A Birth Story // Part II

When I say that I labored in all positions, I mean it. We walked the halls a lot. I would sit on the birthing ball and roll my hips in figure 8s. Then, when the nurse spotted the heart rate issue, I had to add several other positions. They dropped the bed, and I was in a sitting position. I went through several contractions that way. Then they laid me back down and put a peanut ball between my legs - having me bend back a bit. Not a fan of that one at all. And then I was asked to get on all fours - rocking back and forth. Then, they brought the birthing ball for me to wrap my arms around and rock. Finally, they got Corey involved, and we did the “slow-dance” position. We did this for about 2 hours. Switching between each one every 20 - 25 minutes. 

During all of this, the nurse kept monitoring my baby’s heart rate. Thankfully, her advice worked, and it started to remain steady. I was told that I could labor however I felt the most comfortable from that point on. While this was good news, this was also about the time that I started to struggle a bit. I began to waver in my decision to attempt this without medication. As I swayed through another contraction, the pain was so intense. I remember telling Corey, “I think I’m going to need something to get through this. It hurts so bad.” He told me that he supported that decision, and so I asked the nurse for some medication.

BUT it was too late. Originally, she told me that she’d bring me some pain medication to give me through my IV. Before she left the room, she checked me and said I was past 8 cm. When she returned empty-handed, I knew I wouldn’t be getting anything. “I’m so sorry. They told me that since you are at an 8, we can’t administer any medication.” I asked about nitrous, and she said they were out. I almost cried as I swayed from side to side next to the bed. The contractions were getting closer together, and they were painful. I mentally scolded myself, “Why did you think it was a good idea to do this without any drugs?” And just as another contraction peaked, a second nurse came in and declared that the nitrous had been restocked. She connected the mask, and they gave me instructions on what I had to do.

This is when time felt like it was going by really fast and slow all at the same time. I got up on the bed with the birthing ball and the nitrous mask. I had several contractions in that position before I was rechecked. Another nurse came in, and the doctor appeared. There was a whirlwind of pulling tables closer to the bed, and the doctor asked me to get on my back. She checked me and said, “It’s time to push.” The nurse told her I wanted to go with a squat bar for delivery, but the doctor said it wasn’t an option due to the umbilical cord. She needed access in case my son wasn’t breathing and she needed to perform lifesaving measures. My feet were placed in stirrups, and Corey was asked where he’d like to stand. My daughter and mother were sitting behind the doctor, and they opted to stay in the room.

As the doctor instructed me to push, I bared down, and that’s when I started to feel the “ring of fire”. It was so intense. As soon as the next contraction peaked, she said, “PUSH.” I pushed down as hard as I could. Other people were saying words of encouragement, but I tried to focus on the doctor. I was tired, and the pain felt like it was never going to end. The next contraction started, and soon after, I heard her say again, “PUSH.” This time, I pushed, but I didn’t do a full push. I felt weak and exhausted. I remember looking at Corey and thinking, “I can’t do this.” And that’s when I heard someone say, “He’s almost out, he’s right there, one more good push.” And I gave it all I had. My right leg came down, and the nurse had to grab it and place it back up. But I bared down, and within seconds, he was out. They placed him on my chest, and he let out a cry while I let out a sigh of relief. He was finally here.

Wordless Wednesday

 

A Birth Story // Part I

My entire pregnancy was relatively “easy” but we had to change plans a couple of times. And then when it came to labor and delivery, I ended up having to be induced. While I had hoped to avoid induction, my doctor felt it was the best course of action. So, that’s what we did.

The Monday before my scheduled induction I let my employer know I would be out. I finalized my sick pool request, which was granted. Thankfully. That Tuesday, I worked on “tying up loose ends” and handing over important documents to the person taking on some of my duties. I said bye to everyone and went home to pack.

That afternoon, I packed my hospital bag and went over a mental checklist. Gown, socks, toiletries, snacks, adult diapers, phone charger, etc. I placed my son’s going-home outfit in my bag and had Corey check that the car seat was installed properly. He then made sure to pack his pillow and loaded up our bags. It felt unreal that, God willing, by that time on the following day our son would be here.

The day of my induction started early for us. We had to be at the hospital by 5 AM which meant we had to be up at 4 AM. Our alarm went off, and we made sure to gather the last bit of things we needed. We fixed our coffee and grabbed some breakfast. I walked into my daughter’s room and gave her a kiss. I told her I’d see her later and off we went.

The drive was pretty quiet as I was mentally preparing myself for what I was about to go through. The plan was to labor and deliver without any kind of pain medication. I had done it with my daughter, and I was adamant about doing it again. But that meant I would have to endure quite a bit of pain. So, I sipped on my coffee and ate my breakfast as we traveled down the winding back road towards the hospital. I kept thinking about how our lives were about to change, forever.

Once we arrived at the hospital the check-in process was simple. We were taken back to our room, and I started the process of getting ready. The nurse hooked up my IV and the wireless monitor system. Another nurse asked how I’d like to labor, and I informed her of my wishes. We were given some more paperwork, and then I was told that the Pitocin would be started after the doctor came in to check on me. Corey went out to grab some breakfast, and I recorded a little vlog while I waited.

By 7 AM, we had met the nurses who would be our “team”. We discussed natural pain management, and alternative non-medication options available. And because it’s required we went over epidurals and medications available should I change my mind. Then, I was checked for dilation, and the Pitocin was started. Everyone kept telling me that this would go by fast because I was already dilated to 6 cm. From that point, we just had to wait for the contractions to start.

Over the next few hours, I requested a birthing ball and spoke to the nurse about different delivery positions. We discussed the availability of a squat bar, getting on all fours, and even sitting upright. Thankfully, my doctor was open to whatever I felt comfortable doing. During this time my mom arrived. My father-in-law and my daughter came as well. The contractions were mild, and I rolled through them on the birthing ball. By 11 AM they broke my water.

The contractions remained mild, but it was about 1 PM when the nurse came in with concerns about my son’s heart rate and my lack of progression. She checked the monitor and confirmed that with every contraction I had, my baby’s heart rate would drop. She checked me and then stated that she felt the cord was wrapped around his neck. So, she started having me labor in different positions. Switching every 20 minutes. If this didn’t help or resolve the issue then we’d have to discuss other options...