Disclaimer: This birth story includes some graphic detail, adult language and birth pictures
If you have been reading my blog then you are very familiar with my pregnancy and how over it I was. I firmly believe babies are born when they are ready, but what with being on pelvic rest and experiencing constant pain I was VERY ready for this baby to be born.
Before I really begin this story I cannot stress enough how different my two birth experiences were. They were chalk and cheese, in the best possible way. If you haven't already read Leopold's Birth Story you can find it here http://the-littlest-teacup.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/leopolds-birth-story-part-1.html and here http://the-littlest-teacup.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/leopolds-birth-story-part-2.html.
I'd been in pre-labour for weeks and was totally fed up. My contractions, which came and went sporadically, had often been painful and they were definitely doing something (I was slowly dilating), but it was still incredibly frustrating. I remembered all the pre-labour I had experienced in the 10 or so days leading up to Leo's birth and the similarity made me fearful that I was looking at another long, 'stop and start' labour. I was not coping emotionally and had to keep reminding myself that I WAS going to have a better birth and be able to move past the trauma I had previously gone through.
On Friday the 10th of May at around noon my doctor performed an s&s at my request (my second in the last week), I was 3cm dilated and we booked my induction date. My doctor (R) reassured me that I would more than likely have this baby well before my EDD (May 12th). I went in for a CTG at 3pm due to slightly high BP (high for me anyway) and the monitor was picking up tightenings, but as I'd been contracting for so long I didn't read much into it. The midwife remarked that she also didn't think I'd make my EDD.
At 4pm a family friend popped around, I was contracting regularly, but ignoring them. By 5pm I thought "Maybe this is it?", but didn't allow myself to get my hopes up. She left at 5.30pm and my surges got intense straight away. As soon as she was out the door I was on my hands and knees groaning. Gaz had had no idea the contractions were this strong and we were both laughing at how ridiculous it was that I hadn't made a peep while we had had company!
I got in the shower and asked Gaz to call MIL (Sue) and her partner and let them know things might be happening. Not 10 minutes later I yelled for him to get them here now because by 6pm I knew I was definitely in labour. They came over, we put on my TENS and I laboured at home for awhile, making casual conversation and cuddling Leopold between the surges. I was very aware that these may be the last hours he had as an only child and that saddened and excited me. I remember lying over the gym ball and Leo came up behind me to rub my back and give me a big hug. It was a gorgeous moment.
I started leaking and thought my waters had broken so at 7pm we decided to head up to the hospital, not knowing if bubs was engaged or not. I kissed Leo goodbye (he was happily watching 'The Little Mermaid with Sue's partner, his poppy) and burst into tears at the thought of leaving him.
The ride to the hospital was awful. I had two contractions on the 5 minute drive so knew things were moving along. We arrived at hospital and the midwife (E) did an internal. I was 3-4cm, fully effaced, bubs was slowly engaging and membranes intact. I wanted to go home at this point despite the pain, but they asked me to stay for a 15 minute CTG. I HATED being attached to the monitors, especially as it brought back horrible memories of Leo's birth, and within minutes was screaming for a shower. They hurried the CTG along, I think I was only on the monitors for maybe 10 minutes, I took off the TENS, and hopped under the shower (this was at around 7.30pm). At first it was bliss and seemed to ease the pain, but it wasn't long before the shower wasn't cutting it and I was demanding a bath.
R arrived at this point and I was suprised to see him given the fact that I was only in 'early' labour. We exchanged pleasantries (I was barely even aware of my nudity!) and he left me to do my thing.
Finally the bath was ready at about 8pm and I could feel the baby moving down through my pelvis, my hips felt like they were on fire and each contraction was beyond agonising. I kept asking why it hurt so much, thinking that I was only in early labour with hours to go. I remember saying I couldn't do it if it was going to be a 31 hour labour like my first time and E urged me to put all negativity from my mind and focus, commenting that she doubted I had much more than an hour left. I did my best to breathe properly and found myself getting dizzy and frustrated. This was obviously transition and while part of my brain was aware of that and I was so happy to feel my body doing all the right things, another part was being completely irrational and ridiculous. I was definitely NOT quiet or demure during labour, especially transition, I was very, very loud and obnoxious! E told me the contractions were coming every 3 minutes to which I declared "3 minutes my arse!" and asked for an epidural. Everyone in the vicinity (R, E, Sue, Gaz and another midwife, C) just laughed. The hospital doesn't even perform epidurals and even though I was under the impression I had forever to go I was clearly close. I think I just wanted a way to express how painful it was because I never even thought about asking for pethidine or gas and air. Excluding the brief CTG monitoring when we first arrived at the hospital, the only monitoring I received was via a doppler every 15 minutes or so and E timed my contractions by observing my stomach's tightening. While in the bath Gaz and Sue were such a huge physical support for me, allowing me to squeeze their hands to pulp and placing cool cloths on my forehead.
