My daughter Parvanay Grace was born on May 30th at 7:34p.m. I started having on and off pressure waves all throughout Memorial Day, but still managed to have a full day of fun with my stepchildren and husband. I was 3 days beyond the guess date at this point. In the evening, I tried to go to sleep, but the pressure waves were strong. I went to take a long bath, which has a jet on it, and stayed there for about an hour and a half. My 13 y.o. stepdaughter came in and told me she couldn't sleep, and asked me what I was doing in the bath. I told her, "having the baby!" Later, I was talking with my midwife on the phone and realized my water was breaking. She told me to go to the hospital, so at 3:00a.m., we departed. All the while I remained relaxed. I even managed to say goodbye and attend to a few last minute details with my stepkids before I left!
I arrived at the hospital at 5cm and fully effaced. I asked for a birthing ball and went to work. Now, to be honest to you, I felt the intensity and pressure of every birthing wave. For some reason, I was not completely anesthetized. However, I was able to manage my birthing very well. On the ball, and by taking frequent showers, I spent the day from 5a.m. until 2 or 3p.m. to reach full dilation (a bit of the lip stubbornly held on.) I really didn't use the finger-drop technique that much, but I was telling myself "peace" and "relax" and those cues seemed to really help.
The only problem was that by the afternoon, and not being able to sleep since Sunday night, I was completely exhausted. I was listening to my birthing CDs on and off. I was working with 2 midwives--the first shift one was very accomodating to my using hypnosis materials in birth. I took a bath at the hospital and listened to my birthing affirmations while she did paperwork beside me. It was very relaxing. The second one stayed at the nurses station the majority of the time and was about as helpful as a sack of potatoes. She did break my bag in the mid day to keep things rolling though, and I felt no discomfort. When I fully dilated, the not so great midwife advised me to start pushing.
I found the pushing really challenging. The baby had a bit of shoulder dystocia, and it seemed like she was stuck behind my pubic bone, from what the midwife and the nurses were observing. After trying to push for 2 hours, the first midwife (the one I liked better) came back. She advised me to start up some Pitocin to strengthen my brithing waves. I was reluctant, but so tired, and I wanted the baby OUT, so I agreed.
We tried different positions, and it was getting so close. Unfortunately I engaged in some "purple pushing." Being a first time mom and just wanting the baby out, I put the pressure in my face, not in my birthing muscles, but I was starting to run out of patience and stamina! Who could blame me!
I think at the very end I was very afraid. Afraid of what was about to happen, as much as I wanted to meet my baby...so that may have contributed to my "prolonged pushing." After 4 hours, finally the head began to crown. I felt the midwife gently tug the baby out. I didn't feel a ring of fire as much as a ton of pressure. I had a small tear that required a few stitches, but only for "prettiness," according to my midwife:)
I was disappointed at first that I felt all of my birthing waves. But in the final analysis, I know that the hypnosis really helped me in a profound, emotional way. Everyone was commenting on how wonderfully calm I was during my birthing time. Having the birth plan also was a great idea. The nurses and staff all approached me with respect and understanding. Having the birth plan is a way of saying "I am going to be in control and supervising my own birth, thank you." Everyone was respectful of my wishes, my desire to have a calm, unmedicated birth. If I had not had the program, I doubt I would have had the confidence to weather the rigors of my birthing time. I hope that next time around, I can even improve my experience further. I know I have give my daughter a beautiful gift, that she can appreciate later on.
My husband took a picture of me sitting on my birthing ball. I was about 7cm dilated and smiling!
Ultimately, I have a beautiful daughter. Parvanay means "butterfly" in Farsi (it is commonly spelled Parvaneh.) It is a tribute to her father, who is of Persian heritage. I am grateful to have had a beautiful birthing experience to bring my butterfly home.
Thanks,
Gina S.
mom to Parvanay Grace 5/30/06