Mom - R - called me a while back. She had already talked with my friend C about Doula services, but C didn't think she would be available as she planned to be studying for and taking her MW exam when this mom was due. I had my CAPPA Doula conference to attend in Dallas, and hoped I wouldn't be gone when she actually went into labor and had her baby, but we talked about C being her back up doula, just in case. As time went on C met with her, I sent her birth plan information, and she continued to talk with her OB about the things she wanted for her birth.
R and her husband A knew what they wanted. R is the 2nd of 8 children, all born with midwives out of hospital. She herself was born at the Farm in Summertown, TN. She was at several of her siblings births, and actually helped at two of them. When we talked over birth plan stuff, she had no idea she would be expected to have an IV at a hospital birth. (her whole experience and expectaions of birth were all out of hospital). She dicussed with her OB that she didn't want an IV. Her Dr. wasn't happy with that, and wanted at least a Hep-Lock, but it was possible, depending on how things went.
R - told her Dr's that her mom went past her Expected due date with all 8 of her baby's, closer to 42 weeks with most and 43 weeks with one. She told her Dr's that she was sure her EDD was the 18th of Aug, but the first Dr she went to had put down Aug 11th based on a 28 day cycle, which she has long cycles, and it does make a difference. After she swithcd OB's to a 2nd one who she thought was willing to work with her on a more natural birth, the Dr. still wouldn't change her date to what mom thought was correct, but did 'agree to let mom go to 42 weeks'.
As the time neared, mom discussed things with her OB, and it started to become appearant that the Dr. wasn't as open to what R wanted. At what was really 40 weeks but the Dr. said was 41 weeks, she insisted mom go over to the hospital for a non-stress test. Mom went, and everything was fine, but the Dr. still wanted to talk about induction. Mom agreed to come back a week later for another non-stress test, and in the mean time mom tried a few natural induction methods - castor oil. She got to have the fun of a day of running to the bathroom, but it did nothing to induce labor, as her body was not yet ready to have a baby. (or her baby wasn't quite ready to come).
Mom went in for her regular apt. and the Dr. told her all of the 'risks' she was taking, by not agreeing to induction as she was so far over due already... Mom knew her 'risks', and knew that everything was fine, and did not want an induction. The Dr. pointed out that there were study's to back her up, and mom said she'd like to see the study's she was refering to.
Mom showed up for the next non-stress test. The Nurses at the hospital, on the Dr's orders, had her do several different tests, over a period of about 3 hours. They wouldn't tell her anything, but eventually told her the Dr was coming from home to tell her the results.
All of the tests showed the baby was fine, although, she was told however that when you went past 40 weeks your placenta stopped working and got calcifications, and several other negative things. The Dr. brought several pages of ACOG (American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists) study's to show the mom to 'back up' her statements that she needed to have this baby right away. Based upon an ultrasound, the Dr. said the baby was going to be huge - over 10 lbs.- and recommended an immediate cesarean section. Mom declined both the cesarean and also an induction. The Dr. made her sign papers that she was going AMA (Against Medical Advice). Meanwhile all of the non stress tests showed the baby to be fine, and was not in distress at all. She left and was certainly feeling a lot of stress personally. She couldn't imagine how her birth would be successful with all the stress that she now felt with her care provider.
She happened to be somewhere public and called C on the phone to tell her how the non-stress test had gone and the resulting conversation and having to sign the AMA. Another sweet person -L- happened to be where this mom was at and overheard part of the conversation, and since pregnant women are her job/life, she couldn't help but feel the need to help her. When she finished the phone conversation, L approached R and started up a conversation. She offered for her to come up to TN for a consultation. (this was on a Friday).
On Tuesday the mother went back to her Dr. for her appointment. Mom had brought back the ACOG statement papers and showed the Dr. where they said that the problems of a mom who goes into labor post dates on her own are no greater than those of a mother who gets induced. The conversation did not go well and eventually the Dr. told her she would like to dismiss her as a patient, but couldn't. (A Dr. cannot fire an expectant mother as a patient, within 30 days of delivery - it would be patient abandonment, and it is illegal.) After the mother left the office she called -L- and asked to come for a visit.
Though her husbands insurance would completely pay for a hospital birth, and he was a bit concerned for his wife -him not having been around Midwifery or home birth, and with this being a first birth, so although she would have liked a midwife assisted birth out of a hospital, she had agreed to go to an OB and have a hosital birth. After planning for a hospital birth and trying to get the best birth experience possible and the most natural birth in a hospital environment, she was frustrated and with all that they had gone through in the past couple of weeks with the medical side of things, he agreed to the consultation visit. After meeting with -L-, they switched. Mom was so relieved to have a different option to be able to try to get the birth she wanted. No mom was not being selfish and only worried aobut her birth experience, she was also concerned for the health of her baby and wanted the best chances for the best outcome, which in her research and study did not include pitocin induction, or a cesarean surgery.
Over labor day weekend mom had several nights of constant contractions that would go away during the day. She had some contractions on labor day and then that night all night long and on Tuesday 2 Sept. the contractions continued, and after her prenatal appointment that afternoon she stayed up in TN and labored away. I arrived early evening, and mom was laboring in the birth tub. She had been about 5 -6 cm before she got in the tub.
Mom would rock back and forth on her hands and knees durring her contractions. She would blow air out witheach contraction (most often buzzing her lips) and often she would put her face slightly into the water and blow bubbles as she labored. She was doing such a great job!
C commented that she labored - blowing bubbles - just like her mom had done. R's mother had, had her last baby 3 years ago with K and C had been there.
R labored in the tub, sitting on the birth stool, sitting on the birth ball, kneeling on the floor next to the bed, laying down, etc. We kept her hydrated with drinks, and she ate lightly, yogurt, and such for nutrition and energy and she had a couple of spoonfuls of honey (that they brought, as dad has bee hives and sells local honey) for a little quick energy. About 6 am we took a walk outside on the front porch and went up and down the steps a few times. It was a good change of pace, and we all got some fresh morning air. We watched the sun rise over a beautiful new day. It was quite pleasant out there.
After many hours R was checked and though she'd made some progress, the cervix was more effaced and moved forward, she was still really only at 6 cm's. Mom was so amazing. She was like the little train who could... Whenever we gave her a suggestion for some sort of move or different position she never told us no, or said she couldn't do it. She would always answer, "I'll try" or, "I guess I can try". She was such a trooper!
After many hours at 6 cm's I can't believe she was not more discouraged. We all knew she had to be exhausted!!! We were and we weren't going through the hard labor like she was, for most of those hours she was having contractions about 4 min's apart.
