Warning - this will be a long post.
So here it is, over two months late. I've been tossing back and forth whether or not to share this on our blog. The reason I decided to was this: you almost never hear a positive recount of someone's labor. It's usually horror stories upon horror stories with hours or intense labor....you get my drift. I'm so thankful that this is not our story. I feel so lucky to have had a smooth pregnancy AND delivery, which can be so uncommon now in the days of intervention. My small hope is that someone might read this story like I did a friends last year and inspire them to look more deeply into their options for labor/delivery.
About halfway through our pregnancy, Scott and I made the switch from receiving our maternity care through an OB/GYN to a group of midwives. We came to this decision after researching different options and realizing we wanted the least amount of interventions as possible during labor (while keeping everyone safe and healthy). We were shooting for a med-free/natural birth and felt that the midwives were the most supportive of this and they were also comfortable with us bringing a
doula in for the labor. To be completely honest, the idea of going through labor without pain medications had never crossed my mind. I always assumed that I would get an epidural, I mean who in their right mind would
choose to deal with that kind of pain when you had so many different options to avoid it, right?? However, after watching a few documentaries and reading up on it, I realized that the epidural was not for me after all. This eventually led us to the decision to have a med-free birth.
Following are the notes from our doula, bless her heart for jotting these down for us. With having this, I was able to relive the hours leading up to his birth with a much clearer head :)
1/31/11
5:00pm Left a message for me that you had your appointments that day and then an ultrasound after the non-stress test wasn't showing what they wanted to see and to give you a buzz.
8:00pm- Called to let me know that contractions had been going on throughout the day, and in the last hour they were more consistent and around 5 minutes apart and sometimes 2-3 minutes apart (you were keeping track on your iphone app). You said the ball and taylor position sitting on the floor were the most comfortable. I suggested you try to take a bath or warm shower to try to wind down and to try and get some sleep
11:56pm- Contractions were 2-3 minutes apart and starting to get more intense. You were able to rest for about an hour and then couldn't lay down any longer because contractions were too uncomfortable. You had tried a couple positions but ball was the best. Suggested you get in the tub and that we check in in an hour or two.
2/1/11
1:57am- Scott called to say that contractions were getting more intense and 2-3 minutes apart and lasting 45-90seconds. He said you had very controlled breathing and were doing great. You were getting a little anxious about going to the hospital, but wanted to stay at home as long as possible and weren't sure. You had tried hands and knees and squatting in the tub, but didn't care for either of those positions, it felt best to sit and lay back and try and rest in between. Having low back pain with contractions. We talked about trying another 30 minutes or so in the tub and then checking in again.
2:57am- Scott called back and said contractions definitely more intense and still around 2-3minutes a day and lasting up to 90 seconds. I could hear you making some good birth sounds in the background. Scott kept saying how great you were doing and how much control you had. We decided I would head over and help assess where things were at.
3:20am- The roads were snow and ice covered and it was windy and freezing out. When I got to your house, you were leaning back against the tub and then during contractions you would become buoyant and feel your baby in your belly with your left hand and gently rotate your right wrist, you were so poised. Scott got everything gathered and packed in the car. It took a bit to get out of the tub and grab the rest of your bathroom things because contractions were so close and so intense.
4:05am- I followed you guys down to Methodist. the roads were very icy and treacherous. On MLK you guys began to slow down and flash your hazards, my stomach dropped as I initially thought 'oh my goodness, she's pushing!!!', but then I saw Scott open the driver's door to empty a bowl you had gotten sick in and then quickly shut it to continue on your way. We hit mostly green lights and shortly ran the red light at MLK and Cottage Grove. You followed me as I slid sideways into the parking garage and we drove up to the 3rd level, parked and went in immediately. Scott tried to get in initially but they wouldn't buzz him in until you got there.
4:30am
5:30am- You started to feel more and more pressure and seemed to be pushing in the tub, so you got out and made your way to the bed. Pam checked you and you were 8 cm and 100 percent effaced. Pam could tell that baby was facing your right hip bone and thought that may be what was causing the back labor. She suggested hands and knees and the ball. Contractions became much more intense almost immediately and you asked for some pain medication. We talked about how close you were and how that may affect the baby, and you declined and pressed on. You tried the ball for a little bit and then asked to lay on the bed on your left side for awhile.
6:35am As you were having a contraction, we all heard the loud 'pop' of your water breaking. Pam checked to make sure the fluid was clear, it was, and then wanted to take a listen for baby's heart rate to see how he was tolerating things. His heart tones were in the 60's, so the room quickly became intense. Pam checked you and, thank God, you were a 10 and ready to push. She turned you to your right side, asked for an IV to be started, oxygen to be given and to have the doctor on call paged immediately. Suddenly the NICU team, anesthesiologists and additional staff were rushing into the room. An internal fetal monitor was placed on baby's head and his heart rate would go up, but then quickly drop again. They started having you push, and with as much as you had, with each contraction. The OB needed to assess what position his head was in in the chance that she would need to use a vacuum to deliver him and that was really uncomfortable. She was pleased to see that his heart rate would go up with pushes and was willing to be a little patient to see what you could do. Before your last push, you looked at me and said 'I don't think I can do this anymore' and with the next contraction, you pushed with all you had and your son was born, with his cord over his shoulder and wrapped around his neck two times. The whole room was ecstatic and so impressed by how well you had done!! Your baby was so beautiful with the cutest little nose and chin and great hair. He came right to your chest, and initially you were scared to hold him because you were shaking so much, completely normal after birth. They wanted him to be coughing/crying a little more and pinking up a little quicker, so they took him over to the warmer for a bit. Scott beamed with pride as he held your son for the first time. You mentioned that was the first time you had ever seen him hold a newborn, and he did it so confidently.
Welcome to the world little man! 6l b8.5oz, 19 1/2" long and born 2/1/11 at 6:55am.
I cannot thank our doula, Tammy, enough for all of her support. Without her and Scott cheering me on, I don't know that I could have made it through the labor that we so wished for. Choosing her to be a part of this experience was, without a doubt, the best decision we made. Thank you Tammy!!!
