointment that
week, I was at a one.
At my next appointment (39 weeks) I asked my doctor if she would strip
my membranes and she did. I was at a 3+ and 70% effaced then and she
was sure I would start having contractions within 6 to 12 hours. This
was at 9:30 a.m.
By one to two hours, I was cramping a lot and by noon I had had a few
contractions. They came every 12 minutes until 5 p.m. From 5 to 6 I
cleaned the house and they started to come every 4 to 5 minutes. I
was surprised to see they were coming that quickly, but I was pretty
sure I wasn’t dilating super fast because they weren't increasing in
pain. But of course I didn’t want to deliver in the car so we packed
up everything and dropped my other daughter off with my parents. We
headed downtown (where the hospital is) and decided to grab some
dinner just in case we couldn't eat for awhile. The contractions
slowed back down to every 12 minutes and only occasionally would come
every 4-5 minutes. We walked around the block a few times after that.
We kept debating what to do since I was nervous labor might be
stalling. We finally decided to just go to the hospital and see where
I was at and what they said. We got to Labor & Delivery at 9 p.m.
They put the monitors on and when a contraction came on, the nurse
felt my belly and said,“WOW, that one is hard.” I said, “Yeah, I hope
they’re doing something good!” Then she checked me. I was 3+ and 70%
effaced. I was SO disappointed. 9 hours of contracting and I hadn’t
progressed at all.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> She told us to walk around for an hour and
then she would check me again to see if I had progressed. We walked
around and they started coming every 4-5 minutes again, and when I was
checked again, she said I was definitely at a 4 and that because I had
progressed, she’d call the doctor and see if they’d let me be
admitted.
While we had been walking that hour, I had a thought come to my mind
that I should try squatting. I pulled out pictures of squatting
positions from some labor info I had brought. I found that there were
two that really helped. One was my husband sitting on a chair and I
would squat back into his legs and rest my armpits on his legs. It
helped with the back labor and also said it helped the baby descend
more quickly. The other one was when we were standing, he’d hold his
arms out and I’d drop back onto them and he’d hold all my weight under
my armpits. That one was physically exhausting for him so I tried to
do that one only while walking the halls if there wasn't a chair near.
The nurse ended up having two emergency deliveries and came back 2
hours later at midnight. She checked me and I was at a 4+. Talk about
slow progression.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My husband kept telling me, “As soon as you get to a
5, things are going to go SO fast.” I wanted to believe it because
it’s true for most, but I just couldn’t believe it for me. Our nurse
came in and said the exact same thing. I told them I'd like to
believe it, but I would only be able to believe it when I saw it. The
nurse asked how long my first labor was and I said almost 20 hours.
She said, “We’ll definitely beat that; things go so much faster the
second time.” (In the end, it was a total of 18 hours, so I did beat
it, but not how I had hoped…!) The nurse was able to call the doctor
then and she admitted me. She went in and out doing admitting stuff
and then came in and said she’d like to check me because she’d seen
that at a peak of a contraction it had sharply dropped which usually
meant more pressure. She said I was at a 5.
From 12 to 12:40 a.m. we walked more and then were monitored again. I
was pretty exhausted so I suggested we should try to sleep through an
hour of monitoring and see what happened. I didn’t sleep, but at
least I closed my eyes and rested from 1 to 2 a.m. It was needed. My
husband slept too and I was glad because I could tell he was exhausted
too.
At 2:30 a.m., I was at my end. She checked me and I was at a 6 and
90% effaced. Every time she checked me it was really painful and she
had such a hard time reaching the cervix. I was alone and in so much
pain and suffering and so confused at why things were going so
terrible. The contractions were SO hard and painful and were doing
almost nothing. The contractions I had been having at 4-5 cms were as
hard as the ones I remember having during transition with my first.
We walked for another hour and at 3:30 a.m., I was at a 6 still, but
the cervix was not posterior anymore. I asked if breaking my water
would help and she said she’d call my doctor at 6 a.m. and ask her. I
was really not cool with that because that was still a couple hours
away. She came back a few minutes later and asked if I would like her
to call now. I said yes. She called my doctor and my doctor had her
check me during a contraction. At 4:30 a.m. I was at an 8 and was
completely effaced. The contractions started to come almost on top of
each other, and I fell back into my husband’s arms during all of these
contractions and squatted. We rocked back and forth a little while
squatting and it helped. My doctor came in and broke my water at 4:55
a.m. After a couple more contractions, I was given the go-ahead to
push.
I started pushing at 5:19 a.m. I pushed on my left side and curled my
body down so hard every time I pushed. With my first, they helped me
count every push, but this time I was just going almost nonstop for
minutes just trying to get her out. For some reason, I really thought
that it would be very quick, very few pushes and she’d be out. So
many of friends have had the quickest pushing experiences their second
time around and I just figured I’d be the same, especially since I was
really pushing and curling hard. I kept thinking I’d hear, “There’s
the head!” and never did. I finally said, “How much longer?” The
doctor and nurses said, “That depends on you” and I got the vibe I
wasn't as far as I thought. During one push my doctor told me to
grunt and blow really hard. I immediately thought that this must be
the head and she was trying to help me not tear as it came out. I
felt my doctor stick her hand in me and felt intense pain, so when the
head didn’t come out I was confused all over again at why this was
taking so long. (I found out later that she reached in and turned the
baby because she was posterior.) I kept pushing and heard, “I see
hair!” and that was when I knew that I wasn’t even close. I was so
disappointed knowing that I had so far to go still.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I cried in
between contractions and begged to not have another one come quickly
because I needed to rest and get ready for another one. I wanted more
than anything to just die, but since that wish wasn’t granted I curled
my body as hard as I could and pushed with all my might. As I pushed,
I held onto the bed bar with my left hand with all my might (which
ended up making my iv needle hit a nerve and made my hand numb for
over a week). When my husband, the nurse, or my doctor would cheer me
on and say they could tell it was a good push, I was so grateful to
know that I was progressing. I kept feeling stretching and insane
burning pain. I was sweating horribly. Finally I heard that the head
was out and I tried to touch it quickly but couldn’t because the pain
was so insane and intense. I beared down as hard as I could,
screaming I’m pretty sure, and felt the shoulders pass and felt the
rest of the limbs come out at 5:47 a.m. I honestly don’t know that
I’ve ever been more relieved in my life. It was over and she was
here. I was SO happy to have her out. I knew the afterbirth would be
terrible too, but that didn’t matter because SHE WAS OUT! I was
elated.
They had told me that they’d let her lay on the delivery table for 1.5
minutes after birth to let the blood from the cord enter her before
they cut it and I was really happy to let them do that. I really
couldn’t see her that well over my back, but what I could see, I
thought, “Oh she’s so small!” I reached my right hand and put it down
hoping to feel a leg or something and instead was thrilled to feel her
fingers wrap around mine. It made me the happiest ever.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> The 1.5
minutes passed, they cut the cord, and put her on my chest. She almost
immediately stopped crying and was so calm.
I was bleeding so they started a bag of Pitocin to get my uterus to
contract faster and they began punching it down. I was really in
control and totally okay with it instead of kicking and screaming like
with my first. I was holding my child!!! They let me hold her for at
least 10 minutes which I loved. They took her and weighed her and she
was 7lbs. 8oz. I was thrilled... only 2 oz smaller than my first and
the same length. I was grateful I had had my membranes stripped and
had delivered her at that size instead of bigger considering how hard
it had been with her that size. My doctor began stitching me up and I
began to shake. And shake and shake and shake. I laid there and shook
for probably 30 minutes. It was horrible and I wished I could stop.
They would occasionally tell me to take huge breaths so I wouldn’t
hyperventilate. They gave Camille to my husband during that time and
I was happy that he was holding her. After finishing stitching, they
gave me lots of fluids since I was really light headed and almost
passing out.
Around now, the nurse told us that they found that Camille had been
posterior and that my doctor had turned her in the birth canal and I
immediately said, “NO WONDER IT TOOK SO LONG.” I know that when the
head isn’t pushing on the cervix correctly that labor is usually
longer and that there is a lot of back labor. It made sense why the
rocking positions hadn’t felt right and why the squatting positions
had.
A bit later I was then told I either had to go pee or that I’d have to
have my bladder emptied with a catheter. I was really light-headed,
but didn’t want a catheter so I said I’d try. My husband and the
nurse helped walk me to the bathroom and on the way I dropped quite a
few really large clots. I sat on the toilet and almost passed out.
The nurse had my husband hold me on the toilet while she grabbed a
wheelchair. Because I was losing too much blood, they put another bag
of Pitocin on. I actually wanted that so that I could stop bleeding
so I was fine with it. The only problem was that the cramping it
created made me almost pass out again. I laid there for probably and
hour, looking insanely pale (according to my husband), and feeling
like I'd die. Finally at 9 a.m. I started to bleed normally and was
able to go to the postpartum room. In the postpartum room I ended up
almost passing out a couple more times, but by noon I was on the
uphill climb and did well from there, thankfully!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To be honest, I was a bit traumatized about how it all went. With my
first, I was elated with how the natural birth went. This time was
honestly a horrific memory for me for a couple weeks, but time is
definitely healing my emotions and feelings. As my doctor discharged
me, she suggested looking into pain relief the next time. And to be
honest, I am interested into looking into pain relief if things go
similarly next time. If things progress quickly and normally I’m sure
I’ll be much more willing to try it again. I want to research ways to
push better. I think I had created a sureness in my mind that I’d be
contracting for no more than 10 hours and that I’d be able to push her
out in a couple pushes. Everything I’ve read said it should be half
the time of your first labor and that since you know how to push, it
happens so quickly. Hopefully that will all come true next time…! As
I think about her birth and labor & delivery in general, the more I
think about how incredible it is that a body can even do that... it's
almost superhuman to think of passing a child through your body like
that.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> 1. When did you decide you wanted to deliver your baby naturally? </span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After the birth of our first baby, I knew I wanted to do it again.</span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">2. What reasons or factors went into your decision?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000;"> </span></span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I had done it before and it was wonderful and it feels right for me.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">3. What did you do to prepare for natural childbirth?</span></i> (midwife,
classes, methods, books, etc.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I re-read all the info I had saved from my first birth. I took all
that info with me to the hospital, just in case.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">4. What was the hardest part of your experience - before, during, or
after childbirth?
</span></i>During.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">5. What was most helpful to you during labor to help make pain from
contractions manageable?
</span></i>The squatting positions I mentioned as well as some other ones I tried.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">6. What do you wish you would have known going into delivery?
</span></i>Not to expect things to go fast; it gave me false ideas and hope and
made the labor seem even longer than it was.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">7. Is there anything you would have done differently?</span></i>
I don't think I would have gotten an epidural, but I do think I would
have spent almost 100% of the time squatting had I known she was
posterior. Or I wish I could have had other ideas of how to deal with
the posterior contractions.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">8. What did you feel were the positive benefits to your natural
childbirth - were the benefits what you expected?
</span></i>I feel empowered.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">9. Is natural childbirth something you recommend to other mothers, or
something you'd do again?</span></i>
Yes and yes (I think! Ha!).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">10. What advice do you have for other mothers interested in natural childbirth?</span></i>
Read all these stories and all the other ones you can get your hands
on. They are the best prep for childbirth, in my opinion. Also, I am
100% supportive of a hospital birth. Find a doctor who supports it
and birth in a hospital. There are just too many things that can go
wrong at home.</span>Emily Framehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04009176107471035747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863830882475366893.post-32908456759292289492012-02-26T14:43:00.002-08:002012-02-26T14:43:50.317-08:00Collier<a href="http://collectedblog.com/2012/02/colliers-birth-story/">A birthing center super speedy delivery.</a>Emily Framehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04009176107471035747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863830882475366893.post-88448565563677065302012-02-26T14:42:00.003-08:002012-02-26T14:42:56.022-08:00Erin<a href="http://blog.cjanerun.com/2011/12/erin-carolines-birth-story.html">An (planned) amazing husband delivered natural home birth</a>.Emily Framehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04009176107471035747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863830882475366893.post-4024867869528381302011-12-01T15:03:00.001-08:002012-02-20T14:09:35.621-08:00Kenadee<br />
Valery, 24.<br />
<br />
I was due to have my second baby girl on August 9, 2011. On July 18, I made the official choice to have a natural birth. I was 37 weeks pregnant. I knew I wanted things to be different this time so I began educating and preparing myself. After talking a whole lot about this topic with my sister-in-law, Angela, (who has done natural birth 3 times) she recommended a doula and with the help of some wonderful people I found Angie and Robynne. Both of them came to my home a few times. We got to know each other better and I learned some things that we would be doing on the big day. I fell in love with both of these ladies and couldn’t wait for my birthing time to begin. During this time I also found out about Hypnobabies. It sounded pretty neat, so I got all the home study material and dove right in. I read the entire course book which educated me on so many different things and also started listening to the CD tracks to learn deep relaxation. I didn’t know how well this would work for me since you’re supposed to start the program pretty early in the pregnancy, but when I was falling asleep while listening to the tracks, I knew it was doing something.<br />
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August 9th came and went. For 3 weeks I had been experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions every evening that would get stronger over time but never got a regular pattern. I was getting pretty frustrated at this point because I was over 40 weeks. And then I was 41 weeks. At my previous office visits I was dilated 3 cm and effaced 80%. At 41+3, I had my membranes stripped for the second time hoping something would finally happen. It was so important to me to go into labor on my own and I tried really hard to avoid induction. However, when nothing was working to get it going, I just couldn’t go on any longer. Being pregnant in the heat of the summer really took a toll on me. I was always hot, uncomfortable and could barely walk from swollen feet. I had a miscarriage only two weeks before getting pregnant this time and from the beginning of that pregnancy to the end of this one, I had pretty much been pregnant for 11 months! I was so ready to have my body back for myself. So after much consideration, I agreed to have labor induced.<br />
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The day of the induction came at 42+1 and much to my surprise of still being pregnant, off to the hospital we went. We arrived at 8:30am. My doctor had gone out of town and I was scheduled with a complete jerk. I chose to have my water broken rather than having Pitocin administered to get labor going. My birth plan consisted of things that were very important to me; no IV, intermittent monitoring, labor in any position I wanted, baby immediately put on my chest and no pain meds to name a few. But despite my doctor approving my birth plan and keeping it in my file, this new Dr. refused to do what I wanted. He phoned my room shortly after we arrived and it turned out to be the worst conversation I’ve ever had with someone. His bed side manner was awful. He told me he didn’t realize that I had the plan I did and that if he was going to work with me, I had to do it his way…which was Pitocin and an IV probably to have him home by dinnertime. When I refused and tried to stick to the plan I so much wanted, he told me I could leave and come back 4 days later (which would have put me at 43 weeks) to have my own doctor do it. I thought it a little funny since my own doctor admitted she didn’t like seeing her patients go to 42 weeks and many doctors won’t even let you get anywhere near 42 weeks and now all of a sudden I was free to go all the way to 43 weeks! I should mention that I don’t believe that an OB should “let” you do anything. This is my body, my baby and an OB is my “employee”. If I would have felt comfortable waiting it out longer, I would have gone above and beyond 42 weeks (as long as baby was still doing ok) regardless what my OB says I have to do. I couldn’t believe the way this doctor was treating me on one of the most important and special days of my life. After hanging up the phone on him I burst into tears. It took a while for me to be able to calm down enough to tell Dale (husband) and my mom what just happened. It was about 10:00am when we “fired” him and the wonderful charge nurse of L&D worked to find a doctor who would be willing to take me as a patient. I actually got to choose who I wanted and chose Dr. Barney. I knew him because he delivered two of my siblings and my mom really likes him.<br />
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At 10:40am he agreed to work with me.
I had originally refused a hep lock that my doctor agreed to, but had to get one anyway. A student nurse finally got it in after one failed attempt, but not without spewing my blood all over my hand and bed (which made me pretty queasy), and giving me a lovely bruise first. I forgave her…but only because she and the other nurse assigned to me were the most amazing nurses I could have asked for and I was so very grateful for that after the emotional roller coaster the jerk doctor put me through.
My water was finally released at 11:37am. It felt so strange! I felt a pop as it happened and then sat up in bed where I proceeded to drain fluid for the next 20 minutes. Dilation was still at 3 cm, 80% effaced, baby at -1 station; same as my previous office visits. When I felt like most of the fluid was out, Dale and I started walking the halls. The contractions picked up a pattern pretty quick and were lasting 30 seconds every 2-3 minutes. I was so relieved that my body was doing what it was supposed to since the doctor wanted me on Pitocin if I didn’t progress within 6 hours, which later somehow changed to 4 hours (after 4 hours I hadn’t progressed much and the doctor would call to get updates frequently. Thankfully, my awesome nurses who were both very supportive of my natural plan told him I was more progressed than I really was). I continued to just hang out in my room with Dale and my mom, pacing back and forth, sitting on a birth ball and swaying my hips back and forth with Dale’s arms around me with every contraction. Eventually I got pretty hungry and had Dale sneak in the best hot dog I’d ever eaten in my life. After finishing off with a delicious chocolate chip cookie (we also brought them for all the nurses and that totally scored points with them!) and some cherries, I felt energized to keep laboring, happy and satisfied.<br />
<br />
At 3:11pm dilation was up to a whopping 4 cm and 90% effaced. By 4:34pm nothing had changed. I know, depressing, right? For a second baby this sure was taking much longer than I expected! By 5:52pm dilation had progressed to 5 cm. Hallelujah! I was half way there! I had no sense of time by this point. I remember being in bed, closing my eyes to focus on each contraction. It felt as if only 20-30 seconds had gone by, but my mom would time them and say that they were now lasting 50 seconds. I was very happy to hear this but also couldn’t believe it. I felt as if though I had entered another world.
By this point things started to get a little more intense and that’s when Hypnobabies went out the window. I’m not going to dismiss this for future pregnancies because I know I didn’t have enough time to practice and really get it down. However, what it did do for me was boost my confidence in knowing that I was in control, my body was designed to birth, my baby knew just what to do and the more powerful the contractions would get, the closer I was to holding my sweet baby.<br />
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At 5:30pm I was ready for additional support and told Angie (doula) to come. She arrived at 6:30pm and began filling the tub while baby was being monitored. I was in bed shivering and couldn’t wait to get in. At 7:15pm, I got the ok from the student nurse and got in. The hot water felt incredible and instantly relaxed me. A shift change brought a new nurse who told us I wasn’t allowed in the tub after my water had been broken. When I heard this, my heart dropped because there was no way I was getting out of that soothing tub. Angie talked to nurse Wendy about this and she asked the charge nurse. It was no problem after all and I was so relieved! Wendy turned out to be another super incredible nurse that I was blessed with that day. Dale poured warm water over my belly with every contraction and I really had to focus on breathing deep. I remember feeling so awesome when a contraction would end. It was powerful, but felt good.<br />
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At 7:50pm, Robynne (my 2nd doula) arrived. I was really enjoying the tub but at 8:40 got out to be checked. Dilation was at 6+/7 cm. I spent some time standing on the side of the bed and sitting on the ball. At 9:10 labor increased in intensity and I had all hands on me for comfort and support. Angie and Robynne did awesome work by putting counter pressure on my back, squeezing my hips together and massaging my back. I got in the tub again at 9:25 and had some pretty powerful contractions. It was hard for my mom to watch her baby going through something like this. I had to keep telling her I was ok. I was feeling some rectal pressure at this time but was afraid to say anything because I didn’t want to get out of the tub (I was only able to labor in the tub. I couldn’t birth in it, although I really wanted to). Angie could tell something was different because my breathing and tone of voice would change. I had to get out and at 9:50 I was checked and dilation was at 8 cm and baby at zero station. I labored some more on the ball where I experienced a lot more rectal pressure and had some involuntary pushing. I think this is also where I might have entered transition because I suddenly got the biggest urge to throw up, although I never did...probably a good thing since the nurses would find out about that hot dog and the fact that I told them I hadn’t eaten anything since midnight the night before was a complete lie. I got a much needed break when a few contractions lowered in intensity and I was able to quietly breathe through them, as opposed to the very vocal breathing that I had been doing. I don’t think anyone around me even knew I was having these contractions. I remember getting back on the bed, probably to be monitored or checked when I all of a sudden wanted to call Angela (sister-in-law who got me into this) just to hear her voice for additional strength to go on. It felt great telling her that I was doing it! The strength of labor soon took over and I told Dale to hang up.<br />
<br />
At 10:45pm I was still at 8cm but the baby had come down to +1 station. I spent some time leaning on the back of the bed but at this point any position I tried getting into felt really intense. I couldn’t relax enough to keep my legs open and with every contraction I squeezed my legs together as tight as I could to cope with the pain. I was discouraged because I didn’t have any urges to push and as hard as I tried just couldn’t relax. I swayed, I rocked, I cried. I mimicked Tarzans yell perfectly with every contraction.
Angie and Robynne tried getting me into other positions but it was always so difficult to move as a hard contraction would hit every time. I tried the squat bar, but because I was so tense and couldn’t easily keep my legs apart it just plain hurt. I started to ask for something to take the edge off. I felt like I couldn’t possibly handle the pain any longer. An epidural never entered my mind and it’s not what I wanted, but I did want something to just lower the tremendous intensity I was feeling. Angie said something about it not being a good idea to put narcotics in my system so close to delivery. I wasn’t about to drug my baby after coming this far, so I went on.<br />
<br />
At 11:50pm Dr. Barney checked me and then stepped aside not saying much. A minute later, in the most casual voice he says I can start pushing if I want. Since he didn’t actually say that I was complete, I thought I was probably at a 9 or still had some cervix left but could start practice pushing. Much to my surprise I was complete! Finally! At 11:55 pushing officially began and soon after it was Thursday, August 25, 16 days past my due date!
Pushing was tough! I envisioned myself pushing in an upright position and breathing my baby out (I also envisioned myself being quiet…but that didn’t happen). I ended up pushing lying mostly on my back with Angie holding one leg and hand and Robynne holding the other leg and hand with Dale and mom on both sides of me. Lying on my back was pure torture. The lower the bed was laid back, the worse the pain would get. I no longer had a grip on the contractions. It felt as if I was going down a roller coaster with no safety bar to hang onto. This is the only thing that still bothers me about my birth. I’m slowly trying to get over it and know it will be different the next time (I guess this is what you get with OB’s who are so used to having their mothers pushing on their backs). I had to push hard and the combination of a contraction, starting to feel baby crown and being completely out of breath was more than I could handle. But I had to stay strong and continued pushing as hard as I could. I also had a 2nd degree tear and probably felt that at this point too. About 20 minutes later her head came out and after a few more pushes, I felt the rest of her warm body slip out. It felt incredible! Daddy got to cut the cord (unfortunately the cord was clamped right away. Delayed clamping was on my birth plan but the doctor did not look at it and by the time I remembered it and said something, it was too late. Darn it! Also another thing to change next time) and then she was put on my chest where I marveled at what I had just accomplished.<br />
<br />
My first words were, “I did it! I did it!” It was so empowering! I held my new little girl for a few minutes and then agreed to have her put under the warmer to pink up for a bit because she was quite purple. She was weighed and measured and came in at 9 pounds 1 ounce and was 22 inches long with a head circumference of 35 cm. A few minutes later I put her to breast and she began breastfeeding like a champ!
Angie asked us what we’d remember about this experience:
My mom:
“We all had the same dream on the same night, that this would be fast, easy and painless.” Yeah…it was the complete opposite of that.
“She almost gave me a heart attack. It was better to do it myself.” It was hard for her to watch me go through what I did, but I’m grateful to her for being such an awesome support to me and never telling me to just get the epidural.
Dale:
“The strength and dedication Valery had. Not many women do what she just did. I’m a proud dad, again.”
Me:
“It was pretty cool feeling her body come out.”