C and L both checked her to see if they could determine exactly what was going on, and how the baby was positioned. They determined after really feeling the suture lines on the baby's head that she was turned mostly posterior (the back of her head against mom's back, instead of against mom's front side). Because of this the head was not engaging well and not putting the pressure on the cervix like it needed to so it wasn't dilating well. We then went about turning the baby around. We had mom do some knee to chest positions, to see if the baby would float up out her her pelvis a bit and we had her do some lunges with one leg up on a chair and the other foot down on the floor to see if that would help rotate the baby. The other thing we did was a 'trick' with a Rebozo. http://www.birthingnaturally.net/cn/tool/rebozo.html It is essentially a long rectangle cloth (mexican women use it for many things, a sling, a shawl, etc.) that you place under the woman's hips while she lays on her back. you hold the cloth up (while stradling her), and pull the ends of the rebozo, and litterally rock (very gently) the mom's body, and every so often give a little stronger tug one direction (the direction you want the baby to turn), to get the baby moving. After all of that, the baby finally moved and mom began to make more progress. It was so cool to be a part of something that really was so simple, and yet it made such a difference for the mom and baby.
Once mom began to dilate past 6 things really went well. Mom was quite tired, but did so well. She spent some time back in the tub, and side lying, and eventually when she was checked again, she was at 9 cm with just a lip of cervix left. L came in and had mom try to push past the lip while she held it back out of the way. It took some doing but it worked and when mom started to actually really push for birth, she was having a hard time figuring out how and where exactly to push. It is hard to figure that out, especially at first. I used the rebozo again for another 'trick' and I handed one end to the mom and I held one end. Basically you do 'tug-of-war', where mom pulls on one end and you hold on to the other end. When mom pushes with a contraction, she pulls on the 'rope' and it really helps direct the pushing down in the right place/direction, and get some good effective pushing happening. Mom really liked the rebozo for pushing, it helped a lot!
Finally at 6:33 p.m. on Wed. Sept 3rd, Miss Anna Grace made her appearance! She was 9 lbs even. She was nearly 22 inches long, with a 15 1/4 in chest. She was definitley post term, no vernix anywhere, and her hands and feet were creased deeply/wrinkled/pruny, but wonderfully healthy and oh soooo cute! Mom didn't even have a tear or a skid mark at all and delivered all of that baby over an intact perineum! Awesome. She did so well at listening and breathing and birthing the head slowly, and the midwife L supported the perineum and helped it to not tear. It was a great birth and I'm so thankful to have been able to be a part of it. It was a team effort birth. Mom, Dad, C, L, mom's mother K (grandma to the new baby), and myself. We all worked long and hard for a labor that was over 30 hours. It certainly wasn't easy, but it was beautiful, and amazing. Mom did it, and the baby was awesome! Strong and healthy! Never any stress, no meconium in the fluid before birth. Mom definitely did not need a c-section, and was also glad that she hadn't gotten induced with pitocin that would have forced the baby's head down, with unnaturally hard contractions, into her pelvis at that unnatural position, probably stressed the baby, and if she had not progressed fast enough she would have gotten a c-section for a 'failed' induction.
She was so happy with her birth, and her mom was pleased with all the help that she received to help her to make it through. Dad was quielty supportive and did a lot to hold her up durring her labor. She was truly an inspiration.
Congratulations on a wonderful birth.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Lillian Ruth H. 30 June 2008
Birth Story – June 30, 2008
Lillian Ruth
7 lbs 10 oz
21 in
I met your mom finally after several phone calls and many emails back and forth a few months before your birth. We had a great visit, and were looking forward to your birth.
I got to meet your dad a couple of weeks before you arrived.
Your poor mommy was suffering from a condition called PUPPPs. She was itching like crazy, and agreed to an induction of labor, though she had wanted and prepared and planned for a natural childbirth.
On Monday morning June 30th your mom and dad arrived at the hospital and began the induction of labor. By about 7:30 am the pitocin was hooked up and your mom was doing alright so your daddy called me and said I didn’t need to come yet, as they were doing fine. She was about 3 cm dilated.
At about a quarter to 1 I got a call that the contractions were picking up, and getting more painful, and to head on to the hospital when I could get there. Your mom was dilated about 3-4 cm. About 10 minutes later your mom had your dad call me back and say don’t worry about coming yet, she was managing, and she didn’t want me to just be sitting around all day long. (that’s what I do, but your mom was worried about me and my family. How sweet is that!?)
At 1:20 my phone rang again. Your mom requested that I please come. They were about to break her waters and she was definitely anticipating more pain, and so she wanted me to come to help. (to do my job...)
I happened to be nearby and arrived quite quickly. By 2:00 p.m. your mom was doing great even though the contractions were coming about every 1 ½ minutes. We could barely have a 5 word conversation in between contractions when the next one would hit. By 2:15 the nurse, came in and cut the pitocin back by 10 since they were causing the contractions to come on too strong and fast, and they wanted to space them out a bit.
At 2:30 we got mom out of the bed and sitting up on the exercise ball. This seemed to really help her to deal with the contractions. After about half an hour we got her up to go to the bathroom after unhooking all of the wires and dragging the I.V. pole with her. About 3:30 the nurse checked again and she was dilated to 4-5 cm. Some progress, but I’m sure your mom was feeling a bit frustrated since she had been working so hard for so long, and it seemed that she wasn’t making as much progress as she would have liked.
Your mom really seemed to like sitting on the ball, actually she bounced on the ball and rocked back and forth to help deal with the contractions. During the next while she began vomiting and really hated that, however the nurse and I assured her that it can actually sometimes help you to dilate, and often signal transition. Your mom was beginning to feel like she couldn’t handle things any longer, she had been on pitocin and contracting all day long. I encouraged her to get checked and if she had indeed made progress that might be enough to reassure her and she would be able to go on. At 4:15 the nurse checked her and she was 7 cm. In 45 minutes she had gone 3-4 cm! Great progress! She continued bouncing on the ball during contractions, at 5:05 she had the nurse check her again, to see how close she was, so she could decide if she thought she could continue on or if she felt she couldn’t do the rest without some pain management. She was 8-9 cm, and was talking epidural. Your mom worked really hard for another hour while waiting for the bolus of fluid to run through her i.v. and the anesthesiologist began the epidural at 6 p.m. (still at 8-9 cm) and began the epidural. He finally got the epidural line in, and we waited for your mom to find relief. After several more contractions she was feeling all the pain of the contractions and no help from the epidural. So, he began the process again. He couldn’t find a space between the bones in mom’s back, and had to poke her several times. He tried a spinal to see if he could numb her then try the epidural again, but neither thing worked. He did feel really bad.Eventually after nearly an hour the spinal was finally in place at 6:55 p.m. Her poor back had been poked 6 times at least and would most likely be a cause of bruising and some pain after the birth.
