lisamarie
05-19-2003, 12:47 PM
With my first pregnancy, I read everything I could get my hands on to prepare myself for a natural delivery with a midwife at the hospital. I had a short, intense labor (5 hrs.) and labored in the tub and felt the urge to push at 8 cm/ But, when the time came, he ended up being in distress and the ob had to be called in to use the vacuum ext. to help him arrive quicker. The cord was wrapped 3 x around his chest, he was small (and 6 days late) 5 lbs 14 oz. and was blue. Luckily everything turned out o.k., but I never thought about complications that could arise. He is now a wonderful, sensitive 6 1/2 yo little boy!:love
Three weeks ago, I had the birth experience I always dreamed about. I never thought I would have another baby because my first dh had died. I had a great pregnancy and this time, I was getting to be a SAHM!:thumb
This time I was planning on delivering at a freestanding birth center with a group of midwives and planned on a water birth. My dh and I took a "Birthing from Within" class that was wonderful and the anticipation and anxiety in the house was building as the EDD was getting closer. My ds had a difficult time with all the emotions involved w/the pregnancy, but wanted to be there for the delivery. I went past my EDD and at 8 days past my EDD, I was 3 cm and 60% effaced. My midwife stripped my membranes and we had to schedule an induction for that thurs. because if I went to 42 wks. I couldn't deliver at the birth center:( . We tried everything at home and nothing was working. Early on the morning of the scheduled induction (i was now 41 1/2 wks.), I woke up with a contraction. It was 4:10 am. I timed a couple of them and thought I would have time to shower. They were coming FAST! I woke up my dh and told him I was in labor and I was going to the bathroom. I had some bloody show and loose stools. At 4:30, they were now about 4-5 min. apart and I called the midwife. She was going to meet us at the b.c. at 5:30 and she suggested a bath. As my dh was running the bath water, I called our birth photographer (Palmer). She could tell that I wanted to get to the b.c. earlier and she said she would meet us there at 5:15. I called Ms. Mom (here at MDC), our doula (Val), my sister (who was going to watch our ds) and my parents. My dh got Dane up and dressed and Dane helped me put on my robe and slippers (I was still laboring on the toilet) and now my cont. were 3 min. apart.
We finally left and arrived at 5:20 am. Palmer could tell I was in active labor because I didn't care which room we had, what music was played and because I was still in my nightgown. Dane got settled in playing in the playroom and dh unloaded the car.
Kay, the midwife, arrived at 5:30 and checked me. I was 5 cm, 100% effaced and at 0 station. I immediately wanted to get into the tub. Again, the soothing water must had relaxed and opened me up because soon I wanted to bear down. I couldn't control that INTENSE urge. Everyone was so good letting me do my own thing. I was either on my hands and knees in the tub or sitting. At some point Kay checked me and I was at an 8, but w/a lip. So she suggested me laying on my side. Easier said than done! But got into that position and my doula and todd continued to put nice cold rags on my back and head. It helped so much. I was quite vocal.......alot of oooooooooooo's and "oh god's". it felt so, so good to push. I could feel my dd moving down the birth canal and told everyone "SHE IS COMING"! The ring of fire came next and my mantra was now...."BURN, BURN, BURN, BURN". I reached down and felt my baby's head. So soft, it was magical. But i could feel myself tearing. Kay said "tiny pushes", but it was so hard. I knew what came next and just wanted it over with. "GET HER OUT" and other profanties came straining out of my mouth. Her head came and then I could feel her shoulder's. Then, my girl was on my chest and I could FINALLY see her! Dane got to watch in amazment and Todd had tears streaming down his face. All the pain was gone and my beautiful girl was here. It was a 2 1/2 hr. labor and Amber Elizabeth arrived at 6:37 am on April 24, 2003. I could see the morning sun streaming through the blinds. What a day!:baby
They put warm towels around us and emptied out the tub. We girls cuddled and the 3 of us got to feel the cord pulsating. HOW COOL! We waited until the cord was done and Todd cut the cord. Then he got to hold his dd for the first time and Dane came around to see her up close. The placenta finally arrived and I got out of the tub. I was SO sore. I did have a 1st degree tear, but no stiches were needed:thumb. My legs, ab's and back. What a workout!!!!! We climbed into bed and Amber was latched on. She nursed for an HOUR!:bf She has strawberry blond hair, Todd's nose and Dane's lips and chin. She has very dark eyes, so I think they will be brown like mine and Dane's. She's adorable!:love
We all cuddled and a few hours later, Todd got to weigh her: 7 lbs 4 oz and 20 1/2 inches long. My parents, Todd's mom and our best friend, Angie arrived to welcome Amber. Later that day at around 2:00 pm, Todd and I went home. We got into bed and cuddled w/our new dd. Dane came home later that night and Amber, Dane and I all fell asleep together. My kids! WOW.