“The vocalizing.” I never imagined myself to be so vocal. I pictured myself to be calm and quiet.
“I’m glad Dale cut the cord.” He didn’t get to do that with Miley.<br />
<br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"> 1. When did you decide you wanted to deliver your baby naturally?</span></i><br />
The thought entered my mind a lot through my pregnancy but I made the official choice when I was 37 weeks pregnant.<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">2. What reasons or factors went into your decision?</span></i>
I was induced with my first child and had an epidural simply because I was uneducated and it's the norm. Since that's how most women do it, that's the only way I knew to do it. My baby was taken from me right after delivery and I didn't get to see her for 3 hours after her birth. I believe this ruined our breastfeeding relationship and I didn't feel as strong of a bond to her as I would have liked. The whole experience also made me feel like just another patient. I knew I wanted things to be different the second time. I wanted it to be more special and I wanted that powerful bond with my baby.<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">3. What did you do to prepare for natural childbirth? (midwife, classes, methods, books, etc.)</span></i>
I read "Hypnobirthing" by Marie F. Mongan (great resource!) and the entire hypnobabies coursebook (another great resource). I also read a million natural birth stories, asked lots of questions to others who have gone through this and also joined a VERY valuable page on Facebook "Birth Without Fear".<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">4. What was the hardest part of your experience - before, during, or after childbirth?</span></i>
The hardest part before was waiting to let things happen on their own and wondering if baby was really ok this far past 40 weeks (she was great!). The hardest part during is most definitely pushing on my back. It was awful! Nothing was hard about childbirth itself after except maybe recovering from the painful hemorrhoids. I never even experienced any pain from the stitches.<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"> 5. What was most helpful to you during labor to help make pain from contractions manageable?
</span></i>In the early stages, swaying, being on the birth plan and having a hand to hold. During the intense time, all the things my doulas did (counter pressure on back, squeezing hips together, holding my hand), water poured on belly, DEEP breathing.<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">6. Is there anything you would have done differently?</span></i><br />
I really wish I would have waited for labor to start on it's own. I guess I'm just the lucky few that will probably have babies at 42-44 weeks gestation. Also would not have pushed on my back and would have made sure before that the new doctor looked at my birth plan.<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"> 7. What did you feel were the positive benefits to your natural childbirth - were the benefits what you expected?</span></i><br />
The benefits were beyond what I expected. My baby was born so alert and awake and just ready to be here. Because I got to have her with me immediately after birth, we developed a huge bond. Breastfeeding has been so wonderful. No one ever took her out of our room. She was literally in my arms the entire time at the hospital. Recovery the first time was 2 weeks and this time was only 1 week. I was able to walk right after delivery. The experience was better for all who were involved. The first time all there was to do was sit in a chair and wait. This time, my husband and mom were way more involved and also loved it.<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"> 8. Is natural childbirth something you recommend to other mothers, or something you'd do again?
</span></i>Definitely yes and yes. I've become one of those women who if I hear someone is getting an epidural or c-section for non medical reasons, I want to scream to them that there is a better way.<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"> 9. What advice do you have for other mothers interested in natural childbirth?</span></i><br />
Knowledge is power and so is education. So many moms have told me that they could never do it without pain meds. If you are in that mind set, you are right. However when you get educated and realize how much more there is to childbirth you will WANT to do it this way. It will be exciting for you. At least that's how I felt.<br />
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To read more about Valery head to her <a href="http://www.givemomamoment.blogspot.com/">blog </a>Emily Framehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04009176107471035747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863830882475366893.post-17517172464782371762011-05-26T14:47:00.000-07:002011-05-26T14:48:49.828-07:00Cora<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anna, 25</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After a few false alarms and one hard pregnancy, finally at 1:00 a.m.- I wake up having contractions that I have trouble breathing through. Poor Devin hadn't slept much already so I let him sleep.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t1PE-PNH3W8/Td7KJcuOstI/AAAAAAAAOnc/3QEqNehhwm0/s1600/IMG_0725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><i><b><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t1PE-PNH3W8/Td7KJcuOstI/AAAAAAAAOnc/3QEqNehhwm0/s320/IMG_0725.JPG" width="238" /></b></i></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5:00 a.m.- Devin wakes up and can see that I'm in pain. We time the contractions and they are about 3 minutes apart lasting a minute and a half long. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5:45 a.m.- Off we go to the hospital to be checked for the 6th time. "You're at a 4 and 90% effaced, and have a bulgy bag. We'll come back and check you in an hour."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6:45 a.m.- "Sorry, the bag has receded and you’re at about a 3 and 90% effaced. The cervix can open up more when the bag is bulgy, but since it went back up its not as big. Here is a prescription for some Tylenol 3. Go home take a warm bath, take the drugs and try to relax. “</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Seriously?!? Relax, how is that supposed to happen when I'm having constant contractions! Not to mention that pharmacies don't open for another 2 hours!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Devin takes me to my parents house where I can take a nice warm bath in the extra deep tub that allows water to cover most of me, and has jets. The water is SO soothing!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After my bath Devin is out cold on the couch, so I take up the sofa and try to do the same thing. Sleep isn't coming and my mom's phone (that she forgot to take to school with her) continues "alarming" to remind her to send her classroom kids to various places. I decide take the phone over to her at school and help for a couple of hours in her classroom.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">By 2:00 p.m. I was back home at my house and had taken the tylenol 3 prescribed this morning, and was trying to relax but being very unsuccessful. We get home from lunch, I notice that I am bleeding. I was told that this could happen and that it was very normal, but if the bleeding got bright red and/or heavier that I should be checked again.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7:00 p.m. hits and I'm quite certain there is something not quite right so we're off like a herd of turtles for the second time that day. The nurse comes in and checks me: "You're maybe a 3 but I'd say a 2+ and 85%."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Hold it! I thought once you started progressing there were no take backs!-</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"We'll keep you for a while and see what happens. There are some concerns with the bleeding but we'll let you know."</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">9:00 p.m.- "You've been checked quite a few times and that can cause the bleeding, so we're really not concerned about that anymore. You're also still at a 2+ and 85% so there isn't a reason we can keep you. Your contractions are about 2.5-3 min apart lasting about 1.3 minutes so take Tylenol 3 every 4 hours so you can get some rest tonight and your Dr. would like to see you first thing in the morning."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At this point I'm so tired and CRABBY and in the utmost denial. I didn't know what I was going to do. I had decided this traipsing back and forth to the hospital is for the birds and I'm NOT going back until my water breaks. I kept following their directions and they kept sending me home. I was NOT amused.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">10:00 p.m.- The contractions became much stronger. I stopped keep track of how long they were lasting because it didn't matter. They were already close together and not making me progress, so what was the point of timing them? Devin was playing games on his phone and watching t.v. while I was writhing in pain on my side of the bed. I didn't want to complain or say anything to him because we were {again} just sent home only a short time ago. I really thought I was a pansy. Why didn't anyone [Mom, sister, grandmother, friend...?] tell me it would be like this??? Time continued on and I was getting annoyed that I was having to breath myself through the contractions and I was starting to shake. Devin wasn't paying any attention to me. Woe is me!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">11:00 p.m.- I finally gave in and told Devin, "I have to have you put your hand on my back right here!" ( I showed him where the pain was.) The pressure and the heat of his hand made the pain at least somewhat bearable and we continued doing this for a bit longer.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">April 22 2011</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">12:00 a.m.- I ask Devin to give me a blessing. In the blessing, I was told that I would be able to deal with the pain of the labor for however long necessary, and when baby was born, no matter what happened, she would be alright.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1:00 a.m.- I didn't think I could take anymore of this. Devin's hand on my back wasn't helping as it had to begin with and I was shaking so violently I could hardly breath. Devin called the hospital and was told, "She was in only 4 hours ago. She hasn't slept in 24 hours.... When did she take the Tylenol? ... 3 hours ago? ... Ok, Give her the Loratab at 2am and go see your doctor first thing in the morning. "</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1:30 a.m.- I start to tell Devin that I feel like I need to use the restroom. {However, I feel to lousy to get up and do so!}</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2:00 a.m.- Devin gave me the Lortab even though I argued and told him if the Tylenol 3 wasn't doing anything what would ever make him think the Lortab would help? I still need to use the bathroom.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2:15 a.m.- That's it! I need to go use the bathroom no matter what. I need to have a bowel movement and Emily (my sister) said that would happen before my labor would really progress anyway.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I strip down to my birthday suit because I'm hot and sticky. Not sweaty, just sticky. I proceed to use the facilities in the comforts of my own home. I take a seat minding my own business waiting for the contraction to stop when I feel this phloosh. No water, but there was definitely a drop. I slowly check my southern regions and feel a squishy bag and a hard spot inside the squishy bag.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"DEVIN! We have a problem!" I yelled from the bathroom. "What's wrong? Get in the car! We'll go now!" he tells me. I quickly respond back. "We don't have time for that. I don't think I'd make it if you drove. Call 911.""Call 911, are you sure!?!" "Devin, I can feel her head and the bag of water! CALL 911!" As Devin is doing as instructed I have this sudden urge to push. I yell to him that I have this urge to push and the Dispatcher, on the other end in her calm voice is yelling "DONT LET HER PUSH! They are on their way and will be there in about three minutes."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Devin starts to run downstairs to let them in when I scream, "Where do you think you're going! You can't leave me! I need to push!"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Devin comes rushing back and tells me not to push then hands me the phone and tells me to talk to the nice lady while he lets the EMTs in. Again, I tell him not to leave me so instead he wakes up Brandy to let them in and comes back to help me breath through my pushing urges. At this point I realize that I am still completely naked and I tell Devin I needed something to wear! Quickly he takes his own shirt off, that says, "Life is Good in Newton!" and throws it to me. I get it on just as the EMTS get there.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The paramedic in charge checks me and says, "Good the water is still intact and we're going to keep it that way. I don't want to deliver a baby tonight. We can't the gurnie up the stairs, do you think you can walk?" I get help up and walk down the stairs with an EMT on either side while another EMT holds the "Life is Good in Newton!" shirt down so I stay somewhat modest. Once in the ambulance they quickly and efficiently hooked me up to all the monitors and started an IV. "Your contractions are about a minute apart, and lasting about 2 minutes," said the EMT. I, again, have the urge to push so I start breathing the way I was told in my Lamaze class just the Monday evening before. The EMT looks at me in the eye and says,"Anna, look at me. You can't breath like that. Breath with me. In through the nose, deep breath, out through the mouth slowly."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"What do you mean I can't pant. That is what they taught me in Lamaze!"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Listen to me, you can do this, breath with me." He repeats totally ignoring what I just told him.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I decided it was better to listen to him and complain later. Once on the main street I heard the sirens go on. Why sirens are needed at 2:30 in the morning I have no idea, alas they were on anyways.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They got me to hospital bypassing Emergency, and took me straight to Labor & Delivery. The nurse assigned to me quickly checks out the situation and says, "You're at a 9 1/2. How do you feel about a natural delivery?"This didn't upset me at all because it is what I wanted from the beginning.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Well, I better get the delivery stuff out and call the doctor." she says. The nurse started pulling out everything as the EMT finished up paperwork with Devin, who made it to the hospital before the ambulance did. I was admitted at 2:47 a.m. My parents arrived very shortly after I arrived at the hospital as well. Mom and Devin helped me breathe through the contractions as the nurse continued to get ready for the doctor. After 15 minutes when we hadn't yet heard from Dr. Firth the nurse, Dee, picked up the phone to call again. Just as she started to dial, s Dr. Firth walked in and said, "I had a feeling it was you."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He checked me and smiled saying, "Let's get this baby here!"He quickly donned the Dr. Delivery outfit and broke my water. I felt this immediately relief. "Oh that felt so good," I sighed. Then the next contraction started. "Can I push!?" I squeaked. "Not yet." was my answer. I was allowed to try on the next contraction then told to stop. Just for the record, trying to stop pushing after you start is near impossible. I had to breath through another two contractions. "Ok start pushing." ~ I blew out all my air instead of taking a deep breath and had to start all over again.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pushed for all I was worth for about 20 minutes (mom says only 5 contractions) and at 3:31 a.m. Cora Adeline Reeder was born weighing in @ 5 lbs. 12 oz. and measuring 18 1/2" long.</span><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">1. When did you decide you wanted to deliver your baby naturally?</span></span></i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was always told growing up I was always told that I would be able to just whip the baby out naturally, without medications, because of all the medical issues I've had. I decided to have a natural labor mostly because I don't do very well with drugs and or anesthetics. That gave me the thought, "If I have a low tolerance for them what about my baby?" How was I to know how she would react to an epidural or any of the other drugs they give you during labor. Sure I've heard "Epidurals don't effect the baby in any way." I'm still a bit skiddish on that subject. I have personally seen babies born both ways and there is a difference. It may be slight, but a difference nonetheless.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">2. What reasons or factors went into your decision?</span></i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My mom had all 4 of her children medicine free. One 8 lb 13 oz. baby that was sunny side up, and one that was breach. Still without any type of medications. It may sound silly, but if she can do it, so can I. The biggest factor, other than my ego, was the issue I have with medications. That was really the biggie. I may not have been 100% against medications, but I truly wanted not to have any, just in case she has issues with them like her momma.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">3. What did you do to prepare for natural childbirth? (midwife, classes, methods, books, etc.)</span></i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ha! Prepare? Nothing can truly prepare you for this wonderful experience. I did however read, <i>Thank You Dr. Lamaze</i> by Marjorie Karmel. It helped me have the mindset of I can do this. I also took a Lamaze class offered by our hospital but we didn't make all 6 classes. We only got through the first four.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">4. What was the hardest part of your experience - before, during, or after childbirth?</span></i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The hardest thing for me was I was in labor for more than 2 weeks and I was told that even though your in labor it's not active labor so go home. Had I known I was in active labor I would've had a much easier time dealing with the contractions.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">5. What was most helpful to you during labor to help make pain from contractions manageable?</span></i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My husband put his hand on my lower back for me during the contractions. Again had I known I was in real active labor I think there would have been a few other things I could've done to help with the pain.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">6. What do you wish you would have known going into delivery?</span></i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There really isn't anything about the delivery I wish I would've known. I talked to my Dr. quite frequently about how I wanted the delivery to go. I talked to him during delivery as well so I continued to know that we were on the same page.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><i>7. Is there anything you would have done differently?</i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I would've gone to the hospital a little earlier, and not taken the ambulance.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">8. What did you feel were the positive benefits to your natural childbirth - were the benefits what you expected?</span></i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My daughter suffered something called Persistent Pulmanary Hypertention of the Newborn (PPHN). It was very serious and she had to be Life Flighted to Primary Childrens Medical Center. Since I had her without an epidural I was able to get out of bed and go to the NICU before Life Flight got there and spend time with her. Stand by her and hold her hand. If I had an Epidural that wouldn't have even been an option.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">9. Is natural childbirth something you recommend to other mothers, or something you'd do again?</span></i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Natural medicine free, is the way to go! I wouldn't want to go any other way. It's a choice and one I'm glad I made.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">10. What advice do you have for other mothers interested in natural childbirth?</span></i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's a choice. My Dr. told me if you want to do it medicine free it's your choice, but keep your options open. It's different for everyone. Everybody has different pain tolerances. I decided I wanted to go Med Free since I didn't know if there would be problems with medications in my child's system. It was a very fulfilling experience having a baby, especially without the side effects of drugs in my system. I had already been in labor for more than 2 weeks. It just wasn't considered "Active Labor". I was getting close to my wits end because the contractions had remained constant and although they kept getting closer together, nothing was happening. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anna can be contact with questions at her blog <a href="http://24piecesofpie.blogspot.com/">http://24piecesofpie.blogspot.com/</a></span></div>Emily Framehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04009176107471035747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863830882475366893.post-81946405386200286832011-04-06T10:18:00.000-07:002011-04-06T10:18:20.465-07:00Saige<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Angela - age 27</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2010</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Br8rlWJk0Tk/TZygTDQmTFI/AAAAAAAAOUk/k9GusvkiI3Y/s1600/2010+Saige%2527s+birth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Br8rlWJk0Tk/TZygTDQmTFI/AAAAAAAAOUk/k9GusvkiI3Y/s320/2010+Saige%2527s+birth.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">June 16th I started to have consistent contractions every 20-30min for over 4 hours. I wondered if labor may be beginning but also knew it could be like it was with Ethan, having contractions off and on for over two weeks before he was born. So I didn't get my hopes up too much. Friday, June 18th at my prenatal visit I learned that those contractions were doing something. I was dilated to a 3 and 75% effaced, so labor was close. All throughout this pregnancy my midwife talked about how I big Ethan was (10.4 lbs.) and how they would do things to naturally induce labor before my due date. I had a whole list of things to do. My midwife also began to suspect that my uterus was tilted. This may have been the case with Ethan but not to the extent that she could tell at that time. Now it was very difficult for her to check dilation because the uterus was tilted so far. This also may be the cause of my contractions starting and stopping. Because the baby is not pushing in the right spot to help labor really get going. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At the June 18th appointment the plan was that my midwife would strip the membranes and if I went another week they would discuss starting me with Pitocin or break my water so that I would have a baby under 10 lbs. They said they would let me go up to my due date but did not want me to go over like I had previously. Well I arrived at the appointment and after feeling my belly and taking measurements my midwife just didn't think size was a worry yet. She decided not to strip my membranes and sent me home. I was disappointed at the change in plans and for the first time I realized how worried I was of another big baby and problems at delivery. I trusted my midwife and decided to put labor out of my mind, it will happen when it happens. Baby has to come out sometime...right?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Four days passed uneventfully and then Sunday evening it hit. Not labor, unfortunately, but this sent me over the edge to "I'm done being pregnant!" What sent me over the edge was the worst heartburn I have ever experienced. It was terrible. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain. I've gone through natural labor and delivery twice (and still wanted to do it again). I can handle a little pain. But this was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. My whole chest burned and at the same time I felt overwhelmingly nauseated and began to throw up for 2 hours. First thing in the morning I called my midwife and told her what had happened. She advised to come right in. My symptoms could mean my blood pressure had significantly dropped. When I arrived at the clinic my blood pressure was lower than normal but not so low she was worried. She said this is sometimes a sign labor is close. My due date was 4 days away. I asked if she was still thinking of inducing. She said in her opinion the baby was not as large as my son was. She felt it would be better to let labor happen on its own unless I went a week over, then we will talk about inducing. I couldn't understand the change in what she was telling me. This whole pregnancy the midwives (all four of them at that clinic) talked about not letting me get to my due date. They talked about not wanting to let me have a 10 lb baby again and now they were totally changing. Yes they said the baby was smaller. But I was still very worried. How did they know for sure. We didn't do another ultrasound, but they were just so confident. She did say she would strip my membranes now. She checked me and I had progressed since my appointment only 5 days before.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">She could tell the baby had dropped, I was dilated to a 4. Before leaving Gloria, the midwife seeing me that day, said that if I had not had the baby by the next morning she was on call at the hospital for deliveries and I could come into the hospital between 10-11am and she would induce me. I was grateful for that but really hoped my body would get going on its own.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My sister had come with me to this appointment. I was very grateful for her to be there. Contractions did start almost immediately after stripping the membranes. They were about 10 min apart and I was grateful my sister was there to drive home. She also kept my spirits high and helped me stay positive and we laughed the whole way home. I was so ready to have this baby and not be pregnant anymore.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That night came and went, with lots of heartburn, no contractions and no baby. When I got up in the morning while I got kids breakfast and dressed I started to have contractions again. But they were not regular and did not hurt at all. I figured they where Braxton Hicks. I called Gina, our doula, to ask her opinion and just to talk through my options. Option one: stay home and wait it out. Option two: go to the hospital get checked again and from there decide to go back home or stay and be induced. I really wanted labor to start on its own but was also nervous of going another week and having another huge baby. If I didn't go in when Gloria was on call that meant waiting till my next appointment. I decided to go to the hospital. I was in constant turmoil. Was I making the right decision? </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Gina said she would meet us at the hospital in a few hours. We dropped off the kids at my sisters, and headed for the Hospital. I felt silly going to the hospital not really even in labor. What was I doing? My midwife said she was confident the baby was smaller. But could I take another night of that heartburn? My throat all the way down my chest ached. I was willing to go through that if baby wasn't ready to come. I was only two days from the due date now. She should be fully developed. All the signs were there, my body was just not taking that last step. If I waited I know things would eventually happen but...but...but. Mark my poor husband had to listen to all this on our way. I was so nervous. Was I really doing the best thing for the baby? The end of pregnancy is so emotionally and physically draining! I can see why scheduled deliveries are nice in that way. It takes the waiting guessing game out of it. My emotions kept going back and forth from "let's do this" to "let's go home and just wait it out" Ugh! If I could go back I would have just made up my mind and stop torturing myself (and Mark) with guilt and indecision. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We were checked into observation just after 11:00am and they hooked me up to a monitor to track contractions. Gina was already there and waiting. Gloria came in to see if I was in labor or there to be induced. I told her how the night and morning had gone. I wondered if she could strip my membranes again and let me walk for a while. If things didn't pick up then we would start Pit or break my water. Gloria finally checked my progress and though dilation was still at a 5 she said I had progressed in other ways. The baby had dropped more (now at -2 station) and I was more effaced and the water sack was bulging (which it had not been the day before). Gloria then checked the monitor and was a bit shocked that I was having contractions every 2 1/2 minutes. I was also surprised to hear that because I was only feeling them every 5 to 10 min. Gloria then said she did not think I needed Pitocin. She suggested to go walk around for a bit and then she would come check on me in an hour. I started to feel kind of silly again. What if this really was labor but just the beginning. I really didn't want to be at the hospital for 10+ hours laboring. I would rather be at home. Why had I been so crazy to come this morning to be induced. I was at the end of the pregnancy the baby would come soon. Maybe I should just go home. But then again what if I went another week like this. The baby could grow another pound in that time, and I was not looking forward to another major heart burn night. A few minutes after Gloria had left the room I felt fluid. I wondered if my water had broke put it was not enough for that. I then felt like I had to go to the bathroom so I stood up. More escaped. I'd read about the mucus plug (oh that even sounds gross to say) but never noticed anything like that with my other pregnancies. But for sure I had lost it, the plug that is. Then after going to the bathroom I had the strongest contraction yet. I decided to stay at the hospital. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">12:45pm We were finally checked into a delivery room. We put our bags down and hit the halls for walking and marching. The baby march looks funny but is sure effective for getting things going. We walked the halls for about an hour then went back to the room for baby to be monitored for 10 min. and for me to get my I.V. stent in. I love that this hospital is fine with me not having an I.V. because that gets annoying to have to lug around when walking the halls or getting in the tub. We then returned to marching the hallways. 2:00pm Gloria came in to check progression. She said I was now a good 6. She suggested breaking my water and said in her opinion the baby would come fast after that. I was extremely nervous to make that decision. If I really would have the baby fast I was all for it. But if it turned out to be like the horror stories I'd heard and I ended up laboring for hours and hours and hours with horrible contractions...well I didn't want that so much. I took a moment, said a prayer and asked if this would be a good thing for me and especially for baby. I felt a positive confirmation that this was okay and gave Gloria the okay.