Birth Stories: Past or Present

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #210 on: March 27, 2008, 04:45:37 PM » by its_me518

Hilarious, Anya! Grin

You can always try this with your next baby! Grin

What next baby??? Shocked

Seriously!! Is there a rumor going around or something? It seems that EVERYONE assumes I am pregnant!!! Shocked

Nope..... just FAT!!! Roll Eyes

Anyway, I can't try it w/my next baby.... the kids don't go anywhere (meaning DH won't be taking them anywhere during labor)... so at least my husband (and the kids) should be there if the midwife doesn't make it in time!! Should I just make them all leave? Wink

I don't think I could do it by myself... although it might be fun to try! Wink

hhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmm.... Grin

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #211 on: March 31, 2008, 10:26:37 PM » by elizabetsy

So, I had a c-section. She was so wedged in there, they had some difficulty getting her out. She had quite the ring around the top of her head. My doctor told us afterward that the way my pelvic bone was, it would have been difficult to get her out, even if she hadn't been "sunny side up". Maybe if I had little 6 lb babies, it would be possible, but my first was 8lbs, 14oz.

Wow, I know this is an old post, but ditto. My dd's birth was practically the same, except we got to the hosp. 9 1/2 cent dialated, pushed for hours with no progress. She has horrible bruising on her head after the c/s. I am also scheduling the next c/s for as close to my due date as possible, but I trust God's will for the outcome.

« Last Edit: March 31, 2008, 10:28:40 PM by elizabetsy »
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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #212 on: March 31, 2008, 11:31:51 PM » by nexis777

Amlucy

Congrats on the birth of your dd!! Good job on keeping it all natural, especially after 29 hours of labor Shocked

Way to go Mama!!
Enjoy your precious little bundle!

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #213 on: April 09, 2008, 07:42:05 PM » by marksgirl

Edit: I got copies of my records today. Now I'll be able to tell my next stories a bit more accurately Wink

I guess since I only have a couple months left before #8, I should get started on the stories of the other 7, right? Cheesy

And no, I'm not doing them all today. I don't think my poor memory cells would allow that.

Baby #1: Due Jan....you know, I don't even remember what day I was due. Maybe around the 14th? (I really need to get copies of all my medical records)It was the 11th.

Anyway, when I found out I was pregnant, I knew I wanted a midwife and a home birth. Not because I knew anyone personally who had done it, but we'd been studying nutrition somewhat, and I figured it's a normal thing, so surely not everyone needs a hospital. My mom was pretty shocked at the idea, but she did save an article in the newspaper about a local mw for me. We interviewed her as well as another lady, but went with the one from the article. She's become part of the family now, and I've brought her lots of business--and not just my own babies!

Since this was my first baby, I was still working (retail) full time, but quit shortly before my due date. I had no intention of returning to work, despite everyone telling me that everyone always comes back. (I never did! except to shop and show off my babies, of course)

Due date came and went and not much was going on. Mw could tell baby was head down, 8-9 lbs. (she didn't get an ultrasound machine until after I'd had #3). She also estimated labor being between 8-10 hours.

On Sunday, Jan. 19, 1992, we talked with her on the phone, and she said she wasn't busy, so if we wanted to drive up just to check things out, it was fine with her, so that's what we did. I think I was dilated just a bit, but we decided to go ahead and let her break the waters and get things started. I think it was around 6pm. My parents, sister & boyfriend, another friend and her 2 girls all came to hang out and wait for the big event.

I started feeling like cramps first, and it gradually picked up the pace. I spent some time in the jacuzzi tub, which was really nice. I wasn't too thrilled with how it hurt, but I'm "tough" (so I've been told) and didn't scream or yell any. Undecided

Once I got to the pushing stage (after 7 8 hrs), my husband and sister were in the room with me and the mw. I don't know how many pushes, but it was 1 1/2 hours! When I finally pushed the head out, my husband said, "His head's out! His eyes are open!" before I pushed him out the rest of the way.

It was a boy, just as we'd "known" all along, with big blue eyes and red hair like his dad. And a big head...I'm pretty sure it was ~~15 1/2"~~! He had a 14.5" head & chest. No wonder it took so long to get him out! I didn't have any tears (yea!), but I was severely swollen for days! (as a side note, my dad had surgery that morning, and we were both crawling around the house and sitting on ice packs for a couple days!)

Total labor was 8 9 1/2 hrs, and Bryan Culver weighed 8lb 10oz and was 21 1/2" long.

This first son of mine has ALWAYS been very visual (his eyes open immediately, looking around), and notices everything! He could see airplanes in the sky at 1 1/2 yo nearly a minute before I'd spot them! And he will never get lost when he starts driving. At 2+ he could always spot our friends' houses, no matter which way we approached them!

So, kind of long, and not full of great details, but after 16 years, that's pretty much what I can remember! I'll post another one next time I can get my "rememberer" in gear.

Oh, wanted to add that I started at 135 and ended at 178 lb. I've never got back that low...just keep increasing every time! Started out these last two at 185 Shocked

« Last Edit: May 07, 2008, 07:54:47 PM by marksgirl »
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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #214 on: April 10, 2008, 04:03:01 PM » by lovetoreadmom

Quote from: littlemama24 on March 25, 2008, 05:54:54 PM

that story brought tears to my eyes! How wonderful!

Mine, too!

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #215 on: April 10, 2008, 05:17:36 PM » by ShannaC

Okay, reading some of these made me excited to type mine out. My son is now 3y.o. and we are praying that God will bless us with another one soon.