The pictures from her labor and birth are amazing! I am so thankful that I had such a caring group of people and the experience I had. She is now 3 wks. old and is such a gift! My healing time has been good and I feel great.
Thanks for sharing our daughter's birth!
Warmly~
Lisa:bf
Three weeks ago, I had the birth experience I always dreamed about. I never thought I would have another baby because my first dh had died. I had a great pregnancy and this time, I was getting to be a SAHM!:thumb
This time I was planning on delivering at a freestanding birth center with a group of midwives and planned on a water birth. My dh and I took a "Birthing from Within" class that was wonderful and the anticipation and anxiety in the house was building as the EDD was getting closer. My ds had a difficult time with all the emotions involved w/the pregnancy, but wanted to be there for the delivery. I went past my EDD and at 8 days past my EDD, I was 3 cm and 60% effaced. My midwife stripped my membranes and we had to schedule an induction for that thurs. because if I went to 42 wks. I couldn't deliver at the birth center:( . We tried everything at home and nothing was working. Early on the morning of the scheduled induction (i was now 41 1/2 wks.), I woke up with a contraction. It was 4:10 am. I timed a couple of them and thought I would have time to shower. They were coming FAST! I woke up my dh and told him I was in labor and I was going to the bathroom. I had some bloody show and loose stools. At 4:30, they were now about 4-5 min. apart and I called the midwife. She was going to meet us at the b.c. at 5:30 and she suggested a bath. As my dh was running the bath water, I called our birth photographer (Palmer). She could tell that I wanted to get to the b.c. earlier and she said she would meet us there at 5:15. I called Ms. Mom (here at MDC), our doula (Val), my sister (who was going to watch our ds) and my parents. My dh got Dane up and dressed and Dane helped me put on my robe and slippers (I was still laboring on the toilet) and now my cont. were 3 min. apart.
We finally left and arrived at 5:20 am. Palmer could tell I was in active labor because I didn't care which room we had, what music was played and because I was still in my nightgown. Dane got settled in playing in the playroom and dh unloaded the car.
Kay, the midwife, arrived at 5:30 and checked me. I was 5 cm, 100% effaced and at 0 station. I immediately wanted to get into the tub. Again, the soothing water must had relaxed and opened me up because soon I wanted to bear down. I couldn't control that INTENSE urge. Everyone was so good letting me do my own thing. I was either on my hands and knees in the tub or sitting. At some point Kay checked me and I was at an 8, but w/a lip. So she suggested me laying on my side. Easier said than done! But got into that position and my doula and todd continued to put nice cold rags on my back and head. It helped so much. I was quite vocal.......alot of oooooooooooo's and "oh god's". it felt so, so good to push. I could feel my dd moving down the birth canal and told everyone "SHE IS COMING"! The ring of fire came next and my mantra was now...."BURN, BURN, BURN, BURN". I reached down and felt my baby's head. So soft, it was magical. But i could feel myself tearing. Kay said "tiny pushes", but it was so hard. I knew what came next and just wanted it over with. "GET HER OUT" and other profanties came straining out of my mouth. Her head came and then I could feel her shoulder's. Then, my girl was on my chest and I could FINALLY see her! Dane got to watch in amazment and Todd had tears streaming down his face. All the pain was gone and my beautiful girl was here. It was a 2 1/2 hr. labor and Amber Elizabeth arrived at 6:37 am on April 24, 2003. I could see the morning sun streaming through the blinds. What a day!:baby
They put warm towels around us and emptied out the tub. We girls cuddled and the 3 of us got to feel the cord pulsating. HOW COOL! We waited until the cord was done and Todd cut the cord. Then he got to hold his dd for the first time and Dane came around to see her up close. The placenta finally arrived and I got out of the tub. I was SO sore. I did have a 1st degree tear, but no stiches were needed:thumb. My legs, ab's and back. What a workout!!!!! We climbed into bed and Amber was latched on. She nursed for an HOUR!:bf She has strawberry blond hair, Todd's nose and Dane's lips and chin. She has very dark eyes, so I think they will be brown like mine and Dane's. She's adorable!:love
We all cuddled and a few hours later, Todd got to weigh her: 7 lbs 4 oz and 20 1/2 inches long. My parents, Todd's mom and our best friend, Angie arrived to welcome Amber. Later that day at around 2:00 pm, Todd and I went home. We got into bed and cuddled w/our new dd. Dane came home later that night and Amber, Dane and I all fell asleep together. My kids! WOW.
The pictures from her labor and birth are amazing! I am so thankful that I had such a caring group of people and the experience I had. She is now 3 wks. old and is such a gift! My healing time has been good and I feel great.
Thanks for sharing our daughter's birth!
Warmly~
Lisa:bf