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For thirty minutes or so we sat around and talked and laughed. Gina recalled fun stories of my previous deliveries. Mark got the music playing in the background. We have put a list of a couple hundred songs together for our first child's labor and delivery and have used this same CD (with a few new songs added each time) for each delivery. It really helps me relax and I love the calming fun atmosphere the music brings to the room. Contractions were still not hurting at all. It felt slightly uncomfortable to sit while I was having a contraction so whenever one began I would stand up. But once standing I could barely feel it. At 3:00pm my body finally decided to pick up the pace. For the first time I had to concentrate a bit and remind myself to relax during a contraction. Then the next one came and I asked Mark to push on my hips (like Gina had taught him at my second child's birth). A few more stronger contractions came and went and suddenly I felt very tired. In between contractions I was so relaxed that I felt as though I could fall over into a deep sleep. I leaned over the bed for a minute, then sat on the birthing ball for a few minutes, squatted with the squat bar and circled my hips for a bit, then finally tried leaning on Mark but I was just so tired. I said out loud to Mark and Gina, "Oh man I'm so tired, I just want to sleep." Gina started to chuckle and said it must be getting close. Gina commented that she was noticing a pattern with me. When I get close to transition I get sleepy. At the time I was kind of upset with her for saying that because I in no way thought I was close. How could she say something like that and get my hopes up. I was sure I had at least hours to go. I'd only had a dozen strong contractions, I was NO where near delivery much less transition.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The nurse came in the room and said she wanted to monitor baby for a minute. I decided to lay down while she did that and try to sleep. I was just so tired! As I lay there I felt like I would fall asleep at any second. But before I could really drift off into a relaxing slumber contractions kicked up a notch. Before breaking my water I could feel contractions but they were not at all painful. Maybe slightly uncomfortable but that was all. After breaking my water I didn't even have a contraction for 15 min. Those 15 min were very nice to have a break and to rest for a few minutes, however every minute that passed without a contraction I got more and more worried. I had thought, "what have I done!" I practically had myself convinced that this was going to be a long long labor. I had them break my water before my body was truly ready and when labor gets going it's going to be long and hard. While laying in the bed trying to sleep and being monitored another 5 min passed and then contractions again picked up the intensity. I almost jumped out of the bed. Mark saw I was trying to get up and quickly helped me to my feet. I rocked back and forth with my arms around Mark's neck as he supported my weight through the 90 second contraction. After that one I really started to panic. What have I done! Surprisingly Mark and Gina remember this part very differently. They said I was so quiet and focused. Gina said she could tell the contractions were hard but by my reaction to them she thought they were still on the mild side. Later when I told them inside I was totally freaking out they both said they never would have guessed because I was so quiet and focused. Next I felt like walking, and I still felt soooooo sleepy. I could hardly keep my eyes open. It was almost just like Ethan's birth at this point. I paced the room back and forth, back and forth while leaning on Mark's shoulder with his arm around my waist guiding me around the room while I kept my eyes shut. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> In the background I could hear Gina filling up the bathtub and Gloria was getting some things ready for delivery. I was slightly annoyed at them for doing those things. We had talked about waiting for me to get into the tub until I was close to delivery. With Ethan I think I got in too soon and then the water got cold after an hour and I got uncomfortable and wanted out so I missed a water birth with him. Which was fine, but if I really wanted a water birth this time we had decided it was best to wait until I was close to delivery. So I was frustrated that they were getting things ready. Didn't they realize labor was hard because my water had been broken. NOT because I was close. I was convinced I had hours and hours of this left to go. Gina came and said the bath was ready I could get in anytime. I thought to myself that getting in the warm water did sound nice and maybe I'd just try it out for a while and then I could get out and walk again. I was mentally preparing myself for hours of this.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3:30pm I got into the water. Almost immediately my contractions felt even stronger, longer, and closer together. I felt like they were coming right on top of each other. But the water did feel good in between contractions and really soothed my muscles. For a while I was doing great breathing through each contraction and relaxing until 3:57pm I started to feel a lot of pressure. I was still totally in denial that delivery was close. Contractions started to almost melt one into another. They would come so fast I couldn't get in a comfortable position. Mark kept trying to help me but I was basically just crawling around the tub. I really started to panic and was NOT coping well. At 4:20pm I said out loud, "I don't think I can do this." Still thinking I had a long road ahead of me I had decided to ask for something to help with the pain. Gina called out my name. A couple times I think before I actually registered she was talking to me. I looked her straight in the eyes with a pleading to HELP ME! She locked eyes with me and said, "Angela this is it, you're almost done." I searched her face wanting so much to believe her and said, "how do you know?!!!" Gina later told me she didn't know whether to laugh or cry right then. My pleading eyes and her having naturally delivered her children, she knew what I was going through, but also wanting to laugh at my stubbornness to not except this was it. She said when I looked at her she could tell I really had convinced myself I had a while to go.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our midwife Gloria then gave the go-ahead that I could do a water birth. Before breaking my water she had talked to us about not doing a water birth. Because of how my last delivery went, with my son getting shoulder dystocia, she wanted me by the bed again so I could move around if that became an issue. Mark had not heard Gloria say I could stay in the water and was getting very nervous. He kept asking "do we need to get her out now?!" He tried to help me stand up a few times but another contraction would come and I would sink back down into the water. His face looked stressed and worried to me. Not calm and supportive and reassuring like the other deliveries. I knew he was worried for me and worried I may hemorrhage again. I thought to myself I would get out for him, so he didn't have to worry so much. He just looked so scared and that was scaring me.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Just as I was about to ask for help out a very hard contraction came. I felt like I was crawling all around in circles trying to get comfortable, or trying to crawl away from whatever was hurting me. Then suddenly I was pushing. I don't recall this but later Gina told me that I yelled out "I'm Pushing!" Gloria told me to reach down and feel the baby's head. My first thought was "I can do that?" For some reason that felt so empowering. I felt her head and finally I realized THIS IS IT. I don't have hours to go. All at once I relaxed, I felt my tense body almost melt into the pain and I felt in control. The next contraction came and I pushed with everything I had. I so wanted the pain to stop and as I pushed the pain just melted away. This has happened with all three of my deliveries. When I can finally push everything disappears. I feel so far away and cannot hear or really comprehend anyone around me. I am just slightly aware of peoples presents but they seem so distant. Especially this time more than the other two. I felt as though there was a bubble around me and only I and the new child exist</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4:31pm With only one long push I delivered a beautiful baby girl. Gloria said, reach down and get your baby. I remember seeing the baby almost just flouting in the water. She looked so peaceful. I reached down into the water and was the first person to touch her. I have to say that was an amazing feeling. I did that! I was about to bring baby Saige up out of the water when Gloria reached out quickly and stopped me. She held Saige just below the surface and said in the most calm voice, "oh wait, the cord is wrapped around her neck." For a second I was scared, when you hear that it usually means trouble. Gloria calmly unwrapped the cord three times and then let me proceed to bring Saige up to my chest. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh the relief. I was done. Here was my baby. I laid back in the tub, relaxing, holding Saige. No suctioning the baby, no whisking her away (like they did with my first child). Everyone just seemed to let me be with her. I noticed something very different in the few minutes after this delivery. With my first two deliveries within seconds after birth I would start to shake. My whole body would quiver and within a minute or two I would be very cold and achey. I'm not sure if it was the water or something else but that did not happen this time. I felt wonderful. Saige and I just laid in the water for 20 minutes while the cord stopped pulsing and I nursed her. She was so awake and alert and so beautiful. She weighed 8.5 lbs and 19 3/4 inches long. Jet black hair, big round eyes, and red lips. Mark said she looked like a little baby Snow White. My heart sang with gratitude as I said a prayer thanking Heavenly Father for another precious child.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To view a photo montage of Saige's birth go <a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=b37845b7bdf887780cb991&skin_id=0&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url">here.</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">3. What did you do to prepare for natural childbirth? (midwife, classes, methods, books, etc.)</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I did not do much to prepare this time. I didn't re-read my books. My doula Gina came to my house and talked to me but I felt confident at that time and didn't really discuss even the basics with her. I think if I have another child I will make sure to always do a refresher course. I believe I had forgotten the stages of labor and the cues to look for and that is one of the reasons I just was not convinced I was at the end. Looking back now it seems silly I felt that way. So next time I will take a class or re-read my birthing books and talk more extensively with Gina.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">4. What was the hardest part of your experience - before, during, or after childbirth?</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mentally the hardest part was deciding what to do, and if I was making good choices. I unnecessarily put myself through a lot of grief. Hopefully after this I've learned to just calm down. Physically: well this labor was so different. I really had it great. Before my water was broke I was in labor I guess but it did not hurt at all. After my water broke it was more what I expected but still relatively undemanding. Only the last 30 min was challenging and when I got to the point that I thought I could not take it any longer, I was ready to push and it was over within minutes. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">5. What was most helpful to you during labor to help make pain from contractions manageable?</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Walking again was my best way of getting through transition (though I didn't realize this time I was that far progressed). I learned this time that my mental state is very important. If I'm not able to focus on something then I don't relax well. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">6. What do you wish you would have known going into delivery?</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After two natural births I thought I had it down. But with this delivery I think the most valuable lesson I learned is my mental state has a huge impact on how I well I can handle laboring. I wish I would have known to have patience and just wait for baby to come on her own time. I realize now how much of my previous delivery I was holding onto. I should have trusted my midwife when she said she was sure the baby was not too big. It all turned out wonderfully but I do wish I would have just calmed down and enjoyed the process more.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">7. Is there anything you would have done differently?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yes, I would have waited for labor to start itself and not have worried about it so much. Easy to say in hindsight but that is what I will do next time (if there is one :0)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">8. What did you feel were the positive benefits to your natural childbirth - were the benefits what you expected?</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It was a lot of pain but really for less than two hours. So for me the benefit was a fast delivery, and then I felt amazing afterwards. The next morning I was up and not just walking around but walking around with little to no discomfort. And baby Saige was so alert. All my babies have been great nursers from really the second they are born. I've read that can be a benefit of natural deliveries, and if so I am grateful for that.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">10. What advice do you have for other mothers interested in natural childbirth?</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you are at all considering it Just do it! You won't regret it! Well I hope not anyway :0)</span>Emily Framehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04009176107471035747noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863830882475366893.post-33803223250729508912011-04-06T10:17:00.001-07:002011-04-06T10:17:47.194-07:00Ethan<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Angela, age 25</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2008</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Vsniu9szns/TZygLjZQ58I/AAAAAAAAOUg/uUmRP-Yuh04/s1600/2008+Ethan+birth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Vsniu9szns/TZygLjZQ58I/AAAAAAAAOUg/uUmRP-Yuh04/s320/2008+Ethan+birth.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Only fourteen months after giving birth to our first child, Lia, I was pregnant again. At 19 weeks along we learned a little boy would be joining our family. At a prenatal visit two weeks before his due date I was already dilated to a 4. My midwife was sure I would have the baby before my next visit. We scheduled the next appointment, just in case, but I left laughing with excitement that I would have a baby well before then. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To back up a bit. With my first pregnancy and delivery I went to an OBGYN. I delivered at a hospital that has a high rate for epidurals and over a 17% C-section rate (one of the highest in my state). My doctor seemed very supportive of my desire to attempt a natural birth. But when the time came she was not the doctor on call and I was not supported by hospital staff. If not for my wonderful husband Mark and doula Gina, I believe that delivery would have gone very different (i.e. I would have had a lot more meds!) After my first delivery I now had the confidence that I am capable of a natural delivery and desired to have a positive support team around me. I looked into Midwives, home deliveries, birth centers. My husband was supportive of a natural delivery. He thought it was amazing. However he did not feel comfortable being away from a hospital. I was getting quite discouraged until I learned that a hospital near me had a midwife group that delivered at the hospital. Hurray a compromise, we both win. I personally still wanted a birth center or home birth but did not want to worry my husband and understood his concerns (even if I did not share them). </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I met with the midwife group at the hospital and loved them! I was pleased that there were only 4 midwives and I would get to know all of them throughout my prenatal care. So when delivery time came I would know the person there to deliver my baby. Unlike the OB I went to who had 18 different OBs in her office. I had never met the doctor that actually attended the delivery of my first child. I would prefer to have the same midwife the whole time but at least this was a big step in the right direction. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Back to labor. Well the next appointment came and went. I was now six days past my due date. For three weeks I had thought, "any day now!" I did not go through this with my first pregnancy. My daughter had surprised us and came a week early. I had not gotten to that point of "I Can't Take this Anymore!" I felt an overwhelming urgency to get this baby out. I had seen my sister like this with one of her pregnancies and remember thinking "calm down girl, and chill out!" Oh I am so sorry for ever thinking that and now understood what she felt. Yet another appointment day had arrived and I told my husband to take the day off of work and come with me with bags packed because I was not coming home without a baby in my arms. I was going to have this baby today whatever it took! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">11:15am we arrived at the midwife clinic. Tonya, a midwife, was shocked I had not had the baby yet. She asked me how I was doing and if there had been any progression or contractions. I was very emotional and started to cry. I told her I can't take it anymore. I had not had sleep in days. She checked me and stripped my membranes, again. Good news I was a solid 5cm and 100% effaced. She said that is far enough progressed to check me into the hospital. I pointed out one problem. I was not exactly in active labor, I had been dilated to a 5 for a week already and had not had a contraction since the last time she had stripped the membranes a week ago. As Tonya felt my belly she noticed that they baby seemed sideways, like he was not straight up and down like he should be. She explained that if his head was not in the right spot that could be a reason for contractions to start and stop like they had been. She massaged my abdomen a bit and had me roll over on my other side. She said she was trying to encourage baby to move so he would be pushing on the cervix better. I then asked her if I should go home or get checked into the hospital. I could scarcely bear the thought of going home. But I was worried to be induced with Pitocin or have my water broken. Tonya recommended we go out for lunch and power walk around the mall or hospital. I wiped my tears and said okay. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We drove a few blocks from the hospital and stopped to eat at a little cafe. I walked around as we waited for our food and nothing. Not one contraction. My heart sank. I sat down to eat. Nothing. We finished up and headed out to the car. Nothing. Mark waited while I decided what to do. Go home and wait it out or go back to the hospital to be induced. Finally I wanted to call my sister. I knew what I wanted to do, have the baby, but I really wanted someone else to tell me it would all be okay. That inducing was not so bad... I called my sister (who was taking care of Lia) and went over everything with her. She listened and asked a few questions but still I knew it was my decision. No one was going to tell me what to do. Next I called Gina, our doula, who was waiting to hear from us if she needed to head to the hospital or not. I told her all that had happened (or not happened) after the appointment. She asked me a bunch of questions but like everyone else made it clear it was my choice how to proceed. I look back at this and just have to laugh at myself. I was so distraught. Well after having my hopes up to have the baby early for weeks and now be a week late it is very emotional. I wish I could have just calmed down. The baby eventually has to come out but really I had this unnerving feeling it had to be that day. That it just could not wait any longer. So I finally made a decision to go back to the hospital and begin Pitocin.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1:30pm While walking through the hospital toward the maternity ward I had a contraction. A fairly strong one. I let my hopes sore for just a moment. Maybe I'll start on my own. 30 min later and nothing. We got checked right into a room. Since I had just had an appointment and Tonya had checked me they took me straight to a delivery room. While our nurse was busying herself about the room I had another contraction and it is pretty intense. I ask her if she can wait on the Pitocin for a while. I wanted to see if these contractions would pick up. If I don't have Pit then I don't need an IV, which I really didn't want. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3:00pm Gina arrives. Mark, Gina and I go walking. After our first lap around the maternity ward contractions really pick up. I felt exhilarated. Labor was progressing on its own! Contractions were 2 1/2 min apart and good and hard. 4:00pm nurse asks me to come back to delivery room to be monitored for a few minutes. Baby was doing great, and I was fantastic. I felt like I could run a hundred miles with the adrenaline coursing through my body. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4:15pm Gloria, my favorite midwife from the midwife group, comes in to check my progression. 7cm, 100% effaced, -1 station. Gina suggests getting into the bath. I thought that sounded great. 4:27pm in bath tub. Mark rubbed my feet. My favorite songs played softly in the background. Gina turned out the lights and sets up a handful of lights that look like candles (hospital doesn't allow open flames of course) and I felt so peaceful and wonderful. Gina showed Mark an awesome trick. She gave him a plastic cup and told him to pour the hot bath water over my tummy. It felt so good.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5:05pm contractions become stronger and closer together. I felt like I was drifting off into my own world. Gina and Mark where amazing at keeping me clam, relaxed and letting me know if I was tensing at all. At first they would tell me to loosen my shoulders, or take a deep breath. Then it got to the point that one of them would softly touch a tight muscle and not have to say anything, just by their touch I instantly focused on relaxing that muscle. In between contractions I would sink into the water but when I felt a contraction coming on I would get up onto my knees or stand up so Mark could squeeze my hips with his hands. That helped tremendously during a contraction (another invaluable tip from Gina).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5:40pm All at once the bath was not the place I wanted to be. I had the urge to walk. In my fuzzy state of mind I somehow communicated to Mark to help me out. As I stepped out of the tub I remember focusing on the length of the room and knowing I had to cover that distance NOW. Before Gina could even get a towel around me I was dragging Mark across the room. We paced the room for a few minutes. It felt so good to walk, and walk fast. The nurse asked me to come to the bed side to monitor baby for a minute. I desperately wanted to walk and the whole time I had to stay by the bed was not pleasant. As soon as she was finished monitoring baby I wanted to walk. At the same time I felt incredibly sleepy and could not keep my eyes open. I closed my eyes, laid my head on Marks shoulder and clung to his arm as we walked back and forth, back and forth. It felt like one big contraction. It would flare up to be very intense and then lesson a bit but would not go away completely. Mark later told me I was practically running across the room. He was having a hard time holding me up and keeping up with me. I just remember feeling like the more I moved the better the pain felt. I know that is a strange way to describe it but the pain really did feel good at times. I would swing between "I can't do this" to "wow that feels strangely gratifying". </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6:05pm Baby gets hiccups. Everyone, including me, found it cute and comical that a baby would get hiccups minutes before being born. Silly guy. His hiccups where so strong you could see my whole belly move.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6:15pm Still pacing the room I suddenly felt pushy. We began discussing where I wanted to push. Getting on the hospital bed seemed awful to me. I wanted to keep moving. My nurse put up the squat bar on the bed (I didn't even know they had those) and Gina showed me how to squat next to the bed. Gloria the Midwife checked me one last time. The bag of water was still intact, and she suggested to break it. I was apprehensive and asked Gina what she thought. Gloria and Gina both explain if my water is broke I'll have the baby right then. I say, "Wait, you mean I'm ready to push? But it hasn't gotten hard enough yet. This is it!" I couldn't believe I was there. Delivery was minutes away. This was so different from my first delivery. I had prepared myself for the long haul of pain I experienced with Lia. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6:24pm Gloria the midwife says I still have a little rim of the cervix left and I'll need to push past that. She instructed me to bare down on the next contraction and push. She says it may take a couple of pushes to do this. I felt another contraction coming and I push. Oh the relief. Once again, like with my first delivery, I felt the incredible sensation of pushing. Yes it hurts, but it's like my body is getting a much needed breath of air. Like I've been building up to this moment to push all my life. All at once during that first push I heard my husband (who is supporting me while sitting on the floor next to me) say, "BABY BABY, I see a HEAD!" I then saw Gloria fly across the room and just as she reaches me I deliver his head. I hear her chuckle and say something like "so much for pushing past the cervix, he is here." My contraction was still going so I took a deep breath to bare down and push. Gloria calmly says, "Angela please stop pushing, I need you to get onto the bed on your hands and knees." There was no alarm in her voice, she was her calm cool collected self she always is, but somewhere in me I knew something was wrong. I literally jumped up (with a baby head hanging out) and landed on my hands and knees on the bed waiting for further instructions. I thought at the time Mark, Gina or Gloria had helped me up. I can vividly remember the feeling of hands under my arms lifting me. But later they all said I got up before any of them could reach out to touch me. I know someone helped me, an angel perhaps, I know I did not do that on my own. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6:25pm Gloria, again very calmly, explains that the baby is stuck. Shoulder dystocia. She explains that I need to listen to her very carefully. She will guide me on how to push, when to push, to move positions and so on. I later found out what she had me do is called the Gaskin maneuver. And it worked beautifully. At 6:26pm I fully delivered his shoulders and body. Gloria helped baby as he slid out and then gently laid him on the bed directly under me. I then sat back and scooped up my new baby boy into my arms. Someone wrapped a blanket around us and I had my little guy all to myself. At that moment I looked up and for the first time noticed the crowd of people in the room. When Gloria had realized there was shoulder dystocia she had called in the NICU and as I lay there holding my baby I realized many people still had a very worried look on their face. Gloria calmly told me to just keep holding him while she finished with me and the nursed checked out little Ethan while he lay on my chest. I remember how awful all the after labor stuff was from Lia's birth and I had mentally prepared myself for it this time. Gloria announced that I had not torn one bit. Amazing, I tore like crazy with my 8 lb. baby but not one bit with a 10 lb baby. But I could still tell something was wrong. Finally taking my gaze away from the sweet baby I was nursing I asked what was wrong. Gloria coolly told me I was hemorrhaging and she was a little worried. For the next 25min things were a bit intense. I could see the strain of worry on Mark's face. I started to feel very weak and asked if someone could take the baby. He had stopped nursing and I didn't feel like I could hold him any longer. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A nurse took him to weight him and do another baby check to make sure all was well with him. We all found out why he got stuck. He was HUGE. Weighing 10.4 pounds and 21 inches long (a full two pounds large than my first baby) he had a huge head and very broad shoulders. The nurse checking him also noticed he was not breathing great and a burse was forming on his shoulders. The next day x-rays confirmed that both collar bones had been broken during this fast delivery. Poor little guy. But the pediatrician reassured us that, "those bones are meant to be broken in birth, and in two weeks it will be totally healed. You'll never even know they had broken." But for over a week after birth I could tell he was in pain and uncomfortable.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Finally my bleeding slowed and the atmosphere in the room relaxed. I was okay, baby was hurting, but going to be just fine. That was the first time I realized why I may have had that urgent feeling that he needed to come that day. Any longer and he would have been too big. Gina stayed for hours after the birth, rubbing my feet, talking with us. We all talked about how different this birth would have been if I would have had an epidural. I would have been flat on my back pushing which makes the cervix smaller, and not able to feel how hard or where I was pushing, and most important not able to move around as I did to deliver him. Now that it was all done I was grateful to have a healthy baby boy. The first few days with Ethan in the hospital where also a bit scary. He had aspirated some fluid during delivery so was put on a feeding tube and oxygen. But being a big baby he bounced back fast and we finally got to come home.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As we came home I thanked my Heavenly Father for all the people who had assisted us in bringing another child into the world. God had given us another child to bring into our family. Truly a miracle. Again I learned some new lessons that I will take to my next pregnancy and delivery (if there is one that is).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you would like to see a photo montage (my doula made) of Ethan's birth go <a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=b728dd0aa8c0fb7b500465&skin_id=0&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url">here.</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">1. When did you decide you wanted to deliver your baby naturally?</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After giving birth almost naturally (I had had some IV pain meds) with my first child, I decided this time I could do it totally naturally. The most frightening thing about first time delivery is just not knowing. Not knowing exactly what it is going to feel like, not knowing how long it is going to last, if I could endure. But once I had gone through it once I know this time I would succeed in natural birth.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">2. What reasons or factors went into your decision?