At 7:00 p.m. the nurse checked again and she was 9 cm with mostly just a lip of cervix. 7:05 p.m. There was some difficulty finding the baby’s Heart rate mom sat up and had some oxygen, and they found the heart rate just fine.
At 7:10 another nurse checked to see if she was numb, and she was. Mom’s BP dropped a bit and the baby’s HR dipped a bit. They suspected that perhaps there might be a cord getting pinched or something. 7:20 mom gets more oxygen She really can’t tell if she feels pressure or not. She has no feeling with the spinal. The Nurse checked and she only had a small ring of cervix.
At 7:30 p.m. the nurse comes in and does the ‘wedge’ position. Mom is shaking and dad jokes that she is “shaking with excitement”!
7:50 p.m. an anterior lip of cervix is all that is left and then they ‘re-wedge’ her again.
At 8:10 after 12 hours of labor your dad says to your mom, “ Hasn’t this been fun? It is a Whole NEW experience!” He was so excited as you were about to come into the world!
8:45 p.m your mom began pushing. She felt like she was pushing forever, but you were born at 9:10 pm. You did have the cord wrapped around your shoulder. But it was no problem during your birth at all.
Your dad made a very excited phone call just after you were born. “Hey dad, I mean grandpa! Oh I have the wrong number.” “I forgot it was a 205 area code!” It was quite funny! Your parents sent me out to the waiting room to announce your birth to all the waiting family. It was cute, since there were two families and when I walked in, they wanted to know what baby had been born! I said the “H” family, and the one side of the room stood up and cheered! I told the other family I had heard it would be pretty soon for them as well.
You were 7 lbs 10 oz and 21 inches long. You have a head full of dark hair, and what a cutie!!!
It was really wonderful meeting your parents and getting to attend your birth.
Lillian Ruth
7 lbs 10 oz
21 in
I met your mom finally after several phone calls and many emails back and forth a few months before your birth. We had a great visit, and were looking forward to your birth.
I got to meet your dad a couple of weeks before you arrived.
Your poor mommy was suffering from a condition called PUPPPs. She was itching like crazy, and agreed to an induction of labor, though she had wanted and prepared and planned for a natural childbirth.
On Monday morning June 30th your mom and dad arrived at the hospital and began the induction of labor. By about 7:30 am the pitocin was hooked up and your mom was doing alright so your daddy called me and said I didn’t need to come yet, as they were doing fine. She was about 3 cm dilated.
At about a quarter to 1 I got a call that the contractions were picking up, and getting more painful, and to head on to the hospital when I could get there. Your mom was dilated about 3-4 cm. About 10 minutes later your mom had your dad call me back and say don’t worry about coming yet, she was managing, and she didn’t want me to just be sitting around all day long. (that’s what I do, but your mom was worried about me and my family. How sweet is that!?)
At 1:20 my phone rang again. Your mom requested that I please come. They were about to break her waters and she was definitely anticipating more pain, and so she wanted me to come to help. (to do my job...)
I happened to be nearby and arrived quite quickly. By 2:00 p.m. your mom was doing great even though the contractions were coming about every 1 ½ minutes. We could barely have a 5 word conversation in between contractions when the next one would hit. By 2:15 the nurse, came in and cut the pitocin back by 10 since they were causing the contractions to come on too strong and fast, and they wanted to space them out a bit.
At 2:30 we got mom out of the bed and sitting up on the exercise ball. This seemed to really help her to deal with the contractions. After about half an hour we got her up to go to the bathroom after unhooking all of the wires and dragging the I.V. pole with her. About 3:30 the nurse checked again and she was dilated to 4-5 cm. Some progress, but I’m sure your mom was feeling a bit frustrated since she had been working so hard for so long, and it seemed that she wasn’t making as much progress as she would have liked.
Your mom really seemed to like sitting on the ball, actually she bounced on the ball and rocked back and forth to help deal with the contractions. During the next while she began vomiting and really hated that, however the nurse and I assured her that it can actually sometimes help you to dilate, and often signal transition. Your mom was beginning to feel like she couldn’t handle things any longer, she had been on pitocin and contracting all day long. I encouraged her to get checked and if she had indeed made progress that might be enough to reassure her and she would be able to go on. At 4:15 the nurse checked her and she was 7 cm. In 45 minutes she had gone 3-4 cm! Great progress! She continued bouncing on the ball during contractions, at 5:05 she had the nurse check her again, to see how close she was, so she could decide if she thought she could continue on or if she felt she couldn’t do the rest without some pain management. She was 8-9 cm, and was talking epidural. Your mom worked really hard for another hour while waiting for the bolus of fluid to run through her i.v. and the anesthesiologist began the epidural at 6 p.m. (still at 8-9 cm) and began the epidural. He finally got the epidural line in, and we waited for your mom to find relief. After several more contractions she was feeling all the pain of the contractions and no help from the epidural. So, he began the process again. He couldn’t find a space between the bones in mom’s back, and had to poke her several times. He tried a spinal to see if he could numb her then try the epidural again, but neither thing worked. He did feel really bad.Eventually after nearly an hour the spinal was finally in place at 6:55 p.m. Her poor back had been poked 6 times at least and would most likely be a cause of bruising and some pain after the birth.
At 7:00 p.m. the nurse checked again and she was 9 cm with mostly just a lip of cervix. 7:05 p.m. There was some difficulty finding the baby’s Heart rate mom sat up and had some oxygen, and they found the heart rate just fine.
At 7:10 another nurse checked to see if she was numb, and she was. Mom’s BP dropped a bit and the baby’s HR dipped a bit. They suspected that perhaps there might be a cord getting pinched or something. 7:20 mom gets more oxygen She really can’t tell if she feels pressure or not. She has no feeling with the spinal. The Nurse checked and she only had a small ring of cervix.
At 7:30 p.m. the nurse comes in and does the ‘wedge’ position. Mom is shaking and dad jokes that she is “shaking with excitement”!
7:50 p.m. an anterior lip of cervix is all that is left and then they ‘re-wedge’ her again.
At 8:10 after 12 hours of labor your dad says to your mom, “ Hasn’t this been fun? It is a Whole NEW experience!” He was so excited as you were about to come into the world!
8:45 p.m your mom began pushing. She felt like she was pushing forever, but you were born at 9:10 pm. You did have the cord wrapped around your shoulder. But it was no problem during your birth at all.