Then I started feeling an urge to push. I freaked out, unsure what was happening. This was at about 10 to 9pm. I had a bright show and got out of the tub. I was starting to bear down involuntarily with each surge, but still was in denial I was about to have a baby. I managed to hobble back into the birthing room with the assistance of Gaz and C and saw R standing there grinning at me, already in his apron and gloves. This puzzled me. Surely I wasn't fully dilated? There was no way in Hell things had happened this fast! I said something to the effect and once again there was laughter and E said that they could write a textbook on my labour and my noises and actions let them know this baby was coming now.
I knew I wouldn't be getting on the bed to deliver so stood at the end of the bed, naked, wet and clinging to Gaz saying "I need to poo!" (isn't labour glamorous?). R was behind me and for the first time since my shower spoke directly to me and said "You do whatever your body tells you. It knows what to do. That's your baby you're feeling". I reached down between my legs and thought I got feel something. I did my first real push and felt him move even lower. Just after declaring that my waters hadn't broken with the second push they did (poor Gaz's feet got soaked). Third push I felt him crown and I looked up at my midwives to say "I can feel his hair!. I was in a state of shock. He was right there. He was about to be born. Everyone in the room was laughing and smiling. No one was touching me except Gaz, I was practically hanging off his neck (Sue was jumping around taking pictures). With one last big push from my body (and what I can only describe as roaring from me), Archer was born through my hands and into R's. As I was standing to deliver I had to turn around and scooch up onto the bed to properly hold Archer. He was tiny, covered in vernix and asleep! He soon woke up though and was already so peaceful and alert. I had very heavy bleeding straight after birth and started passing big clots so sadly didn't get the physiological third stage I wanted. I also had a second degree tear that required stitching, probably one of the most uncomfortable parts of the whole experience as my local anesthetics didn't work properly, but it was completely bearable as I was holding my little boy in my arms and focusing on his first feed. Other than that my labour was perfect and we were home within 19 hours of delivery.
Archer was born at 9.01pm on Friday the 10th of May, 2 hours after arriving at the hospital and less than 5 minutes of pushing. He weighed 6lb 8oz/2.96kg, was 49cm with a 35cm head circumference. It felt awesome to have such an empowering, natural birth with an amazing support team. No IVs, no drugs, no one telling me to push (in fact I never really had to push, my body just did that for me).
I cannot really describe the feelings I experienced. Knowing my body and my baby worked so well together and being able to achieve the healing birth I wanted was so incredible. Gaz also has remarked how much he loved Arch's birth and he felt respected as my partner and like he was actually able to contribute to the delivery and provide the support I needed.
It was truly the best experience of my life :)
If you have been reading my blog then you are very familiar with my pregnancy and how over it I was. I firmly believe babies are born when they are ready, but what with being on pelvic rest and experiencing constant pain I was VERY ready for this baby to be born.
Before I really begin this story I cannot stress enough how different my two birth experiences were. They were chalk and cheese, in the best possible way. If you haven't already read Leopold's Birth Story you can find it here http://the-littlest-teacup.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/leopolds-birth-story-part-1.html and here http://the-littlest-teacup.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/leopolds-birth-story-part-2.html.
I'd been in pre-labour for weeks and was totally fed up. My contractions, which came and went sporadically, had often been painful and they were definitely doing something (I was slowly dilating), but it was still incredibly frustrating. I remembered all the pre-labour I had experienced in the 10 or so days leading up to Leo's birth and the similarity made me fearful that I was looking at another long, 'stop and start' labour. I was not coping emotionally and had to keep reminding myself that I WAS going to have a better birth and be able to move past the trauma I had previously gone through.
On Friday the 10th of May at around noon my doctor performed an s&s at my request (my second in the last week), I was 3cm dilated and we booked my induction date. My doctor (R) reassured me that I would more than likely have this baby well before my EDD (May 12th). I went in for a CTG at 3pm due to slightly high BP (high for me anyway) and the monitor was picking up tightenings, but as I'd been contracting for so long I didn't read much into it. The midwife remarked that she also didn't think I'd make my EDD.
At 4pm a family friend popped around, I was contracting regularly, but ignoring them. By 5pm I thought "Maybe this is it?", but didn't allow myself to get my hopes up. She left at 5.30pm and my surges got intense straight away. As soon as she was out the door I was on my hands and knees groaning. Gaz had had no idea the contractions were this strong and we were both laughing at how ridiculous it was that I hadn't made a peep while we had had company!
I got in the shower and asked Gaz to call MIL (Sue) and her partner and let them know things might be happening. Not 10 minutes later I yelled for him to get them here now because by 6pm I knew I was definitely in labour. They came over, we put on my TENS and I laboured at home for awhile, making casual conversation and cuddling Leopold between the surges. I was very aware that these may be the last hours he had as an only child and that saddened and excited me. I remember lying over the gym ball and Leo came up behind me to rub my back and give me a big hug. It was a gorgeous moment.
I started leaking and thought my waters had broken so at 7pm we decided to head up to the hospital, not knowing if bubs was engaged or not. I kissed Leo goodbye (he was happily watching 'The Little Mermaid with Sue's partner, his poppy) and burst into tears at the thought of leaving him.
