Birth Stories: Past or Present

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #60 on: August 08, 2007, 06:21:50 PM » by ShabbyChic

Yippeee!!! So glad she's here, and that you had such an awesome birth! I just know Ruth is going to be a very helpful big sister.

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #61 on: August 09, 2007, 10:39:23 PM » by KristenA

Baby #1

Pregnancy was totally smooth! No BloodPressure/Weight/Sugar/Discomfort/etc. issues!

At 39wks6days the Doctor asked me if I wanted to be induced that night. The next day was Saturday and he did not have clinic (more convenient). I said "Oh Yeah!" I was so excited knowing I would be meeting my FIRST BABY!

Friday night nurse inserted Prostaglandins. At this point I was less then 1cm dilated with the baby nowhere close to being engaged (dropped into pelvis).
I had a string of contractions though the night and Pitocin was started around 4am. Baby's heart rate dropped once and immediately went back up. B/C of that the nurses never felt comfortable turning up the pitocin. The very small amount of pitocin did give me regular contractions.

At 8am I was at 2cm.

Around 12pm I was told I needed to go ahead and have an epidural. I didn't know why... I didn't feel like I needed one... I just said okay. Soon after the Epidural baby's heart rate dropped again and came back up immediately.

Around 2:30 I was told I needed a c-section for Failure to Progress and fetal "distress".

So, there it is!
Sorry it's not so interesting.....Just what happens when you don't plan ahead and do your own research.

Conclusion:
IMO, I should have been sent home after a failed induction. It could have been another 2 weeks before the baby was ready to come.
If you are a first time Mom (pregnant) reading this thread where I wrote how to avoid c-sections:
http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,2709.msg102461.html#msg102461

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #62 on: August 09, 2007, 10:43:27 PM » by KristenA

Quote from: bajusabroad on August 07, 2007, 08:11:59 PM

As for my birth stories, lets just say "horror" Undecided

I do so wish things had gone differently - 2 home birth attempts which ended with c-sections. Cry

BUT - I've 2 beautiful babies and I'm glad to be alive to enjoy them! Grin

They are beautiful babies!

We can learn from the horror stories too. *Hint Hint*
I don't get afraid....it's reality.... Shocked

But it has been wonderful reading all these GREAT birth stories. I would LOVE to include one of my own one day.

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #63 on: August 10, 2007, 07:45:27 AM » by Kitty

I put this on the VBAC thread, but it's a wonderful birth story for here, too (make sure your volume is on):

http://onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_shared?p=2a4e81fbf0f66accb8afce

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #64 on: August 23, 2007, 06:57:46 PM » by diaperswyper

I shared my first two birth stories and here's the 3rd.
We had moved to Ohio by this time so we found a new midwife at a birthing center. I never really connected with her, altho she was very capable and had a good reputation. I don't remember exactly how close it was to my due date but it was within a couple days and i was miserable. Alot of contractions. We had company for supper one evening and by the end of the evening i was starting to wonder if labor was going to happen. I called the midwife ( i had started to have bloody show) and she said wait and see. Thankfully our company was family so the kids went home with them. By 11:00 that night i was pretty sure it was the real thing. The ctx were intense but not unbearable and i remember sitting at the hallway window staring at the moon and thinking about how Mary had to go through this to have Jesus.
I finally went in and woke my dh up and said i'm in labor but i don't think it's necassary to go in yet. He watched me for about 5 minutes and said we're going in now. We had an hour drive and he wasn't taking any chances. So we headed in with me wondering if it really was labor or if it was false. They were up to 5 minutes apart and hard but never unbearable. I felt so good inbetween that i asked my dh if he wants to stop for coffee. I was the only one that found that funny. Grin

I found it hilarious that whenever i had a ctx i could feel the little minivan pick up speed. We made that hour trip in 45 minutes. I walked in the office and told the midwife that i'm afraid it's false labor, the whole time shaking like a leaf. Hello, transition maybe? I was 9 1/2 centimeters, so i knew it wouldn't be long. I was at 10 within minutes but i had a lip. This is where the "fun" began. She thot if she inserted her arm she could hold back the lip while i pushed. Needless to say, i nearly came up off the bed, glared at her with everything i had and said don't EVER do that again. It was agony. I told her i need a couple minutes and then i will push when i feel the urge. i stared at the celing where there were Bible verses printed out. The midwife was a christian and i definitely appreciated the verses. Kind of helped me focus.
Withing 15 min the lip had dissapeared and the urge to push took over and i pushed the little guy out with a couple of pushes. I think the midwife thot i would be one of those women that will panic and refuse to push, even with the head right there. My one midwife said she sat and waited 6 hrs while a woman panicked and refused to push, even tho the head was literally right there. I could have seen myself doing that except i have a man that wouldn't put up with that kind of foolishness. He's to wise and knows me too well. God knew i needed a mr. commander. Kiss

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #65 on: August 23, 2007, 07:18:42 PM » by diaperswyper