Anyway...contractions started at 3:45am (exactly 2 weeks before my due date). I started timing them and they were 5-8 min. apart and 30-45 seconds long. Well, all the books say that they need to be 4-5 min. apart before you make any moves (ie. call the midwife) so I kept waiting. But they were consistent like this for a couple hours. This was my first, my husband was away for another couple days and I was praying this was false labor. So I went back to bed but that was pointless so I took a shower thinking maybe that will stop the contractions. Nope! So at 6:30 I call my husband and let him know what is going on. He is a pilot and this trip he was far way...on the East Coast. We are in Washington. I told him to get ready to maybe come home and I would let him know more after I talked to my mid-wife. I call her at 7 and she told me to come in. Well, I was still thinking "This can NOT be it! My husband isn't here and after all, I have to teach Sunday School this morning!!" So I packed up my Sunday School materials and decided to throw the birth kit and baby clothes in the car too. But that was it! I drove myself to the midwife and had two contractions on the way there. They were painful but I was still able to concentrate on driving. I got there at 8am, she checked me and told me "Sweetie, you are 5 cm, 100% effaced and you are going to have this baby soon. You can't leave!" WHAT??!! I left all my stuff at home...car seat, camera, baby book, comfort items.
So I called my husband and told him to hurry home. After checking flights, we realized that he would probably not make it for the birth. This was extremely difficult for me. He wasn't going to be home until 5pm. My midwife said I could try and wait until he got there but it would be diffiicult.
So I called a friend to go to my house and gather all my and the baby's 'stuff'. She was able to stay with me through the birth.
Contractions continued and to pass the time I was able to talk to my husband for a couple hours. I shed many tears knowing that he wouldn't be there for our first child's birth. But we knew that God was in control. And my DH had a great attitude about it all. Of couse he was disappointed but so excited as well. At 11 am he got a plane to come home and contractions intensified. By 11:30am I was 7cm and in a lot of pain. My MW said she would break my water if I wanted to have the baby soon or we could wait for my DH. I decided to wait until I could talk to DH again (he had one stop). I wanted him to be okay with that. At 12:30 he called and I told him the situation. I didn't think I could endure contractions like that for 5 more hours. We decided to let my MW break my water. My DH was so excited. I could tell from his voice that his smile was from ear to ear. He got on his next flight home and at 12:45pm my water was broke. About thirty minutes later I started pushing and at 2:24pm our little boy, Aiden arrived. 6 lb 2 oz, 18 in. long. I was able to hold a mirror so I could see his head being delivered. And then I cut the cord. Aiden never cried and was so peaceful and content just to look into my eyes. We immediately called and left a message for daddy and gave him all the stats. Two hours after I delivered we were walking (slowly, I might add!) out the door. My friend drove me and Aiden to the airport to pick up daddy. I wanted to jump up and hug him but that definitely wasn't possible. Finally we were a family! We thank the Lord for a relatively easy labor, not too long and mostly a precious, healthy son!

A side note...later my DH told me "I kinda broke the rules a little bit" Grin

He turned on his cell phone on the flight and tried to call me to see if the baby had come. That touched my heart. He was so anxious to know!

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #216 on: April 21, 2008, 07:00:46 PM » by sprobasco

I am new here but have really enjoyed reading all these stories! (along with other stuff:) All this baby talk is getting me geared up for #3...(YIKES! #2 is only 3 months!)

Thought I would post my stories to encourage other moms and moms to be out there....

My first labor and delivery was HORRIBLE! I KNOW it can be much worse but to me it was such a horrifying experience. I had a cakewalk pregnancy (except for major morning sickness) and was dilated 3 cm one week before due date! Doctor told me i better get to the hospital as soon as labor started as that baby was just going to fly out! Well, he was wrong. Sad

Long story short...Labor was only about 12 hours long, was dilated to 7cm when i got to the hospital...i thought things were going great! couldn't wait to push that baby out. Wink

Well, got to 10 and PUSH! FOUR HOURS LATER... baby came out blue...i was on oxygen...seriously thought i was going to die. was sure of it. 9 lbs 14 oz and a huge head, huge shoulders, just massive Wink

He looked like a month old baby! holding his head up and just belting out his cries! I was not prepared for that....everyone warned me how small and fragile and unexpressive he would be at first. Cheesy

Tore horribly...as bad as you can...(won't get graphic) Praise God he came out naturally but really barely happened. I still don't know how he came out! Our entire family was praying for us that is truly the only way it happened..

Fast track to baby #2...original doctor said next time we will induce early..."your body just can't have big babies". However, our insurance changed so delivered with different insurance, they offered nurse midwives to deliver so went with that option. I told her about my complications and she was never alarmed. I told her about my tear...how horrible it all was...etc. etc. but that i was also TERRIFIED of being medically induced. Again, she was not alarmed and really kept very positive the entire time. She let me go late. . .I delivered 8 days late. When it was getting close to delivery with #2 i started second guessing my decisions. what if this birth is bad? what if i made the wrong choice? what if something goes wrong with me or the baby and it is my fault? etc. etc. but i really prayed about it (ALOT) and felt peace.

So...went into labor naturally at about 3am. Got to hospital about 5am. Delivered baby #2 at 8:45 am after about 15 minutes of pushing. 9lbs 11oz this time. NOT A TEAR!!! Wonderful delivery....it was truly an amazing experience. everything about it was different than #1.

