Phoebe Elizabeth arrived at 1:37 pm Monday 12/22/08. 
Born at the birth center with the assistance of midwives, 9 pounds 4 ounces, 20.5 inches. Transferred to hospital after the birth because of my tissue damage (ouch!) Hospital staff surprisingly supportive; we stayed one night and one-half day and came home this afternoon.
More later...I'm just so glad to be done and back home with my babe!
to all those still waiting.
Update: Phoebe was posterior (occiput posterior) which resulted in a really bad tear for me. I had begun to suspect something wasn't right after so much early labor (nearly a month's worth!) According to Henci Goer you should suspect malpositioning if early labor contractions are strong but don't accomplish much. I tried all the exercises listed but it didn't seem to change anything. I was just so tired. I had had bloody show around 5 am; we arrived at the birth center around 5:45. I hadn't eaten since supper the night before, and ended up getting an IV because I couldn't stop throwing up. There was another mom in labor at the same time as me--a first for our birth center--which made for chaos with the two midwives. Thankfully they called a massage therapist who works out of the birth center to be an extra set of hands, and she stayed with us most of the time. She was AWESOME. After the birth while the midwives had had a chance to finish with the other mama (who had delivered first and was ready to go home), we rested. Then they looked at the tissue damage and decided it would be best to go to the hospital. I didn't argue about that, but I was concerned what would happen to my babe. The midwives worked it out with the hospital staff and their backup OB that we could be admitted, or not. After some discussion DH and I decided we'd stay overnight and they could admit Phoebe too if they'd let us room in and do all the exams in the room. They seemed surprised but were very supportive.
I didn't want to go to the hospital but overall I think it was a good decision. It was such a good experience that it didn't even compare to being in the hospital for my first DD's birth (which was also unmedicated, with a doula). I guess it all depends on the hospital and the staff.
So, even though I'm on a lot of pain meds, Phoebe is nursing like a champ and is a super-content baby. My milk came in today. I just have to follow up with the backup OB...who ordered no lifting, no cooking, no cleaning, no driving...nada til the tissue damage heals. Thankfully I have lots of holiday visitors who actually like to cook, clean, and generally have projects to work on.
It'll be like being pregnant still (since I was so sick I couldn't do much)---only I don't feel nauseous!
Born at the birth center with the assistance of midwives, 9 pounds 4 ounces, 20.5 inches. Transferred to hospital after the birth because of my tissue damage (ouch!) Hospital staff surprisingly supportive; we stayed one night and one-half day and came home this afternoon.More later...I'm just so glad to be done and back home with my babe!
to all those still waiting.Update: Phoebe was posterior (occiput posterior) which resulted in a really bad tear for me. I had begun to suspect something wasn't right after so much early labor (nearly a month's worth!) According to Henci Goer you should suspect malpositioning if early labor contractions are strong but don't accomplish much. I tried all the exercises listed but it didn't seem to change anything. I was just so tired. I had had bloody show around 5 am; we arrived at the birth center around 5:45. I hadn't eaten since supper the night before, and ended up getting an IV because I couldn't stop throwing up. There was another mom in labor at the same time as me--a first for our birth center--which made for chaos with the two midwives. Thankfully they called a massage therapist who works out of the birth center to be an extra set of hands, and she stayed with us most of the time. She was AWESOME. After the birth while the midwives had had a chance to finish with the other mama (who had delivered first and was ready to go home), we rested. Then they looked at the tissue damage and decided it would be best to go to the hospital. I didn't argue about that, but I was concerned what would happen to my babe. The midwives worked it out with the hospital staff and their backup OB that we could be admitted, or not. After some discussion DH and I decided we'd stay overnight and they could admit Phoebe too if they'd let us room in and do all the exams in the room. They seemed surprised but were very supportive.
I didn't want to go to the hospital but overall I think it was a good decision. It was such a good experience that it didn't even compare to being in the hospital for my first DD's birth (which was also unmedicated, with a doula). I guess it all depends on the hospital and the staff.
So, even though I'm on a lot of pain meds, Phoebe is nursing like a champ and is a super-content baby. My milk came in today. I just have to follow up with the backup OB...who ordered no lifting, no cooking, no cleaning, no driving...nada til the tissue damage heals. Thankfully I have lots of holiday visitors who actually like to cook, clean, and generally have projects to work on.
It'll be like being pregnant still (since I was so sick I couldn't do much)---only I don't feel nauseous!
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Phoebe!