Birth #4
By this time we both wanted a homebirth so we started looking. I was having a little hard time finding a midwife. My dh said if we're going to pay as much as a birth center we might as well go to one. There came a night when i completely surrendered it to God and wouldn't you know it, the next day i came across this midwife that had 9 kids and homebirthed and homeschooled. We met with her and talked for 2 hrs. That midwife changed my dh's perspective on childbirth forever. Instead of dreading it he began to look forward to it. He realized birth is a natural thing and not something to be afraid of.
We absolutley loved her and she believed very strongly in the husband being the leader and she is simply there if something goes wrong. She told my dh he is perfectly capable of delivering the baby. I had always noticed when we got to the birth centers my dh seemed uncomfortable and not sure what to do with himself, which in turn made me insecure. She said one reason that homebirth is so wonderful is that you're at home where your dh is the leader and he remains the leader. I absolutley believe it's possible to have a birth in a hospital and if the woman is in her place, you can still have a beautiful birth but it made sense to us and gave my dh a lot of confidence.
So i never knew when i got pregnant cause i was nursing so i guessed. Well, my guess was 5 wks off. We didn't see the need to do an ultrasound, so we waited. and waited. and waited. My midwife was calm as pie, said heart's good, so she wasn't worried. i learned alot those 5 wks. Patience being key, something i was never good at.
Well, one night we were getting ready to go to church when something broke in our water heater (or something like that) and my dh said forget church, we're going to Home Depot, because this is probably the night you'll go into labor. He was right. I woke up at 1:00 a.m. felt this thud and my water broke. 4 hrs later i delivered a 9 lb. boy who the midwife thot due to his vernix he was probably a week early. Shocked

My dh had wanted to deliver him but made the mistake of sitting behind me on the bed and supporting me. Hopefully this next time he can deliver baby himself, while the midwife watches. I know he would do an awesome job.

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #66 on: August 24, 2007, 08:56:17 PM » by *MommaJo*

Quote

................ My one midwife said she sat and waited 6 hrs while a woman panicked and refused to push, even tho the head was literally right there................

I CANNOT IMAGINE! I was one of those cases where they were telling me not to push yet because the dr wasn't there yet. My body just PUSHED my boys out. I think, with the second, I only voluntarily pushed once!

« Last Edit: August 24, 2007, 09:12:51 PM by healthybratt »
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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #67 on: August 24, 2007, 09:08:15 PM » by Kymdenise

Here are my 3...

#1) Sooo, I went to the hospital birthing classes with my dh dragging behind, but they were so textbook blah. I too clung to "what to expect".. I had no idea what I wanted.
I had gone into prelabor at about 34 weeks. I was at home on the toilet and finally called my mom "I think I have the runs, but..well...nothing's happening.. should I take a laxative or something?" My mom in an unnaturally calm voice said "Honey, you have to go to the hospital".. I started bawling, I was so scared. And then the shots-to stop the labor....Ooooh they burrrned. So then after four weeks of bedrest (ugh) I was okay to be up and about. I had a very diligent doctor, she was at every appointment, and when I showed up spotting about 10 days early, and then the bleeding got pretty heavy during a nonstress test at the hospital, she said enough, and broke my water. I had Diane in 6 hours. The contractions were very intense, and I was in sooo much pain. I had an epidural, and delivered very comfortably. Unfortunately, a nurse packed my, ahem.. personal self, with guaze, and I was stitched up, with the gauze inside! Ten days later, I'm home with the baby, as well as a super high fever, and I smelled terrible.. I went to the doctor, and saw a PA (dr. was in surgery) and when she did the exam and found the gauze, she was shocked. My Doctor was VERY upset, and demanded an answer from the nurses as to who packed me. They all denied it! Shocked

*so apparently I did it myself Roll Eyes

. I knew who did it and did tell, but she still denied it. They ran a ton of tests, and put me on some heavy antibiotics. The next night the baby was sick, and had a very high fever. I had to take my little girl in for a spinal tap, and she was admitted for three days! But nooooo.. it had nothing to do with my infection. Nonetheless, I got a call from the head of the ob dept, as well as a legal person from the hospital. "How are you? How is baby? Just wanted to make sure everyone was okay?" I literally said to her "Don't you mean you just were curious as to whether or not I was going to sue?".. It was not good, my dh was FURIOUS, but we let it go. In the end, we were all okay, by God's grace.

#2) My second labor was two and a half hours, induced by water breaking, and VERY intense again.. so yup, an hour into it I got an epidural. Baby came very quickly, and it was all good, except the room I stayed in was so icky. No one picked up dishes after meals, just kinda dirty. My doctor was great, but in and out soo quick. She was at every appointment though, just like last time, but it took so long to see her. It was only a 20 min. drive, but always an hour wait at the office. I made up my mind to go to a local hospital next time, where I would hopefully not have such long waits for my prenatal visits, and more of a birth plan atmosphere and support for delivery.

I'll get to number 3 later... I hope this wasn't too bland.. I know these are not the natural and strong stories that so many have, but it's a taste of what some of us do. Number three really made me think about what having a baby means to me in the physical sense.. I'll explain later. I've really enjoyed reading these.. They are so inspiring.

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #68 on: August 25, 2007, 01:09:46 AM » by newcreature

I love reading all these stories!!! Thanks to everyone for sharing.

here's my first: About 2 months after we got married, we found ourselves expecting our first child Cheesy