Your dad made a very excited phone call just after you were born. “Hey dad, I mean grandpa! Oh I have the wrong number.” “I forgot it was a 205 area code!” It was quite funny! Your parents sent me out to the waiting room to announce your birth to all the waiting family. It was cute, since there were two families and when I walked in, they wanted to know what baby had been born! I said the “H” family, and the one side of the room stood up and cheered! I told the other family I had heard it would be pretty soon for them as well.
You were 7 lbs 10 oz and 21 inches long. You have a head full of dark hair, and what a cutie!!!
It was really wonderful meeting your parents and getting to attend your birth.
Behind...
I know it's been awhile since I posted a birth story and I'm several behind... but, I decided to go ahead and write this one, while it was fresh on my mind. I hope to go back and write the one's I missed from the past couple of months, soon.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
May 9, 1996 Sariah Elisabeth - My 3rd birth, first Home Birth
When I found out I was pregnant with you, daddy was out of town. When he returned I had made a poster that said 'WELCOME HOME DADDY3!'. I wrote the 3 (to the third power really small). When he got home he saw the poster, but didn't notice the '3'. I had him go back downstairs and look at it again. When he realized, he came upstairs and said, "is that what I think it means?" He was very happy! We all were. We'd known you were supposed to come to our family - we just had to wait for your time to come.
I was not very happy with my last birth experience, and so the more I read and planned I knew I wanted something different this time. I was very unhappy with the Hospital and most of the hosp. staff (in the O.B. department) at Ft. Irwin at that time! I read a lot of books and I knew that I wanted to have the most Natural childbirth possible. I would have loved to have a Midwife to help deliver at a birthing center or at home. That was not allowed at that post, (the Head OB Dr. said, "It would set a bad precedent to allow someone to go off post to deliver with a midwife." so it just was not possible. I really wanted to have a special experience with this childbirth, but I didn't feel like that was possible at that hospital.
The entire pregnancy was a highly stressful time. I worried about the delivery I knew what I wanted. Bill was very nervous and I added a lot of stress to his life. He was in Company Command and it was very stressful. He had a work-a-holic boss. By the last few months of pregnancy, after many discussions... he was pretty much resigned to the fact that I would probably do what I wanted to do. I'd had 'fights' with several Dr's, and the patient representative at the hospital. I had been called at home and 'harassed' by them. I talked with several friends, and some had offered to help me out.
I continued to read books on Home Birth and Midwifery. I truly felt that our Heavenly Father had a plan and it didn't' require a Dr and a Hospital to bring this sweet young spirit into the world. I had my sweet wonderful husband give me a priesthood blessing that we would know the choice to make and IF we needed to go to the hospital. I was prepared as best I could.
about a week before Sariah was born, I started doing a lot of walking - and yard work and housework. On May 8h we took a long walk to our friends house and spent the afternoon there. I was tired and so Bill came and picked us up on his way home from work. Just after we got home, around 7 p.m. I thought m water broke. We started to call people, since with both previous pregnancies, the contractions started within abt. 30 minutes of my water breaking. However both of those times it was pretty much a big gush of fluids, and this time it was more of a trickle if it really was rupture of membranes. Charli, Kelly, Cami and Sandi all came over.
Charli, Cami and I went on a couple of walks around the neighborhood to see if we could get any contractions to get started. We pulled the wagon with the girls in it - Charli or Cami pulled it along... No luck. We went back home, made oatmeal cookies, and sat around and talked. At about midnight we sent everyone home since nothing was happening!
We'd been in contact with a Dr. from the hospital who was also a friend from church. He was on call that night and was at the hosp. at another delivery. He called and asked if anything was happening, before heading home. We said no, so he went home to get some sleep. He called from home and asked if anything had started, we said no, so he said he was going to bed. At about 1:15 am, I FELT and bill and I both HEARD a loud popping noise! By 1:20 I was having contractions. We called everyone again, and woke them all up after just a few minutes of sleep. Cami arrived first, I was definitely in labor. Then I got nauseous (Yuck)! Charli arrived, then Sandi. The contractions were hard, fast and more intense than either Rebekah or Amanda's labors. Kelly came back over.
It was interesting - I directed: "There's warm towels in the dryer for the baby", "there's ice in a bag in the freezer for me to chew on (I hadn't figured out I could actually drink for thirst when I was at home...), "guard the perineum!", "Hold the head back so it delivers slowly". My friends Kelly and Charli helped with the delivery. Miss Charli 'caught' you. We were a little surprised to find out that you were a girl, but very pleased! Just as I was about to deliver the head, the phone rang - it was Dr. Ben calling to see how it was going. Cami answered the phone and told him, the head is out, then, "It's a Girl!" - "Sariah"
It was a little scary (now, looking back on it), but it was an amazing experience being with supportive friends and family to help me! Your sisters had been asleep - it was around 2:30 a.m, but they woke them up and your sisters got to hold you almost 'right' after you were born. Miss Charli and Sandi cleaned you up and dressed you then your sisters got to hold you. Daddy was a big support, emotionally as well as physically - he sat behind me and held me up during the delivery, so I could lean against him.
After Sariah was born, we did go in to the hospital to have us both checked out to make sure we were both healthy and fine. They wanted us to stay at the hospital, but I didn't want to! I felt great and wanted to go back to my own bed and my kids! Dr. Ben had come to the hosp. to check on us and make sure we had done fine. he actually fought with the staff (head OB Nurse) to help us get out of the hospital and go back home! He was really great!
We were able to go back home and relax in our own home and my own bed, together as a family. and with no irritating policies and procedures to deal with at odd hours, day and night (other than a new nursing infant!!!) :-)
We became the topic of discussion on post at the clinic/hospital for a while. The head of the hospital said, "they needed to lighten up a little" and that "it was probably a good experience for them" (refering to - the hosp. staff). I just knew what I wanted, and since they didn't particularly seem to want to let me do that, I just didn't go in! (until after you were born). I was hoping for a midwife for the next one...
I'm so glad that you, Sariah, came into our lives the way you did! It was certainly a special experience for us all. Your dad became a Home Birth Supporter and Advocate, (often saying things about HB before I would say it to people in public situations). I grew so much through this challenge, during this experience and have become a childbirth advocate and want all mom's to have wonderful, respectful, birth experiences.
You are definitely a sweet special spirit and we all love and adore you! At the time your big sisters loved you to pieces and could hardly keep their hands off of you!!! They wanted to kiss you and hold you all the time! It was fun to have three little girls to love! You have an awesome daddy!
I love the wonderful, talented young woman you are growing up to be, and hope and pray that you will fulfil your true potential! I hope you enjoy being in the Young Women Program. Your leaders can be a great source of strength and guidance in your life.
I love you my sweet beautiful daughter.
