tandemmama
07-30-2003, 04:11 PM
I decided to type out my birth story while it's fresh
Woke up around 5:30AM Monday morning with some contractions. I had been having contractions for quite some time that came and went, so I just laid there and breathed through them, assuming they would go away. Finally around 6:30AM, I got up to use the bathroom and noticed that I had some bloody show. The contractions also intensified when I got up, so I went downstairs where Jason was getting ready for work. I had a contraction so without saying anything I just leaned on him through it and then told him we needed to call the midwife since she had mentioned going to Philly that day and I wanted to catch her before she left, to let her know what was going on. I then woke Misty up to let her know and Jason started filling up the pool. The contractions stayed pretty regular, and the midwife arrived within the hour. She checked me and said I was at 6-7cm. This was good news since I had been at 4 cm. for over a week! She suggested that I walk around to get the contractions closer together. We went outside where it was lightly raining and the kids played on their bikes, while I walked around the driveway, stopping to lean on Jason for contractions. I was happy that none of my neighbors were outside or noticing what was going on. The rain stopped and we stayed outside for a little while. Misty called Jamie to tell her that we would need her soon to watch the kids. I got tired and decided that I wanted to sit down inside, so we all came in and I sat on the couch next to Jason, leaning into him during contractions, which were beginning to get more intense. Jason turned on some music and soon Jamie came and took the kids to the playground. The contractions were still about 5 minutes apart and not getting closer together. Around 11AM, Misty helped Jamie take the kids to her house so they could eat lunch and stay with her. I told the midwife that I would let her break my water (as she had offered earlier) when Misty came back. After making that decision, the contractions actually slowed down and I only had one or two while she was gone. I believe it was my body's way of giving me a chance to relax and prepare for the end. When she came back, we broke my water and Karen (the midwife) suggested that I walk around for a little while, waiting for the contractions to come closer together. I walked around the living room, still stopping to lean on Jason for contractions for a little while before deciding once again I wanted to be sitting down. My back was hurting and it felt better to lean forward during contractions. Misty rubbed my back while I leaned on Jason on the couch. The contractions started getting more painful and I said that I wanted to get in the water soon. They still weren't closer together and Karen was concerned that being in the water would stall things. I tried leaning over the birth ball on my hands and knees and standing, as well as sitting on the couch leaning over, but I couldn't get comfortable and I started crying. Karen suggested I get in the water to see what happens. I got in, and the warm water felt good, but I couldn't find a position that was working. I moved around and eventually sat in front of Jason (who had gotten in with me) so he could put pressure on my back. I began to feel pressure and pushing urges with the contractions, and Karen said that I should bear down with them, but I wasn't ready for that, and didn't put much effort into it. I was more interested in not being in all this pain anymore. I was crying and yelling and even screaming. I said that I didn't want to do it anymore and that it just wasn't working. I couldn't get a handle on things and I felt very out of control. We started doing some more directed pushing, but I was fighting it and my back was killing me. Karen suggested I get out of the water and try the birth stool. I just wanted out of the water. I got out and said I need to lay down. I was determined not to push anymore (as if I had a choice!!) They set up a sheet on the floor and before I could lay down, I had a contraction. My body was pushing and I couldn't do anything but go with it and push. I stopped and yelled out while I pushed standing up. I then got on the floor and laid on my side. Jason laid down next to me and I leaned against him to help with the back pain. When I had a contraction, I tried breathing through it instead of pushing, but my body had other plans! I let my body work, and tried to go with it instead of fighting it. I was able to relax completely between contractions and with every contraction, I pushed a little harder with my body. Sometimes adding to the work my body was doing and sometimes not. I was no longer screaming through pushes as I was in the water. I refused to get up and try the birth stool as Karen suggested, and decided that this was working. I thought it might take longer this way, but at least I was on top of things and in control and feeling more a part of my birth instead of a victim of it. As the baby progressed downward, Karen and Misty held my legs apart while I pushed at my own pace. I thought of the baby and told myself I'd hold her soon. I even said aloud "I just want to hold her". With the new incintive of holding my baby, I pushed harder and and longer with my body. I was careful not strain myself or push harder than my body was ready for, but I was definitely working. She began to crown and I knew it would be soon. After a few more contractions, her head began to emerge slightly and the burning sensation almost sent me into another panic. I told myself again that she would be in my arms very soon and pushed her head out. My whole body began to shake as I bore down and pushed the rest of her out. Karen asked Misty if she wanted to catch the baby, and Misty actually guided the baby out. Jason laid this entire time at my side, letting me lean on him. I could hear him saying encouraging things to me and he was right where I needed him. I needed to lean on him and know he was right there. I did feel bad later that he didn't get to "see anything" or be in the middle of the action, but his willingness to lay so still, so that my back wouldn't hurt meant a lot to me. They handed me the baby and I told Jason to get up and see his baby. I was so happy that I finally had her in my arms. We looked at each other and I felt complete joy. I turned on my side and held her, offering her the breast. I never imagined that I would deliver her while laying down (on the floor!). I always assumed that it was the worst position to give birth in, and promised myself I wouldn't do it. I guess it shows that you can't plan anything when it comes to birth! I feel very empowered that I was able to have a homebirth and follow my intuition every step of the way, letting my body lead me and my baby to each other.
The details: It's a Girl!!
Peyton Marie
8lbs. 3 oz.
