So, this may be a long blog, but many people want details of the birth of my son. I've tried to answer many of the questions asked, so it is lengthy. I have it divided into sections in case you want to skip over any of them. Enjoy!
Something I've learned over the years is that every woman has a unique birth experience. Whether they give birth at the hospital, at home or a birthing center - every story will be different. There are no two alike. My story is no different. This blog is not to try to sway someone from giving birth in a hospital or to make anyone feel guilty for having a baby a certain way. This is just my story. My side. My opinions. I think we all have to do what we feel is best for us. And what is best for me, may not be what is best for you.
___________________________________
THE QUESTIONS....... WHY? and IS IT SAFE?
'Why?' and 'Is it safe?' were the two most asked questions I received during my pregnancy. So this is where I'll start.
Something I've learned over the years is that every woman has a unique birth experience. Whether they give birth at the hospital, at home or a birthing center - every story will be different. There are no two alike. My story is no different. This blog is not to try to sway someone from giving birth in a hospital or to make anyone feel guilty for having a baby a certain way. This is just my story. My side. My opinions. I think we all have to do what we feel is best for us. And what is best for me, may not be what is best for you.
___________________________________
THE QUESTIONS....... WHY? and IS IT SAFE?
'Why?' and 'Is it safe?' were the two most asked questions I received during my pregnancy. So this is where I'll start.
Is it safe? Of course it is. Birthing centers are safe for low risk pregnancies. They can't take you if you are high risk (twins, c-section, diabetes, blood clots, etc.), but if you are low risk, it is very safe. I believe it's safer than the hospital - but that's just my opinion. After all, women have been having babies for thousands of years and it was only recently that they began having them in hospitals with all the machines, drugs and intervention. Obviously, there are those who are safer having a child the hospital who at a time in history would have had major complications. Again, I am not against hospitals - but to me it is relative to your particular situation. For me, I was a low risk mamma, so the best choice in my eyes was to do it naturally. So, yes, it is safe. Also, by law, we were required to register at Swedish Hospital in case we needed to be transfered during birth. The Mountain Midwifery is an acredited birthing center which means they follow state laws....they are not a back alley operation!
Why??? There are a couple different reasons I decided to have a natural birth (no drug intervention) at a free standing birthing center - as oppose to the hospital. I had my first child in a hospital and aside from the fact that my daughter was born perfectly healthy and just perfect all together, I was very disappointed with many aspects of the medical profession. Enough to make me reconsider having my second child the same way.
So, what went wrong? I wouldn't say something went wrong, but instead my eyes were open to the fact that I just blindly went through my first pregnancy relying on the doctors to have all the knowledge and me to just sit and say 'yes, ma'am, yes sir' - which I think is the way most doctors like it (from my own personal experience). We haven't been taught any different.
We have to take a test to drive a car, to go to college. We need approval from the state to get married - but anyone can go out and have a a baby and we don't think twice about getting information about it or how to go about doing it. I'm a student, constantly learning something new. I love to learn, so I was a little disappointed in myself when I didn't do more research when I had my first child. I'm not talking about researching pregnancy - that's a very natural state. Giving birth is even natural. But, I never researched the use of drugs during birth. I never questioned all the testing they did during my pregnancy. I was a 'yes ma'am' patient. In hindsight, I see I should have been more prepared and educated so I could have known what was going on and why they were having me do certain things. I shouldn't have put all my trust in the doctors assuming they have all the answers. They do not.
My OBGYN simply didn't have my well being in mind. They say they do - but I don't believe she did. Please don't think I'm putting all doctors into this category. There are many wonderful doctors out there who work for their patients and truly care about them. Unfortunately, I don't think mine did. She questioned pretty much everything about how I lived. The way I ate. My choice to use vitamins, not synthetic medication. And on and on. I seemed to have to defend myself throughout my entire pregnancy. Don't get me wrong. She was a very 'pleasing' and 'nice' doctor - as long as you did things her way.