</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The first time I delivered naturally it was because of a fear of epidurals (possible side effects and such). But this time it was because I knew I was capable of natural labor and delivery and I wanted the best for myself and my baby. It is hard to describe just why I desire unmedicated births. It just feels right for me and my children.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">3. What did you do to prepare for natural childbirth? (midwife, classes, methods, books, etc.)</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With Ethan I did not take classes again, but I did re-read all the books I had with my first pregnancy and a few more. My favorite new book I found was "Birthing from within" and one about Home Birth (but I can't remember the name of that one.) The best preparation I did was again having Gina for my doula. about a month before delivery she came to my home and spent a few hours with me talking about my first birth experience. What I liked, what I would change. And she showed me some wonderful videos about natural birth. One being "The business of being born" and another one that discussed and showed water births.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">4. What was the hardest part of your experience - before, during, or after childbirth?</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The hardest part was the 24 hours after birth. I lost a lot of blood and felt awful for about 24 hours. But once my body recovered its loss I bounced back fast. Especially since I did not tear.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">5. What was most helpful to you during labor to help make pain from contractions manageable?</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Meditation to stay calm and relaxed, the bath was wonderful, and walking was what got me through transition. Something I learned this time, that is so very important, is the people you have around you. It is amazing what a negative feeling coming from someone can affect you. And the opposite, a positive calm coming from people makes ALL the difference.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">6. What do you wish you would have known going into delivery?</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I wish I would have been more open to a water birth. I had just heard about them but was not convinced they were safe. Well it just sounded weird to me and I was getting used to the idea. Now that I know the water is my epidural I would love to attempt a water birth. I am definitely more open to that next time.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">7. Is there anything you would have done differently?</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I still would have loved to be at a birthing center or at home. Given the complications I had it was nice to be in a hospital where a blood transfusion was right there (I almost needed one, but in the end did not) and a NICU was down the hall (they did monitor Ethan but he never went there). I know my husband would have been even more worried once complications started happening if we had not been in a hospital. But when all was said and done my midwife and doula could have done all they did at a birthing center or at my home</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">8. What did you feel were the positive benefits to your natural childbirth - were the benefits what you expected?</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Where do I begin with the benefits? I believe things would have or could have been much worse if I had had an epidural. And after losing so much blood and to recover so quickly I believe it was largely due to a natural delivery. I am not a medical specialist and am not going to attempt to explain all the things that happen in a woman's body when giving natural birth (all the hormones that are released etc.) But I have read a lot about that in my research and encourage any pregnant woman to read books and talk to an OB or midwife or doula about that. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">9. Is natural childbirth something you recommend to other mothers, or something you'd do again?</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yes and yes! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">10. What advice do you have for other mothers interested in natural childbirth?</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If it is truly something you want to do it is a must to surround yourself with people who not only support you but will help you accomplish it. And even if natural childbirth is not for you, know your options, know the risks you are taking with any decision you make. And be flexible in your plan. Going into my first delivery I knew I wanted to try natural delivery but if I would have had an awful labor, or been pushing for three hours I would have changed my plan. That is why it is so important to know your options. And the last advice I have is to have a midwife. OBGYN's are wonderful when things go wrong. But they are trained surgeons and that is what they do well. From my experience they are not trained in unmedicated deliveries. They may be supportive of you if you want to try that, but when it comes down to it they do not help you accomplish it. This has been my experience and I have heard a few stories otherwise. Hopefully things are starting to change.</span>Emily Framehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04009176107471035747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863830882475366893.post-55414930036474313112011-04-06T10:17:00.000-07:002011-04-06T10:17:13.569-07:00Lia<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Angela - age 23</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2006</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YgPoYnroAlA/TZygDN8dBBI/AAAAAAAAOUc/dT1fkLuMTLo/s1600/2006+Baby+Lia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YgPoYnroAlA/TZygDN8dBBI/AAAAAAAAOUc/dT1fkLuMTLo/s320/2006+Baby+Lia.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A month before my due date my mother told me she would be unable to come for my labor and delivery because my father had fallen very ill. When she told me that I become unsettled about the upcoming delivery. I really wanted to have a natural birth but suddenly was very nervous. I had no idea what to expect and now my mom (who had delivered 7 children naturally) was not going to be there to coach me through it. All the reading and classes I had done suddenly seemed distant and I feared that in the moment I would panic and forget everything. I wondered if I really could do this without medicine. Sure women did it all the time, but the only image I personally had of labor was from the movies of women screaming in pain. Also I had attended and filmed my older sister's birth of her son. But she had an epidural and throughout my entire pregnancy had tried convincing me that was the way to go. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One day in expressing my growing worry to my husband Mark he for the first time told me he was unsure he would be able to tolerate being in the room while I delivered. He reassured me he would be at the door, but not right by me, after seeing the birth video's they showed at our birthing class he was genuinely worried about fainting. I looked him in the eyes and said "If I have to be there, you have to be there." But he planted a seed of doubt in my mind that this just might be as bad as everyone makes it out to be. Mark then suggested hiring a doula. We had heard about them in our Lamaze class. I started calling around right away. But with only two weeks' notice all the douals already had clients at that time. After a dozen calls I started to feel very discouraged. Then the last doula I called said she had a student doula that had never done a birth on her own but she was confident in her abilities and gave me Gina's number. I decided to call her, and then meet her. Gina came to our home, asked me a bunch of questions, I asked her a bunch of questions. She knew just wat to say to a first time mom who was scared, very excited, and in need of encouragement. She then helped me develop a birth plan. For the first time I felt calm and in control.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ten days after meeting Gina I woke up at 12:30am with extreme back pain. It was a constant stinging, burning, throbbing sensation and hurt like the dickens. I was not sure what was happening and decided to take a warm bath in an attempt to calm my spasming muscles. After an hour in the tub I felt much better and decided to go back to bed. Just as I drifted off to sleep the back pain came back with a vengeance, but this time only lasted 30 seconds. At this point I wondered if it could be labor. The dull back pain was always there but every 10 min. it would flair up for 30 seconds and then calm down, but never left completely. Finally at 2:45am I woke Mark up. I had not planned on waking him yet but when a particularly strong contraction hit I suddenly did not want to go through the pain alone. Mark grabbed his watch and a piece of paper and started timing. For about an hour the contractions where consistently 10 min. apart. Mark recommended I call Gina and tell her what was going on. At 3:30am I could tell I wasn't going to fall back asleep and I could no longer stand just lying in bed so I got up and started to walk around the house. To keep myself occupied I started doing light cleaning. Mark reminded me not to wear myself out and to take it easy, but I just had too much adrenalin and my back only felt better if I was moving around. At 6am I felt tired again and thought if this is really labor I should try to sleep while I can. I woke up with contractions a few times but after 30 mins. of lying there they either stopped for a while or I was so tiered I slept right through them.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">All that morning, from 2:45 to 6:30am Mark had stayed awake with me, timing contractions, talking to me and helping clean a bit. His leg was in a lot of pain, from his ankle reconstructive surgery and a recent pulled muscle. It was difficult for him to stand for any length of time. He was concerned how he was going to help me through labor without being able to stand. He had a physical therapy appointment at 7am and since I was tired and going to attempt a nap he decided to go hoping they could do something to help him. While I slept he went to PT. His Physical Therapist was able to give him a prescription for the pain. We joke that Mark needed more pain meds to get through labor than I did. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At 11am I was pulled out of my deep slumber by a strong contraction. They were back and slightly closer, now 5 to 7 minutes apart and they felt much stronger. We called Gina to give her an update and she decided to head our direction since she lived almost an hour away. Labor went on much the same from that time on. The back pain had lessened earlier but began to pick up again. In talking with my sister Janae that morning she suggested an enema. She told me that back labor can be caused by constipation. It is common for women to become constipated during labor because the body basically shuts down any functions except labor. I decided to take Janae's advice and do an enema, not the most pleasant thing but was willing to try it if it had any chance of relieving the back pain. A very short while after I felt a noticeable change. The contractions were no longer in my back but completely up front. Who knows if the enema did the trick but either way I was grateful! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">By 4:00pm we had finally hit the "5.1.1." meaning contractions where five minutes or less apart, one minute long and had been that way for one hour. I was sure it was time to go to the hospital. In retrospect I wish I would have waited longer before going to the hospital. Laboring at home was much more comfortable. I'm not sure what my urgency for getting there was. A lesson learned for next time. We called Gina and she came to our house. She rubbed my feet while Mark loaded up the car and at 4:30pm we were ready to go. I sat on the couch and started to cry. An overwhelming feeling of excitement came over me. I began to silently cry. Tears streamed down my face. I think I scared Mark, he probably thought I was losing it, but really I was sooo excited and labor really had not been bad at all. Uncomfortable yes but I realized "I CAN DO THIS!"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As we drove to the hospital I was completely confident they would admit me. I was proud of myself that I had waited long enough. I'd heard stories how a laboring mom gets to the hospital and they send her home because she is not progressed far enough. I think I would have cried if they had said I had to go home. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We got into observation and I was dilated to a 5. Hurray I could stay, or so I thought until it seemed like it was an eternity there in triage and they wanted me to stay in our 4x6 foot area and hooked up to a monitor. They said it was taking so long because there was a lot of women in labor and they didn't have enough nurses. They told me I could not walk around because they needed to keep the monitor on me and they did not have a cordless monitor in observation. It was awful just laying there. I got really sick and threw up and really just lost all my energy there laying flat in a bed. Gina suggested to get up and walk around. She said they are only suggesting you stay here, but do what you need to do. I was too trained to do as doctor/nurse says and wanted to follow the people that I thought knew what was best for me. I learned a good lesson there that as long as I'm not putting my baby in danger I should listen to my body. If it says get up and walk, get up and walk!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Finally after 90 minutes of waiting we got our own room. The contractions were very hard and only 2-3 minutes apart. I began to break down. I started to worry if I could do this. I told myself to talk positively so every time I wanted to say "I can't do this" I would say out loud "I'm doing this, I'm doing great!" Mark caught on and started telling me I was doing great and encouraging me. Gina suggested taking a bath. We went into the bathroom and to our dismay found only a shower there, no tub. I asked the nurse what was going on, on the tour I know I saw a tub in the delivery room. She said only a few rooms have tubs and those are taken. I was pretty disappointed. I got in the shower, Gina brought in a birthing ball for me to sit on but the water hitting me annoyed me, the echo of people talking in the bathroom annoyed me, standing, sitting....everything was awful. So my relaxing shower just got me all wound up and after 10 min. I decided to get out. Gina tried to get me to walk around but all I wanted to do was crawl into the bed, I was so sleepy. Contractions where coming so fast I wasn't getting a break. I really began to doubt my abilities. While lying in the bed Mark rubbed my lower back, which helped a lot, and Gina rubbed my feet. My nurse who had been busying herself around the room while I tried the whole shower thing, finally came over to introduce herself. She asked if Gina was my sister. I said "No, she is our doula." A cold breeze swept through the room and my nurse made it very clear that Gina was to stay out of the way and she did not like having her there. Mark then gave the nurse our birth plan we had typed up and asked for her to read it and post it up so that any other nurse or doctor coming would know what we were trying to accomplish. She flat out refused to read it. A few minutes later she came in. She could tell I was not coping well and asked if I wanted some pain medication. I told her no thank you and please don't ask again. I know my options and if I decide I need something I will let you know. If she would have read my short birth plan that was the first sentence!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At 7:00pm the doctor came in. I was sad to find out it was not my normal OB. She had been there earlier but her shift ended and this new doc was now on call. She checked me and I was dilated to a 7 and recommended breaking my water. She said if she did so I would probably have the baby soon after that. She did warn me that contractions would get stronger and I might want an epidural. I said I wanted to do this naturally (in hindsight I should have not had my water broken and made myself get up and walk. Oh well, next time.) I tried to make a decision but everything was getting so unclear and the only words I really heard where "this will make the baby come sooner" I said okay and before I knew it my water was broke. I don't even recall what that felt like. Seconds after she broke my water a contraction hit and hit hard. I did not do a very good job of breathing through it and started to panic. The next two contractions were even worse. I was getting warn out and truly started to doubt my ability in finishing the task. I got scared! My goal for birth was to go natural. I was very set on NOT having an epidural. The thought of that big needle in my back and even worse losing the ability to control my body freaks me out. So epidural was not an option. I would have preferred to not have any medication, but I got to a point where I just wasn't coping well. My unsupportive nurse came up to me and said, "If you want an epidural or any other medication you better get it now or it will be too late." Then she leaned into me and whispered just to me, "You're not a hero for going through the pain." I wonder if she thought this was Mark's idea or my doula's idea to have no meds. NO it was my idea, but at a point when I'm in the worst pain I've ever experienced you give me an out, I'm going to take it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now that I have been through this experience once and talked to other women I'm pretty sure I was at the end, I was almost done. I bet I would have pushed the baby out within 30 min, but at the time I just didn't know how much more I could take, and I got to a point where I honestly believed this was my life, I was doomed to hurt like this forever and this baby was stuck in me for good. I had made up my mind no epidural but pain meds yes. Please give me something!!! Somehow in my fuzzy state of mind I decided to take some Stadol. Our nurse told me the Stadol would last about 2 hours and if I had not delivered by then it would be too late to have any more meds, so this was my last chance for an epidural. I was very annoyed that she AGAIN mentioned it. I told myself the pain reliever would be enough and I could do this! And when she said for the second time "it will be too late" I realized it will be too late because baby will be here. I'm close to the end and I CAN do this.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pain meds always react very strongly with my body. They make me drowsy and nauseated. For this reason I have rarely used them in my life. I asked to only have a half dose. The nurse laughed and said that would not do a thing. I insisted on only a half dose and said if that is not enough then we will do more, but I don't want to be knocked out when it comes time to push. Here Gina again was wonderful. I don't think that Mark or myself would have stood up to the nurse. She would have railroaded us and we would have caved. Gina looked at me and asked, "do you only want a half of a dose" I said "Yes." Gina then turned to the nurse and instructed her to only do a half. The nurse rolled her eyes and went along. Well half a dose was still too much. Mark said the meds went in my IV and he literally saw my eyes roll to the back of my head. I was out cold. For two hours I slept. I have very fuzzy memory of this time. My knowledge of what happened these two hours comes from Mark and Gina. They said when a contraction would hit my eyes would fly open, they would talk me through it. I apparently responded very well to their promptings of breathe, relax, look at my eyes, focus...and so on. As soon as the contraction started to fade out my eyes would roll to the back of my head and I would again fall fast asleep. I do vaguely remember my CD of music playing in the background when I would wake up for a contraction. The music was great for me to focus on and kind of zone out, or zone into I should say, during the contraction. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Before taking the meds I was in full swing of labor. After the meds my very next contraction, according to the monitor, was weaker and they went from every 2-3 minutes to every 5-7 minutes. I believe that the pain medication slowed down my labor. However, being able to sleep did allow me to build up strength again. At 9:15 pm I woke up and felt the drowsiness lifting. I could tell the Stadol was wearing off. My mind felt more clear and now that I had rested I was coping much better. In a strange way I almost felt as though I was watching myself go through the pain. When a contraction would start I felt like my brain split in two. One half was dealing with the pain and the other half was watching saying "this isn't so bad, I can do this."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I started to feel like I wanted to push and told everyone that. During a contraction I yelled out "I've got to push, I'VE GOT TO PUSH." The nurse responded to my plea by saying "the doctor will be here soon. You'll just have to wait." At first I was okay with waiting thinking it would be soon now but after 15 min of her telling me to WAIT I started to get frustrated. I remember feeling very disoriented and confused why I couldn't push. I have to say not pushing was the HARDEST thing I have ever done. Mark was trying to stay calm but later told me he was getting very angry at watching me in so much anguish and pain just because the doctor wasn't there. Finally after 20 minutes more (which felt like much much longer) the doctor came in. Later we found out that another woman had been giving birth at the same time and I had to wait for her to finish. That made me even angrier, why didn't I just get someone else. I will NOT again wait to push. Mark even said he is willing to catch the baby if ever that situation arises.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was finally able to push. Mark held my hand the whole time and in between contractions would stroke my face and my hair and tell me I was doing and amazing job, he talked about Lia and how she was almost here and I would be holding her in my arms very soon. He was absolutely amazing! The excitement and love I saw in his face would calm me down and gave me just what I needed to get through the next push. Only after 10 minutes (just 5 contractions) Lia entered into the world. Lia was out and the doctor held her up for me to see. I reached out and touched her perfect hands. I cannot even begin to describe the happiness and joy I felt looking at my daughter. She was absolutely beautiful. She wasn't crying but was breathing well and making sounds and moving her arms and legs like crazy. The doctor then clamped of the umbilical cord and let Mark cut it. That was fun to watch. I thought about just days before when Mark said he might not be able to stay in the room for delivery and here he was cutting the cord. I was amazed at how alert and awake I felt. I kind of expected to crash as soon as she was out, but instead I felt a huge surge of energy while I was pushing and it lasted for quite a while after giving birth. Just the absence of pain was plenty to make me feel great! And I found myself starving for food. It took almost an hour before they brought me a sandwich. Next time I will bring my own food so I don't have to wait.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The after labor stuff was quite unpleasant. No one had ever mentioned that. I guess I thought once the baby was out it was downhill from there. Not so. The after stuff was not as bad as labor of course, but now I know to mentally be prepared for that it next time. They took Lia across the room for a few minutes. I very much disliked being away from her. After nine months of being together it felt very odd to even be a room length apart. Mark was still standing next to me and I asked him to go be with Lia. They weighed her at 8 lbs 8 oz. and 20 3/4 inches long. As the Nurse brought Lia over to me she commented that Lia was the most alert newborn she had ever seen. Gina asked if this was the first delivery she had attended without the use of an epidural. Her answer was yes. Before leaving she came over to me and gave me a small hug and said, "you were amazing." </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As I breastfed Lia for the first time she knew just what to do. It felt so natural and the bond I had been making with this new being strengthened tenfold. I think that was the first time it really hit me "I'm a MOM!" At that moment I started to cry just a little and thanked Heavenly Father for this wonderful experience. I said a prayer of thanks for Mark, an amazing husband and now for a healthy baby girl. I had had a wonderful labor with no complications. It was by far the hardest thing I have done in my life, but also the most rewarding. Realizing I was capable of what I just did I looked forward to taking this labor and delivery experience and building on it for our next child. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">1. When did you decide you wanted to deliver your baby naturally?</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Once I found out I was pregnant I started talking to my sisters about their experiences. I was truly freaked out about an epidural and knew I wanted to avoid that, but unsure if I could go totally unmediated. But the more I learned of natural labor and its benefits to mom and baby I set my mind on that more and more. However, going into my first delivery I was not totally committed. I know I would have not been able to accomplish what I did without Gina, our doula, there to coach my husband and myself.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">2. What reasons or factors went into your decision?</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At first it was just that I did not want an epidural. As a teenager I had sustained a back injury that caused me to temporarily loose feeling in my legs. It was terrifying. Now with facing labor and delivery to willing ask someone to take away the feeling and control of the lower half of my body was not an option for me. I also do not tolerate medication very well. An aspirin, or Motrin makes me sleepy and sick to my stomach almost immediately. I've never liked pain meds and rarely use them. So that left me with facing natural child birth. And the more I talked to other women that had experienced it, and read as much as I could, th e idea because more and more what I wanted to do.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">3. What did you do to prepare for natural childbirth? (midwife, classes, methods, books, etc.)</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mostly I talked to my sisters and my mom. I have both extremes. I have one sister that swears by the epidural and tried to convince me my entire pregnancy that it is the best! Then I have two other sister that between the two of them have birthed 14 children medication free. My husband and I took a Lamaze class offered by the hospital. I found that to be very informative of procedures, & the basics of what to expect, but overall it was not focused on natural birthing. Besides reading all I could and becoming well informed, the best thing I did was hire Gina our doula.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">4. What was the hardest part of your experience - before, during, or after childbirth?</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">By far the worst part was being asked NOT to push until doc could get there. That is like telling someone not to breathe when their body is screaming for a breath of air, or not to vomit when you know it is going to happen. When your body is ready to do push, it just does it. It is the most ridiculous thing to tell a woman to wait!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">5. What was most helpful to you during labor to help make pain from contractions manageable?</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We did lots of things. I had compiled a CD of my favorite calming songs and that played in the background while at home and at the hospital. When things would get difficult I could focus on the song, the words or different instruments I could hear and the contraction would seem to go by faster. I also found myself moaning a lot. Not even loud enough for anyone more than two feet from me to hear (until the very end that is) but just a low tone deep in my head helped me stay focused and just felt calming to me. Near the end the only thing that could keep me calm was looking straight into my husband's eyes. He became my focal point.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">6. What do you wish you would have known going into delivery?</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That it wasn't so scary as the movies make it out to be. In my experience the majority of labor is relatively painless. In the beginning the contractions where uncomfortable but only lasted a minute and then I would take the time in between them to relax and get focused for the next one. I guess I really wished I would have been more confident. Our society tells women they just can't do this on their own. That they NEED intervention. I think it is fine if women want an epidural, pain meds or C-section. That is their right. I just wish the medical field was more supportive of a woman who do not wish to have those things, for whatever reason. I felt as though I was the crazy one, that I had to prove that my body was capable. And to be honest until my baby came out I questioned myself the whole time if I could do it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">7. Is there anything you would have done differently</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In retrospect, I wish I would have labored at home longer. It was much more comfortable there! Also I wish I would have trusted my body more, listened to its queues and PUSHED when I felt the need to.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">8. What did you feel were the positive benefits to your natural childbirth - were the benefits what you expected?</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I did not know what to expect. But I did feel benefits. I was able to get up and take a shower only 1 hour after giving birth. That felt soooo good. The next morning I felt great. I was up and walking around. I saw other women on the recovery floor walking around with their babies like it hurt to walk. It felt great for me to walk and was not uncomfortable at all. It did hurt to sit (those hospital beds are awful!) I was just amazed at how great I felt.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">9. Is natural childbirth something you recommend to other mothers, or something you'd do again?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yes and YES. It is a decision for every women to make individually. I really encourage women to find out all their options, to be well informed so that they are making their decision not someone making it for them. I will most definitely do natural delivery again. Hopefully totally medication free next time. However with that said I will always stay open and know my options. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">10. What advice do you have for other mothers interested in natural childbirth?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I learned that the people you have around you are so important. It is a must to have supportive people with you. I am grateful for the Nurse and doctor that attended Lia's birth. I know they only had the best of intentions for me. However, I more importantly learned that I need to listen to my body and most delivery nurses and OBGYN's are not trained for natural labor, nor do they (at least at my labor) know how to fully support it. Next time I want to build a support team that doesn't just tolerate my natural labor but encourages it.</span>Emily Framehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04009176107471035747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863830882475366893.post-33919402621321363512011-03-04T14:37:00.000-08:002011-03-04T14:37:43.420-08:00Heather RoseJessica, 23.<br />
