Luke Michael's Birth Story.
May 12th, 2007
10:09 AM
9.lbs, 10.5 oz!!!
21 inches long
It was May 12th and about midnight when I started to feel crampy. I rolled
over in bed and just prayed that it would go away. Please please please,
don't let this be the day, I thought. Olivia's dance recital was in 13
hours, and I would be devastated if I missed it. I went back to sleep
though, at least tried to. I tossed and turned as much as my huge belly
would let me, getting up frequently to pee. Around 2 AM, I decide just in
case, I needed to have a BM if this was the day. I wanted to empty that
part of me!! Sorry if too much info. I got back in bed and tried listening
to my Hypnobabies script. It always knocked me out, but this time I stayed
alert through all 39 minutes of it. Finally at 3:15 AM I told Scott that I
didn't think this baby was going to wait till tonight, and that my worst
fears of missing Olivia's recital were actually happening. I got up again,
and turned on my computer. I started timing the contractions a bit, while I
emailed my Doula. It was more of a pity, rant email stating how upset I
was at the moment about the recital. I knew she wouldn't see the email
before I called her, but I needed to get that off my chest. I then called
Kim (my friend) at work and told her what was going on. She works at a
hospital so that's why she was up at 3:30 in the morning! She suggested
that if it was false labor, me taking a bath or laying down would slow it
down or make the waves go away. I knew though that this was it. It was
just like this for Brendan and Olivia. And I knew it.
I went back to the bedroom and told Scott I was going to get in the tub. If
anything at least I would feel better. By 3:45 I was in the tub, pouring
water over my contorting belly. Scott got up and came in to check on me. I
cried a bit, and he just told me to accept that I was missing the recital
and to focus on this new baby now. And I did. I accepted it, and just
started to plan how to get Olivia ready without me. Around 4:30 I suggested
he call his mom to come over to watch the kids, in case this got serious
fast. If it didn't, she was planning on coming anyway for the recital.
Meanwhile I was listening to the Birthing Day affirmations CD and trying to
relax in the tub. The waves weren't bad yet, just that crampy feeling, and
seemed to be coming about 4-6 min apart lasting about a minute long each
time.
I called Jackie, who was sleeping, and gave her the heads up. She said she
would be waiting for my call! I agreed to call her as we got on our way to
the hospital.
I guess it was about 5:30 when Scott's mom got there. I was not getting
out the tub, so I just let him go get her settled and give her info for the
recital that day. Brendan and Olivia woke about 6 I think, and Olivia came
to visit with me in the bathroom. I told her the baby was coming today!
And she seemed to be a little confused, but still happy. She then began to
pour water over my belly and just kept me company. She stayed with me for a
long time doing that, and it was so sweet to have her take care of me. I so
wished she could come be with us for when the baby arrived.....
I told her to get Daddy and when Scott came in, I told him he needed to stay
in there with me. The waves were getting closer and closer and I just
needed someone there with me. He started to put pressure on my back when
they would begin and that helped a lot. After being in the tub for almost
three hours (plus bathroom breaks) I felt water logged, and needed to get
out and get last minute stuff together. Scott had already packed the truck
before his mom came, and was getting everything else ready for Olivia and
Brendan for the day. As soon as I got out of the tub, I could feel the
difference in the Pressure waves and wished I could have just stayed in the
water. I managed to get dressed and go to tell Scott's mom all the
instructions. But I brought the birth ball with me, as I could not stand
anymore. So there I was bouncing on the ball in the living room, walking
her thru a map and details for the day!
Meanwhile I had already called Kim back to make sure she could come out when
she got off of work at 6:30. I knew it would take her at least an hour to
get here if not longer. She said she would be there, and I just prayed my
body could hold out for her.