__________________________________________________
SOME EXAMPLES
Some examples. I had tried taking prenatal vitamins from the store and they absolutely did not agree with my body. So, I did some research and found taking a double dose of a children's vitamin (such as Flinstones) would give me the nutrients I needed and they were easier on the stomach. Well, when asked, I told my OBGYN what I was taking and she didn't like that, so she prescribed a prenatal vitamin for me. I went, spent the $25 for it and they made me sick. So, my next visit, I told her they made me sick so I went back to the children's vitamin. No can do - she prescribed another one. I went, spent another $25 and those made me sick. Well, I know my body well enough that I wasn't going to keep trying anymore prescription prenatals. So, I stopped taking them and continued with the children's. This didn't make her happy (she asked, so I told her, I wasn't going to lie). She told me she wanted me to keep trying the other ones she prescribed because she didn't feel I'd get the proper nutrition with the children's and neither would my baby. Needless to say, I never had any problems with my iron, etc. when they'd do blood tests and when my daughter was born, they said her iron levels were great. I did the same this time around. The midwives never questioned my decision not to take traditional prenatal vitamins. They did let me know of a food based brand at Whole Foods that I could try if I wanted - but nothing was ever forced.
The other thing she kept doing was constantly giving me non-stress tests and ultra sounds without needing to. I had a very healthy pregnancy and the nurses were always impressed with my blood pressure, my heart rate, the baby's heart rate, my weight gain, etc. The non-stress tests didn't hurt or anything, but they wasted my time. On the days she had me do them, I'd be in the office for over 2 hours and many of those times I had my 4 year old nephew with me - bored out of his mind (but he was so patient, gotta love that little guy). The ultra sounds is what really bothered me and for a couple reasons. It isn't the healthiest thing to constantly do ultra sounds. I could understand if it was to monitor the well being of a child in a high risk pregnancy, but that was not my case. Everytime I'd get them done, the ultra sound tech (Jamie) said things are wonderful as usual. So, why did she have me do all these? All I can think is that they got paid each and every time I did one of these tests. They weren't necessary for my well being, nor that of my child. I only had one ultra sound with my second child and that was to find out the sex and to make sure the child was developing properly - he was.
So, now I'm about a month away from my due date and she has me go in for yet another ultra sound. My husband and I went and we saw Jamie again. As per usual, when she was done, she would show us the results so we could actually see what she looked for and what she found. Again, the tests showed that everything was great. She showed us the sonograms and pointed everything out to us. Fluid levels were great. Placenta was great. Baby's size was great. Good report from the doctor. The following week I was in for my weekly prenatal visit and my OBGYN sat me and my husband down to discuss the results of the ultra sound. In a strange turn of events, the ultra sound now showed something completely opposite of what the tech showed us. In dismay, my doctor told us (never did show us anything), she told us that the fluid levels in my uterus were low and my placenta was aging - and these both caused danger for my baby and we had to induce a week early to prevent the baby from not getting the nutrients the baby needs. And, although we thought this was completely strange considering the tech found different results, my doctor played on fear and of course I didn't want to harm my baby. So, we scheduled to be induced a week early, even though I never felt at peace with that decision. Turns out, my doctor, ironically, was scheduled for her vacation on July 10th. I was due on July 14th. She induced me on July 8th. Had I gone into labor while she was on vacation, another doctor would have to take her spot - and her money. Go figure.
Why??? There are a couple different reasons I decided to have a natural birth (no drug intervention) at a free standing birthing center - as oppose to the hospital. I had my first child in a hospital and aside from the fact that my daughter was born perfectly healthy and just perfect all together, I was very disappointed with many aspects of the medical profession. Enough to make me reconsider having my second child the same way.
So, what went wrong? I wouldn't say something went wrong, but instead my eyes were open to the fact that I just blindly went through my first pregnancy relying on the doctors to have all the knowledge and me to just sit and say 'yes, ma'am, yes sir' - which I think is the way most doctors like it (from my own personal experience). We haven't been taught any different.
We have to take a test to drive a car, to go to college. We need approval from the state to get married - but anyone can go out and have a a baby and we don't think twice about getting information about it or how to go about doing it. I'm a student, constantly learning something new. I love to learn, so I was a little disappointed in myself when I didn't do more research when I had my first child. I'm not talking about researching pregnancy - that's a very natural state. Giving birth is even natural. But, I never researched the use of drugs during birth. I never questioned all the testing they did during my pregnancy. I was a 'yes ma'am' patient. In hindsight, I see I should have been more prepared and educated so I could have known what was going on and why they were having me do certain things. I shouldn't have put all my trust in the doctors assuming they have all the answers. They do not.
