Waterbirth!

Here's my birth story for anyone who hasn't read it yet.

Noah's due date was August 20th, 2009. Throughout my pregnancy I kept thinking/hoping he'd be late so I could attend my brother, Mark's, wedding on August 22nd. Maybe all my pep talks worked because he stayed put! Then, on Monday August 24th I went to my final prenatal appointment. My midwife, Margaret, said I was about 1-2 cm dilated and 80% effaced. She could feel my belly contracting and thought I might be in early labor. They did a non stress test to check out Noah's heart beat and track my contractions. It went just fine. I left the office thinking I'd probably be back for another appointment the following week.

That night I decided to give eggplant parmesan a try. Figured it couldn't hurt and I thought it'd be funny if I did go into labor afterward. Met my mom at Provino's and we had a great time. Around 9:30 Brian and I decided to go for a walk. Before we left I used the bathroom and realized I had begun to lose my mucus plug!! I continued to lose more throughout the day on Tuesday. That night we went to bed around 10:00 and I woke up at midnight to pee. Then again at 1:00. Except that time there was more than just pee! My water broke! It started off mostly as a trickle so I decided to go downstairs, check my email, and wait to see what happened. It definitely picked up and contractions began.

I called Margaret to let her know what was going on and she told me to try to get some more sleep. Laid down for a while but couldn't get comfortable enough to fall asleep. Went back downstairs and started timing contractions. They were about every three minutes. Contractions continued to get worse so I woke up Brian. Called our doula, Teresa, at 4:00 and told her what was happening. Finally at 5:00 the contractions were strong enough that I wanted to leave for the hospital so we wouldn't get stuck in rush hour traffic. Our drive only took about 30 minutes but that was a very uncomfortable car ride! Tried to distract myself by singing along to 80s songs in between contractions.

When we got to the hospital the elevator took forever. I remember holding onto the wall, breathing through contractions while waiting to go up to L&D. Once there, Brian signed us in and we were taken to a triage room. Our nurse, Jennifer, asked me to put on the hospital gown and I told her no, I was going to wear my own clothes :-) Teresa arrived a few minutes later and the nurse hooked me up to the machine to monitor baby's heart beat and my contractions. She also checked my cervix and announced I was 6-7 cm dilated! That shocked me. We stayed in triage for at least an hour or two. Teresa was pushing for them to get me into a room with a tub since I was so far dilated. Poor Brian started feeling really sick to his stomach and threw up right before we left triage.

We were eventually moved to a delivery room (with great views of Atlanta) and Margaret showed up while our new nurse, Rebecca, strapped more monitors onto my belly. I sat in bed while she took all the readings and Margaret got the tub ready. After they were done monitoring me I got out of bed and leaned over the window sill while Teresa massaged my back. I was having a lot of back labor. That was no fun! A little while later Teresa said "you could get in the tub, you know..." so I did just that. It was great. The warmth and buoyancy of the water made the contractions easier to deal with. Brian was so exhausted...they instructed him to lay down in the bed and take a nap. Good thing we had a doula :-) Eventually he got up and started helping me with back labor. He pressed so hard on my back for so long he was sore for a few days afterward! Margaret checked my cervix and found I was about 5 cm dilated. She thought the first nurse was probably wrong when she said 6-7 cm.I stayed in the tub for about three hours until Margaret suggested I get out and walk the halls.

Walking made the pain worse. I had to stop every other minute to hang onto the wall railing and moan. Brian would press on my back which helped me cope. After just a few laps I decided I was done with the walking and headed back to our room. Next I tried sitting on my birthing ball and again Brian pressed on my back. I was starting to breathe in an unproductive way and Teresa got me back on track. Saying "OHHHHHH" in a really deep voice helped. Eventually I got back into the tub.


The back labor continued so they had me do an exaggerated sims position to try to rotate the baby. So uncomfortable! Margaret checked me again a couple hours later and found I was 8 cm dilated and 100% effaced. Shortly after that I felt like I wanted to push. Teresa told me to do little grunts during contractions to help with all the pressure. I continued to want to push for the next four hours. At 3:00 I was 9 cm and I didn't reach 10 cm until 7:00! I was so happy when they told me I could begin to really push.

The pressure was overwhelming. Seriously felt like I was going to poop out a 15 lb bowling ball. I pushed while squatting, on my knees, sitting, lying back, holding onto a sheet tied to the bed, etc. It was frustrating because I felt like I wasn't making any progress...seemed like he'd go all the way back up after each push. At this point it was dark outside and a storm was rolling in. I had three midwives, a nurse, Teresa, and Brian cheering me on which was really neat. They kept telling me to push harder but I didn't know how. My energy level was so low after being in labor all day.


I ended up pushing harder than I ever could have imagined and finally his head came out. They asked for one more big push and out came his body. That was such a strange feeling. His body was nothing compared to the head! The cord was wrapped loosely around his neck once which was no big deal. He was so calm and quiet when he first came out. Margaret suctioned his nose and mouth, rubbed his back, and tried to keep him warm by putting towels over him in the water. Finally he let out a cry and my mom came running in saying "I can't take it anymore!!" It was 9:50 pm and she had been in the waiting room since 8:30 am!


Brian cut the cord and started crying. I was too tired and relieved to cry. I think my reaction was more like "WHEW." I got to hold him while we were both still in the water which was awesome. He was so cute. Margaret took him away a few minutes later so they could warm him up. His APGARs were 8/9, he weighed 9 lbs 2 oz, and he was 20.5 inches long. I got out of the tub shortly after giving birth and got in the bed so I could deliver the placenta (what a WEIRD feeling!) and Margaret could repair my 2nd degree tear. Ouch. Teresa helped me focus on something else while that was going on and also helped me start breastfeeding. My dad and in laws came into the room to check out their first grandson. After that we headed downstairs to our postpartum room. Noah came with us instead of going to the nursery which I was very happy about. We settled in for a two night stay and fell in love with our precious baby boy.