I went back to the bedroom dragging my ball and set up some pillows on my
hope chest and leaned into them for each wave. Scott was there to apply
pressure to my back for each one. They were getting very intense and I'm
not sure if I'd have been able to handle them without his support. I was
back listening to my Hypnobabies and was using the Easy First Stage CD. I
loved it. It really helped me focus on what I was doing and what my body
and baby were doing. About 7:45, Kim arrived and came into the bedroom. I
smiled at her and kind of laughed, as I'm sure I looked silly sitting like
that, and zoning in and out between waves. But it was go time, and I got up
to put some jean shorts on. I couldn't even get my socks and shoes on, so
Scott did it for me. Meanwhile I looked at Kim kinda nervous and told her
that I was feeling a bit shakey and a little nauseous. I knew that could
mean I was in Transition, and asked her if she thought she should check me.
She said she could if I wanted to. I was afraid that I was too far along
now, and we would have an interstate baby! Scott is still confident enough
to just do this at home, but I was really looking forward to the whole water
birth and having my doula there, and well it was what I envisioned and was
not prepared enough for a home birth. So we got in the truck and flew to
the hospital. Later Kim told me Scott must have been real nervous cause at
times he was driving 80 and 85 miles an hour. I had my eyes closed the
whole ride, listing to my CD and saying Peace, Peace. I had Scott call
Jackie, then the hospital to let them know we were on our way!! We arrived
at Baton Rouge General about 8:45 I think.
When we arrived, Scott pulled up to the circular drive and we got out.
Later I found out he left the truck there and didn't move it until after
Luke was born! I had a pressure wave just as we were getting out and needed
a moment to turn my light switch off (a Hypnobabies thing) and then we
proceeded inside. I had to stop again in the elevator and again when we hit
the second floor. The waves were so close together I was just praying I
could get to the room and have my tub set up before this sucker came out!
We hit the nurses station and I told them my name. She already had my
birth plan in her hands and walked us to the Triage room and said they would
monitor me for twenty minutes. I reminded her we had a tub and I wanted to
make sure it got assembled before it was too late. We got to triage down
the hall, and she wanted to check me. Well I told the nurse, Amanda, that
she would have to wait a sec, cause there was no way I could physically get
my pants off. When the wave ended, I started to try to get them off, but
another one hit me so fast, that I just leaned on the bed, half squatting.
I couldn't stand upright, and sitting or laying was out of the question.
Next thing I hear is Scott saying, she's got a wheelchair and we were going
to a room. I guess I looked obvious! Sitting in the chair for the short
stroll down the hall wasn't too bad, but trying to get into the bed and take
my pants off to be checked was. She checked me and I was 8 cm. They all
seemed surprised, but I knew it was close and was so glad to hear it wasn't
further than that! I sat with my legs crossed on the bed while they
strapped the monitors to my belly. I never heard the heart rate on the
monitor so they must have been following my requests to keep the room as
quite as possible. Only a few times did I have to yank the earplugs out of
my ears to hear what they were asking me. Finally Scott just started
answering all the questions for me, and they left me alone. I had to get
the Hep lock in and that was not too bad, I just requested she do it between
waves, please!
As each one would come, I'd call for Scott and I started holding him so
tight. I was trying so hard to relax and I even said that, "I'm trying to
relax!" But I felt my shoulders tightening up each time. So instead I
concentrated on letting my bottom relax, which was easier. And man did it
feel like I had to poop! That was the worst feeling of anything that
happened. Meanwhile my doula had arrived, and I only knew this cause I
heard Scott say, "There she is!" I was so in labor land that I couldn't
even open my eyes to greet her. I could only 'listen' to what was going on
around me, and even that was hard due to the Hypnobabies blaring in my ear.
They started setting up the Aquadoula and Scott tried to help as much as he
could, but I kept calling him back to take care of me. And he did. He so
did!