. Now, here I am, 18 years old, not knowing much about anything in life, and pregnant. I knew this much: my mom didn't have any problems (that I knew of) with any of her pregnancies/births, so I figured that's the way it was supposed to work. I also knew she birthed through CNM's in the hospital, so I knew midwives were an option. But, the insurance we had did not cover midwives, so we chose a doctor. My first prenatal visit (about 4 months along) was also my first ever ob/gyn visit. Upon my arrival, I was (not so gently) scolded by the doctor's assistant for waiting so long to come in. (Why not? Is there something wrong? I thought my body is just supposed to make a baby, why do I need to see a doctor immediately for that?) So, I just did what they told me, came in for a visit every month, then every two weeks, then every week until the time came (each one consisting of ~20 minutes of waiting room, give urine sample, get weighed, take blood pressure, wait ~10 minutes for the doctor, talk to doctor for 2 minutes, pay co-pay, leave). We went to the birth classes offered through the hospital that we were to give birth at, which at the time seemed very informative and helpful. Two days before my due date (a Friday) I went in for my weekly visit and my doctor checked to see if I was dilated at all. She said I was about a 4, and if I wanted she would irritate my cervix and send me to the hospital where they could break my water in hopes of delivering before she was off for the weekend, or I could just wait and risk having someone else deliver the baby. Not knowing what I know now, I opted for the first option. We went on our way to the hospital, arriving about noon. As I was being checked in they monitored me for contractions, and apparently there was more going on than I thought, because the nurses were asking me, "Don't you feel that?" I guess they must have been pretty hard...they kept asking me about it. Well, I didn't...for a while. I sat in bed and read for a while and spent some time with my husband. Then there was maybe half an hour (as I remember it, maybe it was longer) of painful contractions and I sat on the bed holding my dh and rocking and praying. Calling on the Lord at that time eased my discomfort, and it seemed to go very quickly. Soon, I felt that I needed to push, so I told my husband and he went to get a nurse. They didn't think I'd be ready so soon, but I was sure I was, so they checked, and sure enough, I was at 10 cm. They called the doctor (she was on her way to the hospital after she had finished at the office and didn't really expect me to deliver for a while) and rushed to get everything ready. She got there just in time, and I pushed for about 30 minutes. She did an episiotomy (I didn't know any better, or I would have told her not to beforehand). And my beautiful baby girl was born, Katriana Grace. It was 4:59pm, about 5 hours of labor, most of which was pain free! Praise the Lord, truly His grace is sufficient. All in all, I was not completely dissatisfied with my hospital experience (except the food), although if I went through that again knowing what I know now, it may be different.

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #69 on: August 25, 2007, 07:44:50 AM » by *MommaJo*

Quote from: Kymdenise on August 24, 2007, 09:08:15 PM

...........It was only a 20 min. drive, but always an hour wait at the office........................

I have an hour drive to my ob. I've started CALLING AHEAD to see if they're on schedule before I leave my house. If they're running behind, so do I.

They know I drive far and don't like to wait in the office. Especiallly if I have my boys with me. I just tell them I'll come in that much later. They don't mind. You should try it with your doctor.

My last appointment we did the same thing, but when we got there, the dr. had to go over to the hospital for a delivery. So we shopped a little around town. When we got back, she had been back and left for another deilver again. We were about 2 hours past our appt time by then and decided to reschedule because dh had to get back to work. It was a little frustrating. But, hey, she was just doing her job. Wink

« Last Edit: August 25, 2007, 09:11:39 AM by ~mshelson~ »
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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #70 on: August 25, 2007, 07:58:59 AM » by Homemaker

I just gave birth a month ago to my second child. It was an unassisted VBAC in Paraguay, where we are missionaries. Here is the link with my story.

http://jackie-happywife.blogspot.com/2007/07/my-victorious-birth-after-cesarean.html

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #71 on: August 25, 2007, 09:01:41 AM » by diaperswyper

You have a beautiful birth story. Actually your whole blog was inspiring.

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #72 on: August 25, 2007, 12:51:57 PM » by Kymdenise

Quote from: ~mshelson~ on August 25, 2007, 07:44:50 AM

Quote from: Kymdenise on August 24, 2007, 09:08:15 PM

...........It was only a 20 min. drive, but always an hour wait at the office........................

I have an hour drive to my ob. I've started CALLING AHEAD to see if they're on schedule before I leave my house. If they're running behind, so do I.

That's a good idea. I tried another doctor at the hospital in my town with number three. I maybe saw her three times, then it was always someone different. Which leads me to my third and worst.. well recovery anyways..
The doctor who ended up delivering my 3rd was from out of town. He had stripped my membranes that morning, but nothing came of it until a long day of hair (I do hair out of my house) and a late night grocery run. At about 1 a.m. I couldn't go to sleep, and had random contractions.. I really couldn't believe it was labor, becuase I had been induced by breaking my water the other times. This was something I could handle. It was painful, but I was home, and could smell my own blanket, watch tv, and curl up on the couch, moving whenver neccessary. It was great. I called the hospital to let them know I'd be in soon, and just hung out until it felt like it was getting close. Finally I woke my husband up, the ctxs were about 3 min apart and pretty strong, so we went. I had an epidural at about 6am, and it was a breeze. Out she came.. but then the dr. had a hard time getting the placenta to come.. but that came too.. So that was all good, and I had nothing but good things to say about the nurses.. The only akward moment was when the anestesiologist came in and kept rubbing his eyes and yawning saying "are all the lights on in here? I just can't see.." Huh

But all was okay. But then a few hours later I was having horrible contractions again.. I know that they get a bit tougher with each baby.. afterbirth pains and all.. but they were so intense.. The nurses just shrugged and gave me darvocet.. Over the next couple days at home, the cramping just kept coming, and I couldn't even get out of bed. I was in sooo much pain.. Then, on the toilet one night, I noticed flesh hanging out of me! Shocked

I called my Dr.. (actually got her on the phone) and told her what was happening.. She suggested it was my very thinned cervix. But her office was a mess, and as long as I wasn't passing clots, stay home and keep my feet up.. hmmm... so the next morning it, well.. fell out! It was a huge clump of light pink tissue.. I called her again, and she said "Huh.. must have been some afterbirth.. You should be all set now. dont worry".. So a day later, a temp of about 104 and SEVERE cramps I went to the ER. Let me tell you.. the last thing you want is a vag exam after birth. The ER doctor was disgusted, sent me to ultra sound, and Yup... I had quite a bit of afterbirth still in there. Heavy antibiotics, medicine to make me cramp more, and painkillers. I went to the dr's office the next morning.. was told I'd need a d&c, but then the doctor (who delivered me... not my own do) said "I'll just clean you out here in the office".. I was crying. Not comfortable with anything.. He told me that it couldn't have been placenta becuase he SPECIFICALLY remembered how quickly and easily mine came out.. Which was NOT true at all.
So I left that day feeling lied to, violated, sick, sore and realized I was powerless.. all the doctors stood by eachother in the fact that they missed nothing, made no mistakes, took great care of me, and I was fine. None of this was true.

