Most of this story is documented in the video on Rick's blog that we made shortly after Ava Noelle's birth. One of the best gifts from our awesome Doula Corie was a written timeline of the day. She helped bring a little clarity to the fogginess you naturally have after labor.
Friday, January 11th - Induction Day
7:30 am - We all arrive at the hospital. I am 40 weeks +5 days.
My good friend Lara was with Rick and I for the big day. We were also meeting our Doula there as well. All week I had been having on again off again contractions but every night they would disappear when I went to sleep. I was hopeful that I was far enough progressed that things would move quickly after they broke my water.
On Monday of this week I had also gone in to meet the midwife who would do this induction. On that day she stripped my membranes and I was almost 5 cm and about 80% effaced. The rest of the week I spent doing all kinds of things to get labor going like walking, acupuncture, tea, etc. Finally, Friday came and we proceeded with getting my water broken (no turning around at this point).
9:00 am – membranes ruptured, 5cm, 90% effaced, -2 station, posterior cervix, baby’s head a bit transverse
The midwife came in as soon as we got there and discussed our plan to break my water and try for a VBAC. She was hopeful but also continued to caution us that with a VBAC they will watch me close and and to keep our expectations realistic. This just made me even more determined to have this be a successful VBAC. When she checked me I was 5 cm dilated, 90% effaced, and the water bag was in a position that she could break so we went ahead and broke it at 9am.
This is what I would call part 1 or scene 1 of my labor. It may not have seemed like 2 parts for everyone else but it felt like two distinct parts for me. The first half I will call the 5K. Lara and I learned that the loop around the labor and delivery floor was 1/8th of a mile. When we started walking we decided to do 1 mile (8 laps). Things were not picking up a whole lot after the first mile so we decided we might as well walk 2 more. For such a large labor and delivery unit, I was shocked we were the only ones walking/running around the floor. We even got heckled by one nurses station for being the monitor that kept going off. As we walked by them, Lara overheard one of the nurses saying "is that 223 again?" Lara piped up as we strolled by "oh that room 223, they are terrible." Every time we made a lap, the monitors I had to wear went out of range and started beeping at the nurses station so fortunately for them, they got to listen 24 times during our 5K.
10:25 – contractions start to pick up in strength and consistency
The first half of the labor was what I would call easy. I was able to talk and laugh through them. We were making jokes, doing hula dances and bouncing on the ball. At some point between 11 and 12 I believe, things changes. I remember a sense that things were taking a turn a verbalized it to everyone in our room. I believe I said, "I think we are going to need to switch gears here." From this point on, there was no more talking during contractions. Most of this time was spent next to my bed or on the ball. The other turning point was a little scary for me. I believe I was standing next to my bed and all of a sudden I got a wave of light-headedness. Others said I went pretty pale. I remember feeling a bit scared at this moment but the feeling went away shortly after. I definitely had the strong sense at this point that there is no turning back (duh!).
12:25 – contractions 2-3 min apart and I am having to focus and breath
12:30 – into shower while tub is prepared and in tub shortly after
My plan all along was to use the tub as pain relief. I labored in the tub with Ariy for the majority of the time and it was how I got through. I really wanted to wait this time until the point that I knew it would feel great getting in the tub. At this point, contractions were getting close together and growing in intensity. In my mind, this was only the beginning of hard labor so the tub would be were I would hang out for the next few hours (not the case). I couldn't wait for the tub to be filled so we jumped in the shower (or waddled) for maybe 2 or 3 contractions. By then, the tub was filled and we made a quick getaway across the hall to the room with the tub. I will say, Ariy's tub was awesome - large jacuzzi type tub. This was just your average tub; nothing special.
12:50 – urge to push in tub, grunting noises, I panicked thinking “She’s coming out!”