At 9:20 they began to fill the tub with water. That was a great feeling for
me as I was so nervous that I would not make it to the tub! I requested the
birthing ball to be brought in, and as soon as it was, they unstrapped me
and I got to sit on it. This was at 9:26. Again Scott rubbing my back and
saying the cue words to me. Peace, Relax, Release. And he was saying
things like, I'm so proud of you, I love you, and you are doing such a great
job. That was so helpful. And I loved him so much for doing it! At one
point I remember hearing the water stopping. And I got so nervous that
something was wrong with the hose or tub, but then learned that the hose was
put under the water so I couldn't hear it anymore. At 9:30 they had turned
most of the lights off. They soon let me get in the tub at 9:35. The only
position that seemed to be comfortable was me on my knees leaning over the
side. I began trying to do the AHHHH breathing and exhaling my baby out. It
seemed to help. And just seemed like the right sound to make. I'm not so
sure it came out sounding that way, but that's what I was trying to do. At
9:42 Someone gave me a pillow to rest on, and Scott leaned over the edge to
rub my back. I knew it must have been hard on his back to do that. Each
wave that came was hard to relax thru and I just kept feeling like I was
going to poop all over this nice clean tub. So Gross and I think it held me
back just a bit because of that. But I could feel so much pressure and I
just knew that that was the head down there. I told everyone I felt like I
needed to push, and Amanda asked if she could check me. I told her yes, and
she said the only thing that was holding the head back was the membranes.
And I could go ahead and push when I wanted to.This was 9:47!! Scott asked
if I wanted him to get in. I did, and was so glad he did, cause I knew he
really wasn't planning on getting in with me. I told him to hurry. I
wanted him in there before the next wave, which would have given him maybe
two minutes! He just got in with the shorts he was wearing! And
immediately started supporting me with his words and hands on my back. I
was making lots of noise by now. Yep, that was me groaning and saying
Peace! I tried to stay with the Ahhhh sounds, but not sure if that's what
was really coming out of me. It was never screaming, just that AHHH moaning
sound. Later I found out that a Dr's assistant knew I was the tub birth
cause she could hear me in the hall! She said there were only two moms, one
epidural mom, and me, and she knew I was the tub mom! She said I sounded
great! I guess that's a compliment?
At 9:50 they closed the blinds. It was completely dark in the room except
for the little light filtering in thru the closed blinds. It was so
peaceful..... I asked that my doula to put the Pushing Baby Out CD on as I
felt like this was it. To my surprise, No one ever told me when to push. I
only heard my doula telling me to take it easy or to slow down or something
to that effect. She didn't want me to tear. But really, I don't' think I
actually pushed with any force or on purpose. My body was doing the work by
itself, and it was so cool! Dr Huhyn arrived at 9:52, and at one point I
opened my eyes and saw her there squatting on the floor, smiling and she
reached over with a supportive hand on my shoulder. I remember grabbing
someones gloved hand and squeezing the crap out of it. And then it wasn't
offered again! Guess I squeezed too hard. On the next wave I did push a
little and felt this weird sensation of a big pop! and it felt like a round
ball the size of a baseball came shooting out of me. I can only assume it
was my water breaking. The next wave came and I told Scott that I knew he
could feel the head if he tried. He did, and said he could feel hair! I
reached down too and felt my baby's beautiful soft silky hair flowing in the
water. It was the most beautiful feeling! I then could feel the little
ears and the forehead. His head was not squished, just perfectly smooth.
And it seemed the head was right in that position for awhile. I could feel
the 'ring of fire' but it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it could be.
The waves seemed to be much worse, or the Poop feeling. Maybe one more
wave came and his head was out! That was 10:07. And he was just there, and
Scott and I were holding his head in our hands, and I was waiting for the
next wave to come for his body to be born. I tried to do a little pushing
between waves too, since this was supposed to help. Due to his chest
measuring larger than his little head, I did feel like I had to push the
rest of him out. And again, that darn ring of fire. And then at 10:09, out
the rest of his body came! Scott was behind me and had the head in his
hands, and for the first time, the Dr put her hands into the water to assist
Scott get our baby out of the water. She quickly suctioned his mouth, which
took only seconds, and immediately handed him to me and placed him on my
chest. I heard Scott say ,"It's a BOY!!!" and all I could say was, "My baby
boy! My baby Boy!" He was perfect, so cute, and sweet, and here!