We're trying for number four.. but don't know where to seek care.

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #73 on: August 25, 2007, 02:04:53 PM » by earthymomof2

Oh Kymdenise, what an ordeal. I can understand how you feel. I hope you can find a better caregiver for next time. Ever thought of a midwife?

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #74 on: August 25, 2007, 02:14:14 PM » by Leat

Here are my stories. We have four boys. All were delivered at home. The first two by a wonderful midwife that I had actually gone to elementary school with! The last two were delivered by by the midwife that had trained our first midwife. Our first mw got married and started her own family. Anywho...

Before kids I worked at a christian bookstore. A couple of the ladies who were pregnant before me told me about a birthing class from a christian perspective. DH and I agreed that it would be much better than a class at the hospital. So we took the class and from all we learned decided a homebirth would be best.

I quit working a couple months before my due date, but went back a couple times to help the gal who replaced me. A couple weeks before my due date I went to the mw for a checkup and was dialated to about 2. Then went to work for the morning. After that I met my MIL at the grocery store. DH and I had dinner at her house that evening.

About 11pm I felt my water break. I called the mw and told her. She asked if I was having contractions. I wasn't right then. She said to go back to bed and try and get some sleep. After hanging up the contrx started and I called her back with in an hour. So she and the birth team came. It was about 1:30. She checked me and was happily shocked to see I was at 7. They got me situated on the birthing chair and when I was at ten started pushing. I think I pushed a little over an hour. She was almost ready to give me an episotomy, but right then I pushed the head out and then just felt the rest of him slip out. I just needed 1 or 2 stitches. Luke Alan weighed 7lb 1 oz and was 20 inches long. He was born at 3:32 am on Jan 28,1999.

With our second baby, we went back with the same midwife. It was April 1st 2001 and I was having some braxton hixks contx, but not too bad. My mw called about 4pm and said she was going to be out our way checking on another baby and if we wanted her to stop by and check me. I said sure. DH said to just be sure and not give birth till at least the next day. He didn't want our baby to be born on April Fools day.lol

So Wendy came and I was about 3-4 cm. She said she could stir things up and I would have the baby in the next couple days. So we did that. The next morning about 6,I started having serious contrx and called the mw. Meanwhile DH's folks came and picked up Luke and took him back to their house. During labor I was sick and threw up a few times. We tried the birth chair again but I wasn't comfortable in it this time around. I finally ended up on the floor laying on my side. I remember asking when he was going to be born I was so ready to get him out. Wendy just smiled and said,"when you push him out". Jacob Alan was born at 8:10am on April 2nd,2001. He weighed 8lb 12 oz. A few days later when she came back for a check up, Luke asked if she could put the baby back in Mommies tummy. He got used to sharing Mom and Dad and now the two of them are best friends.

As I mentioned before Wendy got married and started her own family, so with baby #3 we called Kathy, the midwife who trained Wendy.
I measured big from the first appt with Kathy. About half way along she sent me for a sonogram to see if there was one baby or two. DH is a twin so it was entirely possible. Sonogram just showed one big boy.
A week or two before my due date I went in for a checkup. On the previous visit, the mw said she would check on this visit and see how things were. At the visit she wanted to wait a week to check. I started crying. Not intending to. She asked what was wrong. I was just so disappointed to have to wait. I said I was just so ready. So she checked me and I went from 2 to 7 right then! She was so shocked. She said I wouldn't have to wait, I might just have him right there in her office. She had her assistant cancel the rest of the days appts and was getting everything set up for me to deliver. My MIL and SIL had dropped me off and taken the boys to a nearby park to play. We called them to go to the house and bring back the baby clothes, car seat etc. Called DH at work and told him to get there asap. Of course by then everything stopped. I was sitting on the sofa drinking a big glass of water waiting for the contrx to get going. DH arrived and still nothing was happening. mw said she could give me something to pick things up or we could go home and wait. DH said we would go home. So thankful for that decision. That way we wouldn't have to pack up me and a new baby a couple hours after birth and drive all the way home. SO home we went. MIL and SIL were there with the boys. Everyone expecting to me pop at any second, but nothing was happening. MIL and I went out to walk laps around the teardrop hopping to get things going. About 6 FIL brought over pizza for DH and I and they took the boys home for the night. Finally around 7:30 I started having serious contrx and called the mw. Caleb Colt was born at 9:46pm weighing 9lb 6oz on Oct 23,2003.

And last but not least #4.

He was our "surprise" baby. We thought we were done after Caleb. We took a natural family planning class and things were good. I missed my period for the month of April 2005. Couldn't be. No way. Took a test and yep, we were pregnant again. It took awhile for us to adjust to the idea. We really didn't want another baby. But God is good and soon we started getting excited. 4 is a good number. With three someone is always left out of the playing. The last month MW realized baby was breech. A couple weeks later he still hadn't turned so she tried to turn him by moving her hand and pushing on my stomach. Didn't help. She gave me some special exercises to do. Mainly, put my ironing board tilted on an angle against the sofa and lay on it with my head facing down and my feet up for 15 min three times a day.

