We were scheduled for an induction on Monday morning, the 18th of February. We cancelled it on Friday, knowing that it was unnecessary and this baby will come when she wants. I had contractions amongst other fun end-of-pregnancy symptoms Sunday, and into the morning on Monday. It was to the point around 6am that contractions were 8 minutes apart, but weren’t very strong or long, just enough to be uncomfortable and annoying. I had been up since 1am timing them and trying to be quiet to let hubby sleep. When 6:30am rolled around I was pretty exhausted and convinced that this baby was going to come today. I had also forgotten that we had our NST scheduled for 8am, so we went to that. She was strong, healthy, and completely perfect and fluid measurements were excellent. I was also just 2cm dilated and 80% effaced—some progress, but not enough to convince me that the contractions were real.
Back home I managed to nap and get things together, hubby timed contractions that woke me up and doubled me over at times. I wanted to labor at home as long as possible, so we kept with it. He decided that we ( I ) should bake peanut butter cookies as a nice distraction and keep me busy. I would make 3 balls, roll them in sugar and double over in pain at the sink. Contractions were now 3-4 minutes apart. I told him we should go to the hospital.
We checked into labor and delivery at 5:30pm Monday and I was 5cm dilated, 100% effaced. Huzzah!
The nurse was very supportive of my decision for a natural vaginal delivery, just gave me a little fluid, which made me heave into the trash can. Hubby worked through each contraction with me. He never left my side, distracted me when I needed it, massaged, cheered, and let me cry when I felt so weak. A few times I said I can’t do it, I’m too weak, or I don’t want to do this anymore (too late..) and he said “but you are doing it! You’re amazing!” The last contractions were by far the worst, though I had found a nice rhythm on the birthing ball with hubby holding my hands and rubbing my legs and humming and moaning together through the pain.
I found myself wanting to push all of a sudden and he ran to get the nurse. She came in and checked me, said I was fully dilated and I can push when I want. I started to bear down and she found that the head was right there, and she told me to breathe through the next urge to push so she can get the doctor to be here for the birth. I told her I can’t do that. If I want to push, I’m gonna push. Baby decided that she wanted to take her sweet time coming out anyway.
Pushing was by far the most intense part of the entire labor experience. I pushed for 1.5 hours with a continuous supply of cold wet washcloths on my head. I had a hard time understanding how to push for some reason, and they asked me if i wanted a mirror or if i wanted to touch her head. I responded "no, i'm holding my foot!" which everyone thought was hilarious. Hubby held my right hand and cheered me on while I grabbed my left foot with each contraction. At one point he said “I could have kissed her forehead!” after a good push.
I finally felt my vag ripping apart, screamed bloody murder, and knew that the head was finally fully coming out. After her head was out I gave a couple more little pushes to birth the rest of her. They immediately put her on me and I kissed her tiny fingers while hubby reminded the doctor that we wanted delayed cord clamping.
The moment she came out I looked at hubby’s face. I have never seen such joy in all my life. She was rubbed clean while on my chest and immediately latched on to feed, while maintaining eye contact with me.
Naomi Grace was born at 11:27pm February 18th, 2013. She was 7 pounds, 14oz, and 20 ¼ inches long. She got an apgar score of 9. My water didn’t break until I was pushing, and it had meconium in it, although all was well. She also pooed again when they were doing her exam beside us.
Hubby watched the whole birth and cut the cord. I’m amazed by his love and support. I couldn’t have managed the pain without him.
Note. The most annoying thing in the world is the nurse pushing on your guts right after birth. I kept pushing her hand away and apologizing that it’s just a reflex. I was also getting stitches at the same time.
Naomi is the most amazing girl in the world. She loves eye contact and wants to just fall asleep on me. She’s a good solid nurser and sleeper, and all the doctors and nurses tell me how beautiful she is. I couldn’t be a happier mama. I am so blessed and completely in love.
Edited by kellybeth - 2/22/13 at 3:41pm
And good for you for sticking to your guns!
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