My birth story.. Sequoia Autumn
We left for the hospital and arrived at 8:30am on March 1st. I was checked in hopes that they could break my water but her head was too "floaty" so we were not able to break it. So I got hooked up to pitocin at 9:30. I was 4cm. I walked around, sat on the ball and hung out with my husband and friend Mandy. I was checked again at noon. I was a bit bummed because i was a loose 4cm possibly a tight 5cm. So they increased the pit a bit more. Around 1pm I started feeling contractions. So I began to get in a pattern with them. I swayed side to side during them. I have never been out of bed during labor. So this was a first for me.
I continued to contract regularly. The m/w offered me to lean over the bed rather then the IV pole. It was a nice position. She raised the bed up real tall, put a couple pillows at the end, and had me lean over the bottom of the bed. Contractions got more intense by then. It was around 3pm at this point. My friend Lisa finally arrived. So now I had both my coaches with me and my dear husband. I leaned over the bed contracting and swaying my body side to side. My back was really sore by now. I guess thats what they would consider back labor. I began to bend my knees while leaning over the bed and swayed some more. It was nice to just role into the contractions rather then me fighting them.
Around 3:45 ish the m/w offered me to get in the shower. I was in pain and in a pattern and didnt really want to go but I told her she was in charge and knew what was best. Its so funny how I went in with one plan.. and went through the entire process within her hands. She knew exactly what I wanted. We talked about pain meds and a code word. I told her that as much as she can, talk me out of it. And boy did she! I got into the shower. We put the ball in there for me to lean and roll on. We just placed it on the little stool in the shower. I think I got out of the shower around 4:15.
After everyone dried me off, they got me into bed to check my cervix. I was a 7cm and 100% at 4:32. Because my contractions were so close and intense that wasnt the greatest news to me. But I accepted it. I imagined in my head that this would drag on for at least 1-2 more hrs. Could I really handle that without drugs. They put the head of the bed up on in incline as if I were going to sit up in bed. I went on my hands and knees with my arms drapped over the top of the bed facing the back of the wall. If that makes any sense. My contractions were on top of each other and intense. I noticed that I was crossing my legs, breathing very hard, squeezing my m/w's hand purple, and beginning to lose control. She talked me through it so well. I wanted to give up. I kept asking for a shot of demerol or nubain. But then a contraction came on and i couldnt talk so they just kept talking me through them. Hubby was really doing an awesome job rubbing my back. One time he stopped and I said.. Whoever is rubbing my back.. keep doing it! I had my 2 coaches on either side of me. I just had the best support team. They were awesome!
This was a first for me as well laboring on my hands and knees. But it felt very good rather then being on my back or side laboring. I would tuck my butt inwards during contractions. What a difference it made. Then it happened! I felt her come through my cervix. I told them she came down. That was the only warning i was giving them! I had a job to do and needed to concentrate. I reminded myself that my body will push her out. Let the contractions do their job. So I didnt push. My body did it. I let out a grunt when my body pushed. I felt her head come down more. The midwife was requesting gloves and the table. Well by then I felt the burning and her head crowned. I puffed quickly to allow me to stretch out. Even though it burned, I knew it was going to be over with quick and just let it burn. After 5-10 seconds of quick puffs, I let go and her head came out. The room got very busy at this point. No one was expecting this to happen. There was no practice pushing or warnings. I knew at that time I could give a gentle push and her body would come out. So I did with the contraction. But it was no more then a grunt and a push as if i had to take a bm and she was out! She arrived at 4:52pm. That was only 20 minutes after i was a 7cm and discouraged. Both my coaches didn't see her come out. Lisa was holding my hand and Mandy turned around to grab the camera. I felt so bad!
Instantly, the pain was gone! Poof! As the m/w suctioned her quickly, I took a deep breath and relaxed. The m/w handed the baby to me from under my legs. I was still on my hands and knees. She was still attached to her cord which i did cut myself. I took her in arms and cried. I was so overwhelmed. My first thought was is she really a girl. So i checked. And yup she is a girl! I just cried. She looks like Cheyenne, Shaiman and Grayson. She looks like a Sequoia! She weighs 7 lbs 7.8 oz 20" long, apgar 9 & 9 @ 4:52pm. She is perfect in every way.