Being consistent with that plus lots of prayer from family and friends on the next visit he had turned! This was on a Tuesday after Thanksgiving 2005. We planned for me to come back the following Monday. That weekend we got all of our Christmas shopping done.(read LOTS of walking) The next morning I finished up wrapping and got ready for my appt. My MIL was sick so we worked it out that I would pick up my SIL and she would go with the boys and I to the appt just incase I went into labor like I had with Caleb. At the MW's house she checked me and said I was at 3 and a bulging bag. I would go in the next couple days. So we loaded up the boys and stopped by wal-mart for a couple things and then dropped SIL back at her house. Driving home I started having a couple contrx. Not bad. Got home and called DH with a report on the appt. Hung up the phone and contrx picked up. Started getting the boys bag ready to spend the night with Sil. Contrx started getting much stronger. At 3:00 I called DH and had a huge one while on the phone. Said to Come home QUICK. Called MW and then SIL to come for the boys. DH got home about 3:40 SIL left with the boys. MW and team got there about 3:45. I was on the edge of the couch with contrx less than 2 min apart. MW took one look at me and got set up in record time.

I started pushing and a couple minutes later the heartbeat dropped . Kathy said, "the baby is in trouble, you have to push as hard as you can and get him out" She was doing everything on her end to help get him out. He came out with the cord wrapped around his neck TWICE and was very blue. They immediately gave him oxygen and his color improved and he cried. Nathan Marshall was born at 4:06pm on my birthday, Dec 5,2005. He weighed 6lb 8 oz.

I loved having all my boys at home. SO wonderful to trust God and be able to sit on the couch and nurse twenty minutes after giving birth.

One of the assistants at all four births was a wonderful lady that went to the same church as I did growing up. So she made the births extra special to have her there. As well as helping with the births she would pray for us during delivery. We were especially grateful for her prayers during Nathan's birth!

So that is my novel of my four home births.

I have really enjoyed reading all of the other stories that have been posted.

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #75 on: August 25, 2007, 02:22:45 PM » by newcreature

Birth #2: About the time I was thinking I was pregnant again, my sister told me she was getting married July 24th and she would like to know if I would stand up in the wedding. Of course, I said yes. Come to find out, my DD was July 22nd. Shocked

oh, no! Anyway, I decided that I would still plan on being there for the wedding and got a maternity bridesmaid dress. Besides that, it was a very uneventful pregnancy: no morning sickness or lack of energy, regular ob visits, etc. I still didn't know very much (although I did know a little more than the first time around) about birth and pregnancy, but I trusted God that all would go well with me and the baby. So I still went with the doctor/hospital way of doing things. Well, July 22nd came, the rehearsal for the wedding and I was feeling great...no rush to have the baby...let's just wait til the 25th. July 23rd I spent most of the day (til maybe 10pm) at my Grandma's house helping to decorate and make food for the reception. I went to pick up my dh from work and went home to bed. I woke up at about 2am with contractions and knew that was it. Well, I guess I'll have to find some other time to use that dress. So, I woke up dh and we called my grandparents to meet us at the hospital and take Katriana. Katriana (only 16 months old) understood that the baby was going to be born and went off to grandma's house. We spent the morning calling family to tell them that I was in labor. About 10am my new baby was born, Gloria Josephine!!! She was beautiful. I did have a small tear, which my doctor stitched up. This is one thing I hate about hospitals: you're pretty much trapped there. I wanted to be able to see my sister on her wedding day, just make it to the reception for a bit (which was at 5 at grandma's house, I could've even relaxed on the couch there the whole time). But they didn't want to let me go. I did leave the next day, they still didn't really want to let me go, but they did. Despite missing the wedding, I wasn't really disappointed; how could I be? I had my new little one.

She's such a blessing.

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #76 on: September 11, 2007, 06:54:16 PM » by JOLENE

My 2nd baby was born very fast in my bathroom! I was not planning a homebirth. I was three weeks early and was so excited on March 17 when I woke up to a tiny bit of pink when I wiped. (I was induced with my first one due to low amniotic fluid and was so hoping to get to go into labor on my own this time.) I had not had any signs of labor prior to this (no braxton-hicks). So I ate some raisin bran hoping it might start something. Sure enough about 30 minutes after breakfast I kind of felt like I had to go diarrhea. Well, about every fifteen minutes I got this feeling so I thought that maybe these were the Braxton-Hicks contractions.

One of the things on my to-do list this day was to get our hospital bags packed. So I started doing laundry and packing, but every 5 minutes or so I was in the bathroom on the toilet trying to relax when I felt the pain coming. The pain only lasted about 15 seconds, and when I checked my What To Expect When Your Expecting book, it assured me that to be in active labor the contraction had to be at least 40 seconds long. So I continued trying to get things done around the house but just started feeling kind of yucky. So I called my husband (who was at the store) and told him to please come home so we could go hang out at my mom's house (who was 1/2 an hour closer to the hospital too).

After my husband got home I still wasn't finished packing and asked him to finish up. But while he was trying to find everything on my list I FELT THE URGE TO PUSH! I was scared (to say the least). So I called him into the bathroom and tell him to call 911 and he's like "are you sure?" Well I was having another urge to push and couldn't even answer him and my water broke. So my husband's running around looking for the cordless phone (which is next to me on the sink) and my two year old is just standing at the bathroom door crying. Now I'm terrified as well. As soon as my water broke my first thought was "did the baby just fall into the toilet?" But before I could even really register that, I had another urge to push and I felt like I was being split open and then THERE WAS THE BABY'S HEAD.

By this time my husband had just given the 911 operater his name and he said "the head is out" then accidentally hung up the phone. Brad helped me onto the floor and put towels all around "us" and then a minute or two later I pushed the rest of the baby out. Meanwhile, 911 calls back and is trying to give my husband some instructions, and the one thing he focuses on is to get a shoe string to tie the umbilical cord. So he leaves me on the bathroom floor in search of a string, and while he's out in the garage looking he decides to run over to our neighbor's house to see if they can take our two year old (this is before the baby's body was born)!!