I was in the tub for no more than 15 minutes before we had to head back to the room. Shortly after being in the tub, I started to feel the baby come down. This is a turning point for me. Ariy never budged. He never descended down the birth canal. I still had a very strong urge to push with him but after 2 hours of pushing and many different positions, he still had not moved. Ava on the other hand, just started coming down on her own. This was totally new for me. I wasn't consciously pushing but my body was doing it for me and in turn, I thought she was coming right out of me. At one point in the tub I believe I said "I think she is coming out of my butthole." I realize that is impossible but that is what it felt like.
At this point, my Doula headed back to the room to grab the nurse (just 10 minutes after me getting in the tub). The nurse didn't really believe her that I was pushing but once the nurse came in and got a look at me and heard me (apparently you can tell a lot by the sounds of a laboring woman - weird!) she knew it might be that time.
Before heading back over to the room, the nurse wanted to check me so they made me turn over in the tub which was the worst possible experience at that moment. I couldn't fathom how I was going to turn over on my own and shouted for help. Lara, being so brave, apparently jumped in the tub to help me turn over. I don't even remember this but leggings and all, she was in with me. The nurse checked and very quickly said, "Yep, there's the head. Let's get back into the room."
1:00(approximately) – back to room to start pushing, contractions intense, baby right there!
Pushing. I pushed for about 45 minutes. I used the mirror which was actually awesome. I don't know if I originally asked for it but I was open to it and it really helped to be able to see the progress we were making. After getting back into the room, it was only a couple pushes until we could see her head continuously. Pushing was hard. It is such a mind game. As contractions came on, all I wanted to do was jump out of my body and run away but if I could psych myself up and get into it and push with my body, it was so satisfying to feel and see her move down.
1:49pm – Baby girl born!
With some good help from the midwife who apparently was anything but gentle, Ava was born at 1:49pm just under 5 hours after having my water broke. I had a very small tear but nothing bad which I was thankful for; that was something I was really nervous about. My favorite part of her birth was the sound of the room when she came out. Pretty much everyone let out a hooray! There was a lot of people in the room rooting for this birth to happen like it did and we all celebrated afterwards. Apparently, everyone shed a few tears. I think I was in shock for a good while after the whole experience It was so drastically different from my labor with Ariy and for that I "loved" every moment of it. Yes, it was the hardest thing I have ever done. Yes, it was painful and a bit crazy. It was totally worth it.
Thank you to Corie for being a great Doula. I believe that part of my success in all this was having the constant support I had from Corie. She was excited and confident in this VBAC and also was willing and wanting to journey through the up's and down's of this pregnancy with me. She helped me to go into this birth with a lot more confidence then I would of had without her. I think this was crucial to such a positive outcome.
Thank you to Lara (Capuano). Her friendship is very special to me. We have always been close even though our relationship has pretty much been long distance for the majority of it's time. We have been able to experience the big milestones in each others lives but this was the first birth either of us had been there for. She was an amazing support to me during labor. I did a lot of nuzzling into her neck and shoulder even though I said I was not sure I would want to be touched (so much for that). She also took great care of Ariy and helped Rick and I transition back to home post-hospital. We wouldn't of wanted it any other way Lara. Thanks sacrificing your time, money and energy to come all the way out to Portland for this special time.
A BIG thank you to my husband. Rick has been pretty amazing through this whole process. I have had some major anxiety about having two kiddos. He has made it a lot more doable and has been a pretty awesome daddy to Ariy and Ava. Rick would not say that labor is something he enjoys, he would not sign up for that again. He was always right there though and ready to do whatever was needed. After Ava was born, you could see the love he had for her instantly. I sometimes like to think I am or could be super women and do it all on my own if need be but there is not way I could of had the outcome I did with Ava's birth and a relatively smooth transition home without the support I have been receiving from Rick. Thank you for being a great daddy and husband. You are loved.
LOTS of other people were important to this story including many friends and family members. Thank you all for your generosity and support. We couldn't do it without family and community.
No comments:
Post a Comment