... just popping in to let you all know that Hazel arrived around 10am on December 12th (41 + 3). I am still a bit in awe of the whole birth experience.
I had been having regular but not painful contractions for two days and on a second round of monitoring on the morning of the 12th the doctor became a bit concerned about Hazel's heart rate. It was still in the safe range but was not as "reactive" as it had been the day before. She encouraged us to kick start things with pitocin. I had prepared myself that I would accept interventions if the baby was in trouble but I hadn't really prepared myself with how to know if she really was... other than listening to the OB that is.
With a few tears, I agreed. I was pretty disappointed in myself at the time and was already envisioning myself going down the road to exactly the kind of birth that I didn't want. But about an hour and half later, I was holding my baby after a super speedy, vaginal birth without any other interventions and all was forgotten. I was four cm when my OB started the pitocin a bit before 9 and was pushing by 9:45. Luckily, I was still able to walk around and use all of the fun equipment in the labor room to deal with the pain. Although the tub was only about a quarter of the way full by the time she was born so I never got to use it... too bad... it looked good!! The labor was painful and the hardest thing I've ever done but I just kept reminding myself of all the women that had come before me and kept breathing. The hospital staff followed our birth plan and didn't offer me any pain relief (not that there was time!!) and it really never crossed my mind to ask. The contracting before I started pushing was awful, my legs ached like crazy, it crossed my mind that I might be in transition but I didn't think it was possible so soon. For the first time I started making noise (other than breathing). It was a kind of a whiny moan, and the midwife said she better check me. She did and low and behold it was time to push. Pushing her out was amazing... and I'm afraid I did it a bit fast as I ended up with a tear. The first push brought her completely down the canal, the second birthed her head, the third her shoulders and the fourth her whole body. It really was amazing how my body kind of took over the pushing.
I'm still not sure that the pitocin was the right choice, and I'm sure that if the birth had gone another way I would have been disappointed, but as things turned out I'm feeling very proud of myself. She was 8lbs 6oz at birth, which by Thai standards is HUGE. All of the nurses are in awe of her light hair and robustness. She also has a dimple.. which neither DH nor I have - quite a surprise.
Hope everyone else is doing well. Will check back soon!
I had been having regular but not painful contractions for two days and on a second round of monitoring on the morning of the 12th the doctor became a bit concerned about Hazel's heart rate. It was still in the safe range but was not as "reactive" as it had been the day before. She encouraged us to kick start things with pitocin. I had prepared myself that I would accept interventions if the baby was in trouble but I hadn't really prepared myself with how to know if she really was... other than listening to the OB that is.
With a few tears, I agreed. I was pretty disappointed in myself at the time and was already envisioning myself going down the road to exactly the kind of birth that I didn't want. But about an hour and half later, I was holding my baby after a super speedy, vaginal birth without any other interventions and all was forgotten. I was four cm when my OB started the pitocin a bit before 9 and was pushing by 9:45. Luckily, I was still able to walk around and use all of the fun equipment in the labor room to deal with the pain. Although the tub was only about a quarter of the way full by the time she was born so I never got to use it... too bad... it looked good!! The labor was painful and the hardest thing I've ever done but I just kept reminding myself of all the women that had come before me and kept breathing. The hospital staff followed our birth plan and didn't offer me any pain relief (not that there was time!!) and it really never crossed my mind to ask. The contracting before I started pushing was awful, my legs ached like crazy, it crossed my mind that I might be in transition but I didn't think it was possible so soon. For the first time I started making noise (other than breathing). It was a kind of a whiny moan, and the midwife said she better check me. She did and low and behold it was time to push. Pushing her out was amazing... and I'm afraid I did it a bit fast as I ended up with a tear. The first push brought her completely down the canal, the second birthed her head, the third her shoulders and the fourth her whole body. It really was amazing how my body kind of took over the pushing.
I'm still not sure that the pitocin was the right choice, and I'm sure that if the birth had gone another way I would have been disappointed, but as things turned out I'm feeling very proud of myself. She was 8lbs 6oz at birth, which by Thai standards is HUGE. All of the nurses are in awe of her light hair and robustness. She also has a dimple.. which neither DH nor I have - quite a surprise.
Hope everyone else is doing well. Will check back soon!
: Your time finally came!! 
: and congratulations 
She is adorable! Thanks for sharing your story and I hope you enjoy your babymoon!
Hazel! Love her name and glad you had such a successful birth.