When he comes back into the bathroom he's got my grass mowing shoes which are the dirtiest, nastiest shoes I own and is trying to remove a shoe lace. I say "Your not using that on me! Get some dental floss" and then he proceeds to try to tie slippery dental floss onto a slippery umbilical cord in my very small bathroom. It was pretty comical.

The ambulance showed up about 10 minutes after baby Shade was born and took us to the hospital. Thank God he came out crying and he and I were just fine. The very first cramp I felt was about 8:30 am and Shade was born at 11:30 am. Shade Bradly weighed 8lbs 3oz and was 21.5 inches long.

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #77 on: September 11, 2007, 07:05:01 PM » by Grace

JOLENE-
That is the funniest story I have ever heard!!!!

As soon as my water broke my first thought was "did the baby just fall into the toilet?" That sounds like what I would think!!!! Thanks for your story!

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #78 on: September 11, 2007, 07:11:25 PM » by *MommaJo*

Thank you Jolene!

Shocked

You absolutely get the gold medal for best birth stories!
God bless your husband! Shade will be so proud!

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #79 on: September 11, 2007, 08:01:22 PM » by Roehrmomma

Jolene your story was awesome and so funny.I am just glad you didn't name him 'John'... Grin

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #80 on: September 11, 2007, 08:42:56 PM » by queentea

Quote from: emily jean on September 11, 2007, 08:01:22 PM

Jolene your story was awesome and so funny.I am just glad you didn't name him 'John'... Grin

"John" that's too funny!! ROFL!!!! Cheesy

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #81 on: September 12, 2007, 08:00:36 AM » by JOLENE

"John" That is hilarious!! Your the first person that's said that! I got a lot of suggestions for "Patrick" since he was born on St. Patty's day. Cheesy

I have never had such a feeling of terror as when I felt that first urge to push. It never even dawned on me that I was close to giving birth, because every one knows labor takes hours and hours, so I wasn't even dreaming that my baby was coming. It was only about 5 minutes from the first urge to push till he was totally born. I've never prayed so hard in all my life during that time!

I thought for sure my two year old was going to be traumatized for life and never want to go into the bathroom again, but he wasn't. (just my husband is) Grin

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #82 on: September 12, 2007, 09:13:25 AM » by lotsaboys

Quote from: JOLENE on September 12, 2007, 08:00:36 AM

I thought for sure my two year old was going to be traumatized for life and never want to go into the bathroom again, but he wasn't. (just my husband is) Grin

That's funny. Cheesy

I mean- he could make this a good story and proudly tell it real cool and collected-like. Cool

And then, do it again next time! Wink

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #83 on: September 12, 2007, 11:24:02 AM » by kamom

Wow!!! What a story! Shocked

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #84 on: September 15, 2007, 07:00:16 PM » by amy3js

I have really enjoyed all these stories! Its the best education in labor and delivery I could ever imagine!

Ok, so here is my story......

At 7 months I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and promptly lost ten pounds on the suggested diet. Grin

My blood sugars were in good control and I was walking every day, but despite this my Dr felt I should be on medication. So being young and scared I took it. Well, the very LAST thing I wanted was a c-section, however, at my 39 week appointment, my Dr did an ultrasound and said the baby was 9 lbs and that was really too large to push out quickly (Now I realize that is sooo NOT to big to push. Plus in the words of my mother- the females in our family had hips built for pushing out babies!) and that if she got stuck her blood sugar could drop to dangerous levels because of the medication I had been on. Angry

So he strongly suggested a c-section. (at this point I was HATING that medication even more than I had been) We really did not want a c-section plus I was already 2 cm dialated and 40 percent effaced.

So after a lot of worrying, and unfortunately almost no prayer Embarrassed

(we were SO stupid back then!) we agreed to the c-section, which was conveniently planned for the following Monday morning. Had we not had that date, I think I would have had her that day anyway because I was having mild contractions all weekend. Needless to say, all went well and her blood sugars were perfectly fine (not surprising since I had taken good care of myself!) although she was 10 lbs 11 oz. When they weighed her the Dr said it was good I had a c-section because I would never haven been able to push her out. But now I know that women can and do push out 10 lb babies! crazy Dr's! Later I had HORRIBLE PPD Cry

and I felt awful that I had fallen in line so easily for a c-section. Plus I found out later that you have a higher chance of having PPD if you have a c-section. Angry

I really kick myself now wishing that I had at least TRIED to push her out. Next time we are going with a midwife and if all goes well in the pregnancy and God willing, a home birth. Roll Eyes

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #85 on: September 16, 2007, 10:28:23 PM » by HappyMum