My OBGYN simply didn't have my well being in mind. They say they do - but I don't believe she did. Please don't think I'm putting all doctors into this category. There are many wonderful doctors out there who work for their patients and truly care about them. Unfortunately, I don't think mine did. She questioned pretty much everything about how I lived. The way I ate. My choice to use vitamins, not synthetic medication. And on and on. I seemed to have to defend myself throughout my entire pregnancy. Don't get me wrong. She was a very 'pleasing' and 'nice' doctor - as long as you did things her way.
__________________________________________________
SOME EXAMPLES
Some examples. I had tried taking prenatal vitamins from the store and they absolutely did not agree with my body. So, I did some research and found taking a double dose of a children's vitamin (such as Flinstones) would give me the nutrients I needed and they were easier on the stomach. Well, when asked, I told my OBGYN what I was taking and she didn't like that, so she prescribed a prenatal vitamin for me. I went, spent the $25 for it and they made me sick. So, my next visit, I told her they made me sick so I went back to the children's vitamin. No can do - she prescribed another one. I went, spent another $25 and those made me sick. Well, I know my body well enough that I wasn't going to keep trying anymore prescription prenatals. So, I stopped taking them and continued with the children's. This didn't make her happy (she asked, so I told her, I wasn't going to lie). She told me she wanted me to keep trying the other ones she prescribed because she didn't feel I'd get the proper nutrition with the children's and neither would my baby. Needless to say, I never had any problems with my iron, etc. when they'd do blood tests and when my daughter was born, they said her iron levels were great. I did the same this time around. The midwives never questioned my decision not to take traditional prenatal vitamins. They did let me know of a food based brand at Whole Foods that I could try if I wanted - but nothing was ever forced.
The other thing she kept doing was constantly giving me non-stress tests and ultra sounds without needing to. I had a very healthy pregnancy and the nurses were always impressed with my blood pressure, my heart rate, the baby's heart rate, my weight gain, etc. The non-stress tests didn't hurt or anything, but they wasted my time. On the days she had me do them, I'd be in the office for over 2 hours and many of those times I had my 4 year old nephew with me - bored out of his mind (but he was so patient, gotta love that little guy). The ultra sounds is what really bothered me and for a couple reasons. It isn't the healthiest thing to constantly do ultra sounds. I could understand if it was to monitor the well being of a child in a high risk pregnancy, but that was not my case. Everytime I'd get them done, the ultra sound tech (Jamie) said things are wonderful as usual. So, why did she have me do all these? All I can think is that they got paid each and every time I did one of these tests. They weren't necessary for my well being, nor that of my child. I only had one ultra sound with my second child and that was to find out the sex and to make sure the child was developing properly - he was.
So, now I'm about a month away from my due date and she has me go in for yet another ultra sound. My husband and I went and we saw Jamie again. As per usual, when she was done, she would show us the results so we could actually see what she looked for and what she found. Again, the tests showed that everything was great. She showed us the sonograms and pointed everything out to us. Fluid levels were great. Placenta was great. Baby's size was great. Good report from the doctor. The following week I was in for my weekly prenatal visit and my OBGYN sat me and my husband down to discuss the results of the ultra sound. In a strange turn of events, the ultra sound now showed something completely opposite of what the tech showed us. In dismay, my doctor told us (never did show us anything), she told us that the fluid levels in my uterus were low and my placenta was aging - and these both caused danger for my baby and we had to induce a week early to prevent the baby from not getting the nutrients the baby needs. And, although we thought this was completely strange considering the tech found different results, my doctor played on fear and of course I didn't want to harm my baby. So, we scheduled to be induced a week early, even though I never felt at peace with that decision. Turns out, my doctor, ironically, was scheduled for her vacation on July 10th. I was due on July 14th. She induced me on July 8th. Had I gone into labor while she was on vacation, another doctor would have to take her spot - and her money. Go figure.
________________________________________________________
THE DAY OF INDUCTION WITH MY FIRST CHILD
We arrived at the hospital at 6am and got ready for my induction. Such a strange feeling to know that I was having a baby that day. I had really wanted to go into labor naturally, but here we were. We check in and I'm in the delivery room on the bed getting hooked up to all these tubes, signing paperwork and as all this was going on, I remember thinking - what am I doing here? I was excited to know that I'd finally meet my daughter that day, but this seemed as unnatural as it could be. What if I had to go to the bathroom and I had all these tubes hanging out of me?