Someone placed a warm wet towel over Luke and I and I rubbed his body to
stimulate him. He started crying a little, but overall was very calm and
peaceful. I tried to get him to nurse to help with the delivery of the
placenta, but he didn't seem to interested. The Dr waited till the cord
stopped pulsating and then asked if Scott wanted to cut the cord. Scott
said he thought he had done enough, so the Dr cut it instead. Luke stayed
with me for a few more minutes, then they took him to the warmer to dry him
off get him nice and warm. Meanwhile I exited the tub since the placenta
didn't seem to want to be birthed in the water! On dry land again, Luke was
given back to me and I tried to Nurse him to help with the placenta, but
still he was too content to even eat. After waiting about 10 minutes, the
placenta had not come out yet, and the Dr asked if they could use pitocin to
try to get it to come out. They were worried if they waited too long they
would not be able to get a good collection for the blood donation. It
turned out they were able to collect just the right amount. I had a very
tiny minor tear, and Dr stitched me up quickly. She had given me a local
for the stitching, and surprisingly I barely felt the stick. So that was
good.
Overall I felt wonderful! I was able to get up immediately to get onto the
hospital bed from the tub, and then to use the bathroom. So nice not having
that wobbly leg feeling after. I felt like a super woman with super
powers! I was beyond ecstatic. And was so glad everything went the way I
had hoped it would. The only thing I'd do different was to have left my
house a little earlier just to give myself a bit more time at the hospital
to get organized and comfortable. We had only been there for about an hour
and twenty minutes before Luke arrived, so it was pretty hectic getting
everything set up.
I think having used Hypnobabies put me in the perfect frame of mind. It
helped so much to stay positive and know that this is normal and what my
body was made to do. Although I wouldn't say I had a completely discomfort
free birth, it was totally manageable and not nearly as bad as I'm sure I
could have imagined it to be. With Hypnobabies, I just didn't even think
about it being about pain, only my body doing what it needed to do to birth
my baby. It was merely an intensity I'd never experienced before. I'd 100%
recommend it to anyone! I feel like it was such a great experience that I
could do it many times again! It was EMPOWERING, BEAUTIFUL, and most
importantly the GENTLE BIRTH I really wanted. But we have decided that this
likely our last, so I just have to keep this memory alive! Although I can't
possibly imagine forgetting it.
I can't say enough about all the help I had. I never felt pushed into
anything. The nursing staff were awesome, respecting my birth plan and
accommodating everything for me. No one insisted that something had to be
done. Dr Huhyn was wonderful. She let me have the birth I wanted! She was
completely hands off, during my birthing time, and didn't do anything until
after Luke was born. Kim was there once again, to give me her support and
help with everything. I am so truly blessed to have such a great friend
like her, and so glad she was able to make it to all three of my kids'
births. She was always so helpful, especially in early labor time. My
Doula, was wonderful too. Although we didn't require a ton of her time in
the hospital, every second of it was wonderful and much appreciated. Her
supportiveness throughout these past few months was priceless, and she truly
was a part of me being successful, giving me the encouragement that I could
do this easily. And she was right! I did! Every mom should have a doula!
And Scott. I'm so grateful for his support through all of this. I know
when I first discussed the idea of an unmediated birth with him, I think he
thought I was crazy. He wasn't sure I could do it. But I kept after him on
it, making him read so much about it, and we discussed it a lot, and he knew
after awhile that I could do it, and was going to make sure I did do
it. His loving words of encouragement, made it so much easier. He is a
true believer in it now, and I hope I made him proud of me. I was so proud
of him for all that he did to take care of me and our new baby. Words
cannot express how grateful I am to have him be such an active and
supportive part of this birth.
If you have gotten this far, thank you for reading the story of my son's
birth.
Cynthia