So I will start by saying that the final leg of my pregnancy pelvic girdle pain has destroyed my back. I was unable to walk sleep or move without pain for several weeks. My midwives had me try everything. She sent me to PT and suggested anything else she could think of to help. I had an acupuncture treatment on Monday, and it helped with range of motion and flexibility. The pain was persistent, though. We talked to my midwife and decided I could not emotionally or physically go through another day, so she scheduled me to be induced the next morning.
I started the pit around 10 am, Physical Therapy sent for a tens unit for me. 3 hours later I was still not laboring so she and Kati (who will be a full fledged midwife in a few weeks) broke my water. I spent the next hour doing some things I had read about on spinningbabies.com about tucking the babies chin. Mostly squats and pelvic tilts, I think. Then we went to pain city. The tens unit helped a lot. I have to admit since I was already dripping with wires from the IV and the monitors, I was not excited about putting on 4 more electric pads on my back. Thank goodness I had Chris put them on when he did, because my contractions started seriously a few minutes later. The idea is that the electric impulse gets to your pain receptor before the contractions can. I would turn the intensity up with every contraction and turn it back down as they faded. When they started getting really intense, the pain was bad. It was better having something that I could control, especially since I was so anxious. My husband did his best to help me with acupressure. I think he would say the same thing, that it was better to have something that he could do to try and help me. I focus on breathing through them and remind myself that I got through the last one, the pain is as bad as it will be and I can get through the next one. On and off, I was so scared. I have never been like that before, but I kept worrying about “something” going wrong. I knew I was not relaxing enough between contractions, I need help.
Then my midwives and my new nurse (there was a shift change, and I had not seen a nurse for a long time) were there with us. It was like being rescued. They dimmed the lights and put on some beautiful music. Seeing I was still having a hard time relaxing, Elaine asks me if I want to try the tub. Contractions are close and intense so I move quickly. Floating in the water, my body starts to melt. As soon as I am able to relax for a few minutes, I must be complete. The contractions were constant, I asked to get out. I could barley stand so I sat backwards on the toilet for a minute. I could feel the urge to push. I got to the bed to see they also knew we were ready. Everything was set and I felt supported by these wonderful women and my wonderful husband. My baby was born after three or four well controlled pushes. Baby was great. But after 30 minutes still no placenta. Kian takes right to my breast. He is so alert and calm. Still, no placenta.. They sent for the ob, and she helped pull it out while I pushed. Baby on my chest still nursing, finally my body releases and it’s out.
Now my sweet boy is here. I’m so glad I could do it without drugs. God knows, I thought about it. Hallelujah.
I started the pit around 10 am, Physical Therapy sent for a tens unit for me. 3 hours later I was still not laboring so she and Kati (who will be a full fledged midwife in a few weeks) broke my water. I spent the next hour doing some things I had read about on spinningbabies.com about tucking the babies chin. Mostly squats and pelvic tilts, I think. Then we went to pain city. The tens unit helped a lot. I have to admit since I was already dripping with wires from the IV and the monitors, I was not excited about putting on 4 more electric pads on my back. Thank goodness I had Chris put them on when he did, because my contractions started seriously a few minutes later. The idea is that the electric impulse gets to your pain receptor before the contractions can. I would turn the intensity up with every contraction and turn it back down as they faded. When they started getting really intense, the pain was bad. It was better having something that I could control, especially since I was so anxious. My husband did his best to help me with acupressure. I think he would say the same thing, that it was better to have something that he could do to try and help me. I focus on breathing through them and remind myself that I got through the last one, the pain is as bad as it will be and I can get through the next one. On and off, I was so scared. I have never been like that before, but I kept worrying about “something” going wrong. I knew I was not relaxing enough between contractions, I need help.
Then my midwives and my new nurse (there was a shift change, and I had not seen a nurse for a long time) were there with us. It was like being rescued. They dimmed the lights and put on some beautiful music. Seeing I was still having a hard time relaxing, Elaine asks me if I want to try the tub. Contractions are close and intense so I move quickly. Floating in the water, my body starts to melt. As soon as I am able to relax for a few minutes, I must be complete. The contractions were constant, I asked to get out. I could barley stand so I sat backwards on the toilet for a minute. I could feel the urge to push. I got to the bed to see they also knew we were ready. Everything was set and I felt supported by these wonderful women and my wonderful husband. My baby was born after three or four well controlled pushes. Baby was great. But after 30 minutes still no placenta. Kian takes right to my breast. He is so alert and calm. Still, no placenta.. They sent for the ob, and she helped pull it out while I pushed. Baby on my chest still nursing, finally my body releases and it’s out.
Now my sweet boy is here. I’m so glad I could do it without drugs. God knows, I thought about it. Hallelujah.