The ride to the hospital was awful. I had two contractions on the 5 minute drive so knew things were moving along. We arrived at hospital and the midwife (E) did an internal. I was 3-4cm, fully effaced, bubs was slowly engaging and membranes intact. I wanted to go home at this point despite the pain, but they asked me to stay for a 15 minute CTG. I HATED being attached to the monitors, especially as it brought back horrible memories of Leo's birth, and within minutes was screaming for a shower. They hurried the CTG along, I think I was only on the monitors for maybe 10 minutes, I took off the TENS, and hopped under the shower (this was at around 7.30pm). At first it was bliss and seemed to ease the pain, but it wasn't long before the shower wasn't cutting it and I was demanding a bath.
R arrived at this point and I was suprised to see him given the fact that I was only in 'early' labour. We exchanged pleasantries (I was barely even aware of my nudity!) and he left me to do my thing.
Finally the bath was ready at about 8pm and I could feel the baby moving down through my pelvis, my hips felt like they were on fire and each contraction was beyond agonising. I kept asking why it hurt so much, thinking that I was only in early labour with hours to go. I remember saying I couldn't do it if it was going to be a 31 hour labour like my first time and E urged me to put all negativity from my mind and focus, commenting that she doubted I had much more than an hour left. I did my best to breathe properly and found myself getting dizzy and frustrated. This was obviously transition and while part of my brain was aware of that and I was so happy to feel my body doing all the right things, another part was being completely irrational and ridiculous. I was definitely NOT quiet or demure during labour, especially transition, I was very, very loud and obnoxious! E told me the contractions were coming every 3 minutes to which I declared "3 minutes my arse!" and asked for an epidural. Everyone in the vicinity (R, E, Sue, Gaz and another midwife, C) just laughed. The hospital doesn't even perform epidurals and even though I was under the impression I had forever to go I was clearly close. I think I just wanted a way to express how painful it was because I never even thought about asking for pethidine or gas and air. Excluding the brief CTG monitoring when we first arrived at the hospital, the only monitoring I received was via a doppler every 15 minutes or so and E timed my contractions by observing my stomach's tightening. While in the bath Gaz and Sue were such a huge physical support for me, allowing me to squeeze their hands to pulp and placing cool cloths on my forehead.
Then I started feeling an urge to push. I freaked out, unsure what was happening. This was at about 10 to 9pm. I had a bright show and got out of the tub. I was starting to bear down involuntarily with each surge, but still was in denial I was about to have a baby. I managed to hobble back into the birthing room with the assistance of Gaz and C and saw R standing there grinning at me, already in his apron and gloves. This puzzled me. Surely I wasn't fully dilated? There was no way in Hell things had happened this fast! I said something to the effect and once again there was laughter and E said that they could write a textbook on my labour and my noises and actions let them know this baby was coming now.
I knew I wouldn't be getting on the bed to deliver so stood at the end of the bed, naked, wet and clinging to Gaz saying "I need to poo!" (isn't labour glamorous?). R was behind me and for the first time since my shower spoke directly to me and said "You do whatever your body tells you. It knows what to do. That's your baby you're feeling". I reached down between my legs and thought I got feel something. I did my first real push and felt him move even lower. Just after declaring that my waters hadn't broken with the second push they did (poor Gaz's feet got soaked). Third push I felt him crown and I looked up at my midwives to say "I can feel his hair!. I was in a state of shock. He was right there. He was about to be born. Everyone in the room was laughing and smiling. No one was touching me except Gaz, I was practically hanging off his neck (Sue was jumping around taking pictures). With one last big push from my body (and what I can only describe as roaring from me), Archer was born through my hands and into R's. As I was standing to deliver I had to turn around and scooch up onto the bed to properly hold Archer. He was tiny, covered in vernix and asleep! He soon woke up though and was already so peaceful and alert. I had very heavy bleeding straight after birth and started passing big clots so sadly didn't get the physiological third stage I wanted. I also had a second degree tear that required stitching, probably one of the most uncomfortable parts of the whole experience as my local anesthetics didn't work properly, but it was completely bearable as I was holding my little boy in my arms and focusing on his first feed. Other than that my labour was perfect and we were home within 19 hours of delivery.
Archer was born at 9.01pm on Friday the 10th of May, 2 hours after arriving at the hospital and less than 5 minutes of pushing. He weighed 6lb 8oz/2.96kg, was 49cm with a 35cm head circumference. It felt awesome to have such an empowering, natural birth with an amazing support team. No IVs, no drugs, no one telling me to push (in fact I never really had to push, my body just did that for me).
I cannot really describe the feelings I experienced. Knowing my body and my baby worked so well together and being able to achieve the healing birth I wanted was so incredible. Gaz also has remarked how much he loved Arch's birth and he felt respected as my partner and like he was actually able to contribute to the delivery and provide the support I needed.
It was truly the best experience of my life :)
Crying my eyes out. This is beautiful I'm so happy that you had such a wonderful birth with Archer and you can heal from the trauma of Leo's birth. I hope you now know that it was never your body failing you, but your medical failing you. This is amazing , you are amazing, your support people are amazing. Congratulations
ReplyDeleteThank you beautiful. I really do know that now. This experience has empowered me so much :)
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