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<span lang="EN"><div>I knew right after my first daughter was born that my next child would be born naturally, without unnecessary interference from doctors and medicine. I first blame newness on failing to continue through my first delivery naturally, but I also put some blame on the nurse and doctor who attended me as well.</div><div></div><div>My nurse was new, and couldn’t get the external ultrasound belt on correctly, which led my doctor to believe I wasn’t really contracting regularly. Thing is, I was. But alas, he insisted on moving labor along by breaking my bag of waters with a wire. It took him a couple of tries to get this done, and by the time he was finished, I was in such severe pain from it that I was cold sweating, dizzy, and horrified of how much worse labor would be soon becoming. That’s when I opted for an epidural. When all was over, I secretly regretted my decision and knew that by taking my first experience and learning from it, my next delivery (barring medical disaster) would be directed by me, by my body. </div><div></div><div><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-E8qg6Wy-Yyw/TXFMn5RJjwI/AAAAAAAAOKo/NB6jAb4gW0E/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-E8qg6Wy-Yyw/TXFMn5RJjwI/AAAAAAAAOKo/NB6jAb4gW0E/s320/026.JPG" width="320" /></a>As I got closer to d-day with my second child, I started researching anything that would ease labor. I printed out page after page of things my husband could do to help me and things I could do to help myself. I watched Youtube videos of some very beautiful natural deliveries, and talked to other women who had done what I wanted to do, like my mom. More importantly than the head knowledge though, was the mental preparation I did. As long as I knew what I wanted, I would figure out how to make it happen. After all, women have been delivering naturally for thousands of years, with no other options! </div><div>I also made a point of writing out a very short, concise birth plan stating that I did not want to be hooked up to an IV (allowing me to walk and move as much as I needed), that I wanted to be able to deliver my daughter in any position I felt I needed to be in when the time came, that I wanted a mirror set up so I could watch my daughter’s progression through delivery, and a couple other things. I had this birth plan approved by my midwife, and all was a go.</div><div></div><div>At 15 weeks of pregnancy, I started experiencing Braxton Hicks, which is similar to how my first pregnancy went. I knew that when my child decided to come then, it would be fast. And it was. I was dilated at 35 weeks, progressing steadily until 37 weeks, when my contractions became very consistent but still painless for two days before my husband almost pushed me out the door and to the hospital. I was embarrassed to go, thinking I would be sent home, but after an hour of monitoring and being told that if I did go home, to wear a towel under myself because my bulging bag of waters would break at any moment, I was admitted. This time, my water was broken (because it was bulging so much) and it was quick and painless. I got up, started walking around, and after about 20 minutes the contractions started getting stronger. I started working my way though them by intentionally keeping my muscles relaxed and leaning on my husband, always remembering to breathe. Then, I moved on to the birthing ball, where I was able to lean against the bed with my legs wide open. My husband sat in front of me, doing nothing but letting me stare at him and breathe and hum whenever contractions hit, and my mom sat behind me, massaging my back. </div><div></div><div>After laboring for about 1 hour, I all the sudden… and I mean ALL THE SUDDEN has this crazy, animal urge to push. My mom ran out to get the nurse and I somehow made it to the bed (although that part it a little fuzzy). I didn’t think I would be so loud, but I was. I really couldn’t help it. I wasn’t screaming, but I was major vocalizing through the pushing urges, like singing a song in one loud note. The nurse did an internal exam and told me I couldn’t push because I still had a little lip of cervix left, and I freaked out, saying I HAD to push, that I couldn’t stop it. </div><div></div><div>At one point, in order to help stop me from pushing (and amidst all my crazy vocalizing), all I saw was I mom’s face over mine, yelling at me to just breath, just move her hair with my breath, to just focus on that. It was all I could do, and sometimes I pushed anyway. Finally I was given the okay to push and oh I did! I saw my daughter’s head crowning after one good push (remember, I insisted on the mirror), and then the proverbial ring of fire began. The neat thing about going naturally is your body takes over, and you almost become animal in your strength. So I just pushed… I didn’t care about the pain. And five minutes later, I felt the slick body of my daughter emerge, and I went numb (down there <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> ). She was all I could see after that. </div><div></div><div>I did tear in two places, but no episiotomy was performed, and I healed just as fast as if I would have had one. My husband claimed that as I was pushing like an animal, he couldn’t help but pushing too! I thought was kind of funny. </div><div></div><div>That is my story, and it is a story I am proud to tell. To any mother who wants to go natural but isn’t sure she can… she can. But it must be something you prepare yourself mentally for. If you go into the hospital not confident that you can deliver without an epidural and are not prepared to be in charge of your labor and delivery instead of handing all reigns over to your doctor or midwife, than you most likely won’t go naturally. But it can be done, and it sure it worth it! </div> <div>For questions e-mail Heather at theitalian3721 at yahoo dot com</div></span>Emily Framehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04009176107471035747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863830882475366893.post-19434929161433624402011-03-04T12:28:00.000-08:002011-03-04T12:36:43.946-08:00Rowan<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lcE-nrgz8Sk/TXFK64KpLqI/AAAAAAAAOKk/Nfkibx-PlhY/s1600/5078920902_205a51b4f5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lcE-nrgz8Sk/TXFK64KpLqI/AAAAAAAAOKk/Nfkibx-PlhY/s320/5078920902_205a51b4f5.jpg" width="320" /></a> I am not sure even where to begin with this. There is so much that I want to express and I am not really sure how to get it all out in written form. There is so much more to the birth of your child than you can really ever express to someone. It is a moment in time that will always stand still as its own very magical moment in your life. No matter how tough it is, as soon as its over and you are holding your little one the experience cements itself in your brain as this very surreal time frame that really can’t be explained in full detail to anyone that wasn’t there with you.<br />
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That’s how I feel anyways.<br />
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Rowan was 9 days late. Every day that went by that she didn’t come had me more convinced that she was never coming. Then one night at 3:30am in the morning I woke up and all that changed.<br />
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I had mentioned before that my family had come out on Friday night because my midwife told me I was 3 centimeters dilated and could go anytime. I wrote how we spent the evening swimming and eating Chinese food. It was a wonderful evening except there was still no baby. Kev and I were sure she was going to come that day. Friday ended and Saturday began and we filled the day with activities to keep us all (Kev, me and my family) entertained. We went to a Tugboat Fair on the waterfront, we went for a walk around Peebles Island, we went and saw Toy Story 3. We even came back to our place and watched Fantastic Mr. Fox all together. We finally had to say good night to my family and they went back to the hotel. I was pretty discouraged. Everyone was here to welcome this baby and she just was not coming. That night Kev and me got into bed and spent what seems like forever talking, giggling and just enjoying each others company. It will be a night I will always remember. It was if we were both waiting for that evening to happen. It settled our nerves and I think deep down made us ready for Rowan to arrive. We fell asleep that night holding hands like we always do. At 3:30am I woke up. My stomach was killing me. So crampy. I got up because I thought I had to go to the bathroom. Nope and then my stomach started feeling better. I went back to bed. I woke up again about 15 mins. later. My stomach killed again. I laid in the dark room wondering is this what contractions feel like? I wasn’t sure. I grabbed my iPhone and looked up “what do contractions feel like?” haha. After reading some message boards and getting the consensus that they do indeed feel like very strong period cramps. I was sure I was having contractions. I got up. Walked around a little bit trying to get myself ready for what was ahead. I said a prayer that I would stay calm and that Rowan and myself would have a safe and health labor. I woke up Kev.<br />
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“I think I am having contractions” I said. He jumped out of bed grabbing his glasses, trying to put on clothes and asking “Really?” I told him what I was feeling and he started to get all our stuff together and by the door. He asked if I wanted some music on and he put on some Frank Sinatra for me. I love Jazz/lounge music. Frank Sinatra, Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald you name it I love it. It was dark but with a few lamps on. I paced back and forth taking some very deep breaths while he finished getting everything packed. I could tell he was a little frazzled. He went down stairs to pack the car and when he came back up he had this calm and strong demeanor. Something had changed. He came over and gave me a hug. He said “we can do this, I know we can!”<br />
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We started timing the contractions and they were coming every 5 mins. Kev kept telling me we should call our midwife, I wasn’t ready though. I really wanted to stay home as long as possible, but within 30 mins of having 5min contractions they were down to 2 mins. I finally agreed. These were no longer strong period cramp feeling contractions. She told us to come in. So off we went to the birth center at the hospital. It’s only about 10 mins away but it seemed to take forever. Every bump was torture. The contractions were getting more intense with every one that was coming. I was still in good spirits and was able to breath thru them. We got the the hospital at exactly 6am. We went upstairs and I got checked in. I got into our room and the contractions were getting very, very intense. Walking around was not cutting it anymore for easing the pain. I was starting to moan thru each one and I was starting to get a little scared. My mom hadn't arrived yet and it was just Kev and I in the room. We were waiting for the nurses to come in still. I remember starting to cry and I asked Kev “what if i couldn't do this? What if I can’t do this with out an epidural?” I really wanted to go natural. Its not a choice for everyone and I don’t have any judgement on anyone and how they labor but for me that is what I wanted. So badly too. He told me he knew I could do it and if I wanted to have a natural birth he had faith in me that I could do it.<br />
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mins so they could monitor the baby, see how everything was going and do an exam. They checked and I was still only 3 centimeters dilated. Ahh I was crushed. I thought for sure I would be farther along than that. Sitting in that bed while they monitored the baby for a bit was absolute torture. Having contractions while laying there was the most pain I felt. I hated every minute of it. At 7am there was a staff change. The new nurse that came in was seriously like my guardian angel. I really feel like she helped me in the exact way I needed. Tara was a young, super sweet, gentile natured girl. She came right in got me out of the bed and got me set up on a birth ball next to the bed. She kept telling me I could do this and I believed her. As soon as I was out of the bed and on the birth ball the pain became so much more manageable. I straddled the ball and leaned forward with my head on a pillow on the bed. I rocked from side to side to help move the baby downward. Kev sat behind me rubbing my back and pushing in when I had a contraction.<br />
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Everything was more intense. The contractions were coming so fast. When they hit you- it takes over your entire body. It takes everything in your power to try to not tense up thru them. This part really all becomes a blur to me. I think I was very focused and almost kind of retreated into myself a little. I remember listening to the music, laying my head on the pillow, and focusing on rocking side to side. Every once and a while I would hear my mom tell me to take a drink of water and she would hold a cup next to me with a cute pink and white stripped straw from our baby shower so I could sip some water. I never got angry or snappy. I was just quiet. No talking. I could also hear Kev whispering to me every once in a while, telling me he loved me and that I could do this. I sat on that ball and rocked for a very long while. I started getting the urge to push with each contraction at around 8am. They were surprised that I was already feeling that so they got me back on the bed to check and sure enough I was already 8 centimeters dilated. They could feel that the baby was ready to come but because my water hadn’t broken yet it was slowing her down a little. They told me as soon as the midwife was there she would break my water and that the baby would “ride the wave” out. Waiting for the midwife seemed like forever. I was definitely in transition. I sat back on the ball and rocked. All I could think about was to continuing to rock back and forth.<br />
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There was an emergency c-section down the hall so the midwife that was coming in for me had to go into surgery. They called another one of the midwives. I had to wait a little longer. I was passing out in between each contraction. Exhaustion starts to take over. I wasn't sure I could do it anymore. I think I started whimpering and crying. I was tired. Everyone rallied around me and were so encouraging. The 2 nurses were so great to me. The last 30 mins were extremely hard. I remember finally hearing Margaret's voice in the hall. She was one of my favorite midwifes and I couldn't be happier that she was finally here. She came into the room. I got back on the the bed and she broke my water. It was a rush of very warm water. She told me if I wanted to I could start pushing when I was ready. It seemed so surreal.<br />
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The room was so calm. It felt like a cozy little bedroom. My midwife sat right on the bed with me, coaching me thru what I needed to do. The nurse held one foot, Kev held the other and I grabbed under my legs. When I had a contraction I would lean forward and push with everything I had. I remember feeling a very distinct movement the first push. I feel like I actually felt her move down and become ready to come out. I felt a burst of energy. I could feel her with every push. You really have to push and give it everything you have. I didn’t push all that long. Maybe 15 mins. I remember giving it that last final push and having the greatest feeling of relief. It was like this rush and then everything was over. She was born at 9:38am and weighted 8lbs. 11oz.<br />
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Rowan was instantly put up on my chest, covered with blankets and there for me to hold. It was absolutely amazing. Tears just pour from your face as you look at this little being that you just birthed. A real little baby. The room may have been busy but I don't remember any of it. I laid there in a bubble with Kev and Rowan. In that moment it’s all that I remember, crying and laughing with Kev as we stared in disbelief at our 1st baby. She was perfect, half me and half Kev. I hardly remember having to push out the placenta or that I even had to be stitched up. You are so focused on the baby that nothing else seems to matter. I did tear a little and I got 3 tiny stitches. At the birth center they let you delay everything that needs to be done to the baby for up to 2 hours. We totally opted for that. We took those 2 hours to sit in the room by ourselves with her cuddled together on the bed. Letting her get to know us and feel safe and secure in our arms. It will be 2 hours I will never forget. What a magical moment.<br />
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The whole thing although hard was everything I had hoped it would be. Afterwards you are on cloud nine because 1. you are holding your baby but 2. You feel like super women. I was so proud of myself for what I just accomplished. That is why I say it was amazing. It was such a rush of emotional highs and lows, but to go thru that and then be rewarded afterwards with a healthy beautiful baby. No feeling can top that. I still look at her now a month later completely in shock that she was inside of me, that I pushed her out and that she is here. It is so crazy sometimes to think of.<br />
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I have to say our nurses, midwives and birth center were the perfect match for us. That is the only advice I would give someone in all this. Every women labors different so there is no right in wrong in how you give birth but just make sure you are giving birth in a place that supports you in every way. A place where you trust every thing they say and a place where you know your voice will be heard. It will make for such a rewarding experience in the end. I wanted to give birth in a very natural way. I didn’t want lots of cords, and machines and drugs. For me that is what worked. Our room was calm, relaxed and I was able to move around. We had Cat Power playing the whole time. It helped keep everything feeling relaxed. I wanted the baby to come into this world feeling that calm atmosphere. To Kev and My Mom: I could not have done that with out you. You helped keep me calm and were there for everything I needed. You encouraged me thru every doubt I might have had and I love you guys forever.<br />
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Rowan Winter is our perfect little baby and I love her more than I ever thought I could.<br />
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For questions for Jennifer visit her blog <a href="http://jenloveskev.com/">Jen Loves Kev</a>Emily Framehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04009176107471035747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863830882475366893.post-22863268589102975552011-02-03T10:06:00.000-08:002011-02-03T10:07:07.600-08:00Ivan<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nakita, 24 </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">November 19 is my dad’s birthday. All throughout my pregnancy my dad said he’d love for the baby to be born on his birthday. I thought, “Oh gosh I better have had him before then.” Well November 19 rolled around and I was still pregnant so I thought “Ok, please let me have him today!!” We went down to Provo in the afternoon to hang out with my family and do birthday stuff. I felt crampy and was having Braxton-Hicks as always, but no more than normal. All day I was waiting for that first contraction but alas, nothing. We headed home after the birthday festivities were over. I was slightly depressed since I hadn’t gone into labor like I’d hoped. At about quarter to 11 I decided I’d go to bed since I wasn’t in a great mood and was quite tired. While lying in bed I flipped over to my other side and heard a little pop, water started leaking out. I though “Ok, so did I just wet the bed or did my water break?” I stood up and a whole lot more water came draining out, I then knew it was my water that had broken! I was ecstatic! That was how I was hoping it’d happen because labor almost always starts within 24 hours of your water breaking. I told Eric the good news and then called my midwife.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My midwife, Angela, is an apprentice midwife and so she told me that she needed to call the main midwife to update her on my status and would call me back but told me to try to get some sleep in the meantime before contractions started. She wanted me to again call her once contractions started or call in the morning (if nothing had started) and they’d have me come into the office and try to get things moving along. About 15 minutes later, Angela called me back to tell me that the midwife agreed with what she told me, to get some sleep, but contractions had already started, so I updated her on that. After I got off the phone Eric gave me a blessing through which I received a lot of comfort and reassurance. I knew I wasn’t alone in doing this and that everything would go as it should.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">At about 11:30 contractions were about a minute long and coming every 5 minutes. I let that go on for an hour and then called Angela. She asked me some questions:</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">- Can you walk or talk through contractions? No, I have to lie down or lean on my birthing ball and it takes all my concentration to try to relax through them so I can’t talk.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">- Where is the pressure located? Throughout my pelvis and a lot in my back.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">She told me that it sounded like I needed to come into the birthing center. I got our bags and stuff together and we headed to Provo to drop my daughter Reese off at my parents. I had heard that many times contractions will stop while traveling because of the anxiety but mine just kept coming. By the time we got to my parents’ house contractions were every 3 minutes, lasting closer to 80 seconds. Things were going a lot faster than I had expected. I tried to tune out everything around me during contractions. I would fasten my chin to my right shoulder and concentrate on letting the pressure do the work of dilating my cervix and try not to fight against it.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After dropping Reese off at my parents we got to the birthing center. This was around probably 2:30 or 3, I don’t remember. After getting things situated and having my vitals taken, the midwives (Angela, the apprentice, and Trinette, the main midwife) asked if I wanted to be checked for dilation now or later. I told them I’d wait a little while because I was afraid that I’d be checked and that no dilation would be found and I’d be discouraged. I was now having contractions every 2 ½ minutes. At 3:40 I asked if they’d check me because I wasn’t going to want them checking me once contractions were any closer together. I was at a 6. Whew! The contractions WERE working!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I labored in the bed for another 15 minutes or so and then asked if I could get in the tub. They filled the tub, I got into my swim suit, and hopped on in. In all reality, it didn’t do for me what I thought it would. I had heard that it was a natural “epidural” but no pain was lessened by getting in the tub. The advantages were:</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">- When the water was running the noise would help me relax a little (now that I think back I maybe should’ve turned on the jets to keep the relaxing noise.)</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">- I was able to twist and turn my body in the water in ways I wouldn’t have had I been in bed or walking around.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I studied the Bradley Method, which is husband coached childbirth, but when it came down to it I just wanted Eric nearby. I didn’t want him talking to me, touching me, or anything else. I just wanted to be left to my thoughts of concentrating on feeling the “pressure” of each contraction come and go and making my muscles relax and allow my body to do the work it was supposed to be doing. Eric did remind me a few times as I was moaning through the pain that it was just pressure, not pain. That helped me try to focus on it being a good thing I was feeling – just doing the work needed to get my little man here.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">By probably 4:20 my contractions were so close together and so strong that I almost didn’t feel any kind of break between each one. I couldn’t keep my legs still during the contractions. This is where I was thankful to be in water. I would keel over on to my right side and move my legs in a bicycle motion, still trying to relax but not knowing if I could. I prayed and prayed that I could do this. I knew I could, and that I really had no choice, but I just needed the constant reassurance. For the next few minutes I felt slight urges to push during contractions. It felt so much better to push through the contraction than to try and relax through them. By 4:30 I couldn’t help but push. It was weird how automatic and natural of a response it was. The only thing I can really compare it to is throwing up. You know when you throw up how your stomach wretches automatically, you don’t have to do anything to make it do that? Well same idea.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I pushed through a few contractions in the tub before they had me re-situate so I’d have some bars to hold onto and a straight back to sit against. I told them I wasn’t planning on a water birth but didn’t know if I could get out of the tub because the contractions were on top of each other. I pushed for a while longer in the tub, such a weird sensation having a little head right down there in the way of where you are trying to sit. After a couple more minutes the midwives helped me out of the tub and onto a birthing stool where I continued to push. After some pushes in that position my legs were super wobbly and tired. They had me get onto my hands and knees to finish off the job. This helped because having my weight on my knees and hands helped me keep my body stable and keep from shaking.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As the baby was crowning my body responded in ways I would’ve never expected. I am NOT a screamer, I’m pretty good at controlling the noises my body makes when in pain but it was involuntary. Through the last 2 or 3 pushes I couldn’t help but scream. I was slightly embarrassed, but seriously had no control over it. I was hoping I’d be able to be one of those women who claimed their unmedicated childbirth was painless but I can’t claim such. This crowning burned like CRAZY. It was everything I could do to make myself push through the pain. I knew I had to, there was no other choice, and I couldn’t and didn’t want to keep him in there. Thankfully I can handle pain, so handle I did.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As his head emerged I felt a great decrease in burning. I knew at least part of him was out. I asked and they told me that his head was out so I just needed to push with all I had to get the rest of him out. So I did as they said and out he came. They immediately brought him to my arms where I got to cuddle him to me. Skin on skin, just like I wanted! It wasn’t a stressful rush to get him cleaned and his cord cut, as was my experience in the hospital. They just allowed us to enjoy each other while I rubbed his body getting him to breathe well. After a while they asked us if it was okay if we cut the cord. They clamped and Eric cut. It was cool how we weren’t being bossed around but rather were the ones to make the calls for the most part. It was nice feeling in charge of the experience. It really was so beautiful, and so invigorating.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ivan John was born at 4:49 am on November 20, 2010. 21.5 inches long and weighing in at a whopping 8 lbs 9 oz . Big compared to my little Reese.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I ended up tearing a minor amount, and sadly only because when I had Reese I had 4th degree tears from the episiotomy and forceps and then had been stitched up too tight, so I tore a little around the scar tissue. It was very minor though and only took 3 stitches in one place and 1 stitch in another. I spent the first hour on the floor in the bathroom - not ideal. I thought I could walk over to the bed right after giving birth but passed out. Luckily the midwives did a great job catching me before I hit the floor. I did get to nurse Ivan right away, though it was slightly awkward positioning laying flat on the floor and all. It is so fantastic nursing an unmedicated newborn. He was totally alert and latched right on and nursed for a solid 40 minutes. After I was all stitched up Eric and the midwives carried me to bed where I drank and drank and drank! So much juice! Ivan was alert for another hour or so and then finally dozed off into a deep slumber between me and Eric.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Once my bleeding was normal we were given 4 hours until we needed to check out. Our check out time was 11 am. We napped and enjoyed our little guy. My sisters came for a quick visit and then a little before 11 we packed up and headed to my parents so Reese could meet her new little brother. It was all just completely ideal for what we were hoping the experience would be.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Turns out November 20th had more pull than November 19th. The 20th is my Great Grandpa Messick’s birthday, Eric sister Amber’s birthday, and my Grandparents’ Anniversary.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>1. When did you decide you wanted to deliver your baby naturally?</i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">- I had my first baby in the hospital with pitocin, an epidural, and Dr. breaking my water. I had a reaction to the epidural called Horner’s Syndrome where it appears that you have a stroke. At the time the Dr. didn’t know what was wrong with me so assumed a stroke and wouldn’t let me push my baby out. He used forceps and I had 4th degree tears from a combination of episiotomy and forceps. It was all terrorizing and then I got sent off for tests (heart, brain, etc.) to see what was wrong. I didn’t even get to spend much time with my baby until a couple hours after the birth. I decided I needed to find a better alternative for my next birth, because I recognized that all the problems with my first birth experience were because of the medical interventions which were used on me.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>2. What reasons or factors went into your decision?</i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">- I wanted a good memory of childbirth, not one that was completely terrifying. I recognized that medical intervention (speeding up childbirth) only causes stress for both mom and baby and contributes to most problems that come up during labor/delivery. I was also looking for a less expensive alternative. My 1st would’ve cost $17K had we not had insurance, and with this baby our deductible was quite high so that was also a pulling factor in my decision to go natural at a birthing center with a midwife.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>3. What did you do to prepare for natural childbirth? (midwife, classes, methods, books, etc.)</i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">- I read a lot about natural childbirth and home births. I talked to people who I knew were advocates of natural childbirth about their experiences and things they’d recommend. I studied the Bradley Method and tried to learn how to make my body relax regardless of pain I may be experiencing. The most helpful thing for me was learning about the female body and the anatomy and physiology of the uterus/cervix/birth canal. This helped me put a picture to what I was feeling during childbirth.