I also signed a waiver to object getting a rubella shot after I gave birth since my blood test at 6 weeks showed a LOW immunity to rubella. I didn't feel a pressing need to get the shot since I'm not huge on vaccinations as it is. I had the legal right and I exercised my right not to have it done. Well, when my doctor came in and I saw her for the first time that day, she was not too happy with me. What a way to start my day. She was mad that I chose not to get the rubella shot after birth. I explained to her that I didn't want it and why and she literally yelled at me. "Do you know how many children contract rubella coming out of the birth canal??????" Slightly irritated now, I just looked at her and said, "Bella will already be born by the time I got the shot - what good would it do her???" She was visibly unhappy with me and mumbled something and walked out of the room.
A little time had passed and my doctor came back and asked me if I planned on having anybody in the room during the birth. I told her yes and she wanted to know how many. A total of four people. She wouldn't look at me, but fiddled around with stuff and said, 'That's too many. You can have two and that's it.' Are you kidding me? For 9 months these 4 people had planned on being in the room and now I have to tell 2 of them they couldn't be in there? I was not about to do that. Even at the birthing class at the hospital, they kept saying, 'You can have 20 people in with you if you want - it's up to you.' Another thing I have to deal with. Thankfully my labor and delivery nurse was wonderful. Ann-Marie had been a midwife for 25 years and was all about a support system and since she was with me until the last few minutes when the doctor finally came in - she never told me I had to make anyone leave. The only bummer was that at one point my brother went outside the door to tell my dad it was getting close and while he was out, the doctor came in and she wouldn't let him back in the room. To this day, I still feel bad about that. I should have spoken up and told her I was paying her and if I wanted him in the room, he could be in the room. She was very bold in telling the people in the room with us that nobody was to move. That where they were is where they had to stay until the baby was born. Wow.
And, last but not least - the delivery. Just a couple things with this situation. First, she wouldn't let my husband even hold my hand during it all. She said I 'needed my strength' to push. I'm sure most women who have given birth know how comforting it is to have your husband by your side and being able to hold your hand. Not in this case. In fact, she had him stand behind some equipment that was near the back of the bed. He was able to put his hand on my shoulder and lean over and talk to me - but I never did see his face. This was our first child and this was how we were able to ahare it with eachother. Second, my doctor gave me an episiotomy without knowing if I was going to tear. She just came in and cut me before my daughter started coming out. Third, she got mad when we asked if my sister could cut the umbilical cord - as if that was a strange request.
So, these were some of my issues with my experience with the medical community and why I chose a different route for the birth of our second child, our son.
__________________________________________________
MY EXPERIENCE AT THE MIDWIFERY / FREE STANDING BIRTHING CENTER
I did a lot of research on this place and had a great recommendation from a friend who had his son there earlier in the year. I read and read and read. I learned about natural childbirth and the benefits of a birth without drug intervention. I became educated on inductions, epidurals and all that stuff. After much learning I realized I wanted to have a drug free birth. By that I mean, a 'no drug intervention' birth.
My husband and I attended an orientation at the midwifery and I 'fell in love' with it that night. The lobby was more of a cabin room. Comfy couches, coffee pots, tea, soft music, wooden floors, etc. Very cozy. The rooms where our prenatal visits took place were of the same taste. Nothing like a doctor's office or examination room. Soft, warm colors. Oak and pine hutches in each room with books on childbirth that you could check out. Every visit they took the time to talk to you and really got to know you. You weren't just a patient, but one of their 'mammas'.
The midwifery believes that a woman has the capability to give birth. We are strong human beings and being pregnant isn't a sickness (which is how some doctors treat it). They have the utmost confidence in you. You even weigh yourself at each visit and go your own urine test for protien levels. They trust you and believe that you are adult enough to weigh yourself. They also believe that you can remember that you have an appt - so no reminder call the day before. May sound strange -but sort of liberating! And one of the best things - you never had to show up 15 minutes early and wait until half and hour after your scheduled appt. to be called in. You got there, signed in and in about 2 minutes, the midwife would come out and you'd have your vcisit.
