NaturalChildbirth.org

[Psalm127]

So this is my birth story with my second daughter. All during the pregnancy I read everything I could get my hands on concerning labor and delivery. Probably the most important book I read that lead me to make the decisions that I did was "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth." Also, throughout the whole pregnancy I prayed that God grant me a peaceful delivery. While my first birth was great, I knew it could be better. So with this birth experience my goal was no induction, no pain meds, no IV, very little EFM, more moving around (versus staying in the bed) no artificial rupturing of membranes, and no being co-erced into pushing before I felt ready. Utlimately, if I'd had my way I would have used a midwife and avoided the hospital entirely. But my darling fearful husband refused so I just decided to make for the best hospital experience possible.

The few days leading up to my edd consisted of alot of pre-labor contractions. They were quite tricky and I even called my husband in from offshore because they were coming so regularly. But then they would quit entirely. Stupid Braxton Hicks! I was so disappointed when my DH finally got home after hours of driving only to tell him the contractions had stopped. But at least he was home for when labor did start.
We went to bed that night and I awoke at 5am feeling the exact same back pains that started my first labor. Feeling fairly certain that this could be it, I went about my day. I ate and rested and even decorated my house for Christmas. Of course I let my DH and family know that I was having steady contractions. I spent all day at home and it was really nice. My family had come over and it helped pass the time. I occassionally checked myself for dilation and effacement just to make sure things weren't progressing so fast I wouldn't make it to the hospital (I would have been fine with a homebirth but it would have freaked the fam out!). The contractions didn't hurt at all. That evening they picked up in intenstiy. One in particular was so intense I decided it was time to head to the hospital an hour away. At this point, the cervix had softened considerably and had dilated some. I had lost some of mucus plug as well.
When we got to the hospital they hooked me up to the EFM and checked for dilation. I was around 5cm. Because it was a Sunday night I was the only one there so I had the staff all to myself. They were very supportive of my birth plan. They gave me a hep-lock but didn't hook me up the IV per my wishes. I had gobbled a granola bar on the way to the hospital and they allowed me Sprite, Gatorade, and popsicles while I was there. I spent the next few hours laughing and visiting with family. The contractions picked up in intensity but were never unbearable. When a contraction would come I would would breathe through them and concentrate and relaxing every inch of my body.
My plans were to get off the EFM and move around but I never felt the urge. I was perfectly comfy sitting straight up in the bed. However, laying down made the contractions feel horrendous so I avoided laying like the plague! Finally, around 9 cm (must have been going through transition) I was tired of talking and wanted privacy. I kicked everyone except my mother and DH out. They took it well! I also, for the first time since arriving at the hospital, wanted to get out of the bed. So I unhooked from the EFM and went to the bathroom. Then I spent a little time in a rocking chair. It wasn't horrible but it wasn't great in the chair. I would breathe and rock real hard when a contraction came. The only relief I got was when I rocked forward and it would throw my big ole belly forward. That feeling relieved some of the pressure. But as soon as I rocked back it was the opposite effect. Ouch.
I was getting real tired and now had the shivers from transition. My pastor came in to pray with me over the birth and then I got back in bed after he left. At this point my bag of waters still had not ruptured on their own. I requested my nurse rupture it for me because I was so ready to get it all over with. At this point I had been in labor around 18 and 1/2 hours.
That's when the contractions got super intense and I went into "that place." I think only a women who has given birth naturally really knows what I mean by "that place." It's the place where it's like the rest of the world goes away except you and your body. You are aware of the outside world but it seems more like a dream. I was now at 10cm. At one point my doc rushed in thinking I was ready to push and I told her No. I felt no urge. She respected my no and went away. About an hour later (maybe a little less) I still wasn't feeling the urge to push but knew I was at 10cm from a previous cervical exam. I was sooooo tired and ready to get it over with. So I called in doc and told her I wanted to try pushing. That was an experience. With my first, the local had deadened the perineal area so I felt nothing. This time, I felt it ALL. The bulging, the stretching, the pressure. Despite the pain, I would definately do it that way again because I could feel HOW to do it myself. I was able to completely ignore the counting nurse. If I wanted to stop then I did. If I felt I needed to push harder then I did. 10 minutes of pushing and out came a 8lbs13oz girl. She was huge!! Big headed and barrel chested like a dude. I experienced only a mild superficial tear that was easily mended. After they stitched me and cleaned her up I was able to nurse. She was an immediate pro.

Gosh. Just reliving this makes me feel so good. Did I compromise on some things like the EFM and artificial rupturing of membranes? I did but I don't regret those decisions. They were, after all, MY decisions. Not forced upon me. I cannot explain how good I feel about that birth. It was, like I had prayed for, so peaceful. Yeah, it was long at 19 and 1/2 hours. Longer than my first at 18 hours. But I'll take long and peaceful over short and killer any day!

[Psalm127]

Let me just add this. My doc and staff were amazed at the birth. The doc even commented that I should have been on "Baby Story" and that I should become a childbirth educator. It's a rare occurence to impress a doc who's probably seen it all. If only they could understand a woman CAN do it without all the interventions. Perhaps then more births would be that beautiful and less traumatic.

[blondie]

I loved both of your birth stories, but especially this one! Very good point about not minding the "compromises" because they were YOUR choices. I've heard enough women say things like that to convince me that being the decision maker, or one of the decision makers (i.e. w/ DH) is key.

I'm due any day now with my first, and I really appreciate you posting these stories right now. I need all the low-intervention birth stories i can get! Thank you!