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>4. What was the hardest part of your experience - before, during, or after childbirth?</i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">- Four days after. I began to have horrible abdominal pain. I knew it wasn’t normal pain to be having. I ended up having an infection in my uterus from retained afterbirth. The pain was much worse than laboring because it was continuous and was a pain I knew I shouldn’t be feeling.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>5. What was most helpful to you during labor to help make pain from contractions manageable?</i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">- Picturing what my body was doing when I felt what I was feeling. If I could remember that my uterus is a big bag of muscles contracting like any other muscle and that my cervix needed to stretch, I was better able to make myself relax to allow my body to do the work it needed to. I kept reminding myself that if I didn’t allow my body to relax and do its work, than things wouldn’t progress as quickly.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>6. What do you wish you would have known going into delivery?</i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">- That although pushing is very rewarding, it was, in my case, also quite painful in the perineal area. For some reason I just hadn’t thought about having pain while the baby was crowning. I had heard that the perineum goes numb because of the lack of circulation from the baby’s head crowning, but I didn’t experience the numbness.</div><div style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>7. Is there anything you would have done differently?</i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">- Not get so anxious on the days leading up to childbirth. A week or so before my due date people were trying to convince me that my body just might not go into labor so maybe I should just go to the hospital to get induced or to at least ask my midwife to strip my membranes. Although I knew I wanted to go natural and prove that a body really can go into labor on its own, I still kept fretting that maybe my body wouldn’t know what to do. After talking to my midwife I found out that it is pretty much impossible to stay pregnant. As long as everything is normal and healthy, your body WILL go into labor when you and baby are ready.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>8. What did you feel were the positive benefits to your natural childbirth - were the benefits what you expected?</i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">- Easy breastfeeding/latching on with an alert baby. Quick attachment, immediate skin to skin contact, feeling totally empowered and amazed with my body’s ability to birth a baby without medical help. In the birthing center I was able to do things my way. I loved being left alone while laboring. Of course there was some “interruption” when they’d check the baby’s heartbeat, but other than that everything was up to me.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>9. Is natural childbirth something you recommend to other mothers, or something you'd do again?</i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">- As long as my pregnancies are low risk, it is the only way I want to go. I would definitely recommend it to other mothers.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>10. What advice do you have for other mothers interested in natural childbirth?</i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">- Educate yourself on advantages of natural childbirth and a woman’s body’s ability to birth a baby so that you can be confident in your decision and your body’s ability even if people close to you are trying to discourage you.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://ericnakita.blogspot.com/"> Nakita's blog</a></div>Emily Framehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04009176107471035747noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863830882475366893.post-9266780193353520882010-11-11T07:54:00.000-08:002010-11-11T08:08:02.899-08:00Abigail<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Meagan, age 23</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_R5_-uJfHpfQ/TNwQ8NkMf9I/AAAAAAAANqQ/k8NTcL3IaRI/s1600/Twin+Cousins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_R5_-uJfHpfQ/TNwQ8NkMf9I/AAAAAAAANqQ/k8NTcL3IaRI/s320/Twin+Cousins.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The morning of my daughter's birth I had an appointment at 9am to just check my status. I had had three false labors, so I was positive those had to do something, but I was only at 3 cm. My doctor said she was very low, and decided to strip my membranes, which was not as horrible as what I had expected, and contractions began immediately. I didn't think much of it because I figured it would still be a day at least until I MIGHT go into labor. So we went home and relaxed and waited to hear the news of my sister having her baby. She had just been induced; we had the same doctor.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After a few hours, my contractions were consistent; they were coming every 5 minutes, but they weren't very strong. I still refused to believe this was actual labor because it seemed so unreal. At 1pm we went to the hospital, but not for us, we went for my sister who was supposed to be pushing at any moment. We were there for a few hours, and my contractions were getting closer; about 3 minutes apart, but still not intense enough for me to not carry on a conversation. My doctor told me to come in once I couldn't talk through the contractions. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It was around 5:30 when my sister had her baby! So we went into meet her and it was at this time that I was really feeling the contractions, and I needed to concentrate through them more. I knew now that this was no joke, and I was in fact in labor. I was trying so hard to focus on my new niece, but my husband and parents told me I should really consider at least getting checked. The nurse told me they could check me and if I wasn't too far dilated, I didn't have to be admitted. When they checked me I was 5 cm dilated and my contractions were 2 minutes apart. So I was admitted at 6:45pm, and at about this time I started to feel nauseous from what I am guessing was because of the strong contractions. But once I through up I felt great again. I made sure to tell my nurse to not even bring up the idea of an epidural:) She was amazing and so supportive through it all, especially since she had given birth to her children naturally!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_R5_-uJfHpfQ/TNwQ2WK0QKI/AAAAAAAANqM/npbYOJEFh8A/s1600/Abigail+and+Mommy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_R5_-uJfHpfQ/TNwQ2WK0QKI/AAAAAAAANqM/npbYOJEFh8A/s320/Abigail+and+Mommy.jpg" width="320" /></a>I instantly jumped into the jacuzzi, which was such a relaxer for me. By 10pm I was 7cm dilated and my doctor told me I would be delivering in 1 hour. I made him shake on it ;) This is when I felt my weakest and thought I was crazy for doing this naturally. I was having coupling contractions, plus they were in my stomach and my back, so I was really feeling it! Thankfully I had a husband who was amazingly supportive and had more confidence in me then I did. I jumped from 7cm to 10cm in 30 minutes and definitely felt the urge and knew it was time to push. I could really feel that "ring of fire".</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And at 10:57pm, after 12 minutes and 6 pushes, Abigail Kaye was here!! She was 7lbs 9.2 oz, and 18 inches long. Born 5 1/2 hours after her "twin cousin".</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After the post contractions ended, I felt amazing! I felt strong, and energized, and fully awake. And Abigail was so alert and moving like crazy! I think at first I felt a bit crazy for having just given birth naturally, but after a little while, I was so grateful I had!! It truly felt empowering, and like the best thing for me and my baby girl. I had such a wonderful experience, and I am excited about doing it again one day!!</div><br />
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<div style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>1. When did you decide you wanted to deliver your baby naturally?</i></div><i style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></i><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> A few years before getting pregnant I started to consider it. Once I actually got pregnant I knew it was something I wanted.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
<i style="color: #783f04;">2. What reasons or factors went into your decision?</i> At first it was from bad stories I had heard from getting an epidural. I had no desire to go through what some women I knew went through.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. Women for thousands of years have been doing it, so why couldn't I? I felt like it would be invigorating and such an accomplishment.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I also very much preferred the idea of not putting drugs into my child's system. I hate drugs for myself, so why would I want to put any into my child.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And I hate the feeling of being numb. I need complete control of my body and couldn't stand the thought of not being able to move around or feel what was going on.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i style="color: #783f04;">3. What did you do to prepare for natural childbirth? (midwife, classes, methods, books, etc.)</i><span style="color: #783f04;"> </span>We actually didn't take any classes. We both read Husband Coached Child Birth, and Natural Child Birth, the Bradley Method. We loved them both! I did some of the exercises they suggested as well as I worked out my entire pregnancy. I had always heard that the more active you were, the better labor and delivery would go, so I really stuck to it and I truly do believe it helped.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i style="color: #783f04;"><br />
4. What was the hardest part of your experience - before, during, or after childbirth? </i>I had coupling contractions, and they were in my stomach and my back, so that was pretty difficult, because I didn't get a break and it was pain all over. But it wasn't bad until 7cm, and then even though at the time it felt like it had been forever, it really wasn't that long. Before I knew it I was pushing!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And I think the post delivery contractions kind of sucked. Not because they were harder or more intense, but because at that point, I had done all the work and just wanted to hold my daughter in peace. I was not prepared for that.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i style="color: #783f04;">5. What was most helpful to you during labor to help make pain from contractions manageable?</i> The jacuzzi!!! I'm not sure what I would have done without it. It really helped me relax and not tense up. And my husband was really amazing and great with talking me through the pain and keeping me positive and calm. Music also really helped. Next time I will use it more. But I think that depends on the type of person you are. I feel very effected by music, I feel like I am in the song and just really tune into it, forgetting about what's around me.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i style="color: #783f04;"><br />
6. What do you wish you would have known going into delivery?</i> I'm not sure there is anything. I felt very aware as to what was going on during labor and delivery. However, I do wish I would have known I didn't need to take so much STUFF! Looking back, my husband and I laugh at how much we brought. But I think that's something you have to learn by experience. :)</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i style="color: #783f04;"><br />
7. Is there anything you would have done differently?</i> Not take so much stuff! Other than that I think it went great! My Nurse was amazing and I couldn't have asked for a better one. My OBGYN was also amazing. I had a very pleasant hospital experience, so I have no negative feelings towards that. However I do think I'd like to try a home birth or birthing center next time, now that I've done it.</div><div style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i style="color: #783f04;">8. What did you feel were the positive benefits to your natural childbirth - were the benefits what you expected?</i> I loved that my daughter was very alert from the moment they put her on my chest, for the next couple of hours. I loved knowing what was going on. Knowing when I needed to push, and when she was out. I loved being able to walk around freely, and not having a single IV or anything hooked up to me. I was free to roam around and do what I needed to do for myself. I felt amazing afterwards and full of energy!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i style="color: #783f04;">9. Is natural childbirth something you recommend to other mothers, or something you'd do again</i>? ABSOLUTELY!!! Sadly there is a negative outlook on natural birth, we are made to think it is impossible for us to do it without drugs. But millions of women before us gave birth naturally, and so can all of us! (Aside from certain medical exceptions) We are strong and capable. It's such an amazing experience, and though it is painful, the pain has come and gone before you know it, and all of the sudden you are holding your sweet baby and would do it over and over! It's such an empowering experience.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <i style="color: #783f04;"><br />
10. What advice do you have for other mothers interested in natural childbirth? </i>Prepare! There is no way to be 100% prepared obviously, but don't go into it blindly. Study, read, ask other women out there, anything you can do to prepare! And to remind yourself to focus on the end result. The pain will be there, but it will go away, and before you know it, you won't even remember the pain. Know that YOU CAN DO IT!!! Also some of the best advice from my doctor was to not come in just because my contractions were 5 minutes apart, but to</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">wait until I could no longer talk through them. If I had come in when they were 5 minutes apart, I would have been in that room all day! I didn't check in until they happened to be 2 minutes apart.</div><br />
Questions for Meagan?<br />
<a href="mailto:josh.meagan@hotmail.com" target="_blank">josh.meagan@hotmail.com</a><br />
<a href="http://joshandmeagan.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">joshandmeagan.blogspot.com</a>Emily Framehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04009176107471035747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863830882475366893.post-16073836694237400772010-11-07T19:03:00.000-08:002010-11-07T19:03:13.863-08:00Huck<a href="http://www.natthefatrat.com/2010/11/to-birth-soul.html">An amazing birth story about trusting yourself when everyone thinks you don't know better.</a>Emily Framehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04009176107471035747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863830882475366893.post-58134735167397212142010-08-13T12:39:00.000-07:002010-08-15T14:43:30.225-07:00Eliza<a href="http://www.blogger.com/dontblink18.blogspot.com">Becky</a>, age 26<br /><br />The day before our daughter's due date, my husband and I walked quite a few miles hoping it would get labor going. The next morning about 5 am I woke up feeling different and after a few minutes realized I was having contractions. I was thrilled that my body had gone into labor on its own and also anxious knowing that this meant that I had to birth the baby!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_R5_-uJfHpfQ/TGWijnv3MuI/AAAAAAAANFA/fuZawsR55Iw/s1600/DSCN3897.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_R5_-uJfHpfQ/TGWijnv3MuI/AAAAAAAANFA/fuZawsR55Iw/s400/DSCN3897.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504984852379153122" border="0" /></a>Around 11 I called the hospital to pre-register and told them that I was in very early labor and wouldn't come in until I couldn't walk or talk through contractions because I had previously decided that I wanted to do everything in my power to have an unmedicated birth. A few minutes later, my doctor called me and asked what was going on. I told her and she told me to go walk for an hour and then come up the hospital to be checked.<br /><br />We had lunch and then took off on the walk. After a few minutes of walking, we decided we should just walk to the hospital since we assumed it would take about that long. So we did! We got there and they said I was at a 3+. I had been at a 2 three days earlier so I was excited to hear I had progressed a little. They had to monitor me in another hour so we walked around the Labor and Delivery floor for an hour. They checked again and I was same. Bummer!<br />They asked what we wanted to do and I said we wanted to go home and labor there. My doctor didn't agree and came in and told me that I could be in early labor for days and asked suggested she strip my membranes to see if it would speed things up. We agreed and soon I was at a 5+, and then after another two or so hours of walking around the floor, was at the same. We were given a couple of choices and decided breaking my water was the best idea.<br /><br />At this point (5:00 pm) we were admitted so my husband called a friend to pick him up and take him home to get our stuff since we had walked there not expecting to stay! Luckily we had everything pretty pre-packed so he was able to get back quickly. My doctor broke my water and the contractions came harder and closer together almost immediately. Laying in the bed was the most uncomfortable and made me really nervous so I asked to continue to walk.<br />Soon I couldn't walk during the contractions anymore and had to put my arms around my husband's neck and sway back and forth breathing as hard as I could and focusing solely on swaying back and forth. I had to be monitored again but they couldn't get a good reading since I was moving so much. The nurse told me that as soon as we could get a reading that she suggested I get into the bath and see if the water would help. I agreed but as much as I tried, they couldn't get a good reading because there was no other way for me to get through a contraction than to lean on my husband and sway.<br /><br />I was getting to the point where I didn't know how much longer I could make it when I noticed that I felt like I had to push to make it through parts of the contractions. I mentioned it to the doctor. She was a bit surprised and ordered me onto the bed to check me.<br />I was at a 9.5! I had never heard better words in my life! I had almost made it! They told me to turn on my side and that they thought one more contraction would complete me. It did. They had me push when I felt like pushing (10:30). It was the hardest physical labor I've ever performed in my life and at times incredibly painful, but I knew there was nothing else I could do. My biggest fear of the labor process had been the 'ring of fire' and it was definitely painful and I even screamed through part of it which surprised me because I'm not a screamer! After over an hour her head came out. I had no idea we were that close! It was thrilling and so relieving to feel her come out. She was born at 11:40 pm on her due date July 5, and weighed 7 lbs and 10 ounces and was 20.5 inches long.<br /><br />They put her directly on me and let me hold her for quite a few minutes. She screamed and screamed and screamed and was just so beautiful.<br /><br />A couple hours later when we were taken to postpartum, we just kept staring at her and saying over and over that we couldn't believe we had done it. I feel so blessed that our Heavenly Father allowed me to have the birth experience I had wanted and prepared for. I was also incredibly grateful for the hospital staff and my doctor who were 100% supportive of me and never tried to talk me out of an unmedicated birth.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">1. When did you decide you wanted to deliver your baby naturally?</span><br />All my life I'd considered a natural birth, but it wasn't until I got pregnant that I decided I was really going to prepare for it and go for it.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">2. What reasons or factors went into your decision?</span><br />My main reason is that I am terrified of epidurals. I know that like 1 out of 7,000 women have problems with epidurals, but I thought for sure I'd be that one woman! Some women fear the pain; I feared the epidural! Also, I really wanted to have control of my body. I'd heard so many people say that they couldn't feel their legs and that terrified me!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">3. What did you do to prepare for natural childbirth? </span><br />We read "Natural Childbirth The Bradley Way" and my husband read "Husband Coached Childbirth". My other preparation was reading every natural childbirth story I could find and talking to everyone who I knew had had a natural birth. Everyone's labor is so different so I wanted to have the knowledge of as many stories as possible. I looked into Lamaze but didn't feel it was for me. My husband is a runner and he said, "When you run a marathon, you don't go "hee, haw, hee, haw; you breathe deeply and fully." So we liked the Bradley Method for us.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">4. What was the hardest part of your experience - before, during, or after childbirth?</span><br />It wasn't so much the contractions I was afraid of, it was the pushing. I had dealt with rough menstrual cramps before so I had an idea of how those would be... and I found that once I was in labor, the contractions were actually pleasant compared to the cramps I'd had previously! These cramps went away after a minute-ish!, unlike those pesky menstrual ones that stay for hours! I found that I could count down to the peak of the contraction and that if I could make it through the first 30-ish seconds getting to the peak, I could for sure make it for the rest because it started subsiding!<br />Pushing was hard and it took me awhile to learn what a good push was. I was absolutely exhausted near the end when I knew it would hurt the most as I really started to stretch and she crowned. It did hurt. A lot. But I knew there was no other way than to just push her out to get it to leave! And the pain did leave!<br />Delivering the placenta was a very empowering moment for me for some reason. I thought the doctor had taken it out so when I felt the urge to push again and asked her if it was out and she said 'no' and I said, "I need to push"; I felt like a million bucks. It was absolutely amazing to me that my body was made to do this work and knew what it needed to do.<br />What surprised me though was how painful the afterbirth was. When they punched down my uterus I was flailing like I'd never seen myself flail before! But that ends quick enough and the ability to move pretty well afterwards makes up for all the pain!<br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">5. What was most helpful to you during labor to help make pain from contractions manageable?</span><br />I had read every birth story I could find and took all of their ideas and had them ready for myself. For example: I had my laptop with my favorite Hymns on it. I had a birthing ball. I had pages of printed material with different positions to try. I had lists of places my husband was going to help me visualize. And a few other ideas too.<br />And what we'd practiced most was laboring through the contractions as the Bradley book had told.<br />And then when the moment came, none of those really mattered! I found that for me, I had to move! I walked and walked to keep time moving and gravity on my side. Time went so slowly while laying there being monitored, but moving kept my mind on something else. The nurses suggested crouching would help when a contraction during transition came, but I found it too uncomfortable and ended up finding that only draping myself over my husband's shoulders as he rocked my hips back and forth worked for us.<br />Although I didn't really use any of the prep we had made, I feel that just the prep and thinking about using those options really prepared me.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">6. What do you wish you would have known going into delivery?</span><br />I wish I would have known how supportive the doctors and nurses would be. I had so many people tell me that I would be talked out of an unmedicated birth and that I needed a doula to be our buffer between us and them. For me, it wasn't true. I told them I wanted unmedicated and they never offered anything different. I feel that a doula would have been awkward for us... I loved having my husband being my "doula".<br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">7. Is there anything you would have done differently?</span><br />I'm thrilled with how our birth turned out. But I had THOUGHT I wanted it to go differently. I thought I wanted to labor at home and was really frustrated when my doctor told me I was staying at the hospital and keeping things going. I thought that staying meant a less chance of a natural birth. Instead it was just the opposite. I feel that if I would have gone home like I "wanted" I would have worn myself out and that I might not have been able to have the birth I wanted.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">8. What did you feel were the positive benefits to your natural childbirth - were the benefits what you expected? </span><br />Definitely, there are benefits. I was up within hours and around within days and was so grateful for that. I did have quite a bit of episiotomy pain, but then I realized I wasn't taking my full dosage of ibuprofen... hooray for medicine to help with that!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">9. Is natural childbirth something you recommend to other mothers, or something you'd do again?</span><br />For sure. You feel like a million bucks and are more proud of yourself than you'll ever be! And it's wonderful to talk with moms who have had a natural birth or who want one... I feel that it is an incredible and the most important support system possible.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">10. What advice do you have for other mothers interested in natural childbirth?</span><br />Get all the reading in you can. If you go in with the attitude of "I'll see if I can do it"; I bet 99% of the time it won't happen. You have to prepare. And get your husband to believe it in as much as you do so that he will be your coach and you will both have the joy of a natural childbirth together.<br /><br />Contact Becky via her blog: <a href="http://dontblink18.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://dontblink18.blogspot.com</a>Emily Framehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04009176107471035747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863830882475366893.post-34106710730404264012010-08-09T16:42:00.000-07:002010-08-13T12:40:06.567-07:00Waiting GameWhile we're waiting for the next batch of birth stories... you can't hurry a new mom, we all know this!<br /><br />I wanted to link to an absolutely beautiful birth story by Courtney Kendrick. Please note, I do not have her permission to post the whole story, but maybe if she gets enough comments from us she'll surrender and fill out the survey.<br /><a href="http://blog.cjanerun.com/search/label/Birth%20stories%20that%20c%20jane%20tells%20to%20me"><br />Read her story here.</a><br /><br />Her description of contractions, to me, is spot on:<br /><br />"They felt like my uterus was turning to concrete--churning and hardening--and melting. Repeat."Emily Framehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04009176107471035747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863830882475366893.post-66334290999011199872010-05-13T13:57:00.000-07:002010-08-15T14:43:58.200-07:00Carter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_R5_-uJfHpfQ/S-xpyPAs8-I/AAAAAAAAMSA/beVjt-B8ioM/s1600/-1.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_R5_-uJfHpfQ/S-xpyPAs8-I/AAAAAAAAMSA/beVjt-B8ioM/s400/-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470863959092163554" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/jasondaniellemcdonald.blogspot.com">Danielle</a>, age 23:<br /><br />It all started around 6 am on Saturday April 17th. I was so excited...it was only one day past my due date and I couldn't believe that I had actually gone into labor all on my own.<br /><br />I woke up feeling crampy, so I decided to walk around the house to see if it was really it. I felt one pressure wave and began to time, they were around 5-7 minutes apart. I decided not to wake anyone up yet and kept walking ...watching the clock as I felt each wave.<br /><br />Finally at around 7 am I woke Jason up and told him I was going to call the midwife and tell her what I was feeling. I called her and she said she would be over as soon as she got showered and dressed. I told her I would keep timing and just relax until she got to my house.<br /><br />Just a couple of days before I had an appointment with her and told her that I would like to be checked, she checked me and I was already at 2-3 cm but only about 25% effaced, so I didn't know if I would go quickly or not. I was hoping that once labor started it would go by pretty quick...but I was wrong :)<br /><br />I jumped into the shower because the water helped me relax, I was probably in there a good half hour. It felt so nice to have the warm water run on my belly and back. I got into my birthing outfit and started listening to my Hypnobabies CDs. I relaxed on my birthing ball while doing this and it felt so nice to just close my eyes and just feel the pressure waves that would be bringing me closer to meeting my little man.<br /><br />As I was relaxing on my birthing ball, my midwife and her apprentice showed up. I didn't even notice that they were there. I was so in tune with my waves and relaxing through each one. After about a couple of hours of relaxing on my ball I went into the living room to join everyone else. I ate some lunch and than just relaxed on the couch watching movies. LOL.<br /><br />As the day progressed I decided to get into the birthing pool to see if that would speed anything up. The hours passed by and it started falling into the evening...still no baby. I was starting to feel the tiredness from laboring all that time. I got out of the pool, because it felt like I could feel my waves more intensely out of the water. I sat on the couch and listened to more of my CDs to help me relax.<br /><br />After a few hours of being out of the pool I felt like I had the urges of pushing. I labored with that feeling for a couple of hours and than my midwife started getting the pool warm again. I was hoping that the end was almost near and I would get to hold little Carter soon.<br /><br />I got back into the pool...the waves were getting more and more powerful. I just let my body do its own thing. I couldn't believe how long it had already been. I think I was in the pool for about another couple of hours. I didn't really know what time it was. Probably about 1 or 2 in the morning the next day. With every wave it felt very pushy. My midwife was so supportive staying with me the whole time and just letting me do my own thing. With one wave my water broke...the next a little more pushy. I was finally full on bearing my baby down, trying to breathe him down.<br /><br />My midwife had to push me a little to give it everything I had. I could feel his head start to crown she told me to put my hand down and feel his head. I was a little hesitant at first, but I did. His sweet little round head was right there. I gave another big push and out came his head, than with another little push he slipped right out. I quickly put my hands under the water and lifted my sweet little boy out of the water. I cuddled with him and he let out a cry. It was amazing. I just held him looking at him, talking to him, kissing him.<br /><br />Carter Jay was born at 4:51 am the next morning of the 18th, in the comfort of our home. He weighed 7 lbs. 7 oz. and was 20 in. long.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">1. When did you decide you wanted to deliver your baby naturally?