After a rough experience, a baby boy!

[jdejong]

Posting belatedly, but I'd like to announce the birth of my baby boy, Ansel Godfrey Marinus, born on September 6.

I've not posted because it was all very traumatic - an easy labor, contractions began and I was fully dialated about 5 hours later, perfect for our planned home birth. I then pushed for about 11 hours (no exaggeration) when we then all decided that we had no choice but to head for the hospital, where after many tears and much discussion, Ansel was born by cesarean. The OBs on staff felt he was too stuck to even try a vacuum or forceps, and it turned out that he had a very short cord as well, which helps to explain why at one point, not long after I began to push, we could see his head, but he then *crawled* back up and turned sideways, and then becoming stuck... we are guessing that descending was stressing him out too much.

I'm healing incredibly quickly, and Ansel is perfectly healthy and breastfeeding well, but I'm still feeling terrible about the whole experience. Our midwives were wonderful, they've been out several times to see us, and we've talked at length - there's realliy nothing more they could have tried, and the hospital staff were incredibly sympathetic to our transfer situation and couldn't have been kinder and more accomodating. But it's still very hard, I can't stop thinking about all the unknown 'what-ifs'. Since I don't have the heart right now to read all the other birth annoucements in this group, anyone have a similar experience? I hope not (for your sake) but could use someone to commiserate with.

Meanwhile, we're enjoying our beautiful baby boy!
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jjose...el_Pensive.JPG
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jjose...dson_Ansel.jpg

[hipmummy]

Congratulations Mama on the birth of your little baby boy! I am so sorry you did not have the birth of your dreams. It sounds like you are an amazingly strong Mama who did all she could to birth her baby.
I too has a similar experience when ds was born. Labor was textbook 12xhours and great. Then I pushed for over four hours, the midwifes were great but they said they had to transfer me to hospital get augmented, my big fear was a cs or vacum, forceps. They transfered me and gave me pit. I did end up pushing ds out naturally (with tad of pit), but he too had an extremely short cord as well. He was very blue and did not cry at birth Apgars were 4 and 5 and later 6. He ended up in the NICU for four days due to a stridor and an infection. I wasnot able to hold him for eight hours nor breastfeed him for over 12. I have almost gotten over it. But I too still have the what if's.

[Broccolilover]

congratulations on a beautiful baby boy i hope you are enjoying the babymoon.

my ds was a planed home water birth, i spent a lot of time through out the pregnancy planning and focusing on that birthing scenario. never did i think i would end up with a cesarean.

for me the change in plans was horribly difficult to deal with, and every time someone said "but you have a healthy baby in your arms, thats what counts" it drove me crazy. like i didn't know that, but people don't understand that i did suffer a loss. some people would be more sympathetic if rained on your wedding day.

it took a long time until i didn't cry at the thought of ds birth, and luckily holding my baby was the only thing that made me feel better. and hopefully the birth coming up will help with my healing process, no matter what the outcome.

be sure to take the time to heal from your experience, not just physically but most importantly, emotionally. it really helped me to think that my baby had a plan and a cesarean was a part of it, i can already see things that i've learned from my experience. i hope some or any of these word helped you, i think they might have help me.

[mamas2atti]

Congratulations on your baby boy mama! I'm sorry you did not have the birth experience you desired but it is definitely okay to mourn the loss of that experience. Here in Phoenix we have a Birth Circle that meets in different parts of the valley each week. It is a great place to discuss situations like yours. Perhaps there is something similar in your area?

Enjoy your baby. You will heal-both your body and spirit-in time.

[lactivist]

Awww he's gorgeous. I am so sorry things didn't turn out how you dreamed. I would say that pushing for 11 hours certainly shows your commitment and fortitude. Hold your baby close and please be gentle with yourself. Our babies were born on the same day. I will keep you in my thoughts.
Wendi

[RachelS]

Congratulations Mama on your baby boy!! What a great name as well!!!

I am so sorry that you had such a hard labor/birth!!! Mine was not my dream birth. It was a very long and hard hospital birth. However, I am now holding my little love!!!

Take care of yourself mama and that amazing little boy!

[Brilliantmama]

Originally Posted by lactivist

I would say that pushing for 11 hours certainly shows your commitment and fortitude.

:

I am sorry that you did not get the birth you planned. Your baby is absolutely beautiful-good job mama.

[SweetTexasgal]

Your babe is beautiful and I love his name. Mama be kind to yourself and allow yourself time to heal.

[StrongBeliever]

Congratulations!