I was not very happy with my last birth experience, and so the more I read and planned I knew I wanted something different this time. I was very unhappy with the Hospital and most of the hosp. staff (in the O.B. department) at Ft. Irwin at that time! I read a lot of books and I knew that I wanted to have the most Natural childbirth possible. I would have loved to have a Midwife to help deliver at a birthing center or at home. That was not allowed at that post, (the Head OB Dr. said, "It would set a bad precedent to allow someone to go off post to deliver with a midwife." so it just was not possible. I really wanted to have a special experience with this childbirth, but I didn't feel like that was possible at that hospital.
The entire pregnancy was a highly stressful time. I worried about the delivery I knew what I wanted. Bill was very nervous and I added a lot of stress to his life. He was in Company Command and it was very stressful. He had a work-a-holic boss. By the last few months of pregnancy, after many discussions... he was pretty much resigned to the fact that I would probably do what I wanted to do. I'd had 'fights' with several Dr's, and the patient representative at the hospital. I had been called at home and 'harassed' by them. I talked with several friends, and some had offered to help me out.
I continued to read books on Home Birth and Midwifery. I truly felt that our Heavenly Father had a plan and it didn't' require a Dr and a Hospital to bring this sweet young spirit into the world. I had my sweet wonderful husband give me a priesthood blessing that we would know the choice to make and IF we needed to go to the hospital. I was prepared as best I could.
about a week before Sariah was born, I started doing a lot of walking - and yard work and housework. On May 8h we took a long walk to our friends house and spent the afternoon there. I was tired and so Bill came and picked us up on his way home from work. Just after we got home, around 7 p.m. I thought m water broke. We started to call people, since with both previous pregnancies, the contractions started within abt. 30 minutes of my water breaking. However both of those times it was pretty much a big gush of fluids, and this time it was more of a trickle if it really was rupture of membranes. Charli, Kelly, Cami and Sandi all came over.
Charli, Cami and I went on a couple of walks around the neighborhood to see if we could get any contractions to get started. We pulled the wagon with the girls in it - Charli or Cami pulled it along... No luck. We went back home, made oatmeal cookies, and sat around and talked. At about midnight we sent everyone home since nothing was happening!
We'd been in contact with a Dr. from the hospital who was also a friend from church. He was on call that night and was at the hosp. at another delivery. He called and asked if anything was happening, before heading home. We said no, so he went home to get some sleep. He called from home and asked if anything had started, we said no, so he said he was going to bed. At about 1:15 am, I FELT and bill and I both HEARD a loud popping noise! By 1:20 I was having contractions. We called everyone again, and woke them all up after just a few minutes of sleep. Cami arrived first, I was definitely in labor. Then I got nauseous (Yuck)! Charli arrived, then Sandi. The contractions were hard, fast and more intense than either Rebekah or Amanda's labors. Kelly came back over.
It was interesting - I directed: "There's warm towels in the dryer for the baby", "there's ice in a bag in the freezer for me to chew on (I hadn't figured out I could actually drink for thirst when I was at home...), "guard the perineum!", "Hold the head back so it delivers slowly". My friends Kelly and Charli helped with the delivery. Miss Charli 'caught' you. We were a little surprised to find out that you were a girl, but very pleased! Just as I was about to deliver the head, the phone rang - it was Dr. Ben calling to see how it was going. Cami answered the phone and told him, the head is out, then, "It's a Girl!" - "Sariah"
It was a little scary (now, looking back on it), but it was an amazing experience being with supportive friends and family to help me! Your sisters had been asleep - it was around 2:30 a.m, but they woke them up and your sisters got to hold you almost 'right' after you were born. Miss Charli and Sandi cleaned you up and dressed you then your sisters got to hold you. Daddy was a big support, emotionally as well as physically - he sat behind me and held me up during the delivery, so I could lean against him.
After Sariah was born, we did go in to the hospital to have us both checked out to make sure we were both healthy and fine. They wanted us to stay at the hospital, but I didn't want to! I felt great and wanted to go back to my own bed and my kids! Dr. Ben had come to the hosp. to check on us and make sure we had done fine. he actually fought with the staff (head OB Nurse) to help us get out of the hospital and go back home! He was really great!
We were able to go back home and relax in our own home and my own bed, together as a family. and with no irritating policies and procedures to deal with at odd hours, day and night (other than a new nursing infant!!!) :-)
We became the topic of discussion on post at the clinic/hospital for a while. The head of the hospital said, "they needed to lighten up a little" and that "it was probably a good experience for them" (refering to - the hosp. staff). I just knew what I wanted, and since they didn't particularly seem to want to let me do that, I just didn't go in! (until after you were born). I was hoping for a midwife for the next one...
I'm so glad that you, Sariah, came into our lives the way you did! It was certainly a special experience for us all. Your dad became a Home Birth Supporter and Advocate, (often saying things about HB before I would say it to people in public situations). I grew so much through this challenge, during this experience and have become a childbirth advocate and want all mom's to have wonderful, respectful, birth experiences.
You are definitely a sweet special spirit and we all love and adore you! At the time your big sisters loved you to pieces and could hardly keep their hands off of you!!! They wanted to kiss you and hold you all the time! It was fun to have three little girls to love! You have an awesome daddy!
I love the wonderful, talented young woman you are growing up to be, and hope and pray that you will fulfil your true potential! I hope you enjoy being in the Young Women Program. Your leaders can be a great source of strength and guidance in your life.
I love you my sweet beautiful daughter.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Rosemary Lee's Birth 21 Feb.
I first met your mom shortly after she first moved here to Alabama. I met her and your big brothers (who weren't quite so big at the time) at a LLL mtg get together. I met your dad the first time at a Harry Potter event at Books -a- Million, your sister was a little thing in a sling I believe. What a birth story she had...
Your mom had a c-section with your oldest brother, then went on to have a lovely VBAC with your next brother. Things at the hospital in another state were different, but because that was just how things were done, your mom didn't know anything different. When she got pregnant with you and was talking about her birthing options, she realized she had had it pretty good. She had not been tethered with all the cords and machines, just intermittent monitoring and no I.V. It had just been normal for her to be up and moving around during her labor and she spent time in the shower which made her feel good and able to deal with the labor, and she assumed that was what she would have again. She was able to find an OB Dr. that would allow intermittent monitoring, and let her up to move around, however, in place of an I.V., she would have to have a hep-lock. For someone who has already had a birth in a hospital without one, and to know she does not have good veins (they roll), and didn't want the repeated pokes with a needle, she really tried to negotiate to not have to have one.