</span><br />I had a terrible experience with my first baby. The hospital was being very un-supportive of my choice of going natural. I ended up getting an epidural with the first because they were threatening to do a c-section, even though baby was fine and I was fine. I had just been in labor for much longer than their liking. With the second I knew that I didn’t want to go near a hospital, so I opted for a homebirth with a midwife. It was the best decision.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">2. What reasons or factors went into your decision?</span><br />I guess the first part sums it all up. And I did a lot of research on homebirths and knew it was the right thing to do for my baby.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">3. What did you do to prepare for natural childbirth? (midwife, classes, methods, books, etc.)</span> Hypnobabies<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">4.What was the hardest part of your experience - before, during, or after childbirth?</span><br />I guess just how long it took. It was another long labor for me.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">5.What was most helpful to you during labor to help make pain from contractions manageable?</span><br />It wasn’t pain for me it was pressure. Definitely Hypnobabies helped tremendously. It’s a great program for those that want to go natural.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">6. What do you wish you would have known going into delivery?</span><br />I kind of knew everything I could have being it was my second.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">7. Is there anything you would have done differently?</span><br />Nope.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">8. What did you feel were the positive benefits to your natural childbirth - were the benefits what you expected?</span><br />I could let my body do what it had to do. I ate when I wanted to. Moved around if I wanted to. I had a supportive birth team, which helped a ton. I had great midwives. I also had a very special bonding moment with my baby that I don’t think I would have gotten in a hospital.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">9. Is natural childbirth something you recommend to other mothers, or something you'd do again?</span><br />Yes, I definitely recommend it to other mothers, and yes I would do it again.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">10. What advice do you have for other mothers interested in natural childbirth?</span><br />To do your research and know all of your options. Also take classes, this really helped me.<br /><br />Contact Danielle at her blog: <a href="http://jasondaniellemcdonald.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">jasondaniellemcdonald.blogspot.com</a>Emily Framehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04009176107471035747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863830882475366893.post-12570963880026824422010-05-13T13:29:00.001-07:002010-08-13T12:55:53.397-07:00Wyatt<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_R5_-uJfHpfQ/S-xjAzdAWRI/AAAAAAAAMR4/m2l44Fftz-Y/s1600/tumblr_kx6y0nr32o1qa47jlo1_500.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_R5_-uJfHpfQ/S-xjAzdAWRI/AAAAAAAAMR4/m2l44Fftz-Y/s400/tumblr_kx6y0nr32o1qa47jlo1_500.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470856512811325714" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://mommyinthemaking.tumblr.com/">Amanda,</a> age 27:<br /><br />When I was pregnant people kept saying to me ‘you must be terrified’ and when I said not really they told me, with a knowing nod, that I only felt that way because I didn’t know better. And when I told them I wanted a natural childbirth I was told I was crazy and only felt that way because I hadn’t given birth yet. I mean I wasn’t thrilled about birth because, you know, I had heard it’s no walk in the park! But I wasn’t really scared either. I was certainly a bit apprehensive but I really tried not to dwell on it. I didn’t want to psych myself out or make myself crazy [or actually scared] envisioning all of the worst possibilities.<br /><br />I really just focused on my sincere belief that women are built for this and that women have been birthing babies since the beginning of time. I tried to just trust my body. It had been making a baby for 9 months with little help from me - I figured it could handle the rest too! Adam and I took a class and read a lot and tried to be educated about the processes and options but also to keep an open mind about the experience. I felt avoiding preconceptions was also the best way to avoid panic if something didn’t go according to plan, which it didn’t, exactly.<br /><br />Wyatt ended up arriving 11 days late and the midwives were all getting antsy about how late he was. The week before Wyatt was born they scheduled a non stress test, which he barely passed (he wasn't very active in the mornings but always kicked and wiggled up a storm when I was trying to go to sleep!) and they had me in for another one on Thursday. I ended up being there ALL day because they couldn't get a good enough reading and then sent me for an ultrasound and I had to wait and wait until they finally (6 hours later) let me leave. But not before telling me they were scheduling me to start an induction Monday morning. Nooo!<br /><br />The midwife suggested a local acupuncturist that she said had helped some women 'get things moving' as a last ditch effort, so I made an appointment for the next afternoon. I had never had acupuncture before and was a little nervous (which is funny considering I was going to be giving birth soon) but the woman laid me down, explained what she was going to do and why it would convince Wyatt that it was time to come out. She put needles into my swollen legs, ankles and feet (to release the fluid build up and relieve the swelling) and into my lower back (it had been hurting for days) and I fell asleep until she came to get me, removed the tiny needles, and sent me on my way. Whether it was the acupuncture or just Wyatt's 'time' I will never know but the fact remains, I started having contractions at 3am that night. It would only be another 2 days until 10am on Monday morning when the midwife on call would finally give me permission to come in. At which point I was 7cm and they all congratulated me on being a first time mom and working it at home for that long!<br /><br />I was supposed to have my baby at the Cambridge Birth Center but when my water broke, only 15 minutes after getting settled at the Birthing Center, there was meconium in it and according to MA law I was required to transfer to a hospital in case my baby needed immediate medical care. My amazing midwife just packed me up and wheeled me across the street to the hospital, pausing for my contractions. She stayed with me the entire time, guiding me through birth and was wonderful about looking out for me and my interests, given that I had been planning an intervention-free water birth at the birthing center. I was disappointed for a moment but then there wasn’t any time to think about it and besides, what was to be disappointed with, I was about to have a baby!<br /><br />I was amazed by how much my body just did on it’s own. It was incredible. My mom was behind my head wiping my forehead with a cold washcloth between pushes (ladies I highly recommend assigning someone to this task - you don’t realize how hot you are until that cloth touches your forehead and feels incredibly cool and refreshing) and Adam was holding one leg while a nurse held the other. Adam was unbelievable. When I was having really strong contractions he stood in front of me while I was sitting and I just squeezed his middle and pushed my head into his stomach while he held my head and rubbed my shoulders. He reminded me when to breath, gave me encouragement just when I needed it and really kept me grounded and focused. I can’t imagine doing it without him. We had a doula scheduled but never ended up calling her because everything happened so fast once we got to the hospital and because BD and I were doing well on our own, it was really special.<br /><br />In the end it just happened. I was pushing and pushing and then Wyatt was just there. Like I said, my body just knew what to do. And besides, the second Wyatt was born nothing else mattered. I felt incredible and invincible with him in my arms. I know that things come up and that there are exceptions and emergencies but overall I think that society, bad press and rumors are scaring women out of thinking they can do this. We can. We are strong and empowered by nature. Trust your body, trust your baby and trust yourself.<br /><br />Whether you are planning a natural childbirth or not, be educated so that you can know your options but be open minded about the actual day - you aren’t in control, baby’s calling the shots on this one! But be confident in the fact that he wants out too and that you and baby are working together to bring him into the world.<br /><br />We need to share our positive stories to create an environment of positivity and encouragement - rest assured - you can do it Mommies To Be!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">1. When did you decide you wanted to deliver your baby naturally?</span><br />From the very beginning. I always knew I wanted a natural childbirth. And it was double confirmed after sitting down with my baby daddy to watch The Business of Being Born.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">2. What reasons or factors went into your decision?</span><br />I wanted to fully experience the birth, didn't want to be drugged, didn't want my baby to be drugged and I believe women were built to do this and that we are capable of doing it without the medical intervention that has become 'normal'. So many people said, 'don't be a hero, get the epidural' and I am just against that type of thinking. I mean everyone should make their own decision and I don't judge anyone for how they gave birth (we all incubated a baby and got it out - we deserve high fives all around for that task regardless of how we each decided to go about it). But for me I wanted to meet this challenge head on. And I wouldn't want anyone to be robbed of the incredible amazingly joyous high of that moment your baby comes out and is put on your chest.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"> 3. What did you do to prepare for natural childbirth? (midwife, classes, methods, books, etc.)</span><br />We took a natural childbirth class but it spent a lot of time talking to everyone about the other options and how hospitals might intervene. At that point we were planning on giving birth at the birthing center so we wished there had been more on coping. We had wanted to take the hypnobirthing class but hadn't signed up in time - I hear it's great though!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"> 4. What was the hardest part of your experience - before, during, or after childbirth?</span><br />I did not like being pregnant. I didn't like being slowed down or crazy swollen and uncomfortable (I spent the whole summer really really pregnant) and didn't feel very much of a connection to my baby while he was growing. It was a really stressful time since Adam and I had just moved in together and I was super hormonal and he was changing jobs so it was very hard to be going through so many adjustments at once - but we persevered and everything got done, even painting baby furniture which I was sure, at one point, wasn't going to happen! But the hardest part of labor was nigh time during the two days I spent in early labor. There weren't any distractions and I had to sleep sitting straight up (very difficult) because the contractions were really strong and more frequent when I was on my side and waking [barely] through contractions and then immediately falling back asleep.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">5. What was most helpful to you during labor to help make pain from contractions manageable?</span><br />Foot rubs. Sitting on the floor of the bathtub with a really hot shower going. Adam rubbing my shoulders while I squeezed his middle and pushed my head into his stomach. Him helping guide me when and how to breath.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">6. What do you wish you would have known going into delivery?</span><br />That actual birth wasn't going to hurt. That pushing, while hard work, is sooo natural and actually feels really good - and that your body just does it and that it isn't just 'up to you' to get this baby out - nature is on your side!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"> 7. Is there anything you would have done differently?</span><br />More foot rubs. But really, I don't think I would change anything - it was amazing. Though it would have been amazing to have a community, such as this, to hear and read positive and supportive birth stories. I have birth 7 months ago and I just can't get enough of these wonderful tales - I wish I'd had a few of them to encourage me and I'm so glad that other women will have this great wealth of encouragement.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">8. What did you feel were the positive benefits to your natural childbirth - were the benefits what you expected? </span><br />I tried so hard not have any expectations. I just knew that I didn't want any interventions (I was more afraid of that than anything else!) and that I would just take it one moment, one contraction at a time and that this was going to happen whether I was afraid or apprehensive or not so the best thing I could do was just take it all as it came with as few preconceptions as possible. The benefits? The incredibly powerful sense of accomplishment. The look of pride in my Baby Daddy's eyes. Knowing that my baby and I were both completely coherent and aware of one another in those first few moments. It was amazing. A feeling unparalleled by any other.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">9. Is natural childbirth something you recommend to other mothers, or something you'd do again?</span><br />Absolutely.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"> 10. What advice do you have for other mothers interested in natural childbirth?</span><br />Find out your options, get educated, and then stick to your guns. People will try and tell you that you don't know what you're doing and that you need the medical interventions and how much pain they were in - but none of those things have anything to do with you. You and your baby are on your own journey and you get to do it your way. Plus I would read a couple of books that I meant to read but never made it to - like one by Ina May and The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth. And bask in the support and love of those around you.<br /><br />Contact Amanda at her blog: <span style="color: rgb(136, 136, 136);"><a href="http://mommyinthemaking.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">http://mommyinthemaking.<wbr>tumblr.com</a></span>Emily Framehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04009176107471035747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863830882475366893.post-69480274075931234102010-04-30T10:05:00.000-07:002010-08-15T14:44:38.465-07:00Nola<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_R5_-uJfHpfQ/S9782ympboI/AAAAAAAAMHI/182Z28JzM4s/s1600/K%2BN+Hospital.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_R5_-uJfHpfQ/S9782ympboI/AAAAAAAAMHI/182Z28JzM4s/s400/K%2BN+Hospital.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467085015901367938" border="0" /></a>Kelsey, age 24:<br />Fear of the unknown, this was one of my motivating factors in choosing to try for a natural birth. I am a planner and I like to know what to expect, especially when it comes to how painful something might be. The sensation of being numb is something my body abhors to say the least. For a longest time I figured child bearing wasn’t for me because I didn’t think I could handle the epidural and not having feeling in my limbs. That seems backwards, but it was how I felt. My mother had birthed 5 children naturally and even though she had never pressed me to do one method she was always positive about me having an un-medicated birth. Her example was what I held to for hope that maybe an un-mediated birth was something I could accomplish.<br /><br /> Friday Nov 13, 2009, I was 5 days past my due date and feeling fairly normal. My pregnancy had been smooth. I exercised by doing yoga and jogging throughout my pregnancy and I think this assisted me in feeling good. My mother was overdue with all her 5 children and I took that into consideration when I was told my due date. I figured this date was what I’d say to those inquiring of when I was due. This was not a date I would hold accountable for making me go into labor. I had been to a routine non-stress test earlier that week and everything looked great. I had a doctor’s appointment Thursday and was 80% effaced but only dilated to a 1. This meant I probably wasn’t going into labor soon, especially since I’d yet to feel a contraction, even though I was having them (as told by the technician at my non-stress test). After my appointment I even made one last run up to Park City to the outlets for some more baby shopping. While driving and shopping, I felt cramping in my lower back and thought this was because of the rather harsh pelvic exam I had earlier at my doctor appointment. No one told me that contractions could feel like menstrual cramps, if I had realized this I probably would have taken measures into my own hands and tried a little harder to go into labor on my own.<br /><br /> Alas Friday morning came and I was scheduled for a second non-stress test. My previous test took less than 45 minutes so I thought I’d schedule this test early in the morning. I didn’t eat a big breakfast, didn’t shower, I put my hair up in a messy bun, didn’t wear makeup and dressed in leggings and a sweater. Oh how I wish I’d known the events to come, breakfast and the shower might have helped. My husband had the car at work so I asked my parents if I might borrow theirs so that I could do my quick test and come back home. My dad is quite doting and said that since the weather was cold and I was alone, he’d be happy to take me. I tired to assure him that I was a big girl (quite literally) and felt confidant that the test would be quick and I didn’t need him to bother coming. Thankfully he really likes to take care of his daughter and he said he’d love to sit in the waiting area and do some work.<br /><br /> My test was the first to be performed that morning so everything was a little slower than I wanted. The major bother was the technician wasn’t thrilled that I was over due. I still don’t know why she thought this was abnormal, but she quizzed me endlessly why I had not been induced. I explained my mother was over due with all her children, my doctor doesn’t induced first time births till after 41 weeks, I wanted to go into labor on my own and the lastly I was trying to go unmediated and an induction can make that harder. She looked astonished that I was trying for an un-medicated birth and this is when the turn of events came. She pulled herself up to the computer monitor and said, “oh this isn’t looking good I’d better call your doctor, just plan on staying here and you’ll probably be induced”. I got nervous because I had heard stories about patients having pitocin to “speed things up” and I knew that this might be what hinders me from a natural birth. I chose to give birth in a hospital because I felt it wise since this was my first child and there were a lot of unknowns. I also knew that by doing this I’d be fighting the medically minded system. For a split second I contemplated running out of the hospital while the technicians back was turned. I really didn’t want to have to be induced, but it looked like that’s what she was set on me doing. I feel lucky my dad was with me so that I was not alone.<br /><br /> The tech came back and told me my doctor’s office wanted me to do another test for longer duration to see what the baby’s heart rate was doing during my contractions. They were worried because in the previous test her heart rate did take a slight dip and hadn’t fully recovered, but all of the other contractions were normal. She explained I would be admitted to a delivery room and monitored for an hour and then potentially I’d be induced. The doctor on call came to see me in the delivery room before I had even started the long non-stress test. He told me that I would likely be staying to be induced. Boy did I feel picked on in a sense because this really wasn’t what I had imagined. I had created a labor scenario and this wasn’t it. I took two classes, a Lamaze class and the other given through the hospital. Both stressed the fact that women come too early to the hospital. I was in the mindset to labor at home by taking a bath, blowing out my hair, doing my makeup and showing up at the hospital at the very end so as to be there the shortest amount of time possible. Un-medicated births in the hospital can be tricky because ideally the mother should be in bed, continuously monitored and unfed. These are all opposite of what can assist in natural birth. In my case it didn’t help that I was also to be connected to an IV for fluids and pitocin, which makes the contractions a lot stronger and less time between sets. The hour-long test finally ended at 12:00 pm and I was told it would be in the best interest of both the baby and me to be induced. My husband Jesse was still at work at this time, but I called him to tell him what was going on and that he should come to the hospital since they were putting me on pitocin. Luckily I had my bags packed at home and the car seat and other items were ready so Jesse went home, showered and brought all our things.<br /><br /> I kept telling myself that I should continue to let my wishes be heard to the nurses and my Doctor that I planned to go un-medicated even though I was going to be on pitocin. Since I didn’t know what level of discomfort I could handle I wasn’t sure if I’d reach my goal of an un-medicated birth. My yoga practice had taught me that there is much to the saying “mind over matter”. I started blocking out any negativity towards to me going un-medicated. I was going to be seeing by daughter within a few hours and I still had control, albeit slightly less than desired, over my labor. While I was being prepped for the IV, I read an email written by my dear friend. I had sent her a text early that morning saying that I was in the delivery room, but not in the ideal situation that I wanted. She has birthed two children and she knew that I preferred an un-medicated birth. I read her words of encouragement. She reassured me to not worry because God was in charge and He knows EXACTLY what he is doing, he hasn’t lost His footing and He is the only source of comfort during this time. She said to stay focused because my daughter is the prize and she will exceed all the feelings I’ve ever had in my life. Oh how this brought me right back on track. I realized I get to see my baby soon and that no matter medicated or un-medicated she’s what I get at the end.<br /><br /> I asked that my water wait to be broken till I was at least dilated to a six, this wasn’t’ what the doctor wanted and I was continually asked if my water could be broken before then, but from what I had learned while on pitocin it’s best to wait till you are fairly dilated so that the contractions don’t go crazy from the get go. I put my bed into a chair-like position and was fairly comfortable through most my contractions. I was doing so well that I urged Jesse to go to a class, while he was away I chatted with my mom and sister. Jesse returned from class and my family left so that it could be just Jesse and me for the rest of the labor. My dilation progress was slow even though I was on pitocin and fully effaced. The Doctor told me that if I didn’t progress with in the hour he’d likely have to do an emergency c-section. The baby wasn’t necessarily in any imminent danger or risk and I felt great, so this is when I mentally tuned the doctor out. The nurses had warned me that this particular doctor usually told his patients that he’d do an emergency c-section if they didn’t progress in a certain amount of time. I was glad that they let me know this so that I was prepared and subsequently whenever the Doctor came and was negative I just zoned him out. I actually couldn’t even talk to him because he just impeded my concentration. I gave him the thumbs up sign when he needed me to acknowledge something. This may seem so silly, but as far as I was concerned I was doing fine and the threat of a c-section wasn’t helping me in any way.<br /><br /> I was advised to lay down on my side to see if that could speed up my advancement. I closed my eyes, started doing some yogic deep breathing and squeezed Jesse’s hand during the contractions. I had Jesse talk to me. He did a great job explaining that the contractions were the method, which the baby could arrive. Jesse reminded me constantly that labor is a good process (he never said easy). Jesse told me about some of our happy memories to help me, relax and smile. He encouraged me by reminding me how exciting it is that we get to see our daughter. Jesse knows me so well he even gave me a good incentive by telling me I could eat whatever I wanted when it was all over. The contractions picked up greatly and now I felt like a deep throb in my lower back. They felt like strong menstrual cramps that come in waves. They were uncomfortable but with breathing and lots of pep talk from Jesse I took each contraction one at a time.<br /><br /> The cute nurse who taught our hospital birth class saw Jesse in the halls while he was getting ice for me. She recognized Jesse and asked if she could come to the room and say hi. She will never know what her optimistic visit did to help me. Since I had been laboring on my side, eyes closed, facing away from the nurses, doctor and monitor I didn’t really necessarily know how I was doing. I sat up when she came in and she was astonished to see me talking through contractions. She praised my efforts of doing what I wanted by going un-medicated and said that if I had made it this far then I shouldn’t worry, I’d do fine with the rest. This is all I needed to hear, even if it wasn’t true. I now felt great, like I could go the rest of the way and accomplish what I wanted. Just those few affirmative words were the ticket to helping me focus and feel confident. I can’t emphasize enough just how beneficial positivism is for a laboring woman.<br /><br /> The pitocin had slowly been turned up throughout my labor. I had hoped that things would pick up so I would not have to reach the maximum dosage, but I ended up needed it. I was checked and was only at an 8 and so the dosage was turned all the way up. Luckily the hardest of the contractions were for the shortest time. The nurses left us a lone for longer than normal and this is when I felt like maybe I couldn’t go on any longer. The funny thing is, even if I had tried there is no way I could have gotten up, hunched over and held still for an epidural. Just wasn’t going to happen. It took all I had to concentrate and breath through the contractions,<br /><br /> Finally I felt like I needed to push. I had read about this and never understood what people meant. Well, now I did. But it was just Jesse and me. The nurses weren’t there so I didn’t really know what to do. I told Jesse, I really felt like I needed to push so he flagged down a nurse, she checked me and finally I was fully dilated. It’s amazing how many times I have heard that the time when women think they can’t go on is actually right before they are fully dilated and it is the end of labor. Since this was my first birth and I hadn’t been checked for a while I didn’t quite realize this, but I was just like everyone else. It was 11:00pm and the nurses did the mad scramble to get everything ready. The Doctor came in, turned on the spotlights and explained to me about pushing. And I quote, “push like you’ve never pushed before, and then push some more”. A better indication for me of how I was doing was Jesse’s voice. He could see the baby’s progress so his voice would get really excited when I was making improvement. It was so fun for me to hear Jesse tell me she had hair. Yes, I was very concerned that she would be bald. For me pushing was magnificently better than the previous part of labor. I felt like something was actually getting accomplished and finally at 11:45 pm I gave my final push and I met my daughter Nola.<br /><br /> There might not be a better feeling than being done with labor, holding your newborn and not being pregnant anymore. To put it simply, I felt like wonder woman. I honestly don’t know if I could have done it without Jesse reminding me this was all worth it. I had the chance to hold Nola right away and she latched on and nursed fairly easily. Meeting your child for the first time is a huge thrill because you’ve bonded with your baby for 9+ months, but finally you get tactile and visual contact that solidifies your relationship. It’s like meeting your pen pal. You feel like you know them so well, even though you had never met. I was honored to be Nola’s mom.<br /><br /> When I was cleaned up, Jesse left with Nola to the nursery. The nurses weren’t use to a fully functioning patient and didn’t quite know what to do with me. Usually the mother is numb and they have to assist her and wheel her in a bed. I could stand and move fairly well. The endorphins were amazing. This was one excellent perk of un-medicated childbirth. Yes I was exhausted, but I didn’t have the linger side effects of an epidural. I ate, went to the restroom unassisted and could get in and out of bed on my own. I actually I felt so good it was hard for me to settle down and sleep. I spent the rest of the night bonding with Nola, resting and soaking in the reality that I accomplished something awesome and had become a new mother. No matter the method, childbirth is a miracle and an amazing achievement for both mother and father.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);font-size:100%;" > <span style="font-style: italic;">1. When did you decide you wanted to deliver your baby naturally?</span></span><br />I had always wanted to avoid a medicated birth, but I never new how I’d handle labor discomfort so I prepared myself for both natural and medicated. Throughout my teenage years I listened to those women who would tell their natural birthing stories. In high school when I had to watch the birthing videos I was moved by the women who chose a natural birth and I felt that this method was for me, it was what I wanted. Very few people ever encouraged me in my desire and this is when I doubted myself. When getting pregnant was an option I really started doing my research. I read, planned prepared so that I would be ready for whichever method I ended up using.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">2. What reasons or factors went into your decision?</span><br />I don’t enjoy the hospital, the atmosphere of medical devices and the fear of the unknown. I figured that not all medicated births go as planned and I wanted to be prepare myself for a potential natural birth.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">3. What did you do to prepare for natural childbirth?</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"> </span>(midwife, classes, methods, books, etc.)<br />I tried to not let those with negative views sway my decision. I took it upon myself to search out information and form my own views. I took the hospital class to know what to expect when I delivered there. I took a Lamaze class through a birthing center. Read personal birthing stories and researched various birthing methods via the Internet. I read Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, by Ina May Gaskin. This book has a lot of great stories. One of my goals for pregnancy was to exercise is some form throughout the entire pregnancy. Nothing vigorous, but by staying active helped me throughout my pregnancy, delivery and post pregnancy. I worked on breathing and visualizations and positive affirmations. Kegels. Healthy eating also aided me to feel good.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">4. What was the hardest part of your experience - before, during, or after childbirth?