We left for the hospital and arrived at 8:30am on March 1st. I was checked in hopes that they could break my water but her head was too "floaty" so we were not able to break it. So I got hooked up to pitocin at 9:30. I was 4cm. I walked around, sat on the ball and hung out with my husband and friend Mandy. I was checked again at noon. I was a bit bummed because i was a loose 4cm possibly a tight 5cm. So they increased the pit a bit more. Around 1pm I started feeling contractions. So I began to get in a pattern with them. I swayed side to side during them. I have never been out of bed during labor. So this was a first for me.
I continued to contract regularly. The m/w offered me to lean over the bed rather then the IV pole. It was a nice position. She raised the bed up real tall, put a couple pillows at the end, and had me lean over the bottom of the bed. Contractions got more intense by then. It was around 3pm at this point. My friend Lisa finally arrived. So now I had both my coaches with me and my dear husband. I leaned over the bed contracting and swaying my body side to side. My back was really sore by now. I guess thats what they would consider back labor. I began to bend my knees while leaning over the bed and swayed some more. It was nice to just role into the contractions rather then me fighting them.
Around 3:45 ish the m/w offered me to get in the shower. I was in pain and in a pattern and didnt really want to go but I told her she was in charge and knew what was best. Its so funny how I went in with one plan.. and went through the entire process within her hands. She knew exactly what I wanted. We talked about pain meds and a code word. I told her that as much as she can, talk me out of it. And boy did she! I got into the shower. We put the ball in there for me to lean and roll on. We just placed it on the little stool in the shower. I think I got out of the shower around 4:15.
After everyone dried me off, they got me into bed to check my cervix. I was a 7cm and 100% at 4:32. Because my contractions were so close and intense that wasnt the greatest news to me. But I accepted it. I imagined in my head that this would drag on for at least 1-2 more hrs. Could I really handle that without drugs. They put the head of the bed up on in incline as if I were going to sit up in bed. I went on my hands and knees with my arms drapped over the top of the bed facing the back of the wall. If that makes any sense. My contractions were on top of each other and intense. I noticed that I was crossing my legs, breathing very hard, squeezing my m/w's hand purple, and beginning to lose control. She talked me through it so well. I wanted to give up. I kept asking for a shot of demerol or nubain. But then a contraction came on and i couldnt talk so they just kept talking me through them. Hubby was really doing an awesome job rubbing my back. One time he stopped and I said.. Whoever is rubbing my back.. keep doing it! I had my 2 coaches on either side of me. I just had the best support team. They were awesome!
This was a first for me as well laboring on my hands and knees. But it felt very good rather then being on my back or side laboring. I would tuck my butt inwards during contractions. What a difference it made. Then it happened! I felt her come through my cervix. I told them she came down. That was the only warning i was giving them! I had a job to do and needed to concentrate. I reminded myself that my body will push her out. Let the contractions do their job. So I didnt push. My body did it. I let out a grunt when my body pushed. I felt her head come down more. The midwife was requesting gloves and the table. Well by then I felt the burning and her head crowned. I puffed quickly to allow me to stretch out. Even though it burned, I knew it was going to be over with quick and just let it burn. After 5-10 seconds of quick puffs, I let go and her head came out. The room got very busy at this point. No one was expecting this to happen. There was no practice pushing or warnings. I knew at that time I could give a gentle push and her body would come out. So I did with the contraction. But it was no more then a grunt and a push as if i had to take a bm and she was out! She arrived at 4:52pm. That was only 20 minutes after i was a 7cm and discouraged. Both my coaches didn't see her come out. Lisa was holding my hand and Mandy turned around to grab the camera. I felt so bad!
Instantly, the pain was gone! Poof! As the m/w suctioned her quickly, I took a deep breath and relaxed. The m/w handed the baby to me from under my legs. I was still on my hands and knees. She was still attached to her cord which i did cut myself. I took her in arms and cried. I was so overwhelmed. My first thought was is she really a girl. So i checked. And yup she is a girl! I just cried. She looks like Cheyenne, Shaiman and Grayson. She looks like a Sequoia! She weighs 7 lbs 7.8 oz 20" long, apgar 9 & 9 @ 4:52pm. She is perfect in every way.
1 comment:
You did great! And welcome to the world beautiful baby Sequioa!!!
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