So nearing the time of your sister's arrival, your mom was doing great, and other than lots of Braxton Hicks contractions, she was just waiting for the real thing to begin. She went to her regular appointment and was having some ctx. was 4 cm, and nothing really was happening, so she went home. She thought something might be happening later that afternoon, and had her doula come by the house. They hung out but she really wasn't doing anything to speak of, and they figured it was just really early prodromal labor. The doula went home and went to bed. Your mom just couldn't get comfortable, and got in the shower. Things changed quickly, and all of the sudden she started to feel something. She had your dad call the doula, who literally jumped in her car and raced back to your house in her p.j's, and arrived just in time to reach in and 'catch' your sister! Your mom and dad were in shock! The last time she'd labored, it had taken quite a few hours, and, she wanted to go to the hospital, but it just happened so fast! They called the EMT's and mom and baby were taken to the hospital in an ambulance where they were both pronounced perfectly healthy and fine! When the Dr. arrived he just looked at your mom and said, "you really didn't want that hep-lock, did you?" they all laughed about it.
I saw your mom at a LLL mtg. she asked if I was doing anything in Feb? I asked if that was an announcement? She said yes. We talked a couple of times during the next months, but mostly just general stuff. We finally got together in Jan to talk about what she wanted this time and how I could work with her and M. to help them have the best birth possible.
When asked what she wanted for this birth it was - to get to the hospital in time! :-)
When your mom was about 36 weeks she was checked and was about 3 cm. Well, having had a very fast precipitous birth last time that put her a bit on edge. She was feeling like if something happens she could have the baby at any time... and this time she was having some pretty good/hard Braxton Hicks ctx for a long time during the pregnancy, and as she got closer to the end, they picked up too. One day we talked and she had a low back ache, and was having some pretty good ctx, but when we talked she told me that the day before she had spent all day cleaning, (We wondered if it was that nesting urge), and then that day she'd spent sitting in a chair sewing. That can make any one's back hurt, let alone if you are 9 months pregnant! She was almost afraid to get in the shower to see if that would relax her, for fear it might relax her too much, like last time and she might just have the baby!
A day or two later, she called and was having what were feeling like pretty strong ctx starting, but there was no pattern. She had been trying to rest and had laid down in her bed to read stories to the kids, before naps, and was getting pretty uncomfortable and was having to stop reading to deal with the ctx's. I happened to have an older girl home sick that day so I left my little guy and went on over to see how she was doing. She had also called her husband home and he was there by the time I arrived.
We visited for a little while, she would have a ctx. but nothing regular and in the 30 minute apart time bracket. We were trying to decide what to do. Your poor daddy was pretty concerned that she would have you at home again. Your mom was uncomfortable laying down, was not thrilled at sitting, but tired from several days of ctx on and off again. We didn't think things were going too quickly, but I also really didn't want to leave them and have them have a baby alone at home, again like last time.
Your mom was getting hungry and we were thinking your mom needed a change of pace and scenery. It is the south, but it was also Feb. and a bit chilly outside. The wind was blowing quite a bit and it was getting later in the afternoon, heading toward evening, and she didn't really want to just walk laps in the street in front of your house either. Your mom was craving Chinese food! Finally they decided to go to the Chinese buffet to eat dinner, and I went home (but Chinese sounded good to me too so I stopped at the grocery store and bought some Chinese stir fry stuff and went home and made dinner for my family). After dinner your mom spent some time walking around Books-a-Million (she likes that place...) :-) After arriving home, your Aunt came to help watch your big brothers and sister. Your mom tried to relax and rest, but it was difficult.
Your dad called me around 10 p.m. to report that the ctx were getting a bit closer like around 20 minutes, but still no real pattern. Your mom was uncomfortable, afraid to get in the shower... so I suggested seeing if a bath might help her to feel a bit better. Dad called around midnight to say that your mom was in the tub and it did help some. the ctx were inching a bit closer but still no pattern. At 2 am your dad called to say they had started a pattern... the last several ctx were 12 minutes apart. I got up left my little guy sleeping with his daddy, and as I was preparing to get in the car (the day before when my daughter was home, I'd taken her car, so that she'd have the car seat with my little guy. So my birth bag, birth ball, etc were all in her car, and I had to move everything around so she'd have her car to drive to school in the morning. I yanked our car seat out to leave for dad to drop off with a sitter). By the time I was getting in my car to head to your house, your dad called and said that the ctx had been 12 minutes apart regular for an hour, and the last three had changed to 9 min, 7 minutes and then 4 minutes. I told them I'd meet them at the hospital, rather than them waiting for me to get to them about 20 minutes, and then deciding if it was going to be too fast to get in the car and drive the 20 minutes or so to the hospital!
I arrived before they did, so I went upstairs to 'warn' the nurses that your mom was coming in and to be ready, since she hadn't made it to the hospital last time. There was really nothing the nurses could do however until your mom arrived and they could check on her situation. They did assign her a room, so I put my stuff down and went back down the elevator to wait for your mom and dad to arrive. They pulled up shortly thereafter, and we all headed inside. Your mom was AWESOME!!!!!!!
We got upstairs to Labor and Delivery, and they had us go to the room, they checked her and she was 8 cm! She'd have a ctx, get very quiet and breathe, then when it was over she'd be just about as perky as a person 9 months pregnant can be! They couldn't believe she was 8 cm already! By the time they asked all the questions, (on a scale of 1-10 how bad is your pain? your mom was so cute! She said, "Well, I don't think they're any harder than they've been all day, just stronger, and closer together, I guess the pain level is about a 6." This is at 8 cm). Once they had monitored the labor for the initial 10 minutes, your mom was ready to get in the shower!
Then they had to get the hep-lock in and draw labs. It took two nurses several tries and several sticks before they managed to get it in a vein. Your poor mommy! She did such a great job, however it was so painful that it about did her in! She could totally handle the labor, no problem! It was getting that darn IV needle in for the hep-lock that was a horrible experience. All the while knowing she had already had two babies with out a hep-lock or i.v. and that she really didn't want/need it.
Then Dr. C. arrived and checked her and she was almost at 10 cm's, just a small lip of cervix left. She wanted to get in the shower! He had told her that he would be willing to let her deliver in whatever position or wherever she wanted, even in the shower, if she'd just get to the hospital this time! She loved the shower for both her last two labors, and so that's where she wanted to be.
