Clara Helen
6 lbs. 10 oz., 21.5"
Born at home at 11:57 pm on June 27, 2008
Tons of dark hair
I had a long and strange labor. It started Thursday evening at 5 and continued through the night. At 8:30 in the morning it totally stopped (6 cm). I rested throughout the day. We went out to lunch. I napped some more. Then at 6 things started again. Clara finally was able to rotate into a good position. My pelvic injury from when I slipped on ice in February resulted in quite a lot of back pressure for me, even when she was in a good position.
I think it was around 10 that I had my midwife break my water both to keep Clara in a good position (she kept turning posterior) and to help my pressure waves which had started to space out again. I was 7 or 8 cm again with a posterior cervix (like with Leah). That did the trick! It was pretty intense for the last part and I had my mw hold my cervix in front of Clara's head so I could push her through, which required a lot of concentration on my part. I remember commenting to my doula something like "I don't know why anyone would choose to do this without hypnosis" because it was intense even if it wasn't painful. Once Clara moved past my cervix it was only another 5 minutes before she was out.
Matt was very hands on for the last couple of hours since the back pressure was just constant. I had him pressing on my sacrum, which helped so much. My doula was wonderful. She helped so much with helping Clara get into a good position. My midwife was great as always, too.
Clara took a little time transitioning once she was out due to a creative wrapping of her cord around her body. She pinked up after a little stimulation and is doing well now. I'm feeling pretty well except for my back. I had another appointment with my chiropractor scheduled for Monday to fix my pelvis/baby positioning issue and I think I'll keep it to help my back. My chiro spoke to my doula on the phone to give her specific instructions to help me during the birth, which I thought was great.
Overall things went pretty well and we're happy to have her here!
ETA links to pics:
http://www.birthnaturally.org/images...compressed.jpg
http://www.birthnaturally.org/images...compressed.jpg
6 lbs. 10 oz., 21.5"
Born at home at 11:57 pm on June 27, 2008
Tons of dark hair
I had a long and strange labor. It started Thursday evening at 5 and continued through the night. At 8:30 in the morning it totally stopped (6 cm). I rested throughout the day. We went out to lunch. I napped some more. Then at 6 things started again. Clara finally was able to rotate into a good position. My pelvic injury from when I slipped on ice in February resulted in quite a lot of back pressure for me, even when she was in a good position.
I think it was around 10 that I had my midwife break my water both to keep Clara in a good position (she kept turning posterior) and to help my pressure waves which had started to space out again. I was 7 or 8 cm again with a posterior cervix (like with Leah). That did the trick! It was pretty intense for the last part and I had my mw hold my cervix in front of Clara's head so I could push her through, which required a lot of concentration on my part. I remember commenting to my doula something like "I don't know why anyone would choose to do this without hypnosis" because it was intense even if it wasn't painful. Once Clara moved past my cervix it was only another 5 minutes before she was out.
Matt was very hands on for the last couple of hours since the back pressure was just constant. I had him pressing on my sacrum, which helped so much. My doula was wonderful. She helped so much with helping Clara get into a good position. My midwife was great as always, too.
Clara took a little time transitioning once she was out due to a creative wrapping of her cord around her body. She pinked up after a little stimulation and is doing well now. I'm feeling pretty well except for my back. I had another appointment with my chiropractor scheduled for Monday to fix my pelvis/baby positioning issue and I think I'll keep it to help my back. My chiro spoke to my doula on the phone to give her specific instructions to help me during the birth, which I thought was great.
Overall things went pretty well and we're happy to have her here!
ETA links to pics:
http://www.birthnaturally.org/images...compressed.jpg
http://www.birthnaturally.org/images...compressed.jpg
: What a pretty name, too!! Awesome birth, momma! Good job!
Congratulations!!
(coming from someone who's babies have light, very fine hair). Beautiful!
