13 days after his EDD, and perfect as can be, Warren Jacques (pronounced Jakes) finally arrived!
As you know we made the agonising decision to fire our midwife and to be induced so we could deliver with a supportive OB. Just after 9am on Sunday Oct 14 the OB broke my incredibly tough bag of waters and started oxytocin shortly before 10 am. I started cramping right away, and just after they removed my uneaten lunch tray hard labour started. I spent a while just rocking on the labour ball, then leaning over the warming tray. Suddenly I had to pee, and had two really hard contractions on the toilet ~ I was really near transition, and told the nurse that we were getting close, so she called the OB. She checked and I was only 6cm ~ I wanted to cry! I was on my back on the bed, which was agony, but contractions suddenly started coming too close together for me to move. I managed to get on my hands and knees on the bed, which was slightly better, and I could feel gravity working in my favour. I was starting to moan really low and felt like I might have to start pushing soon. Suddenly I lost all my strength and flopped down on the bed. I didn't have any contractions for a few minutes, and felt really blissful, then got back up on my hands and knees. It was time to push! The nurse ran for the OB and I had about 3 contractions while I waited for her. I was trying not to push, but couldn't help it. At 2.40 the OB gave me a quick check and confirmed that I was good to go. She was so awesome and supportive, with lots of warm cloths and perineal massage (which is something my m/w had said she absolutely wouldn't do). After a few pushes I got tired and rolled onto my back. I surprised myself by choosing that position for pushing again, but I was just going with the flow
DH filmed the whole thing, and at 3.15pm, our 9lb 2oz baby boy was born. Once the cord stopped pulsing, DH cut it, and Warren started nursing within 20 minutes of his birth. He took to it like a pro, and spent most of the rest of the day at my breast. We were discharged from the hospital yesterday around 6pm, after producing at least triple the output they want to see within the first 24 hours.
In the end, I'm glad things went the way they did. We had our faith in the medical system restored by the amazing people taking care of us, and Warren got to be the fifth generation born in that hospital. The OB said I did an amazing job through labour, listening to my body and showing great control, which I totally felt. It was an incredibly empowering labour and birth, despite the medical setting, and I feel so great. I only had a tiny tear and the worst pain is in my biceps!
Oh, and those afterpains...ouch!
Anyway, thanks so much for all your amazing support over the last week! It made all the difference.
As you know we made the agonising decision to fire our midwife and to be induced so we could deliver with a supportive OB. Just after 9am on Sunday Oct 14 the OB broke my incredibly tough bag of waters and started oxytocin shortly before 10 am. I started cramping right away, and just after they removed my uneaten lunch tray hard labour started. I spent a while just rocking on the labour ball, then leaning over the warming tray. Suddenly I had to pee, and had two really hard contractions on the toilet ~ I was really near transition, and told the nurse that we were getting close, so she called the OB. She checked and I was only 6cm ~ I wanted to cry! I was on my back on the bed, which was agony, but contractions suddenly started coming too close together for me to move. I managed to get on my hands and knees on the bed, which was slightly better, and I could feel gravity working in my favour. I was starting to moan really low and felt like I might have to start pushing soon. Suddenly I lost all my strength and flopped down on the bed. I didn't have any contractions for a few minutes, and felt really blissful, then got back up on my hands and knees. It was time to push! The nurse ran for the OB and I had about 3 contractions while I waited for her. I was trying not to push, but couldn't help it. At 2.40 the OB gave me a quick check and confirmed that I was good to go. She was so awesome and supportive, with lots of warm cloths and perineal massage (which is something my m/w had said she absolutely wouldn't do). After a few pushes I got tired and rolled onto my back. I surprised myself by choosing that position for pushing again, but I was just going with the flow
DH filmed the whole thing, and at 3.15pm, our 9lb 2oz baby boy was born. Once the cord stopped pulsing, DH cut it, and Warren started nursing within 20 minutes of his birth. He took to it like a pro, and spent most of the rest of the day at my breast. We were discharged from the hospital yesterday around 6pm, after producing at least triple the output they want to see within the first 24 hours.In the end, I'm glad things went the way they did. We had our faith in the medical system restored by the amazing people taking care of us, and Warren got to be the fifth generation born in that hospital. The OB said I did an amazing job through labour, listening to my body and showing great control, which I totally felt. It was an incredibly empowering labour and birth, despite the medical setting, and I feel so great. I only had a tiny tear and the worst pain is in my biceps!
Oh, and those afterpains...ouch!Anyway, thanks so much for all your amazing support over the last week! It made all the difference.