She was finally able to get in after they got a plastic bag to tape over her arm where the hep-lock tubing was at, and the shower really helped. She leaned over and let the water hit on her lower back. There is a bench seat that folds up in the shower and she leaned on that. She was getting tired and tried to squat and lean on the bench thing, but that can wear your legs out really fast. I asked the nurse if there was any sort of small foot stool. She came back with one of those rolling one's not too short, but it would work. I put a towel on it for your mom, so it would be a bit cleaner and softer to sit on. That seemed to help, but then when she wanted to lean over, it was almost the same level as the bench, a long way to lean over a contracting 9 month tummy! So... I go out to her room and ask the nurse how waterproof the plastic covered pillows are? she said pretty waterproof. So I pull the pillow case off and take it in and fold it over on the bench and it is softer and helps raise her head up a little bit. She stays in the shower and labors for about 40 minutes or so. She was started to feel just a pit pushy at the peak of a ctx. The Dr. came over to the doorway near the bathroom and said to me, "is she really going to do this in the shower?" I said, "She wants to! Did you bring a change of clothes?" Well, then a few minutes later I think he realized she was pretty serious, and he didn't 'really' want to get all wet... so he had the nurse tell her she had to get out.
So out she comes from the shower, and we get her dried off and try to warm her up a bit, she puts on the lovely hosp. jonnie gown, and we head back to the bed. Dr. C. checks her and yes she's 10, and can try pushing on the next ctx. The ctx which had been about 2-3 minutes apart for the past hour, now take a little break and she's just sitting there going, o.k. everyone is staring at me, waiting for me to do something, and no ctx...
Then she had the next ctx. and she could NOT be on her back, and was reaching and grabbing for anything she could (a hand or whatever) to pull herself more upright and Grabbed hold of the squat bar (which we'd asked for earlier and the nurse had put on the bed - yay). She did about two ctx on the squat bar and her water broke, and then she said something like, "it's not supposed to hurt like this", we all sort of laughed. By the next ctx. your mommy decided she did not like that position and flipped over on her hands and knees! The Dr. was totally fine with that, and she began pushing you out. It took a couple of pushes. As your head came out, it was kind of cute, I looked around the room and all the nurses had their necks craned like they were peeking and trying to see the baby, and they all had big smiles on their faces! It was neat. I think because when a mommy is on her hands and knees to deliver, the baby comes out face up and so you can see the sweet little face as it comes out. They don't think they see that very often at all.
The Dr was giving a running commentary, we have forehead, I can see eyebrows, here's her eyes, and now a nose. Her mouth. As your fat little cheeks came out, Dr. C. said "she looks like a 'M'!"(like your family). Then the funniest thing happened, I said she's blowing raspberries! and there you were just blowing out bubbles and making raspberry noises... Next came your shoulders, then your arms were just reaching out while half of your body was still inside... It was an amazing sight. Then you worked your way out, and mommy's body pushed and out you came! All 8 lb's 5 oz, and 21 inches of you! Miss Rosemary Lee. You arrived at 5:19 a.m.
What a sweet baby girl! Your mommy did an awesome job!
It was a privilege to be able to be a part of your birth. What a sweet family.
Your mom had a c-section with your oldest brother, then went on to have a lovely VBAC with your next brother. Things at the hospital in another state were different, but because that was just how things were done, your mom didn't know anything different. When she got pregnant with you and was talking about her birthing options, she realized she had had it pretty good. She had not been tethered with all the cords and machines, just intermittent monitoring and no I.V. It had just been normal for her to be up and moving around during her labor and she spent time in the shower which made her feel good and able to deal with the labor, and she assumed that was what she would have again. She was able to find an OB Dr. that would allow intermittent monitoring, and let her up to move around, however, in place of an I.V., she would have to have a hep-lock. For someone who has already had a birth in a hospital without one, and to know she does not have good veins (they roll), and didn't want the repeated pokes with a needle, she really tried to negotiate to not have to have one.
So nearing the time of your sister's arrival, your mom was doing great, and other than lots of Braxton Hicks contractions, she was just waiting for the real thing to begin. She went to her regular appointment and was having some ctx. was 4 cm, and nothing really was happening, so she went home. She thought something might be happening later that afternoon, and had her doula come by the house. They hung out but she really wasn't doing anything to speak of, and they figured it was just really early prodromal labor. The doula went home and went to bed. Your mom just couldn't get comfortable, and got in the shower. Things changed quickly, and all of the sudden she started to feel something. She had your dad call the doula, who literally jumped in her car and raced back to your house in her p.j's, and arrived just in time to reach in and 'catch' your sister! Your mom and dad were in shock! The last time she'd labored, it had taken quite a few hours, and, she wanted to go to the hospital, but it just happened so fast! They called the EMT's and mom and baby were taken to the hospital in an ambulance where they were both pronounced perfectly healthy and fine! When the Dr. arrived he just looked at your mom and said, "you really didn't want that hep-lock, did you?" they all laughed about it.
I saw your mom at a LLL mtg. she asked if I was doing anything in Feb? I asked if that was an announcement? She said yes. We talked a couple of times during the next months, but mostly just general stuff. We finally got together in Jan to talk about what she wanted this time and how I could work with her and M. to help them have the best birth possible.
When asked what she wanted for this birth it was - to get to the hospital in time! :-)
When your mom was about 36 weeks she was checked and was about 3 cm. Well, having had a very fast precipitous birth last time that put her a bit on edge. She was feeling like if something happens she could have the baby at any time... and this time she was having some pretty good/hard Braxton Hicks ctx for a long time during the pregnancy, and as she got closer to the end, they picked up too. One day we talked and she had a low back ache, and was having some pretty good ctx, but when we talked she told me that the day before she had spent all day cleaning, (We wondered if it was that nesting urge), and then that day she'd spent sitting in a chair sewing. That can make any one's back hurt, let alone if you are 9 months pregnant! She was almost afraid to get in the shower to see if that would relax her, for fear it might relax her too much, like last time and she might just have the baby!
A day or two later, she called and was having what were feeling like pretty strong ctx starting, but there was no pattern. She had been trying to rest and had laid down in her bed to read stories to the kids, before naps, and was getting pretty uncomfortable and was having to stop reading to deal with the ctx's. I happened to have an older girl home sick that day so I left my little guy and went on over to see how she was doing. She had also called her husband home and he was there by the time I arrived.
We visited for a little while, she would have a ctx. but nothing regular and in the 30 minute apart time bracket. We were trying to decide what to do. Your poor daddy was pretty concerned that she would have you at home again. Your mom was uncomfortable laying down, was not thrilled at sitting, but tired from several days of ctx on and off again. We didn't think things were going too quickly, but I also really didn't want to leave them and have them have a baby alone at home, again like last time.
Your mom was getting hungry and we were thinking your mom needed a change of pace and scenery. It is the south, but it was also Feb. and a bit chilly outside. The wind was blowing quite a bit and it was getting later in the afternoon, heading toward evening, and she didn't really want to just walk laps in the street in front of your house either. Your mom was craving Chinese food! Finally they decided to go to the Chinese buffet to eat dinner, and I went home (but Chinese sounded good to me too so I stopped at the grocery store and bought some Chinese stir fry stuff and went home and made dinner for my family). After dinner your mom spent some time walking around Books-a-Million (she likes that place...) :-) After arriving home, your Aunt came to help watch your big brothers and sister. Your mom tried to relax and rest, but it was difficult.
