I don't post very often, but found such inspiration from reading other birth stories. In the hope that my story might help others, here it is:
On Thursday, 12/10, I was diagnosed with preeclampsia. My MW ordered bedrest for the weekend. My husband and I really wanted to not go down the path of an induction but headed into an induction on Monday after the midwife's recommendation (BP wouldn't go down and there were two other abnormal blood test results). Over the weekend, I did everything I could to go into natural labor (acupuncture, massage, evening primrose oil) and although the techniques didn't work, I think everything helped prime my body.
I started out at 1 cm 50% effaced as of last Thursday, but by Tuesday morning after a night of Cervadil, started the official induction with Pitocin at 2 cm 80% effaced at 8 a.m. I was very scared of what the induction process meant -- and due to my high blood pressure, I knew that a lot of our "plan" had to be thrown out the window because of the need for continuous monitoring.
The morning contractions were fine and in fact, I did a lot of laboring in bed. However, by noon when I was 5 cm dilated, things changed dramatically. I remember wanting to cave for the epidural, but my husband helped me make it through by counting off each contraction. I also labored on the toilet and used the squat bar at the end of the bed. I knew that if I could get to the 30 second "peak" of each contraction, I could make it through the end of the rest of the contraction. At 2 p.m., the nurse wanted to up the Pitocin even though I was having regular and steady contractions (and in fact, felt the need to "bear down"). We asked her to check me before she did so -- and I was 8 cm dilated and 100% effaced! At that point, I knew that I could make it (we later found out that the MW had recommended the Pit increase). Once we knew that I was 8 cm dilated, I went with the urge to bear down and by 4 p.m., I was ready to push! In 30 minutes, Hayden was born.
My husband was an outstanding coach (we used the Bradley Method). We also had a wonderful doula, who made continuous recommendations throughout the labor and ended up coaching me through the pushing stage. We also had an amazing L&D nurse, who allowed me to labor in multiple positions throughout the afternoon without continuous monitoring (as long as I was monitored for 20 minutes out of the hour).
All in all, we were very lucky to have a smaller baby (6 lbs. 5 oz.) and were grateful that my body worked with the Pitocin in that labor in all was 8 hours long, with only 30 minutes of pushing.
For those facing an induction, it can be done epidural-free if that's your plan!
Best Wishes to Everyone!
On Thursday, 12/10, I was diagnosed with preeclampsia. My MW ordered bedrest for the weekend. My husband and I really wanted to not go down the path of an induction but headed into an induction on Monday after the midwife's recommendation (BP wouldn't go down and there were two other abnormal blood test results). Over the weekend, I did everything I could to go into natural labor (acupuncture, massage, evening primrose oil) and although the techniques didn't work, I think everything helped prime my body.
I started out at 1 cm 50% effaced as of last Thursday, but by Tuesday morning after a night of Cervadil, started the official induction with Pitocin at 2 cm 80% effaced at 8 a.m. I was very scared of what the induction process meant -- and due to my high blood pressure, I knew that a lot of our "plan" had to be thrown out the window because of the need for continuous monitoring.
The morning contractions were fine and in fact, I did a lot of laboring in bed. However, by noon when I was 5 cm dilated, things changed dramatically. I remember wanting to cave for the epidural, but my husband helped me make it through by counting off each contraction. I also labored on the toilet and used the squat bar at the end of the bed. I knew that if I could get to the 30 second "peak" of each contraction, I could make it through the end of the rest of the contraction. At 2 p.m., the nurse wanted to up the Pitocin even though I was having regular and steady contractions (and in fact, felt the need to "bear down"). We asked her to check me before she did so -- and I was 8 cm dilated and 100% effaced! At that point, I knew that I could make it (we later found out that the MW had recommended the Pit increase). Once we knew that I was 8 cm dilated, I went with the urge to bear down and by 4 p.m., I was ready to push! In 30 minutes, Hayden was born.
My husband was an outstanding coach (we used the Bradley Method). We also had a wonderful doula, who made continuous recommendations throughout the labor and ended up coaching me through the pushing stage. We also had an amazing L&D nurse, who allowed me to labor in multiple positions throughout the afternoon without continuous monitoring (as long as I was monitored for 20 minutes out of the hour).
All in all, we were very lucky to have a smaller baby (6 lbs. 5 oz.) and were grateful that my body worked with the Pitocin in that labor in all was 8 hours long, with only 30 minutes of pushing.
For those facing an induction, it can be done epidural-free if that's your plan!
Best Wishes to Everyone!