All the midwives were and are wonderful. They were so nice and genuinely cared about you and your well being, your life choices, your religious choices - everything. And one thing I always liked was when I'd go in for an appt, everyone knew me by name. "Hi, Kari. Ooh, you're getting bigger." "I hear your appt went well last time." That was always nice. I also liked that if you ever needed any supplements to help with iron or stuff like that - they had you go to Whole Foods or Vitamin Cottage to get it. Healthy stuff - I like that.
As I neared my due date, the midwives were always on alert and very encouraging about Scout's birth. They'd even called him Scout instead of saying, 'Well, in case the ultra sound was wrong, we'll just say baby.' They made the 8 months I went their very enjoyable and worthwhile.
This is a place I definitely recommend to anyone who wants a natural birth experience and wants to enjoy the miracle of pregnancy with people who truly care about you as a person.
____________________________________________
THE BIRTH
My due date was February 20, 2009. Now, for those of you who have been pregnant, most of us get to the place of 'I'm ready'. It doesn't take away from the miracle of it all, but there comes a point in time when you are just plain tired, uncomfortable and just want to get back to normal.
My 38 week appointment, I was 3 cm dialated and 80% effaced and 0 engaged, which meant he had dropped 4 stations (the 4 stations of early labor) and was resting peacefully in my pelvis. He was peaceful, but it made me uncomfortable. My 39 week appointment I was now 6 cm dialated, still 80% effaced and he was at station 1 - which means he was still moving down and trying to get out. This was very uncomfortable for me. It was obvious to me that I had something lodged in my pelvis. I felt it. When I walked, it looked like it. The midwife who I saw that day told me she believed I would be having a baby within the next couple days. She was so sure, in fact, that she told me she would sleep at the midwifery that night in case I went into labor that night. That was exciting news.
So, we made arrangements to have my parents take our daughter and dog in case I did go into labor that evening. My husband and I took a walk in the cold snow and then came home and watched a movie. I was now keeping in touch with the midwife every couple hours to keep her updated. During the movie, I started feeling contractions, so we started timing them. They weren't terrible, just a little uncomfortable. At first they were sporadic, then they kept hovering around 4-7 minutes apart lasting about 30-40 seconds each. At about 10:30pm I talked to the midwife and she told us to head on in, so we did.
At about 1am, my contractions were consistantly 3 minutes apart lasting 45 seconds each. At 4:00 nothing had changed. Our midwife suggested we go home and labor at home until something changed. That's what we did. We went home and went to bed, after calling our parents to let them know there was no baby yet. After I woke up, things were the same and continued to be 3 minutes apart throughout the afternoon.
I spoke with another midwife early that morning and she wanted me to come in and check me out that afternoon. We went and she checked me out and I was only 6.5 cm and about 90% effaced, still at station 1. She too said that I would be having a baby that weekend. My body was working on it.
So, we went home and waited. My parents kept Bella and we just went about our normal routine. Later that night, we went for another walk (which is suppose to help labor) and we watched Walk the Line. During the movie I was still having contractions, but they got really sporadic and were all over the place. I called the midwife on call and she told me to keep her updated. She offered to break my water for me and I decided against doing that. By the time we went to bed, my contractions had completely stopped. This was a little frustrating, but it was what it was.
THE DAY OF INDUCTION WITH MY FIRST CHILD
We arrived at the hospital at 6am and got ready for my induction. Such a strange feeling to know that I was having a baby that day. I had really wanted to go into labor naturally, but here we were. We check in and I'm in the delivery room on the bed getting hooked up to all these tubes, signing paperwork and as all this was going on, I remember thinking - what am I doing here? I was excited to know that I'd finally meet my daughter that day, but this seemed as unnatural as it could be. What if I had to go to the bathroom and I had all these tubes hanging out of me?
I also signed a waiver to object getting a rubella shot after I gave birth since my blood test at 6 weeks showed a LOW immunity to rubella. I didn't feel a pressing need to get the shot since I'm not huge on vaccinations as it is. I had the legal right and I exercised my right not to have it done. Well, when my doctor came in and I saw her for the first time that day, she was not too happy with me. What a way to start my day. She was mad that I chose not to get the rubella shot after birth. I explained to her that I didn't want it and why and she literally yelled at me. "Do you know how many children contract rubella coming out of the birth canal??????" Slightly irritated now, I just looked at her and said, "Bella will already be born by the time I got the shot - what good would it do her???" She was visibly unhappy with me and mumbled something and walked out of the room.