So just an encouragement that just because one delivery is bad the next one won't necessarily be, and also that we don't have to give into fear. I am so thankful that I didn't induce, do a C section(as doctor's recommend for complete tears like i had with #1) or any other interventions. And Praise God that #2 was so easy! (honestly i feel ashamed even talking about it was so ridiculously easy! very painful, but easy Wink

)

I honestly didn't know if I could go through childbirth again after #1...got pregnant with #2 without trying. And now I am so thankful! He is adorable and a true joy.

ps. had a doula with both births and highly recommend it...especially if you have a hospital birth.

pss. I KNOW that many of you have had FAR worse deliveries for multiple pregnancies

GOD BLESS YOU! I have such respect for motherhood now:)

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #217 on: May 01, 2008, 05:59:54 PM » by Sparkys9

I am writing about our last birth on 3/31/08.
We were planning on a homebirth, our 5th ( not including the 2 m/c ).
My water started leaking at 11pm on the 29th. This was the first time mt water had broken before I was complete/ready to push, except for the times the dr/mw broke it. So, this was very unusual. I had known through this pg that this birth would be very different.
I slept that night, but awoke with ctx. I called the mw the on the 30th and told her what had happened. It was Sunday, so we suggested that she go to church and then come down. She agreed, but wanted to come right after that. We live in a politically sensitive area for mw's and no dr here wants you to go more than 24 hours with broken water. I asked her how long she felt comfortable waiting, she said 3 days. Generous.
So, all day Sunday we tried herbs, positioning, etc. The ctx just got slightly stronger and stopped entirely by supper time. We all ate and went to bed.
I slept like a rock. Didn't wake up for ctx, just once to go to the bathroom.
Except, I had a dream, I believe the Lord gave it to me as a warning. I dreamed that we did finally manage to accomplish the birth at home, but the baby was dead. I woke my DH up and told him. He said" that's not going to happen." I then went back to sleep.
We got up (Monday 31st) ate breakfast, sent the mw's helper home, and sat down to discuss our options. The only thing we hadn't tried was castor oil ( I hate even the idea of it, yuck Tongue

). B/c my beta strep status was unknown, neither of us was too hot on that idea, b/c of increased risk of infection.
I mentioned trying to get in to see the dr who took care of me after our M/c. I have a good relationship with her. The three of us continued discussing things. It's very interesting to have two mw's talking techno stuff when one of them is the client. :)I finally asked her if she'd ever had a client with essentially no labor go into labor after 24 hours. She said, "no." I said," neither have I, not with out pitocin."
So, then our conversation took a turn. She told us that she really believed that we (baby and I) would be safer in the hospital than at home. I then asked my DH if I could tell her the dream. He ok'd it. When I told her, she said that she had been thinking since Sunday evening that we needed to go in. So, that's what the three of us decided.
I first tried to see if I could get into the dr, but she was booked up. However, her nurse said that dr.wonderful was on call that day. Well, that was the final confirmation for me.
There was a severe storm and we couldn't leave for about an hour. Part of one of the roads we had to go on had actually flooded, so it was good that we didn't try to leave right away.
We had made out a list of things we didn't want for baby and I (call it a birth plan if you want). We gave that to them right off the top and kept it at the front of our chart and mentioned it to every new person who came in. When the first nurse came in to check on me, I told her that I thought it'd be good to do an u/s to check for cord entanglement since my cervix hadn't changed in the last 3 weeks and the babies head was still high. They went and called the dr. The nurse came back and asked if I was the mw the dr had seen before. I said yes. Then they started the IV antibiotics, which I did not refuse since we didn't know babies status.
I really did not want them to give them straight to the baby, so that's how it went.
The u/s tech was the same one who did our scan with our m/c. That was comforting b/c I knew we had someone who actually cared. It also gave me a chance to thank her. She tried to find out what the sex was, along with cord,etc,but baby was not cooperative.NO cord entanglement. I didn't want to try to get things moving only to have baby go into distress and have a c-sec anyway.
The dr came in to talk with us. She asked if I felt comfortable having an 8# 6oz baby (u/s high end weight estimate). I said that I had had 2 over 8#, but they stick so she'd probably need to help. Then, she said I'd need to go on pitocin,etc.
So, they put me on the lowest dose they give. She was willing to let me in the jacuzzi, but the only portable monitoring system was being worn by a first time mom, so I made the mental decision that the tub was not going to be an option.
I also, decided to go into this birth as though it was my 2.5 hour one, fast and intense. This turned out to be the best thing I did.
I was on the pitocin for about 2.5 hours and the nurse turned it off,b/c my body had taken over. I went to the bathroom, passed 2 large,egg sized clots. I asked my mw what that was and she said, they were clots, we need to get you back on the monitor. I grumbled, but I knew she was right. Baby was right as rain. Istayed sat on the side of the bed, leaning on my awesome DH, just having those crazy transition ctx. Our mw was doing counterpressure. When I felt like I just couldn't take another ctx,I decided to try a little grunty push to see if it felt better than just sitting. It did. I did this a few times than our mw said, do you feel pushy? I said yes. She went and got the nurse, who called the dr and then came back in with me. It seemed like an eternity and they didn't want me to push, but I told the nurse I didn't think I could wait much longer. She said,"that's ok, we've done this before." Such sweet words! Any way the dr and medical student ( a lady who had been with her earlier) came after that ctx and she started setting up, but told me to push if I wanted to. I had originally planned to birth completely upright, but the urge was so uncontrollable, that would have been asking for trouble. Anyway, after 5 min of pushing they gave her directly to me. Just like it would have been at home. They also didn't cut the cord right away. She was absolutely perfect.
When the placenta came our mw said it looked very old, possibly even crumbly,and covered with clots. It wasn't long after baby was born when it came, so we think there was a partial separation of the placenta. I really don't know how it would have been for Esther if we had waited the whole 72 hours. I'm only grateful that we listened to that still, small voice, and that God kept His promise to me. Amy

« Last Edit: May 01, 2008, 06:07:58 PM by Sparkys9 »
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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #218 on: May 01, 2008, 06:22:01 PM » by LKS

Amazing story Amy. Thanks for sharing! I am so glad you listened to that voice!
LKS

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #219 on: May 01, 2008, 06:41:00 PM » by westernmama

Wow, Amy! God truly does direct our every move if we let Him. I loved your birth story.

Congratulations!

