A Long Story of A Short Birth
Looking back on it now it’s clear that I did have signs of impending labor, however since I have never had a baby near my estimated due date, I presumed that I would be pregnant until October.
The past week and a half were filled with increased migraines and the return of “regularity” that had been absent. Nesting never quite happened, but I did get an irresistible urge to start sewing for baby because I was unable to find any prior newborn or tiny baby clothes in the house.
Most of the birth supplies had been picked up. The pool made it to the house on the 19th (my EDD and Chaya’s birthday). The kids and I walked to the plumbing store on Friday afternoon to pick up the sink/hose adapter. I still didn’t have a fishing net.
We welcomed Shabbat Friday evening with blessings, songs, and rituals. We are our meal and put the kids to bed, Adam falling asleep with Chaya. I was restless and unable to sleep so I read. As usual, I woke up early morning with Ilan bouncing and crawling all over me, saying “Get up Mommy,” and “I hungry.” And as usual I tried to ignore him and keep sleeping… but this time I realized I was having contractions with noticeable regularity. I stayed in bed, willing myself to relax into the contractions/waves and trying to decide if this was really It. Got out of bed, the time was 5:30 a.m. or so, and I went to the bathroom. Things began to clear out, and I saw bloody show on the TP. While in the bathroom the waves got stronger, but still manageable. I have a history of fast labors and waiting too long to call my Midwife, so I decided to wake Adam.
“Hey Honey, I think it’s baby day. Let’s set up the pool.” He blinked and said “OKAY!” and hopped out of bed to set up downstairs. Ilan and I went into the kitchen to heat up some pancakes and I had a wave while they were warming. Ilan, per usual, demanded to be picked up except I was right in the middle of a contraction. I really snapped at him and said that wouldn’t be possible. Got the pancakes on a plate and served him, trying to cut them up between contractions.
I called Anne and left messages at 6:30. I called the MW assistant at 7 am and told her she should probably head over. She wanted to know how far apart the contractions were so I said I’d time a few and call back. They were about 2-3 minutes apart and 40 – 60 seconds in duration. It reminded me of Ilan’s labor. “Dude,” I thought “that’s close together. I can’t be that far along yet.” I called Nancy back at 7:15 and she was surprised and agreed to come on over. Apparently, I had a contraction while on the phone with her and managed to say through very clenched teeth “I can still talk through them.” At this point, Chaya, Adam, and Ilan were all awake and moving around. Dealing with the children was hard.
I moved back into the bathroom a couple times because laboring on the toilet or birth/yoga ball felt best, and I was still clearing out. I began vocalizing through my contractions. I got the bed ready for birth and changed into a tankini top and swim skirt.
At some point Adam’s parents arrived to get the kids and I was deep in labor land but really didn’t feel comfortable with them hearing me work through it all. I managed to stay relatively quiet and work through a contraction on the ball while Adam’s Dad was totally unaware I was in the next room. That is, till he came into the dining room and saw me. Hah! The hardest part was trying to work through my labor while my in laws were there and my children were screaming bloody murder because they didn’t want to leave. We had talked about them staying but ultimately I’m glad they left so I could concentrate.
The pool was full so I got in which felt amazing. I brought my puke bowl with me and used it, again thinking “this is fast and can’t possibly be transition.” The contractions were demanding but not overwhelming. I felt slightly pushy but was totally denying it. Nancy arrived, followed by Anne. I finally really let myself vomit, and almost immediately felt the need to push. This was 14 minutes after they came.
I’ll never forget the conversation in my head at this point:
“I really have to poop. I could get out of the pool and go to the bathroom, but then the baby’s head will be born in the toilet of the cat’s bathroom and I dunno how I’ll make it back here. Might as well just poop in the pool. Wish we had gotten that fish net….”
Waters released as I was pushing which I felt as a gush in the pool. Things got a little more intense and I was pushing fast and furious, no calm birthing sounds but guttural and primal noises.
I put my hand down to support myself and I was surprised to find baby’s head! “Hi baby!!” I said.
Anne was a little uncomfortable with baby just hanging out so she asked me to push baby out. I started pushing without a contraction, then was aided by my body and Anne while pushing. Baby ‘s body was well wrapped (and tightly) in the cord which may have been why babe preferred to be breech/oblique (though babe was born in the ideal LOA position).
After the birth I was panting and shaking, trying to gather myself. I needed that “pause” to reflect on what had just happened and wasn’t able to turn my focus out of my body yet.
Baby needed encouragement to start breathing, so Anne rubbed the feet and we spoke to babe telling it to breath. The initial Apgar was 7. Finally, baby decided to cry, thank Gd, and pinked up right away. At this point we still didn’t know the sex and I was convinced we were having a boy. Anne said, “Do you want to know what you have?” And I said, “YES!” She told me to look, and I said, “it’s a boy!” Anne touched my shoulder gently and said “look again,” and I saw that she was a girl! I started crying and I said “It’s a GIRL!” So surprised! So was Adam. He was absolutely giddy with joy.
We rested and looked at each other while in the water. And I fell absolutely in love with her.
No tearing. No PPH! A very fast and easy labor and birth, Baruch haShem!
Willhemina Neshama
Born September 22, 2012 (6 Tishri 5773)
40 weeks 4 days
8 pounds, 11 ounces
21 inches long, 13 inch head
3 hours active labor
And.. I am in love with her name! My Leo might have been a Wilhelmina (or Willa) had he been a girl! I'm so happy for you!
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