Here's the LONG story
Over the past few weeks, I had been having signs of imminent labor-- increased Braxton-Hicks contractions, baby dropping, and some other things I won't mention. But, nothing seemed to add up to real labor starting. However, that all changed on Thursday, February 1st.
Tuesday, January 30th, my doula called me in a panic. The weather reports indicated a system moving through on Thursday. Apparently, the change in barametric pressure sends some women close to their due date into labor. I chuckled and reassured her that I would still be pregnant the following week and that her other client would likely go first. Boy, was I wrong! :P
Thursday morning rolled around- and so did the snow! J was so excited to go play in the snow. I was having a few cramps but nothing significant. I just thought it was more Braxton-Hicks.
I called my doula's back-up doula to be on the safe side. As I was talking to her, I realized the cramps were getting stronger. The back-up doula, Alex, told me to keep track of their intensity because today could be it! All I could think was "Yeah right!"
I got J dressed and out we went! He was having so much fun! He decided to take his play mower for a walk down the street and I thought the movement would be good for me. However, during that walk, things began to change. By the time we rounded the second street, I was in dire urgency to get BACK to the house. I thought my bladder was about to burst!!! J thought I was being a mean mommy and started to drag even slower. I had to pick him up and carry him and Mr. Mower back to the house! Not an easy feat when you are 9 months pregnant and walking in the snow!
Back at the house, I realized I should lay down a bit to see if the cramping eases off. I even took a hot shower. Nothing is slowing the tightening cramps. Then, came the bloody show. So, I called Kandace, my doula.
By noon, the cramps had turned into contractions. I could time them. Kandace and I talked about the weather and what we should do. We decided to wait another hour or so. By 2, we had called my mother in law to watch Joshua and decided to meet Kandace at the hospital. The threat of freezing rain scared Rob too much to chance it.
We arrived at the hospital at 3:30ish in the afternoon. We were not admitted but taken to a room nonetheless. There, they insisted that I be monitored. After that we walked A LOT. The labor that had started at home was now starting to fade. I was monitored again by a nasty nurse with an attitude-- and, sent home. My contractions were not close enough. And, the weather was not bad enough for us to try and stay. I came in at 3cm and 50% effaced and left the same.
Kandace told us to relax, get a hotel room, go to dinner-- and SLEEP. She assured us that chances were that we would get some sleep and then I would wake in active labor. I was so discouraged that I told DH I needed cheesecake! So, we took part of Kandace's advice-- we went to the Cheesecake Factory to talk and relax. I had my cheesecake and DH had a beer. While there, I continued to contract ever 7-8 minutes. Nothing major--just a little painful. Having heard about the effectiveness of Black Cohosh, I took some with my cake. Everclear tasted better :P
When we got home, I went to bed. I didn't really sleep well at all. The contractions kept waking me. They seemed to intensify. At midnight, I gave up and went to the office to try and take my mind off of the contractions and to time them as well. Between checking messages and the internet boards, I was having STRONG contractions about every 5 minutes. I decided to drink some water and eat a power bar to see if that would help. Nope. By 3AM, I had to wake DH. I could no longer stand while having contractions.
I got into the tub to labor some more while DH called Kandace. The warm water seemed to help me deal with the pain a bit. I could not talk during contractions so I knew this was the real deal. Nevertheless, I wanted to labor in the tub for another hour to see if the contractions got closer. They did- they went from 5 minutes.... to 4.... to 3. DH called Kandace back and said it was time to go.
We left the house around 4:30ish and got to the hospital by 5AM. That dang admitting woman p*#$$ed me off. Here I am laboring in the waiting room and she insists to see my ID to make sure I am who I say I am.
When we finally get to my room, the nurse hooks me to the monitor and checks my cervix. I am 5cm dialated and 100% effaced. Active labor here we come!
I had an issue keeping the monitoring thingy on my belly and I sure as heck wasn't doing a good job of laboring in the position the nurse put me in. I moved to get comfy and the monitor started going all over the place trying to pick up the heartbeat. The nurse returns and tells me that we should start an IV-- the baby is having "decels". Um- no. The monitor moved. She tried to argue with me but lost :P
FINALLY- they let me off that dang monitor and let me labor! Kandace suggests walking and lunging to make sure that we get the baby into position. I was having quite a bit of back labor. So, we walk the halls for a little bit and lunge when a contraction hit. Then we try going back to the room and laboring on the toilet and the birth bar. I tolerated standing with a lean into the birth bar much better.
At 7am, the shift changes and the new nurse-- Ms. I Smoke in my Uniform *YUCK*-- needs to get another monitoring strip. So, I sat on the birth ball while she actually held the monitor in place for me. She may have smelled like a chimney but at least she did her job! After 15 minutes, I am back up and laboring using the birth bar.
By 8 or 8:30, we try sitting on the toilet again to labor. The pain is intensifying. I am feeing the urge to push more than moan through the pain. We called the nurse back in to check me. Turns out, I am 8cm! WOW! Not long now!!