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #220 on: May 03, 2008, 10:17:53 AM » by Kitty

THANK YOU, Amy--I read your story while headed for transition, and it was blessed distraction--I had shivers reading it. Praise God for His leading and for Esther's life!

I'm trying to type mine up now...

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #221 on: May 03, 2008, 12:42:20 PM » by jall29

Amy, what an amazing story! God is ever faithful!

This announcement is for Jacob Andrew, born April 27, 2008. I had two previous c-sections and was scheduled for the third for April 29. I had never went into labor on my own (first was induction, second was scheduled c/s) so I actually wanted the excitement of labor. Well..................I got it! Dh bought castor oil Saturday and I only took 1 tbs. mixed with OJ. That was about 1:45 p.m. About three hrs later the only thing that had happened was a bathroom break. I really didn't want to take much b/c I was afraid of really bad stomach cramps, etc. My stomach had been feeling tight and uncomfortable all day, but I wasn't having cx. I don't think I took enough to make a difference, but who knows.
We had supper about 8:30 that night. I cleaned up the kitchen and went to the bedroom to lay down and count baby's movements. He had been really still all day and I was kindof worried. I had been lying down about 5 minutes when I had a cx. It lasted about 45 sec. I really didn't think much about it. Then I had another cx three minutes later. I had cx every three minutes for 30 minutes and then called in dh. I had been told to call the dr. when the cx were 10 minutes apart...only they started 3 minutes apart! Dh said to call the dr. so I did. She said for me to come on in. Shocked

So we were throwing things in our overnight bag and making calls to grandparents. My kids were already in pj's so I just put their slippers on and in the car we went.
The cx were getting stronger and still 3 minutes apart. Ds, who is 3, kept asking "Mommy, is your stomach hurting? Mommy, are you resting? Mommy, is that baby coming? Daddy, will you turn Veggietales up?" He was singing at the top of his lungs, stopping only to ask me if I was sleeping or resting. The whole time I was trying to breath, get as comfortable as you can in a car seat, and in lots of pain! I didn't want to talk to anyone! Our dd, who is 22 months, was just sitting in her seat sucking her thumb. It was hilarious!
We got to the hospital and they checked me and said I was at 3 cm. The dr. said since I had eaten supper so late, she wanted to try to wait until 5 a.m. to do the c/s so I wouldn't get sick w/anesthesia. They gave me a shot to slow the cx and it worked for about 20 minutes. Then the cx came back faster and stronger. So they gave me another shot and they slowed down and were less painful. The dr. that delivered my other children was on call starting Sunday morning. I asked if I could wait until he came on to have c/s. They said I should be able to. He came in at 6 a.m. and they started getting me ready for surgery.
The anesthesiologist took FOREVER to get the epidural in. When she did get it in, I wasn't as numb as I wanted to be. I could still feel a lot. At one point during the cutting process, I felt a scrape while he was cutting. I was pretty scared I was about to feel the real thing if he went much further. He stopped and they gave me more medicine. Shortly after Jacob was born! He started crying when just his head was out! The dr. held him up over the curtain so I could see him and dripped stuff all over my face. Tongue

It was so crazy! He was just crying and crying!
We had went into the hospital w/the name Noah Jackson picked out for a boy b/c we weren't sure what we were having. When the baby was born my husband said he didn't look like a Noah, he looked like a Jacob! So Jacob it was! Everyone was so surprised when we told them his name wasn't Noah. Jacob was my favorite name anyway, so I was so happy! Cheesy

This was the most uncomfortable c/s I've had, but the recovery has been the best so far. And Jacob has been the best baby so far! All he does is literally eat and sleep. He wakes up every couple of hours to eat and back to sleep he goes. DS #1 would stay awake for 4-5 hours at a time, even at a week old. He still doesn't require much sleep. I'm just bummed that I can probably only have one more c/s. I would love to have a houseful of kids. Who knows, maybe the Lord will see fit to give us twins on the next go around! Cheesy

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #222 on: May 03, 2008, 05:09:00 PM » by Kitty

Birth story #4,
[VBAC #3, Homebirth #2, Water birth #1 of MANY, I hope!] Grin

Wednesday, April 30
My water gushed 3:35 AM, right b/w my due date and the midwife's. I called the midwife and my hubby started filling the pool. There weren't regular c(x) or even very strong, so I laid back down after deciding that we didn't need the MW to come yet (2+ hours away). Reading Psalms really helped to settle me down.

DH stayed home from work and we passed the day “normally”. Checked in with MW and decided to have MW come out at 10 AM on Thursday to start blue cohosh/castor oil if I didn’t go into labor on my own. I had prolonged/premature rupture of membranes [PROM] w/ my other 2 VBACS (2 1/2 & ~6 days) and we didn't want to do that again. Still awaited the GBS results. Angry

Slept well after watching a silly movie. Roll Eyes

Thursday, May 1
Up at 6:30 and had some pink mucous, w/ some stronger c(x) from 3:30-6…showered and did housework (cleaned bathroom, made pancakes, dusted) to get ready for a birthday party!

The MW arrived around 10:40 AM and found out GBS was negative—thank you, God! Started the blue cohosh (6 pellets) and every hour until 2:15 when we added black cohosh (same dose) and increased it to every ½ hour until 4:15 or so, when we added castor oil…blended w/ strong OJ…about 4 oz. total in 3 doses over 1 ½ hours. Shocked

Ate lightly and drank RRL tea. Frosted the cake & rested briefly.