20"
July 28, 2003 4:29PM
Woke up around 5:30AM Monday morning with some contractions. I had been having contractions for quite some time that came and went, so I just laid there and breathed through them, assuming they would go away. Finally around 6:30AM, I got up to use the bathroom and noticed that I had some bloody show. The contractions also intensified when I got up, so I went downstairs where Jason was getting ready for work. I had a contraction so without saying anything I just leaned on him through it and then told him we needed to call the midwife since she had mentioned going to Philly that day and I wanted to catch her before she left, to let her know what was going on. I then woke Misty up to let her know and Jason started filling up the pool. The contractions stayed pretty regular, and the midwife arrived within the hour. She checked me and said I was at 6-7cm. This was good news since I had been at 4 cm. for over a week! She suggested that I walk around to get the contractions closer together. We went outside where it was lightly raining and the kids played on their bikes, while I walked around the driveway, stopping to lean on Jason for contractions. I was happy that none of my neighbors were outside or noticing what was going on. The rain stopped and we stayed outside for a little while. Misty called Jamie to tell her that we would need her soon to watch the kids. I got tired and decided that I wanted to sit down inside, so we all came in and I sat on the couch next to Jason, leaning into him during contractions, which were beginning to get more intense. Jason turned on some music and soon Jamie came and took the kids to the playground. The contractions were still about 5 minutes apart and not getting closer together. Around 11AM, Misty helped Jamie take the kids to her house so they could eat lunch and stay with her. I told the midwife that I would let her break my water (as she had offered earlier) when Misty came back. After making that decision, the contractions actually slowed down and I only had one or two while she was gone. I believe it was my body's way of giving me a chance to relax and prepare for the end. When she came back, we broke my water and Karen (the midwife) suggested that I walk around for a little while, waiting for the contractions to come closer together. I walked around the living room, still stopping to lean on Jason for contractions for a little while before deciding once again I wanted to be sitting down. My back was hurting and it felt better to lean forward during contractions. Misty rubbed my back while I leaned on Jason on the couch. The contractions started getting more painful and I said that I wanted to get in the water soon. They still weren't closer together and Karen was concerned that being in the water would stall things. I tried leaning over the birth ball on my hands and knees and standing, as well as sitting on the couch leaning over, but I couldn't get comfortable and I started crying. Karen suggested I get in the water to see what happens. I got in, and the warm water felt good, but I couldn't find a position that was working. I moved around and eventually sat in front of Jason (who had gotten in with me) so he could put pressure on my back. I began to feel pressure and pushing urges with the contractions, and Karen said that I should bear down with them, but I wasn't ready for that, and didn't put much effort into it. I was more interested in not being in all this pain anymore. I was crying and yelling and even screaming. I said that I didn't want to do it anymore and that it just wasn't working. I couldn't get a handle on things and I felt very out of control. We started doing some more directed pushing, but I was fighting it and my back was killing me. Karen suggested I get out of the water and try the birth stool. I just wanted out of the water. I got out and said I need to lay down. I was determined not to push anymore (as if I had a choice!!) They set up a sheet on the floor and before I could lay down, I had a contraction. My body was pushing and I couldn't do anything but go with it and push. I stopped and yelled out while I pushed standing up. I then got on the floor and laid on my side. Jason laid down next to me and I leaned against him to help with the back pain. When I had a contraction, I tried breathing through it instead of pushing, but my body had other plans! I let my body work, and tried to go with it instead of fighting it. I was able to relax completely between contractions and with every contraction, I pushed a little harder with my body. Sometimes adding to the work my body was doing and sometimes not. I was no longer screaming through pushes as I was in the water. I refused to get up and try the birth stool as Karen suggested, and decided that this was working. I thought it might take longer this way, but at least I was on top of things and in control and feeling more a part of my birth instead of a victim of it. As the baby progressed downward, Karen and Misty held my legs apart while I pushed at my own pace. I thought of the baby and told myself I'd hold her soon. I even said aloud "I just want to hold her". With the new incintive of holding my baby, I pushed harder and and longer with my body. I was careful not strain myself or push harder than my body was ready for, but I was definitely working. She began to crown and I knew it would be soon. After a few more contractions, her head began to emerge slightly and the burning sensation almost sent me into another panic. I told myself again that she would be in my arms very soon and pushed her head out. My whole body began to shake as I bore down and pushed the rest of her out. Karen asked Misty if she wanted to catch the baby, and Misty actually guided the baby out. Jason laid this entire time at my side, letting me lean on him. I could hear him saying encouraging things to me and he was right where I needed him. I needed to lean on him and know he was right there. I did feel bad later that he didn't get to "see anything" or be in the middle of the action, but his willingness to lay so still, so that my back wouldn't hurt meant a lot to me. They handed me the baby and I told Jason to get up and see his baby. I was so happy that I finally had her in my arms. We looked at each other and I felt complete joy. I turned on my side and held her, offering her the breast. I never imagined that I would deliver her while laying down (on the floor!). I always assumed that it was the worst position to give birth in, and promised myself I wouldn't do it. I guess it shows that you can't plan anything when it comes to birth! I feel very empowered that I was able to have a homebirth and follow my intuition every step of the way, letting my body lead me and my baby to each other.
The details: It's a Girl!!
Peyton Marie
8lbs. 3 oz.
20"
July 28, 2003 4:29PM