First Baby
I don't get to tell my birth stories much - they give first-timers unrealistic expectations... Although I will tell this one if somebody is telling a really horrific birth story to some poor soul during their first pregnancy.
This is from 1996, my first pregnancy, and oh how delightfully clueless I was! It was a very easy pregnancy, no nausea, almost no swelling, no complications. I had Braxton-Hicks contractions for about the last four months, and learned to completely ignore them. For about the last month of the pregnancy I dilated slowly and painlessly to 3cm. Three days before my due date, I started to get some bleeding, so I looked it up in my trusty guide book. I discovered that a little bleeding is no big deal, you may have a baby soon... but that a lot of bleeding is very, very bad and you should seek medical attention immediately! Nowhere could I find how much bleeding constituted "a lot".
So I called the Doctor's Office, and they told me to come in. I felt rather silly, to tell the truth. It was a little after 5pm, and the Doctor examined me and said, "You're 5 cm. Are you in labor?" "No." I replied, "They told me labor would hurt terribly and that I couldn't miss it. Nothing's hurting." He told me that I couldn't go home, I had to be admitted right now! I told him I couldn't stay at the hospital because I didn't have my things! I wasn't planning on having a baby that day, and I hadn't packed my bag ready for the hospital yet! He very sweetly escorted me to labor and delivery himself. Once I got situated I called my husband to come and join me.
Then I asked the nurses if I had to stay in my little room, or if I could walk up and down the hall. They said that would be fine. I'd already said I was not getting an IV (I really don't like needles), so walking was easy. A couple of hours later the contractions were causing my legs to stop working when they came, but they still weren't painful, just annoying! I figured I'd better go to my room in case my legs buckled completely and I wound up in a heap on the floor. My husband was patiently waiting for me - he'd gotten tired of pacing up and down!
Then there were 40 minutes or so of real labor, which actually hurt. I thought this was where the clock started, and I had to endure at least 9 hours of increasing misery before there was any real action. It was at this point that I was reminded of the last rollercoaster I'd been on at Cedar Point, where it had struck me that I did not like rollercoasters at all, and I did not want to be on this one any longer... You know they won't stop a rollercoaster to let someone off just because they've changed their mind - you have to ride it to the bitter end. My husband was sure that it would be much less than 9 hours, and called the Doctor in. "I'm done." I said firmly, "It hurts and I'd like to go home now." He just smiled, and checked me, and said I was very close.
Finally (those 40 minutes seemed like a long time), I was told that I'd reached the magic number 10, and I could push. "Push what?" "Push the baby out." he said. This was the really challenging part - it was like being told to wiggle my ears, when I have no idea how to make my ears wiggle! I had no clue what muscles they wanted me to use, nor what exactly they meant... The more perplexed I become, the more baffled the nurses were (how can anyone having a baby not know what to push?!) and we weren't getting anywhere.
Then suddenly there was a great big push, accompanied by a great big pain, and I was so pleased! "I get it!" I told them, "It's pushing now!" I remember feeling very focused, all I had to do was cooperate as hard as I could, and it would all be over soon! About 15 minutes later, I remember thinking "How long is a birth canal anyway? I must've pushed this kid clear out of the hospital by now!" Then it dawned on me that you have to push and hold it there, not push and relax.
Five more minutes and a small episiotomy that felt really good at the time later, we were all done. It was about 9pm, a healthy boy 7lbs 10.5oz. And no IV! As soon as the cord was cut they wanted to hand the baby to me. Now I've had no experience holding babies at this point, and this one looked very small, and rather slippery... plus I was flat on my back and it felt like the bed is 5 feet off the floor. Mercifully, before they gave him to me and I dropped him, I said, "Give him to his dad!" My husband has 4 younger siblings, so he has lots of experience holding babies that he can remember! He was so thrilled (and so was I - I could only imagine what they would have done if I'd dropped the baby on the floor!)
The placenta followed easily, but the sewing up was really gross. There's just something about a strange man doing his needlework there... You know?!
I was quite startled by the amount of blood afterward - it really made up for getting nine months off! I thought, "This is yucky, I don't want to make this mess in my bed!" This was in the days of in and out in 24 hours. So I firmly told the nurse who came in with the discharge papers that I was not ready to go home. She never asked why! She disappeared, and when she came back it had all been arranged with the insurance company that I could stay an extra day! By then there was a lot less mess, and I was quite happy to go home.
Sorry, this is a long post for such an easy story. I have nothing but admiration for you ladies who endure hour upon hour upon hour of painful labor, and push for hours more. I don't think I'd be able to do that...

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #86 on: September 16, 2007, 10:39:16 PM » by amy3js

Quote from: HappyMum on September 16, 2007, 10:28:23 PM

The placenta followed easily, but the sewing up was really gross. There's just something about a strange man doing his needlework there... You know?!

LOL!!

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You get what you get, what matters is what you do with it.

Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #87 on: September 17, 2007, 11:56:36 AM » by wyomama3

Happymum - you crack me up! Grin

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #88 on: September 19, 2007, 02:14:52 PM » by purple petunia

I LOVED these stories. At times I was laughing out loud. It's neat how after you've gone through a birth yourself you have this "I know just what your talking about" feeling. Such a mutual women bond! I'v ehad 2 births.
For me, First pregnancy was fine. How exciting to watch your body grow for the first time and feel those first little flutters of life! We planned a home birth with a midwife and attended Bradley birthing classes -- really enjoyed them, and it gave us an idea of what to expect.
I had helped a midwife before I got married and attended around 30 births. Always been so grateful for that learning experiance. But watching another women is NOTHING like going through the pain yourself! I had this vision of staying calm and collected during my labor, and of all things definantly NOT screaming!! What a joke...I blew every one Sad

I was five days overdue and feeling lie this baby will never come. Afterall, its probably just a big watermelon and I'll just remain fat the rest of my life. Then Saturday eve. I started having alot of back ache and finaly I spotted a little bit of blood. Who could have thought the sight of blood could bring such joy!!