I decided around 2 to go for a walk—it was in the high 40s and the fresh air was so refreshing. Who else to go on a hike w/ while in labor but a MW? Cool

We took the snowmobile trail behind our house, and ended up close to a trailhead for some lovely waterfalls. We decided to keep going (I was getting stronger c(x), maybe 15 minutes apart). We ended up hiking for 1 ½ hours, up and down trails to a reservoir and saw breathtaking waterfalls. C(x) were getting more regular and stronger, which was good. Got home and drank some RRL tea (regular strength) and had lots of milk/calcium magnesium supplements throughout the day. Started the castor oil, and assisted w/ dinner…a dear friend brought a beautiful meal over.

Tried resting from 6:15-7, but couldn’t sleep—read more Psalms…c(x) were getting stronger and about 3 minutes apart. Tried to eat, but was nauseous. Put on the headphones w/ some praise music I had put together (thanks, seeker! Kiss

), and did some dancing while I putzed around the kitchen.

At 8:25 I was dilated to 6 and 90% effaced. I was pretty comfortable, sending out e-mail updates to the Grandmas w/ the headphones helping (and of course, checking in on WTM Wink

). My husband was doing great, reading to the children and they were enjoying some Bible stories on DVD.

I decided to see what the pool felt like, so I went in around 9 for about 20 minutes. It was very nice and I had a few good c(x)…it must have really helped, b/c when I got out (due to castor oil working Tongue

), I dried off, went to the bathroom and returned back downstairs feeling like things were getting closer. By then, the MW's assistant arrived, and she quietly videotaped and took pix for us. After a strong contraction or 2, I felt “pushy”. MW checked baby’s HR, and found me at 10 cm at 10:10. Shocked

There were 4-5 c(x) that I really had to focus on breathing through and not pushing. I had hubby give me the Bach Rescue Remedy that had helped so much w/ #3’s transition. I didn’t “flip out” this time, and think that it helped again. Those few c(x) were hard and I wanted to try the pool. They helped me in and that was the best thing I ever did! I instantly felt more relaxed, and found that blessed rumor that it CAN feel GOOD to push is TRUE! Shocked

I was able to converse b/w contractions and express gratitude for what everyone was doing.

I pushed for about 30 minutes, gradually easing him down and out. There was a brief moment after I reached down and felt his head starting to emerge where I bled, but we determined it was probably OK. She did have trouble finding the heart rate, though.

I couldn’t believe that pushing felt good! She applied pressure to help w/ stretching and hubby applied counter pressure on my tailbone—fabulous. As he began to crown, I thought that it was much milder and shorter a “ring of fire” than w/ my other 2 VBACs (about 2 seconds). She announced that the head was delivered and I couldn’t believe how relatively easy that was!

We called for dd [8] to come down (she was sleeping), b/c she wanted to see the birth…she did at 10:57 PM. Levi Thomas was born, and I pulled him up and announced his “boy” ness. I couldn’t believe how little he was—our smallest at 7 # 4 oz, 21” long. His opposite shoulder came out first and I had a slight tear at an old site of scar tissue, but I think the effects of the castor oil are worse than that. Angry

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ETA:
His cord was looped once around his neck, and he didn't breathe right away (we were prepared for that, after reading about water babies, and knew the cord was providing oxygen to him)...and of course, was blue/purple. He was so peaceful! We rubbed him and he eventually cried out. So sweet!

His placenta was the smallest the MW had ever seen--1# 3 oz...Curious. Huh

I scarfed a PB & J sammie afterwards, on regular bread...MMMM...that's my meal of choice after a baby. Cheesy

That and raw milk w/ an apple...YUMMY! Grin

*****************************

I would highly recommend the Gentle Birth labor prep herbs…I dilated to 6 w/o much discomfort, truly. I did regular activities throughout my labor up to that point. The c(x) weren’t that intense or on top of each other like previous labors, and there weren’t that many of them that I had to breathe through. And I certainly didn’t “flip out” in transition like I did before (that Rescue Remedy is great, too). The pool was the best—I don’t ever want to give birth w/o water again!

We are so thankful to God for His many mercies & answered prayers…thank you all for your love, support & prayers! Kiss

« Last Edit: June 04, 2008, 09:27:38 PM by Yooper »
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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #223 on: May 03, 2008, 06:04:34 PM » by amazonmama2five

All I can say is Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! Wow, what a peaceful story! God is good.
God bless you and yours, Jen. Thank you for the wonderful post.
Love,
Lisa

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #224 on: May 03, 2008, 06:12:47 PM » by cecac

Amy, jall29, and Yooper--thank you so much for your stories. It is somehow encouraging to read before my time comes, likely next week although this little fellow may wait til the week after. We kind of doubt it.

Your births are beautiful.

Blessings on the lovely newborn stage, may you get rested in spite of the night duty.

Cara

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #225 on: May 04, 2008, 05:08:40 AM » by jessica

great story Yooper, it is very encouraging to me, I am due in 3 weeks and I've never had a natural delivery, I have always had hours and hours of painful contractions with very little progress until I would get the epidural then it went fast. I really would like to experience an unmedicated birth like yours. thanks for posting your story.

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #226 on: May 04, 2008, 01:08:21 PM » by blessedmama

Beautiful post Yooper! I'm so glad that you had your water birth, nothing is better for birthing I'm convinced! Congrats Kiss

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #227 on: May 04, 2008, 01:29:51 PM » by Gigi

Alrighty, here's the birth story of our latest, born April 13, 2008.

One week and one day before the due date, I woke up 1:15 am with my first contractions, EVER! (First baby was a planned c-section because she was breech. This baby was head down and we were so thankful that we could do a VBAC!!) I was so drowsy I thought I was starting my period until I realized that I was pregnant, which meant I was not likely to be starting my period . . . Roll Eyes

I kept having the crampy feeling every three minutes and then I suddenly got Really Awake . . .

Around 3 am, I woke up DH and told him that I was having some cramping every three minutes like a clock - they were getting slightly worse. I was not able to get any sleep through them because they were too frequent. They lasted about a minute.