</span><br />The unknown was the hardest part for me, I didn’t know how I would react to all the elements of childbirth and since it was my first I didn’t have prior experience to base any decisions off of. Worrying can be very hard on a soon-to-be mom but that is why I continued to prepare. I didn’t like that I was embarrassed to tell people that I was preparing for a natural birth and thus this made me doubt myself. I’m glad that my spouse was supportive 100% and was willing to prepare and learn with me.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">5. What was most helpful to you during labor to help make pain from contractions manageable?</span><br />While pregnant I had tried to prepare myself mentally. Yoga was one of my personal helps because it is all about being in tune with the body. I relied on my husband to talk me through every hard contraction and we had been to a Lamaze class that taught different techniques for the husband to help alleviate pressure.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">6. What do you wish you would have known going into delivery?</span><br />I knew that I’d find resistance from the hospital by wanting an un-mediated birth but I didn’t realize how difficult it would be to make my desires known all while being in labor. For me maybe having a doula or midwife would have helped make my wishes known so I could just focus on giving birth.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">7. Is there anything you would have done differently?</span></span><br />Definitely, next time I will choose a doctor that I love and that will support and facilitate my un-medicated birth. Especially if it is a group practice, I will need to like every single doctor in the group so that I will enjoy whoever delivers my baby. I’d love to deliver in a hospital that supports other methods of birthing other than medicated.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">8. What did you feel were the positive benefits to your natural childbirth - were the benefits what</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"> </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">you expected?</span><br />My recovery was fairly smooth. I have a hard time dealing with numbness; so an un-medicated birth was excellent because I was able to attend to my newborn 100% after giving birth. I think I was very surprised to feel as good as I did.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">9. Is natural childbirth something you recommend to other mothers, or something you'd do again?</span><br />I would definitely have another un-medicated birth and I hope to be an advocate of un-medicated births, yet I’d never want someone to feel like I disagree with medicated births. I support un-medicated births and I would love there to be more support for those who are seeking to have a natural birth in a hospital setting.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">10. What advice do you have for other mothers interested in natural childbirth?</span><br />If a natural birth is what you desire, please don’t let the negative views of others make you feel like its impossible. I believe that husbands and wives should be able to achieve the type of birth they desire and not be swayed by others who may not even be educated in un-medicated births. Again, I felt like learning as much as possible was beneficial for me so I’d suggest doing research and preparation. There are so many great methods that one might fit you better than others.Emily Framehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04009176107471035747noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863830882475366893.post-38376723366264475702010-04-29T12:00:00.000-07:002010-05-24T19:47:07.043-07:00LucyOlivia, age 25:<br /><br />Around 1:00am on Wednesday morning (Sep. 2, 2009), I started to have some back crampiness and like one or two contractions. I tried to just go back to sleep though, because I know that a lot of times labor can start at night and then not progress once morning hits so I just ignored it and went back to sleep. About an hour later I had the same back cramps and a few more contractions, but again I tried to sleep and didn't wake anyone up. This continued until about 5:30am when I started to look at the clock and realized the contractions were about every fifteen minutes. I still didn't want to wake anyone up yet (my mom or Noah) because I knew they would both need their sleep if this was the real thing.<br /><br />Finally around 6:00 am though, one of my contractions was so bad that I started squeezing Noah's hand. He woke up and I told him I was having a contraction...which of course he was so excited about despite the pain I was in (by now we had gone over 2 weeks over our due date). It was hard to tell when exactly the contraction was starting because it would just start in my back and then ease into my abdomen so I didn't really know when to tell Noah to start timing. And I wasn't very focused on the timing of them by that point. They continued to be around every 12-15 minutes at that time though. We waited to call our midwives and doula though, because we wanted to make sure that labor was continuing to progress. I just kept pacing when the contractions hit or holding onto Noah. I would push down on his pants pockets and for some reason that really helped...until they started to rip. :) By 7:30am the contractions were continuing so we called our doula, Jennifer Schepper, who was actually in another birth at the time but told us she would call back-up just in case. About an hour later we called our midwives because I started to have issues keeping anything down. About every third contraction, I would have to run to the bathroom because everything was coming out both ends. That was horrible and little did I know that this would last for the next 6 hours. So Noah called the Baby Place to see what they thought since I couldn't keep anything down. He made me a protein shake and brought me all kinds of food, but nothing stayed down. So we just wanted to let our midwives know about that and also that our doula may not be available. They told us to go ahead and come in if we wanted to and they would provide labor support for us. At this point though, I still just wanted to be home with just me and my hub. Noah was so sweet and would tell me how great I was doing and that each contraction was just our baby talking to us wanting to come home into our arms. It was really helpful. At this point, Noah also started to do double hip squeeze where you basically just push on the hips inward really hard. It was a technique we learned in our birthing class. At first it made things worse, but when he tried it a little while later it relieved so much of my back labor....and little did he know he would have to be doing that for the next 8 hours! He was such a trooper though and never complained about his painful wrists as he sat there shaking while I would tell him to do it harder and longer.<br /><br />So around 10:30 am my contractions were about every 5 minutes and I couldn't really talk or walk through them. So we knew it was about time to go in. Noah got the rest of our stuff packed up and we got into the truck and took off. I had about 3-4 contractions on the way there and they were so much worse in the car! Each bump we hit was so painful! When we arrived they showed us to the nice big suite and I remember thinking how funny it was that I even cared what room I delivered in before now because I really could have just done it in the parking lot at that point. It was nice to have the big room though later on.<br /><br />When we got there at 11:30, Jerusha checked me and I was 6cm dilated and 90% effaced! Yay! I was so worried that I would only be at like a 2 when we got there. They filled up the tub for me and I got in while Noah turned on my music. The tub was really nice in between contractions, but during them I felt like I couldn't move the way I wanted to (it helped to sway my hips) and Noah couldn't reach me to do the double-hip squeeze. So after about 30 minutes of the tub I got out and just would sit on the side of the bed and then get up and rest my hands on the counter during a contraction while Noah and Jennifer (she ended up making it a few minutes after we arrived) did the hip squeeze and rubbed my back. The music was so nice in the background, especially the children's hymns that I had put on there last minute.<br /><br />After about 2 hours of laboring (with frequent trips to the restroom...who knew this would keep going!), Jerusha asked me again if I wanted to be checked (I had declined the hour before because it was painful when they did). When she checked me again around 1:30pm, I was dilated to an 8! So it had gone quicker than I had expected because a lot of first-timers dilate at about 1 centimeter every 2 hours. I now knew that I was officially in transition and that this was the hardest part of labor. The back labor grew so much more intense at this point and the double-hip squeeze stopped working as well at relieving the pain. The contractions were pretty intense and close together. So I was praying that this part wouldn't last long. At 2:20pm, my water broke as I was leaning over the counter. It just gushed and was the weirdest feeling. The whole time Noah was right there with me during every contraction doing what he could to relieve the pain, telling me how proud he was of me and how good I was doing. It was so special to go through this with him and really felt so unifying.<br /><br />This whole time one of the assistant midwives, Holly kept coming in to check fetal heart tones. Each time they were so strong and consistent. It was so reassuring to know that our babe was doing ok. Around 3:00pm, Coleen was there and checked me. She said I was then dilated to a 10 and if I felt the urge to push I could start. At this point the back labor was so intense and was radiating to my thighs. It was just burning all over. They tried to help me into a few positions, but they all just made it worse. I got on the birth stool and tried to start pushing, but I was holding it all in my chest and shoulders and wasn't really pushing. So they had to help me learn how to push. I started to really feel the urge to push around 3:20pm. It truly felt like my body had a mind of its own, although I had to do more than I envisioned to help the process along. Each push made the back and leg labor so much worse.<br /><br />During this time, it was so neat though because all four of my midwives, Coleen, Jerusha, Dani, and Holly were surrounding me along with our doula, Jennifer and then Noah. Since I knew all of them, I could recognize their voices (I had my eyes closed) and I just felt so safe, supported, and loved being in the center of this circle of wonderful women and my husband. It was truly such a special experience. With each push, most of them would exclaim how good that push was and what a good pusher I was. I would grab onto their hands and squeeze them during the push and I remember Holly was the one on my right. After each of the pushes, she would say things like "oh wow! That was an amazing push!!!". It was so helpful because I really felt like I was a champion pusher! Something they had never seen before! :)<br /><br />During this time, Noah was right there encouraging me and supporting me, but he later told me that he felt so helpless during this time because he couldn't do anything to relieve the pain anymore. I could hear him getting a little teary and that really made me feel like he knew what I was going through and wanted to help. It was really touching.<br /><br />A few times, the midwives would tell me to reach down and touch my baby. I could feel her head and it was so cool to just think that was her coming down to meet us. During this whole time, they kept checking fetal heart tones and they remained strong. Coleen, our main midwife who we just love, also was sitting there during this whole time and just praying and talking to the baby. It was really sweet.<br /><br />At one point, when it started to really burn (which is a sign that the babe is coming soon), Coleen told me to just breathe out my contractions and not push or just do a little one if I had to. She said that it was important I do this so I didn't tear. That was one of the hardest, most painful times because you had to fight against your body and this was all combined with the burning sensation and the back/leg labor. It was so difficult! At this time, Coleen rubbed oil around and had me wait a certain period of time (about 10 minutes) so that I could stretch enough so I wouldn't tear. I am so grateful to her and her expertise in this because I ended up not tearing despite everything (multiple presentation, big baby, large head). Around this time, she also said that the baby was multiple presentation, meaning that more than just the head is coming out. This really made me nervous because I know some babies can get stuck this way. But Coleen just did a little maneuver to get the hand/elbow out of the way (Lucy had her hand up by her head which is how she was at our 20 week ultrasound and how she sleeps a lot now). A few more pushes later, and all of a sudden I felt a huge relief and the baby was sliding out into her daddy's hands with the assistance of Coleen at 5pm. Noah placed her up on my tummy and she just looked into my eyes for a moment and then started to cry. It was such a cool moment to just hold your babe for the first time. I had seen that she was a girl (which wasn't really a surprise to us) and just assumed everyone else had too. But they all asked me what it was. I said "It's a girl! It's Lucy!". I was so happy to have her there in my arms.<br /><br />Noah then cut the cord and they took Lucy into a blanket just long enough to get me onto the bed so I would be more comfortable. They placed Lucy onto my chest and Noah and I just sat there and looked at her and just started to fall in love. She was so alert and just looking at us. It was such a special time and one that I will cherish forever. Truly indescribable. After they checked my vitals and made sure I was stable and that Lucy was nursing, they all left us to just be. They didn't take Lucy away to wash her right away or give her any shots or anything. Even though I was two weeks late, everyone in the room was totally surprised at how huge Lucy was. They didn't bother with weighing/measuring her until later, but we were all very curious about the results. When the final word came in, she weighed 9 lbs 14 oz, was 22" long, and craziest of all - had a 15 1/4" head (no wonder she took her time coming out - probably trying to figure out how to shimmy her way down with that large cranium).<br /><br />The whole experience, including this special time, was all up to us and was our time. It was a sacred time that they recognized as such and didn't want to disturb it. I am so grateful for all their support, encouragement, and love. It was an amazing experience with my midwives, doula, and especially with Noah. I couldn't have done it without him!!!!<br /><br />That night was one I will never forget as we put Lucy in between us and drifted off to sleep. I just wanted to watch Lucy the whole night and soak it all in. A new little family. A new mom and dad and baby were born that sweet day, September 2, 2009.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">1. When did you decide you wanted to deliver your baby naturally?</span><br />I knew I wanted to deliver naturally about half-way into my pregnancy. I did a lot of reading and research and I discovered that going naturally would be the safest and most fulfilling way I could do it-- for me.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">2. What reasons or factors went into your decision?</span><br />The main thing for me was the data that I collected and kept reading from varied sources on how having an epidural can increase the chance of having to be induced which can then increase the chance of having a c-section. I know that every mama does things her own way and I don't condemn at all, but I felt like for my low-risk pregnancy I would be the safest in a birthing center going natural. I wanted it to be the safest and most fulfilling it could be. I am an RN and have worked in the pediatric ICU and the ER so I have seen a lot of worst-case scenarios and things that can go wrong with birth, but after doing the research I knew that I was going the best way possible for me and my babe.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">3. What did you do to prepare for natural childbirth?</span><br />I read books <span style="font-size:85%;">(Born in the USA, Pushed, What to Expect, Ina May's Guide to Natural Childbirth, the Baby Book, etc)</span> and watched the Business of Being Born (which I highly recommend...except for seeing Ricki Lake naked.) I also took a 7 week natural childbirth course and practiced the methods taught in this class. I especially focused on breathing, moving, and trying to relax before childbirth.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">4. What was the hardest part of your experience - before, during, or after childbirth? </span><br />Before childbirth, one of the hardest parts was just knowing what I knew and not being able to share it with others and also trying to defend my decision. A lot of people didn't understand why I wanted to go natural and also thought I was crazy for going to a birthing center with a midwife. A lot of my colleagues (RN's) especially thought I was a little crazy. So that was difficult, but if people really wanted to find out why I wanted to do it naturally I just pointed them to the facts and the research.<br /><br />During childbirth the hardest part was just not knowing when it would end. My mom and sister both went 36 hours with their first babes, so just not really seeing an end was difficult (I ended up going about 15 hours total from start to finish). And then the pushing phase was difficult because I had an almost 10 pounder, with a huge head (15.25"), who had her little hand stuck by her head. So the pushing phase was difficult for me and didn't just come as naturally as I thought it would.<br /><br />And then after childbirth, the hardest part was learning how to nurse. I didn't have any huge complications, but it was just more difficult and more painful than expected.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">5. What was most helpful to you during labor to help make pain from contractions manageable? </span><br />Breathing and well...low moaning, yep I was a moaner! I had read and heard in my class that low tones were the best and they really did help. I also had to move. I would sway my hips and that really helped. Also, my wonderful husband! He was so supportive and loving. Since I had back labor, he did the double hip squeeze <span style="font-size:85%;">(which I would highly recommend learning if you end up having back labor)</span> and that helped immensely. He was shaking by the end, but it saved me. And I think also, I had gone over my due date by 2 weeks so just knowing this was it and that the contractions was just my babe wanting to come home helped a lot too. I almost (I said<span style="font-style: italic;"> almost</span>) welcomed them each time. :)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">6. What do you wish you would have known going into delivery?</span><br />I wish I would have known how to push or what to expect with the pushing a little better...but I just don't think you can know until you get there.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">7. Is there anything you would have done differently?</span><br />I don't think I would have changed one thing...other than not going over my due date, but you can't change that.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">8. What did you feel were the positive benefits to your natural childbirth - were the benefits what you expected?</span><br />I probably don't even realize all the benefits, but probably the biggest was just feeling like I was in charge of my environment, my body, who was there, the music, the lighting, everything was up to me and my hub. Having that autonomy for me was huge. Another benefit was just feeling like I was not under the influence of anything. I could feel everything and I did not having effects of medications after birth. The sensation of your baby actually being born is indescribable and I know if you have a higher dose epidural that you don't feel that as well. And another huge thing was the peace of mind I felt knowing that my baby was not affected by anything. For example, having an epidural can drop the baby's heartrate and can lengthen delivery time. So just the peace of mind knowing that everything was natural was priceless.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">9. Is natural childbirth something you recommend to other mothers, or something you'd do again?<br /></span> I will definitely do it again for my future births, but it's something that every mama has to decide for herself. I would for sure recommend it to other mamas, but it is definitely something you have to believe in.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">10. What advice do you have for other mothers interested in natural childbirth?</span><br />Be INFORMED. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you have done your research and can back up your decision (not that you need to prove yourself to others, but even just for yourself to be a wise mama). So often we trust our physicians and don't look into the different options ourselves. Just because your doc says you can't have a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) doesn't mean that is necessarily the case, for example. Do your research and you will have confidence and a peace of mind about whatever decision you make that will be priceless.Emily Framehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04009176107471035747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4863830882475366893.post-56033793224964625792010-04-28T10:05:00.000-07:002010-08-13T12:56:17.863-07:00Hayes<a href="http://emilyframe.blogspot.com/">Emily</a>, age 24:<br /><br />Russ and I went to my 37 week appointment 1:30 p.m. At my 36 week appointment I was already dilated to a 4 and 80% effaced. We were so anxious to hear if I had progressed further, and Russ said a few times on the way there "I bet you're a 6 now."<br />He was right. The doctor checked me and confirmed that I was now dilated to a 6. The doctor looked shocked, I tell you, you never get used to that reaction. He and the nurse questioned me about my contractions. I told them, truthfully, I had false labor contractions the night before for a couple hours, and I thought I felt like what might have been a contraction waddling through Old Navy the day before, but I wasn't sure. Everyone says, "you'll know" and I didn't, yet.<br /><br />The doctor said it was time to get to the hospital. He let me know that I also tested positive for Strep B and that it was imperative I get a treatment of penicillin before the baby was born. He said the treatment takes four hours and at this point we've gotta get down there and get it started. He told us to go home get our gear and to not take more than an hour because-- "that's one bulgy bag of water you've got in there." Three weeks early or not, Hayes was on his way.<br />Russ and I drove home to get our bags. He gave me a blessing of comfort, stamina, strength, and the will-power to do this according to my goal -- naturally.<br /><br />At 3:00 we got to the hospital. The admitting nurse stared at me blankly... "So, you're not having contractions, but you're dilated to a 6?" Yeah yeah lady, I know, it's not normal. By 3:00 I had heard PLENTY of non-believers express the utter impossibility of it all.<br />They monitored my contractions for awhile... they were coming consistently but once again, they're standing there puzzled because I am sitting there smiling, talking, and cracking jokes and shouldn't I bet yelling like an Amazonian woman by now? They FINALLY start my round of penicillin, and tell me that it needs to run its course for 4 hours [4 - 8 p.m.] At this point I am dilated to a 7, and my water is still hanging in there.<br /><br />By 8 p.m. the penicillin treatment is done. My contractions are starting to pick up on their own by now, but I had only dilated to an 8 since 4 p.m. I think we all knew this could take all night if I didn't get some pitocin. I know it was probably the worst decision for someone planning a natural delivery. But, every half-hour the nurse came in an upped pitocin until I was at 7mL, which is nuts, I should sue! Then in comes the Dr. with a crochet hook.<br /><br />The moment my water broke, I felt what I had been waiting for: a crampy, wringing-out contraction. I had definitely had contractions before, but holy smokes, this is what "you'll just know" about. Time to start Lamaze breathing. For the first hour of full-blown contractions I felt pretty good, I was staying on top of them, resting in between, staying relaxed. Yeah, just wait a sec.<br /><br />At 9:00 p.m. the nurse checked me and I was now dilated to 9 cm and 90% effaced.<br />The second hour of contractions are causing the worst pain I have ever experienced, thirty seconds at a time, each a minute apart. They are coming down on me like waves, every time I get pushed under and can't find enough time to come up for air before the next. I can barely hold my head up in between, I'm so tired. So, Russ holds me.<br />The baby's oxygen is dropping so they make me wear the mask.<br />I feel completely defeated.<br />Russ and my mom are saying "hee hoo hee hoo hee hoo." and I am saying "heehooahheahahoahaouchhh." I say a prayer.<br />After that, wiith my trusty coaches' help, I am able to breathe and relax through the rest of my contractions.<br /><br />10 p.m.<br />BANG. Every muscle, bone, and vein in my body tells me it's time to push.<br />The nurse confirms that I am now at 10 cm then says, "The Dr. went home but I just paged him and he'll be right back."<br />As soon as this overwhelming need to push comes, there is really no stopping me now. The nurse says we can start pushing without the Dr. and at this point I'm like "<span style="font-size:130%;">Who?</span> Give me the stirrups!" Every time I feel a contraction coming, I hold my breath and push my heart out. Finally, after two hours of helplessly breathing through contractions, now I get to put my back into and actually do something about it, and I love it!<br /><br />With every push I feel mounting pressure, but it's the most amazing feeling in the world! For the next hour, it's three rounds of pushing per contraction and then literally gasping for air.<br />My mom sees his little head first and I feel like a million bucks. I know I can do this, and we're all so ready to meet this little guy. At this point I am totally owning this push-fest. In fact I own this whole room, this hospital even, I am on a serious high. I've got a group of nurses watching my every push, and they're all cheering me on. I know what a good push feels like, and I know what a useless one feels like. If I don't get a good push in, I make myself do an extra one. <span style="font-size:85%;">[If only I had this motivation at the gym.]</span><br /><br />After the quickest hour of my life, finally Russ catches a glimpse of Hayes' face. The Dr. says "Stop Pushing!" At this point I don't know if I can, my body is doing all the work, I am just guiding the pressure it's creating. I figure out a way somehow and then he says "Push now! Hard!" and I hear a cry.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_R5_-uJfHpfQ/S6DoPA7jPUI/AAAAAAAALI4/gca1_z0Ol-8/s800/Desktop3.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 800px; height: 271px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_R5_-uJfHpfQ/S6DoPA7jPUI/AAAAAAAALI4/gca1_z0Ol-8/s800/Desktop3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Russ is sobbing and can barely see to cut the cord, but he does, and Dr. lays Hayes on my chest and I feel like I've known him forever, and he is mine!<br /><br />From that moment on Hayes swept us away. We are so caught up in him and his crazy arm flails, his toots, his big beautiful blue eyes, and his ear-to-ear smiles. Every moment I look at Hayes I am reminded that God lives, and He loves us. I know deep and intense pain, but I also know that there is opposition in all things. Every moment of pain made room for me to be able to feel the equal and opposite in love and joy.<br /><br />I know it is not the popular choice to have a baby the way I did. In fact, I was told that only 1% of hospital deliveries are natural by choice. But, it was a choice, and I am so grateful for the people in my life that supported my goal from the beginning.<br />So, was it worth it? Absolutely. But, not because it was a natural delivery, because I don't think that one way is better than another, they're simply two different choices. But, because it was for Hayes. And I've come to learn real quick that I would do just about anything for that little man.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">1. When did you decide you wanted to deliver your baby naturally?</span><br />It was always something I wanted to at least <span style="font-style: italic;">try</span>, I really committed to it when I learned I was pregnant.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><br />2. What reasons or factors went into your decision?</span><br />I realized that I needed to be prepared for any kind of delivery, I knew if I didn't try it with my first I probably wouldn't with my subsequent deliveries. And after a nasty reaction to meds during my wisdom teeth removal, I didn't want to stress about how I may react to medications during childbirth.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">3. What did you do to prepare for natural childbirth?</span> (midwife, classes, methods, books, etc.)<br />Lamaze.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">4. What was the hardest part of your experience - before, during, or after childbirth?</span><br />Transitioning. Contractions at 9 cm with pitocin is trying. It really is true though, as soon as you're ready to throw in the towel, you're probably ready to push.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">5. What was most helpful to you during labor to help make pain from contractions manageable?</span><br />Having my mom in my face basically forcing me to follow her breathing patterns. I was holding my breath and tensing my shoulders otherwise, which doesn't help.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">6. What do you wish you would have known going into delivery?</span><br />Nurses and doctors don't exactly weigh options with you. They choose what they think is best, and you better be on your toes if you want something else. Always ask "What are my other options?"<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">7. Is there anything you would have done differently?</span><br />Being inexperienced, I didn't realize how much pressure I put on my husband and mom to help me through, and I wish I would have had a midwife there to take some of that pressure off. If my mom didn't know breathing patterns, we would have been screwed. In the heat of the moment neither of us remembered what we learned in Lamaze.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">8. What did you feel were the positive benefits to your natural childbirth - were the benefits what you expected?</span><br />The amazing natural high you get for DAYS after! I had no "baby blues" or postpartum depression. I felt like a warrior woman and still feel that after accomplishing this, I can do anything!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">9. Is natural childbirth something you recommend to other mothers, or something you'd do again?</span><br />Of course, it is an absolute life-changing experience! I think every mom should plan for any outcome and see how far she can take herself. I think everyone would be surprised at their reserve of power and ability!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">10. What advice do you have for other mothers interested in natural childbirth?</span><br />Do what feels right to you, use your intuition! Study it out, explore lots of methods, and make sure you have a support system!<br /><br />Contact Emily at her blog <span style="color: rgb(136, 136, 136);"><a href="http://mommyinthemaking.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">http://emilyframe.blogspot.com</a></span>Emily Framehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04009176107471035747noreply@blogger.com0