Your dad called me around 10 p.m. to report that the ctx were getting a bit closer like around 20 minutes, but still no real pattern. Your mom was uncomfortable, afraid to get in the shower... so I suggested seeing if a bath might help her to feel a bit better. Dad called around midnight to say that your mom was in the tub and it did help some. the ctx were inching a bit closer but still no pattern. At 2 am your dad called to say they had started a pattern... the last several ctx were 12 minutes apart. I got up left my little guy sleeping with his daddy, and as I was preparing to get in the car (the day before when my daughter was home, I'd taken her car, so that she'd have the car seat with my little guy. So my birth bag, birth ball, etc were all in her car, and I had to move everything around so she'd have her car to drive to school in the morning. I yanked our car seat out to leave for dad to drop off with a sitter). By the time I was getting in my car to head to your house, your dad called and said that the ctx had been 12 minutes apart regular for an hour, and the last three had changed to 9 min, 7 minutes and then 4 minutes. I told them I'd meet them at the hospital, rather than them waiting for me to get to them about 20 minutes, and then deciding if it was going to be too fast to get in the car and drive the 20 minutes or so to the hospital!
I arrived before they did, so I went upstairs to 'warn' the nurses that your mom was coming in and to be ready, since she hadn't made it to the hospital last time. There was really nothing the nurses could do however until your mom arrived and they could check on her situation. They did assign her a room, so I put my stuff down and went back down the elevator to wait for your mom and dad to arrive. They pulled up shortly thereafter, and we all headed inside. Your mom was AWESOME!!!!!!!
We got upstairs to Labor and Delivery, and they had us go to the room, they checked her and she was 8 cm! She'd have a ctx, get very quiet and breathe, then when it was over she'd be just about as perky as a person 9 months pregnant can be! They couldn't believe she was 8 cm already! By the time they asked all the questions, (on a scale of 1-10 how bad is your pain? your mom was so cute! She said, "Well, I don't think they're any harder than they've been all day, just stronger, and closer together, I guess the pain level is about a 6." This is at 8 cm). Once they had monitored the labor for the initial 10 minutes, your mom was ready to get in the shower!
Then they had to get the hep-lock in and draw labs. It took two nurses several tries and several sticks before they managed to get it in a vein. Your poor mommy! She did such a great job, however it was so painful that it about did her in! She could totally handle the labor, no problem! It was getting that darn IV needle in for the hep-lock that was a horrible experience. All the while knowing she had already had two babies with out a hep-lock or i.v. and that she really didn't want/need it.
Then Dr. C. arrived and checked her and she was almost at 10 cm's, just a small lip of cervix left. She wanted to get in the shower! He had told her that he would be willing to let her deliver in whatever position or wherever she wanted, even in the shower, if she'd just get to the hospital this time! She loved the shower for both her last two labors, and so that's where she wanted to be.
She was finally able to get in after they got a plastic bag to tape over her arm where the hep-lock tubing was at, and the shower really helped. She leaned over and let the water hit on her lower back. There is a bench seat that folds up in the shower and she leaned on that. She was getting tired and tried to squat and lean on the bench thing, but that can wear your legs out really fast. I asked the nurse if there was any sort of small foot stool. She came back with one of those rolling one's not too short, but it would work. I put a towel on it for your mom, so it would be a bit cleaner and softer to sit on. That seemed to help, but then when she wanted to lean over, it was almost the same level as the bench, a long way to lean over a contracting 9 month tummy! So... I go out to her room and ask the nurse how waterproof the plastic covered pillows are? she said pretty waterproof. So I pull the pillow case off and take it in and fold it over on the bench and it is softer and helps raise her head up a little bit. She stays in the shower and labors for about 40 minutes or so. She was started to feel just a pit pushy at the peak of a ctx. The Dr. came over to the doorway near the bathroom and said to me, "is she really going to do this in the shower?" I said, "She wants to! Did you bring a change of clothes?" Well, then a few minutes later I think he realized she was pretty serious, and he didn't 'really' want to get all wet... so he had the nurse tell her she had to get out.
So out she comes from the shower, and we get her dried off and try to warm her up a bit, she puts on the lovely hosp. jonnie gown, and we head back to the bed. Dr. C. checks her and yes she's 10, and can try pushing on the next ctx. The ctx which had been about 2-3 minutes apart for the past hour, now take a little break and she's just sitting there going, o.k. everyone is staring at me, waiting for me to do something, and no ctx...
Then she had the next ctx. and she could NOT be on her back, and was reaching and grabbing for anything she could (a hand or whatever) to pull herself more upright and Grabbed hold of the squat bar (which we'd asked for earlier and the nurse had put on the bed - yay). She did about two ctx on the squat bar and her water broke, and then she said something like, "it's not supposed to hurt like this", we all sort of laughed. By the next ctx. your mommy decided she did not like that position and flipped over on her hands and knees! The Dr. was totally fine with that, and she began pushing you out. It took a couple of pushes. As your head came out, it was kind of cute, I looked around the room and all the nurses had their necks craned like they were peeking and trying to see the baby, and they all had big smiles on their faces! It was neat. I think because when a mommy is on her hands and knees to deliver, the baby comes out face up and so you can see the sweet little face as it comes out. They don't think they see that very often at all.
The Dr was giving a running commentary, we have forehead, I can see eyebrows, here's her eyes, and now a nose. Her mouth. As your fat little cheeks came out, Dr. C. said "she looks like a 'M'!"(like your family). Then the funniest thing happened, I said she's blowing raspberries! and there you were just blowing out bubbles and making raspberry noises... Next came your shoulders, then your arms were just reaching out while half of your body was still inside... It was an amazing sight. Then you worked your way out, and mommy's body pushed and out you came! All 8 lb's 5 oz, and 21 inches of you! Miss Rosemary Lee. You arrived at 5:19 a.m.
What a sweet baby girl! Your mommy did an awesome job!
It was a privilege to be able to be a part of your birth. What a sweet family.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Birth Stories
I LOVE reading positive birth stories, and I encourage my mom's that I work with to surround themselves with positive birth stories, to help give them confidence in their body's ability to birth their baby.
So in this blog I will write some of my own birth stories, birth stories of births I attend from my perspective, and I'd love to have birth stories submitted by my clients, and others who've had natural births.
So in this blog I will write some of my own birth stories, birth stories of births I attend from my perspective, and I'd love to have birth stories submitted by my clients, and others who've had natural births.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