How?

My friend, Sarah Steele, asked me how I "found the strength to give birth naturally." So I decided to write down the many things I did in preparation for Noah's birth.

First, I read great books that truly inspired me. Ina May's Guide to Childbirth is at the top of my list. In my opinion, this is a must read for every pregnant woman! Also on my reading list:

-Birthing From Within

-The Doula Guide to Childbirth

-The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth

-Your Best Birth

-The Birth Partner

-Active Birth

I did NOT read books like "What to Expect When You're Expecting."

I watched "The Business of Being Born" and "Orgasmic Birth."

I took a six week childbirth preparation class through A Labor of Love. This was invaluable. Here's a description: "The purpose for our childbirth preparation classes is to help the couple become closer and communicative about their desires not only for labor and birth but for parenting and to learn to listen to their instinctive voice, and to allow their fears to be resolved prior to labor beginning. This release of fears enables a couple to enter their labor capable, confident, aware, prepared and informed. The class is not specific to one way of birthing or method of childbirth as we believe births unfold in an unexpected and unplanned way many times, and it is important to be able to make the "next best thing" decisions along the way. Instead of teaching one method we teach you at least twenty pain coping skills and practices that you may find useful. We offer the option of incorporating some guided imagery (hypnosis) for birth situations, some active birth postures and information on non-medical pain relief as well as medical. We try to impart a different way of thinking about your labor and birth- one without fear and with an enhancement of knowledge that helps to build communication skills not only between you as a couple but as well as with your care provider. You develop a team mentality instead of a "them and us" thinking.

We make our classes fun! We do some active learning through role playing, hands on teaching and practice. We have videos to watch, homework assignments that are fun and unique and we encourage students to ask questions and involve themselves fully in the process. Our curriculum includes learning a pain coping mindset and the techniques to help with pain in labor. We include some birth art and listening to birth stories as well as some hands on practice of positions that may facilitate a faster labor. You will learn about the mind body connection and its effect on labor, your birth place preparation- whether home or hospital, effective postures for birth and pushing, the companion's role (we offer an additional class for dads), informed consent and making decisions, playing the "Doing the Next Best Thing" game, postpartum adjustment, breastfeeding and care of the newborn and welcoming your newest addition to your family. We want you to leave our class talking throughout the week about the things you learned. We encourage you to explore ideas you may not have ever explored, deepening your awareness about your body, birth in general and your relationship. We want you to leave as an informed consumer, actively involved in the decisions that surround your birth."

I also took a breastfeeding class and parenting 101 class.

I hired a great doula.

I decided I preferred the care of a midwife over an OB and wanted a water birth. Did a lot of research to find a great match for me. Check out Intown Midwifery... "We strongly believe that the way a woman is supported and empowered during pregnancy and birth has effects that last a lifetime.

At Intown Midwifery, we encourage you to take an active role in making health choices for you and your family. We are passionate about providing evidence-based care and educating and empowering our patients through a holistic approach to prevention and good health. Our practice works collaboratively with physicians and health professionals in the community to safely deliver the best possible care for you and your family."

I got prenatal massages from the best massage therapist around, Harry Kramer.

I filled my mind with positive affirmations such as "my body knows how to give birth." I ignored people who tried to assure me I'd end up asking for an epidural.

I practiced pelvic rocking and squatting every day.

I'm really not afraid of pain and learned there is a big difference between being in pain and suffering. I never suffered since I was surrounded by the awesome support team I chose.

Giving birth naturally was the most empowering experience of my life! I'm going to quote my friend, Shawna, here:

"I never thought I needed to be 'empowered'. That was not a very compelling argument for me. But HOLY SHIT PEOPLE listen to me when I tell you how fucking EMPOWERING it is to feel every bit of your labor and a child come out of your body. Let me tell you about THAT kind of ADRENALINE. Let me tell you that there is in fact no greater high in the world than the one I felt lying in that hospital bed with half my junk hanging out of my whoha gazing at the child that had just been separated from me. Hoooooo-leeeeeeee - CRAP." Please read her entire post here!

I'm such a slacker

Oh man, I haven't posted since May? Time is just going by too quickly!

9 months

10 months

He currently wears 24 month sized clothes and weighs 27 lbs. OMG. My arms and back constantly hurt from carrying him. And his new wake up time is 6:45 which is wearing me out.

I'm down to 130.5 lbs from 191. Whew, I feel so light! Check this out:

I've been training for the 3day breast cancer walk (want to donate?). Walked 66 miles so far this month! Got some crazy gorilla shoes (Vibram Five Fingers) and I LOVE them:

My mom, Noah and I are heading to Pensacola, FL on July 25th to hang out with China and her mom. We're gonna stay in an awesome 3 bedroom condo...so excited!!! And then on August 4th we're leaving for Virginia to visit Brian's Grandpa, aunt, uncle, cousins, and Goddaughter. Should be fun.

My doula apprenticeship begins August 22nd with Pam from A Labor of Love. I can't wait! And four days later Noah will turn 1! Seriously...where did this year go? I feel like I just gave birth.

I've just started reading "Giving The Love That Heals: A Guide for Parents" and "Taking Charge of Your Fertility." Both very interesting. I also bought a Diva Cup and am almost looking forward to my next period so I can try it. Heard great things about it.

Been attending Attachment Parenting meetings and I really love them. It's great to hang out and chat with like-minded mamas. Also good for Noah to get to see other kids. He loves baby girls. Uh oh.

Think that's all for now!