A little time had passed and my doctor came back and asked me if I planned on having anybody in the room during the birth. I told her yes and she wanted to know how many. A total of four people. She wouldn't look at me, but fiddled around with stuff and said, 'That's too many. You can have two and that's it.' Are you kidding me? For 9 months these 4 people had planned on being in the room and now I have to tell 2 of them they couldn't be in there? I was not about to do that. Even at the birthing class at the hospital, they kept saying, 'You can have 20 people in with you if you want - it's up to you.' Another thing I have to deal with. Thankfully my labor and delivery nurse was wonderful. Ann-Marie had been a midwife for 25 years and was all about a support system and since she was with me until the last few minutes when the doctor finally came in - she never told me I had to make anyone leave. The only bummer was that at one point my brother went outside the door to tell my dad it was getting close and while he was out, the doctor came in and she wouldn't let him back in the room. To this day, I still feel bad about that. I should have spoken up and told her I was paying her and if I wanted him in the room, he could be in the room. She was very bold in telling the people in the room with us that nobody was to move. That where they were is where they had to stay until the baby was born. Wow.
And, last but not least - the delivery. Just a couple things with this situation. First, she wouldn't let my husband even hold my hand during it all. She said I 'needed my strength' to push. I'm sure most women who have given birth know how comforting it is to have your husband by your side and being able to hold your hand. Not in this case. In fact, she had him stand behind some equipment that was near the back of the bed. He was able to put his hand on my shoulder and lean over and talk to me - but I never did see his face. This was our first child and this was how we were able to ahare it with eachother. Second, my doctor gave me an episiotomy without knowing if I was going to tear. She just came in and cut me before my daughter started coming out. Third, she got mad when we asked if my sister could cut the umbilical cord - as if that was a strange request.
So, these were some of my issues with my experience with the medical community and why I chose a different route for the birth of our second child, our son.
__________________________________________________
MY EXPERIENCE AT THE MIDWIFERY / FREE STANDING BIRTHING CENTER
I did a lot of research on this place and had a great recommendation from a friend who had his son there earlier in the year. I read and read and read. I learned about natural childbirth and the benefits of a birth without drug intervention. I became educated on inductions, epidurals and all that stuff. After much learning I realized I wanted to have a drug free birth. By that I mean, a 'no drug intervention' birth.
My husband and I attended an orientation at the midwifery and I 'fell in love' with it that night. The lobby was more of a cabin room. Comfy couches, coffee pots, tea, soft music, wooden floors, etc. Very cozy. The rooms where our prenatal visits took place were of the same taste. Nothing like a doctor's office or examination room. Soft, warm colors. Oak and pine hutches in each room with books on childbirth that you could check out. Every visit they took the time to talk to you and really got to know you. You weren't just a patient, but one of their 'mammas'.
The midwifery believes that a woman has the capability to give birth. We are strong human beings and being pregnant isn't a sickness (which is how some doctors treat it). They have the utmost confidence in you. You even weigh yourself at each visit and go your own urine test for protien levels. They trust you and believe that you are adult enough to weigh yourself. They also believe that you can remember that you have an appt - so no reminder call the day before. May sound strange -but sort of liberating! And one of the best things - you never had to show up 15 minutes early and wait until half and hour after your scheduled appt. to be called in. You got there, signed in and in about 2 minutes, the midwife would come out and you'd have your vcisit.
All the midwives were and are wonderful. They were so nice and genuinely cared about you and your well being, your life choices, your religious choices - everything. And one thing I always liked was when I'd go in for an appt, everyone knew me by name. "Hi, Kari. Ooh, you're getting bigger." "I hear your appt went well last time." That was always nice. I also liked that if you ever needed any supplements to help with iron or stuff like that - they had you go to Whole Foods or Vitamin Cottage to get it. Healthy stuff - I like that.
As I neared my due date, the midwives were always on alert and very encouraging about Scout's birth. They'd even called him Scout instead of saying, 'Well, in case the ultra sound was wrong, we'll just say baby.' They made the 8 months I went their very enjoyable and worthwhile.
This is a place I definitely recommend to anyone who wants a natural birth experience and wants to enjoy the miracle of pregnancy with people who truly care about you as a person.