5 am I got out of bed and went potty for the millionth time , but this time I had lots of bloody stuff!

7 am I was having slightly more intense contractions, still three minutes apart and lasting one minute, still not able to rest

Not wanting to go the hospital any sooner than need be, DH packed us up and we headed to my Mom and Dad’s house, which put us only one hour away from the hospital instead of two hours.

I continued with three minute apart contractions all day long. By the evening, they were still increasing in their intensity, and I was beginning to feel the effects of not being able to get some rest in between them. I was definitely getting kinda pooped and wondering if these contractions were actually doing anything. I tried to just sit around, hoping the contractions would ease up so that I could have a few minutes of sleep, but they just came like clockwork no matter what I did.

Evening came and I still didn’t feel like it was time to go to the hospital (I was hoping my water would break) so everyone went to bed and I stayed in the recliner, trying to get rest. Family members took shifts timing the contractions. I had about a 30 minute cycle where they eased up - only five minutes apart - so I did get a couple 5 minute naps.

By early morning I felt like I was definitely IN LABOR - contractions had definitely become quite intense, but still manageable. Still three minutes apart, lasting about a minute. Unfortunately I was feeling exhausted from no sleep (for the second night) and all the work.

Hubby thought it was time to go to hospital, judging by the intensity of the contractions. I was hoping that I hadn’t jumped the gun. I did not want to get there and be 2 cm dilated or something like that!

We got to the hospital at 8:30 am.

They checked us in and I know they were surprised when they checked me and I was 8 cm dilated and 95 % effaced! I was so excited and thankful that I hadn’t gotten there too soon and we figured I’d have a baby in the next couple hours! They all hurried up and got me into the Labor/Delivery room, trying to get everything in order before the big moment.

Well, by noon, baby had not dropped, and I had only advanced to 9 cm. But, my water broke - yeah! So I thought we were soon going to be on the fast track.

Unfortunately, by three, nothing had changed - no further dilation, baby still at zero station. The doctors began to talk about C-Sections, because they didn’t understand why the baby was not dropping. They knew I wanted a VBAC and were very facilitating - we told them we were still going to VBAC. Of course, I am getting pretty exhausted by this point -

We tried many different laboring positions to try to get the baby to drop to no avail.

By six that evening, I was pooped. I had been laboring with three minute apart contractions for 41 hours. The contractions were getting VERY intense BUT things were still the same - 9cm, baby at zero station.
Doctors, of course, wanted to do a C-section.

We prayed and hubby decided that I was too pooped to continue. He along with my whole family had been praying all along for baby to drop so now they all felt, though it was a difficult decision, a green light for a c-section.

We decided to go with it and they began all the preparations.

About that same time, my body began PUSHING. I could NOT stop my belly from bearing down - they checked again and the baby still had not dropped. They told me I should not push, as it would cause damage since I was so dilated and baby was not there. They wanted to give me something for pain and to ease the contractions, but I knew I did not want anything, especially now that I knew I was having a c-section. Of course, I thought I’d be in having the surgery in the next half hour or so.

But . . .for the next two and a half hours, we waited for anesthesiology and my body was trying to push with every contraction. This was almost unbearable: trying to stop my body from pushing - I was so tired by this point and it was quite painful. I was working so hard mentally and trying so hard physically to “open” up my belly when it wanted to push. They of course had put me on a fluid I.V. when they checked me in that morning and my bladder kept being full enough that every time I had a contraction, my belly would push and I would pee all over everything. Even after they inserted the foley, I still would “shoot” pee all over the bed at each contraction. This was the most difficult time of all. They continued to ask me if I wanted medication and I’m thankful that I was able to refuse.

Finally, after 43 hours of labor, they took me in for the c-section at 8:30 pm and I was very thankful for that numbing shot - finally those three minute apart contractions along with [trying to resist the] urge to push just melted away. My first c-section, I hated being numbed, it kinda psyched me out and I just wanted to jump off the table and run away - this time I was so exhausted and in dread of the next contraction that it felt like a huge wave of relief!

At nine o‘clock, we had our little baby boy - a very healthy little boy! This is both of the grandparents first grandSON, after many wonderful granddaughters, so they were delighted with the surprise. Cool

So, doctors still aren’t sure why he never dropped - maybe my bicornuate uterus kept him from flexing his head to engage in the birth canal? Maybe he was just too big? Well, God knows!

Anyone know: Is there anything different I could have done to change this whole scenario?

Either way, I am so thankful for a healthy little boy, and I’m thankful for ALL the wonderful things that God has done for us - we are so blessed! Truly He gave me so much strength for the whole labor - I did not get wild or ridiculous, I felt very calm. The doctors said that I would take a little longer for recovery, since I basically had the worst of both worlds and they were right. I was so tired!

Overall, the hospital was VERY facilitating: they let me be in charge of my Type 1 Diabetes - they let me do my own sugar checks and administer my own insulin. They were fine with all the different things we “refused” and several of the nurses were even supportive of our decisions.

So, things did NOT go as planned - I really wanted a VBAC and I felt like I was so close! But what do you do when the baby doesn’t get in the birth canal? Well, you trust your hubby and you trust God. When you’re doing that, you’re doing the RIGHT thing. And you can take that to the bank!!

Wink

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #228 on: May 04, 2008, 02:45:14 PM » by KristenA

Quote from: Gigi on May 04, 2008, 01:29:51 PM

Anyone know: Is there anything different I could have done to change this whole scenario?

Whew! That made me tired just reading your story! Cheesy

The only thing I can think of to the above question: What kind of posiiton were you laboring in? Were you upright? On hands and knees?
I know I stood and rocked through all my contractions (my body just made me).......I wonder if all that gravity and rotating could have helped??

And I have a few friends with an April 13th birthday. Cool day.