Kandace predicts that we'll have a baby around 10. I couldn't believe how incredibly accurate she was!
Around 9:15am, I am fighting the need to push. I am moaning and groaning through the contractions. Kandace did a great job of keeping me focused on using deep moans with the contractions. I couldn't believe how focusing on the tone helped me deal with the pain. I also couldn't stand anymore so I was on my knees in the bed, hanging on the top of the mattress.
I was checked again when I started pushing uncontrallably. I STILL had a lip of cervix. I decided that I could not stand and labor any more and needed to labor on my side in the bed. By this point, I had been in labor (including the prodromal labor that started it all) for 24 hours. I was TIRED!
Kandace continued to keep me focused on breathing through the contractions and allowing my body to push the baby down. This was amazing! I actually labored the baby into a +2 station without pushing at all!
The doctor came back in and checked me- I was complete! He said my bag of waters was buldging and suggested we break it only because the baby's head was so close and would come that much closer without the bag intact. I agreed--and so he broke my water. It turns out the baby had passed merconium but not that much. J had done the same thing 2 years ago so I knew it would be ok.
By a little before 10, I could no longer fight the urge to push at all. My body was doing the pushing for me. I was in the most bizzare position-- on my side, hugging the side rail of the bed, my right leg propped on the birth bar and pushing into a little ball. Kandance suggested I try pushing this way and brought out a sheet to wrap around the bar. The first push like this and the nurse FREAKS! She calls the doctor back and tells me to blow through the next contraction. YEAH RIGHT! Dr. S was just down the hall and THANK GOD b/c this baby was COMING! He saw how close the head was.... I have never seen a doctor move this fast ever! They also called in the pediatrician and the baby team.
It took 3 good strong pushes and our baby was born!
I could see the doctor suctioning-- I could see the baby--- and I could see Rob trying to see WHAT KIND of baby we had. I finally said-- "well, WHAT IS IT?!" He looked..... got a goofy look.... and said "ITS A GIRL!"
I thought we would both faint. We had convinced ourselves that it was a boy all along. But, God blessed us with a beautiful girl.
I did not get to hold her right away b/c she had passed merconium. But, I did hold her soon. She was just gorgeous! God blessed us with a girl.
I had a wonderful, unmedicated birth with the support of my husband and a fantastic doula. I couldn't have done it without them.
FRANCES NOVELLA "ELLA" (named for my momma)
9lb. 1 oz
21 inches
10:16 am on Friday, 2/2
Over the past few weeks, I had been having signs of imminent labor-- increased Braxton-Hicks contractions, baby dropping, and some other things I won't mention. But, nothing seemed to add up to real labor starting. However, that all changed on Thursday, February 1st.
Tuesday, January 30th, my doula called me in a panic. The weather reports indicated a system moving through on Thursday. Apparently, the change in barametric pressure sends some women close to their due date into labor. I chuckled and reassured her that I would still be pregnant the following week and that her other client would likely go first. Boy, was I wrong! :P
Thursday morning rolled around- and so did the snow! J was so excited to go play in the snow. I was having a few cramps but nothing significant. I just thought it was more Braxton-Hicks.
I called my doula's back-up doula to be on the safe side. As I was talking to her, I realized the cramps were getting stronger. The back-up doula, Alex, told me to keep track of their intensity because today could be it! All I could think was "Yeah right!"
I got J dressed and out we went!
He was having so much fun! He decided to take his play mower for a walk down the street and I thought the movement would be good for me. However, during that walk, things began to change. By the time we rounded the second street, I was in dire urgency to get BACK to the house. I thought my bladder was about to burst!!! J thought I was being a mean mommy and started to drag even slower. I had to pick him up and carry him and Mr. Mower back to the house! Not an easy feat when you are 9 months pregnant and walking in the snow!Back at the house, I realized I should lay down a bit to see if the cramping eases off. I even took a hot shower. Nothing is slowing the tightening cramps. Then, came the bloody show. So, I called Kandace, my doula.
By noon, the cramps had turned into contractions. I could time them. Kandace and I talked about the weather and what we should do. We decided to wait another hour or so. By 2, we had called my mother in law to watch Joshua and decided to meet Kandace at the hospital. The threat of freezing rain scared Rob too much to chance it.
We arrived at the hospital at 3:30ish in the afternoon. We were not admitted but taken to a room nonetheless. There, they insisted that I be monitored. After that we walked A LOT. The labor that had started at home was now starting to fade. I was monitored again by a nasty nurse with an attitude-- and, sent home. My contractions were not close enough. And, the weather was not bad enough for us to try and stay. I came in at 3cm and 50% effaced and left the same.