____________________________________________
THE BIRTH
My due date was February 20, 2009. Now, for those of you who have been pregnant, most of us get to the place of 'I'm ready'. It doesn't take away from the miracle of it all, but there comes a point in time when you are just plain tired, uncomfortable and just want to get back to normal.
My 38 week appointment, I was 3 cm dialated and 80% effaced and 0 engaged, which meant he had dropped 4 stations (the 4 stations of early labor) and was resting peacefully in my pelvis. He was peaceful, but it made me uncomfortable. My 39 week appointment I was now 6 cm dialated, still 80% effaced and he was at station 1 - which means he was still moving down and trying to get out. This was very uncomfortable for me. It was obvious to me that I had something lodged in my pelvis. I felt it. When I walked, it looked like it. The midwife who I saw that day told me she believed I would be having a baby within the next couple days. She was so sure, in fact, that she told me she would sleep at the midwifery that night in case I went into labor that night. That was exciting news.
So, we made arrangements to have my parents take our daughter and dog in case I did go into labor that evening. My husband and I took a walk in the cold snow and then came home and watched a movie. I was now keeping in touch with the midwife every couple hours to keep her updated. During the movie, I started feeling contractions, so we started timing them. They weren't terrible, just a little uncomfortable. At first they were sporadic, then they kept hovering around 4-7 minutes apart lasting about 30-40 seconds each. At about 10:30pm I talked to the midwife and she told us to head on in, so we did.
At about 1am, my contractions were consistantly 3 minutes apart lasting 45 seconds each. At 4:00 nothing had changed. Our midwife suggested we go home and labor at home until something changed. That's what we did. We went home and went to bed, after calling our parents to let them know there was no baby yet. After I woke up, things were the same and continued to be 3 minutes apart throughout the afternoon.
I spoke with another midwife early that morning and she wanted me to come in and check me out that afternoon. We went and she checked me out and I was only 6.5 cm and about 90% effaced, still at station 1. She too said that I would be having a baby that weekend. My body was working on it.
So, we went home and waited. My parents kept Bella and we just went about our normal routine. Later that night, we went for another walk (which is suppose to help labor) and we watched Walk the Line. During the movie I was still having contractions, but they got really sporadic and were all over the place. I called the midwife on call and she told me to keep her updated. She offered to break my water for me and I decided against doing that. By the time we went to bed, my contractions had completely stopped. This was a little frustrating, but it was what it was.
At 5am I woke up and called my dad to tell them that we never did go in that night so there was still no Scout. After I hung up I went to the bathroom and when I got back into bed, I felt a contraction like I had never felt before and it didn't seem to stop. I laid there for about 5 minutes and when the pain didn't stop, I woke my husband up and told him that I was having contractions and they really hurt. He immediately went into the 'good husband' mode and got up, got dressed and was ready to go in about 3 minutes flat. I called the midwife and when she heard me she said, 'Something's different...' and she told us to come on in. I called my dad back and let him know we were heading in.
The whole ride in, I hurt. When we got there, I just walked around and tried to get through each contraction. They definitely were completely different than what I was feeling before. Everyone kept telling me, 'you'll know when they're the real contractions'. They were right. The contractions kept getting more intense, but I was able to get through them with very good breathing, walking, leaning over a chair and swaying my hips back and forth. After a while, I got in the birthing pool to help ease the discomfort, and it really worked. My husband sat on the outside of the pool and I leaned over the edge holding his hands and he helped me get through each contractions.
After just a short time, I felt the 'burning' and the midwife said she could see a little head starting to peak through. Now, my plan was originally to give birth outside of the pool. I hadn't planned on a water birth, but things sort of changed. Out of nowhere, it felt like a balloon inflated in my back side (beautiful, huh?). This is where the pain was so immense, I didn't know what to do. I didn't have time to get out of the pool to 'give birth', so I started pushing while I was still in the pool. It hurt and I let my husband, the midwife and the nurse know it. After about 3 or 4 pushes, Scout's little head was out of me, but he seemed to be a tad stuck. I felt the midwife trying to help him out, but it wasn't working, so they had to get me out of the water fast. My husband and the nurse and the midwife all got me out in about 5 seconds and put me on the floor and had me push again. At that moment, the other midwife who was there, came in and felt my stomach and could tell that his shoulders were stuck in my pelvic bone (from coming way too fast...he didn't have time to alternate his shoulders to exit my pelvis). She gave a good push on my stomach and little Scout came out. That was the best feeling - such relief. They placed him on my stomach and chest and I just laid there for a couple minutes, out of breath with my eyes closed. They had to give him about 3 breaths of oxygen, but that was all he needed to get going. He started to cry and it was the most beautiful sound.