Also, what is a uterus-thing you mentioned you have?

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #229 on: May 04, 2008, 03:08:37 PM » by BJ_BOBBI_JO

GIGI-Im glad everyting turned out so well. Your experience sounds kind of like my 1st labor.
---------------------------------------------

The baby just would not leave station 0. And the baby would not face the right direction. But the pain kept me awake and in intense pain for so long that I could no longer take it. I was about to go over the edge and beg for death when finally they relieved me of that awful pain by an epidural so I could have a c-section. but the out of town doctor who had to step in for the OB surgeon who was out of town done something differant.

She was getting to many complaints for doing a lot of c-sections instead of having the women labor for several days. So she decided to use a suction cup on my station 0 baby which, they say, is not a good thing and is very dangerous. She kept suctioning the babys head. The other staff could not over rule her because she was the top OB doc there for the day. I was to tired and out of it to know just what was going on. She would say "push" when she was doing the suctioning and I would try the best I could to no avail. The staff all looked stressed and worried. I saw my regular doctor over by the wall all worried and freaking out. He was looking rather freaked out but I did not know why. My care at that point was out of my docs hands because the top doc OB surgeon was there taking over my difficult situation. My hubby had been stabnding there beside the doc along the wall. The medical OB staff was crowding around me freaking out.

My husband was forced out of the room because something was not right and possibly going to go wrong. I did not know why hubby was not there beside me. but I was to weak and out of it to know what was going on. I kept hearing that suction sound from the suction cup. The staff kept acting worried and nervous. I was in and out of it.

Finally the suction cup was getting the baby into station and into the birth cancel. And baby came out alive and healthy and safe but with a bad bad sore and mark on the top of her head where she was being suctioned out. I then saw that my doctor was greatly relieved and coming over to check on he baby who was his patient now.

NO one would tell me anything. My hubby was allowed back in the room but he was very upset and angry. I could see and feel it on him. But I did not know why at that point.

There was lots of medical staff in the room. They all crowded around the baby checking on her. I felt the tension and stress. I did not know why baby as not placed on my chest right away. Finally someone brought baby to me and I got to see her all while they was cleaning me up.

Later that day/night/week I found out that the reason the staff was so on edge and nervous was because that top dog OB doc was doing something very dangerous to me and my baby. she was trying so hard to avoid a c-section because of all the backlash from others, that she done something that should never be done which is to use a suction cup on a baby that is in station 0. This very well could have beheaded my baby. I mean the chances of the beheading were so great that it was freaking out my regular doc and all the staff but because of politics and rank no one could stop that doctor.

The reason my husband was forced out of the room was due to the possible beheading.

That top dog doc was actually a nice lady but going over board with trying to avoid the complaints others had about her doing to many c-sections. She is no longer allowed to practise in our county because of that incident. I don't know all the trouble she got into because of what she did. But she got in trouble and my doc was sure of that.

We could have won a major law suit if we wanted to pursue that. The hospital buttered up to my hubby big time because they knew that. Hubby had a "talk" with he hospital higher ups. We decided to let it go and go on with our lives with our baby. The long drown out law suit process would not have been wroth it. And we knew our doc was going after that top doc OB doc and she would not ever do that again to anyone else. That hopsital maternity ward is great and so is their staff and I actually enjoyed being there after the labor/delivery part was over.

My body took a long time to heal from the trauma of that birth and prolonged savage suction cup attack. It took days and weeks for me to heal 'down there' and for the intense swelling to go down.

The swelling was so bad the pee could not come out of the urethra like it should have. All that on top of the long long awful unbearable labor, high fever, high blood pressure and pancreities attack all at once. I was a miracle I did not get fixed right away after that but I waited until I had 1 more kid for that. And thankfully had a c-section with the 2nd baby which was much much much better then labor.

My baby's head healed and she was fine. I know it was God that had her be born with her head still on her. I shutter to think how awful it would have been if that suction cup had taken her head off like they was worried about.

That was 8 years ago and her head is still on. Wink

My 2nd baby had a much better delivery thanks to c-sections. She would not face the right direction either.

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #230 on: May 04, 2008, 04:47:02 PM » by LKS

Oh Bobbi Jo! That's so horrible! It justs makes me sick to think about it. I am sooooo glad the lord protected you & your baby!
LKS

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #231 on: May 04, 2008, 04:48:01 PM » by westernmama

BobbiJo,
I can hardly believe your story! In fact, it makes me feel rather sick at what that doctor did. Shocked

I am so glad the Lord worked it all out okay. It kind of freaks me out because my firstborn had the suction cup used on his head, although he was not at a 0 station. He was just a big baby for a first-time mom. And he didn't have any trauma from it.

Gigi,
I greatly admire ladies like you who labor for days without pain meds. You certainly gave it all you had!

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #232 on: May 05, 2008, 07:29:01 AM » by Gigi

BJ- YIKES! That sounds like a horrible experience! Praise God he protected you and your little one. Why does a suction cup sound so archaic? I suppose there are times when that is a great option if done right?? I have no idea. The doctors never said anything about suction cups or any other solution other than a c-sec.

Westernmama - I'm no superhero!! It was God, I'm tellin' ya.

KristenA - Well, to be honest, I mostly wanted to sit - it was by far the MOST comfortable position. I did spend some time walking/standing both at the hospital and the day before at home. I also was on knees with my upper body on a chair quite a bit at home and then I did get on hands/knees in the delivery room to try to get things to move. I tried laying down but it gave me wicked pain through my whole belly. I think I needed a chiropractic adjustment sometime in those last weeks of pregnancy, but things were so crazy I never got to do it. Possibly I had pain with several positions that would have been better had I been adjusted? But, really the most comfortable position for me was sitting with my back very straight up and my legs indian-style. Is that a bad position? Maybe that was part of the problem.