Hubby went to bed and I rested on the couch but the back ache kept gettign worse. Strange I expected contractions to be hurting in my tummy not back. I finally got int he shower. Hot water was the only thing that eased the pain that kept worsening. By now I'm getting emotional...hubby's blissfuly sleeping in bed and I'm agonizing alone. Scared to wake him and scared to call the midwife because I'm so worried that its not the real thing! I yell for hubby to come and he finds a weepy wife in the shower. he times a few contractions which are 5 min. apart and calls the midwife at 1:00 am. She comes and finds me dialated 7 I think. I remembered feeling surprised...because I was so worried it might still be one.
Anyway, the back labor was horrific! Shocked

I'm saying stuff like, "I dont blame anyone who has a C-section and wishing I'd have the option. I'm wonderign how women ever do it thta have 10 kids and declaring i will NEVER have another one!! Midwife is as calm as can be and quietly says she hears that a lot during labor...but they still keep having babies. I really thought I must be dying. There was so much pressure on my butt it felt like it would explode, which made me scarred to push. it felt so back wards. But eventualy she came...after 11/2 hours of pushing , our sweet Karilee Brooke 6 lb. 14 oz. I was so wore out i felt like i could hardly focus on bonding...that came later and I knew the pain was all worth it.
And who would have guessed but eventually I started desiring another baby. I felt like I gave in to a lot of fear in the last birth and really prayed to stay focused this time.
April 19, '07 Derek Ray was born at home in a birthing tub. I really liked how soothing th ewater was with back labor again. (I pray to experiance a non back labor birth sometime!) The labor was so different this time. water broke during the night and I expected things to go steady from there. Nothing happened all day...just piddled around till 8:00 that evening finally started with regular contractions and baby was born four hours later. Very intense labor, but hubby was so supportive and God was so good.
Babies crying so gotta scoot.

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Re: Birth Stories: Past or Present
« Reply #89 on: September 22, 2007, 04:07:28 PM » by westernmama

I guess I'll take a stab at this. Wink

I have had four live births, but the most interesting one was the second. First one was epidural, hospital birth, and a BIG boy (especially for a first baby) - 9lbs. 3 ozs. Needless to say, I couldn't sit for quite a while after that one.

For our second son, I was due on July 6, 2003. The pregnancy was one of my worst ones - bad nausea for the first 3 months and then I had restless legs for the rest of the time. If any of you other ladies have ever had that, you'll know that it's very uncomfortable. Anyway, all through this pregnancy I was convinced this little person was either playing basketball in there or wrestling with his placenta. Roll Eyes

Just kiddin'! Wink

But he was very different from my first son and he still is to this day.

On July 4 we went to a nearby town for a lawnmower race. And this was smack in the hottest part of an Indiana summer with humidity so high you could almost see it! I'm not sure what I was thinking at the time . . . and I had to go sit on bleachers in the sunshine. With all that heat and humidity we should have known there was a doozy of a storm coming our way.

All day I had only a few minor contractions, nothing to get excited over. After supper, we all headed to town to watch fireworks. About halfway through I began to feel a few more contractions, but still nothing bad. It started pouring rain then, so we went home to bed. I tried to go to sleep, but could not get comfortable. So I decided to get up and time the contractions a bit. I tinkered around in the kitchen and then went and took a hot shower. After the shower, I laid down and fell asleep on the couch around 10:30.

Around 1:00am I woke up to a rather painful contraction. I thought this is it!! The rain was coming down something fierce and we lived in a little singlewide trailer that seemed to shake with the wind. The contractions were around 5 minutes apart, so I woke up dh. We had to take the truck because our windshield wipers were not working on our little Honda. So dh grabs the suitcases and I grab our 1 1/2 yo. son and dash through the pouring rain to the truck. We had to drive so slow because of the rain on our way to my parents' house. After dropping off our boy, we take off for the hospital. Now things begin to pick up! Contractions start coming every 2-3 minutes and I'm getting scared. Dh had to drive in the ditch to go around a fallen tree. Water was gushing across the road in many places. We believe God had a hand in making our Honda's wipers not work because there is no way our little car could have gotten through that. It was one of the worst storms that area had seen in a decade! I believe we got around 10 inches of rain in 8 hours or something close to that. The drive that should have taken us only 25 minutes ended up taking 45!

Well we finally get to the hospital and have to pull around to the ER since it was around 3:00am. Dh had to park the truck, so I walked myself into the ER in-between contractions. They made us wait until someone came down from OB to take us back up. I was afraid with contractions only 2 minutes apart that I was not going to make it up to OB. When the nurse arrived we started making our way to OB on the 3rd floor. Then was when we found out just how bad this storm really was! The elevators did not work!! I had to go up 3 flights of stairs through contractions which are getting closer to 1 1/2 minutes apart. Tongue

Finally we make it up and dh helps me put a lovely hospital gown on and into bed. I was never so glad to be in that bed - now my baby could come if it wanted to. And it wanted to, believe me! The head nurse was trying to fill out admission papers and asking me questions. Dh answered alot of them for me. Transition was hitting big time around the same time they were trying to put an IV in my hand. Ugh, I detest those things. I got blazing hot, but it took forever for their ac to start working due to the storm. I almost grabbed one of the admission papers for dh to fan me with! He found something else laying around. I felt like throwing up, so they quick gave me a bowl by my side. Contractions were coming one right on top of the other. The nurse barely had the papers done when I felt the urge to push. Then was when she told me I had to wait until the doctor got there! That is the most awful feeling in the world - trying to keep a baby in when it obviously wants out!! So I panted and panted through a couple contractions. The storm had messed up the intercom system, so they had to go on foot to find the doctor somewhere else in the hospital. Finally, I had had enough. This baby was coming out with or without the doctor! Just as I couldn't keep it back any longer, the doc runs in the door trying to put his scrubs and gloves on. I pushed as hard as I could and the doctor just barely got there to catch him. That was one of the most glorious feelings of relief I have ever felt!! All in all, from the time we walked in the door at the hospital until he was born was only 1 hour and 20 minutes. Our baby boy was born at 4:19am and weighed 8 lbs. 3 ozs. We felt so very blessed!

And after that birth was when I seriously began to consider homebirths. It would have been so much nicer to have had him in my own bedroom and just let the rain pour all it wanted to!! It took 2 more children and moving 2,000 miles to Idaho before we actually attempted a homebirth. And I loved my homebirth and can't wait to do it again!!

« Last Edit: September 22, 2007, 10:29:23 PM by westernmama »
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"The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." Job 1:21b