They finished what they had to do and got me and Scout on the bed. I did lose a lot of blood and was feeling a bit weak. A while later I almost passed out and they needed to get me on a pitocin drip. All the while, my son was on the bed with me and my husband was by my side. Though it was painful and a completely new experience for me, it was amazing and looking back, if I had another child, I would do it the same way. It is such an empowering experience to be able to give birth, fully aware of what's going on. Women are strong and I learned that we will go through anything for our children - even before we've ever seen their face.
The midwives were wonderful and took such good care of me and my baby. My husband was right there the entire time being the most wonderful husband I could ask for. We went home around 8 hours after Scout was born. Our first night home was wonderful. I was able to rest, my husband was able to rest and even Scout slept. He'd eat and go right to sleep. How wonderful is that?!
So, that was my experience, minus a couple details. To this day I'm still amazed at how God created our bodies and has given women the ability to conceive, grow a baby and give birth. It's a wonderful and miraculous journey that has given us two wonderful children. I am grateful to be given the honor of being a mother. I wouldn't trade it for anything. This is life. This is love.
Mountain Midwifery Center - website, has a video tour of the facilities
The whole ride in, I hurt. When we got there, I just walked around and tried to get through each contraction. They definitely were completely different than what I was feeling before. Everyone kept telling me, 'you'll know when they're the real contractions'. They were right. The contractions kept getting more intense, but I was able to get through them with very good breathing, walking, leaning over a chair and swaying my hips back and forth. After a while, I got in the birthing pool to help ease the discomfort, and it really worked. My husband sat on the outside of the pool and I leaned over the edge holding his hands and he helped me get through each contractions.
After just a short time, I felt the 'burning' and the midwife said she could see a little head starting to peak through. Now, my plan was originally to give birth outside of the pool. I hadn't planned on a water birth, but things sort of changed. Out of nowhere, it felt like a balloon inflated in my back side (beautiful, huh?). This is where the pain was so immense, I didn't know what to do. I didn't have time to get out of the pool to 'give birth', so I started pushing while I was still in the pool. It hurt and I let my husband, the midwife and the nurse know it. After about 3 or 4 pushes, Scout's little head was out of me, but he seemed to be a tad stuck. I felt the midwife trying to help him out, but it wasn't working, so they had to get me out of the water fast. My husband and the nurse and the midwife all got me out in about 5 seconds and put me on the floor and had me push again. At that moment, the other midwife who was there, came in and felt my stomach and could tell that his shoulders were stuck in my pelvic bone (from coming way too fast...he didn't have time to alternate his shoulders to exit my pelvis). She gave a good push on my stomach and little Scout came out. That was the best feeling - such relief. They placed him on my stomach and chest and I just laid there for a couple minutes, out of breath with my eyes closed. They had to give him about 3 breaths of oxygen, but that was all he needed to get going. He started to cry and it was the most beautiful sound.
They finished what they had to do and got me and Scout on the bed. I did lose a lot of blood and was feeling a bit weak. A while later I almost passed out and they needed to get me on a pitocin drip. All the while, my son was on the bed with me and my husband was by my side. Though it was painful and a completely new experience for me, it was amazing and looking back, if I had another child, I would do it the same way. It is such an empowering experience to be able to give birth, fully aware of what's going on. Women are strong and I learned that we will go through anything for our children - even before we've ever seen their face.
The midwives were wonderful and took such good care of me and my baby. My husband was right there the entire time being the most wonderful husband I could ask for. We went home around 8 hours after Scout was born. Our first night home was wonderful. I was able to rest, my husband was able to rest and even Scout slept. He'd eat and go right to sleep. How wonderful is that?!
So, that was my experience, minus a couple details. To this day I'm still amazed at how God created our bodies and has given women the ability to conceive, grow a baby and give birth. It's a wonderful and miraculous journey that has given us two wonderful children. I am grateful to be given the honor of being a mother. I wouldn't trade it for anything. This is life. This is love.
Mountain Midwifery Center - website, has a video tour of the facilities
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