Kandace told us to relax, get a hotel room, go to dinner-- and SLEEP. She assured us that chances were that we would get some sleep and then I would wake in active labor. I was so discouraged that I told DH I needed cheesecake! So, we took part of Kandace's advice-- we went to the Cheesecake Factory to talk and relax. I had my cheesecake and DH had a beer. While there, I continued to contract ever 7-8 minutes. Nothing major--just a little painful. Having heard about the effectiveness of Black Cohosh, I took some with my cake. Everclear tasted better :P
When we got home, I went to bed. I didn't really sleep well at all. The contractions kept waking me. They seemed to intensify. At midnight, I gave up and went to the office to try and take my mind off of the contractions and to time them as well. Between checking messages and the internet boards, I was having STRONG contractions about every 5 minutes. I decided to drink some water and eat a power bar to see if that would help. Nope. By 3AM, I had to wake DH. I could no longer stand while having contractions.
I got into the tub to labor some more while DH called Kandace. The warm water seemed to help me deal with the pain a bit. I could not talk during contractions so I knew this was the real deal. Nevertheless, I wanted to labor in the tub for another hour to see if the contractions got closer. They did- they went from 5 minutes.... to 4.... to 3. DH called Kandace back and said it was time to go.
We left the house around 4:30ish and got to the hospital by 5AM. That dang admitting woman p*#$$ed me off. Here I am laboring in the waiting room and she insists to see my ID to make sure I am who I say I am.
When we finally get to my room, the nurse hooks me to the monitor and checks my cervix. I am 5cm dialated and 100% effaced. Active labor here we come!
I had an issue keeping the monitoring thingy on my belly and I sure as heck wasn't doing a good job of laboring in the position the nurse put me in. I moved to get comfy and the monitor started going all over the place trying to pick up the heartbeat. The nurse returns and tells me that we should start an IV-- the baby is having "decels". Um- no. The monitor moved. She tried to argue with me but lost :P
FINALLY- they let me off that dang monitor and let me labor! Kandace suggests walking and lunging to make sure that we get the baby into position. I was having quite a bit of back labor. So, we walk the halls for a little bit and lunge when a contraction hit. Then we try going back to the room and laboring on the toilet and the birth bar. I tolerated standing with a lean into the birth bar much better.
At 7am, the shift changes and the new nurse-- Ms. I Smoke in my Uniform *YUCK*-- needs to get another monitoring strip. So, I sat on the birth ball while she actually held the monitor in place for me. She may have smelled like a chimney but at least she did her job! After 15 minutes, I am back up and laboring using the birth bar.
By 8 or 8:30, we try sitting on the toilet again to labor. The pain is intensifying. I am feeing the urge to push more than moan through the pain. We called the nurse back in to check me. Turns out, I am 8cm! WOW! Not long now!!
Kandace predicts that we'll have a baby around 10. I couldn't believe how incredibly accurate she was!
Around 9:15am, I am fighting the need to push. I am moaning and groaning through the contractions. Kandace did a great job of keeping me focused on using deep moans with the contractions. I couldn't believe how focusing on the tone helped me deal with the pain. I also couldn't stand anymore so I was on my knees in the bed, hanging on the top of the mattress.
I was checked again when I started pushing uncontrallably. I STILL had a lip of cervix. I decided that I could not stand and labor any more and needed to labor on my side in the bed. By this point, I had been in labor (including the prodromal labor that started it all) for 24 hours. I was TIRED!
Kandace continued to keep me focused on breathing through the contractions and allowing my body to push the baby down. This was amazing! I actually labored the baby into a +2 station without pushing at all!
The doctor came back in and checked me- I was complete! He said my bag of waters was buldging and suggested we break it only because the baby's head was so close and would come that much closer without the bag intact. I agreed--and so he broke my water. It turns out the baby had passed merconium but not that much. J had done the same thing 2 years ago so I knew it would be ok.
By a little before 10, I could no longer fight the urge to push at all. My body was doing the pushing for me. I was in the most bizzare position-- on my side, hugging the side rail of the bed, my right leg propped on the birth bar and pushing into a little ball. Kandance suggested I try pushing this way and brought out a sheet to wrap around the bar. The first push like this and the nurse FREAKS! She calls the doctor back and tells me to blow through the next contraction. YEAH RIGHT! Dr. S was just down the hall and THANK GOD b/c this baby was COMING! He saw how close the head was.... I have never seen a doctor move this fast ever! They also called in the pediatrician and the baby team.
It took 3 good strong pushes and our baby was born!
I could see the doctor suctioning-- I could see the baby--- and I could see Rob trying to see WHAT KIND of baby we had. I finally said-- "well, WHAT IS IT?!" He looked..... got a goofy look.... and said "ITS A GIRL!"
I thought we would both faint. We had convinced ourselves that it was a boy all along. But, God blessed us with a beautiful girl.
I did not get to hold her right away b/c she had passed merconium. But, I did hold her soon. She was just gorgeous! God blessed us with a girl.
I had a wonderful, unmedicated birth with the support of my husband and a fantastic doula. I couldn't have done it without them.
FRANCES NOVELLA "ELLA" (named for my momma)
9lb. 1 oz
21 inches
10:16 am on Friday, 2/2
Frances!