The uterus thing I have I described here:

http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,12378.0.html

Turns out, this baby was able to turn head down (or maybe he happened to be head down and then got too big to turn back the other way) but the doctor said possibly the shape of my uterus, once he got big, made it such that he couldn't pull his head back enough to kind of engage into the birth canal? I guess I'll never know.

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #233 on: May 05, 2008, 07:47:53 AM » by KristenA

Quote from: Gigi on May 05, 2008, 07:29:01 AM

But, really the most comfortable position for me was sitting with my back very straight up and my legs indian-style. Is that a bad position? Maybe that was part of the problem.

That position sounds good to me!

Enjoy your little one! He's looks like a manly man.

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #234 on: May 05, 2008, 12:57:49 PM » by fisherprice

Ok...if you have made it this far you're amazing! I cant resist to share mine. It is quite similar to a couple of yours. To keep it short, I'll just share baby #2 :

Jenna Eves birth: A week before my due date i had an OB appt and she did an ultrasound and found that i had very low fluid....she said i needed to be induced. It was a Wed. and I decided to have the baby on Sat. Well, saturday rolls around and i am quite nervous b/c with you 2nd you kind of have an idea of what to expect Embarrassed

Well, getting the IV was the worst part!! Then they broke my waters and i started feeling pressure. Since there was no muconium in the fluid i could have a water birth but i didnt want to get into the tub too soon b/c sometimes it can slow the birth down. So when she checked me i was at 5 cm (3 hrs into labor) i wanted to try the tub. When i got in it was heaven. I got on my hands and knee and semi-squat and could work through the contractions good. Well, one contraction that was quite powerful i pushed down on my belly and i felt kind of a shift. I thought there is no way that it is time already! I had only been in the tub for 20 minutes! Well, the next contraction my body just threw me into pushing. The DR. had just come in on her lunch break and had just left. Well, the look the nurses face when i started pushing! I think i gave her a few more gray hairs. The Dr. didnt make it. Three pushes later Jenna was born and we let her just swim in the water and then they brought her on my stomach and let the cord stop pulsing. Beautiful birth they said! I have no idea b/c i am always kidda in a fog. I hope i can have a home birth with #3 and I would do a water birth in a heart beat. The worst part about the water birth was that they had to strip me and i had to walk to the bed buck-naked to deliver the placenta! Good thing i didnt care at that point. Well, thats it.....happy reading

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #235 on: May 05, 2008, 02:39:26 PM » by nexis777

Gigi, the one thing I wonder from your birth, with you meantioning the chiropractic stuff is, perhaps if you'd been adjusted the baby would have been able to engage? You said it was uncomfortable in a lot of different positions. That definitely sounds like you were out of adjustment. The chiropractor I had with my second made it sound like being in proper adjustment helps everything to open up and gives the baby more room to slide on out. Perhaps with the way your bones were there was something blocking or making it difficult.

Just some thoughts.

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #236 on: May 05, 2008, 04:13:21 PM » by Gigi

nexis777, You know, that is a real possibility. I had been getting regular adjustments the whole pregnancy until about the last month and a half. Things got crazy and I did not have a chance to get there. Of course hind sight is 20/20 and now that I am thinking clearly I think that the last month and a half is probably the MOST important time to make sure I was going to the chiropractor. Duh.

It did seem odd how terribly uncomfortable some positions were that had been fine before I was in labor (like laying down on my side) so I didn't really think I was that "out of whack" before I went into labor. (Usually I know I need to go in because I start getting headaches and tightness in my neck, and that had not happened yet so I assumed I was fine.)

But thinking back on things I bet I needed one - maybe that would have helped. Interesting thought.

Quote from: nexis777 on May 05, 2008, 02:39:26 PM

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #237 on: May 05, 2008, 10:07:00 PM » by ForeverGirl

Hey, thanks for posting your birth stories, ladies! It's funny how much more interesting they are the closer I get to D-Day! Cheesy

Gigi, wow what a labor!

I agree with Nexis on the adjustment thing. I had a hard time with my first one because of needing my pelvis adjusted. When he finally was able to engage and be born it was because of the "Navajo Sash."

Here on the Rez, the Navajo women wear traditional loom-woven sashes that serve as very wide and sturdy wrap-around belts. When it comes time for birth, (the traditional way) the sash is hung over a rafter of the hogan (house) and the loose ends are tied. The woman then loops the sash under and behind her shoulders, grabs the sash above her head with both hands, and "hangs" from it in a squatting position. This hanging position allows the whole body below the shoulders to relax and open up, while gravity does it's work.

I pushed in every position I could think of with my first baby; birthing stool, hands and knees, sitting on the bed, squatting... I could not push him down. After pushing for 7 hours, I finally hung from "the sash" and wow, he engage and came out within just a few minutes, even though by that time I was swollen inside and weak.

I haven't needed to use the sash since then, but if I ever had a baby that wouldn't engage, that's one of the first things I would try.

Rebekah

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #238 on: May 05, 2008, 10:35:44 PM » by floydian

Quote from: ForeverGirl on May 05, 2008, 10:07:00 PM

Hey, thanks for posting your birth stories, ladies! It's funny how much more interesting they are the closer I get to D-Day! Cheesy

For the life of me, I just cannot picture this, but I'm fascinated. Is there any way you would consider posting a picture of what this looks like?

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #239 on: May 06, 2008, 12:16:10 AM » by ForeverGirl

This is the high tech version... but basically the same concept taken from the following (large but great info) pdf file:

The OP Fetus: How Little We Know

...from this very interesting site: http://www.pennysimkin.com/

Rebekah

« Last Edit: May 06, 2008, 12:21:06 AM by ForeverGirl »
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Honey Sunny in complete exasperation:
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