I was "due" on May 7th, but had no baby. So hubby and I tried our own "induction" on the night of May 10th. I started some very, very slight cramping through the night (almost thought it was my imagination). After I got up and took a shower about 8AM I noticed that I was having some small contractions. I went about my business and even had some girlfriends over for lunch. The contractions continued so my hubby came home about 1PM. I called the midwife just to give her some kind of "maybe heads up" and she really wanted me to come into see her. I saw her about 5PM and was over 5 cm dilated... she said "I think you need to go across the street to the hospital now... you may move fast". Well, I really hadn't planned on going to the hospital, but luckily had put my bags and such in the car for just in case.
When we got to the hospital I walked across the parking lot and the contractions were coming faster and stronger. I thought to myself "this is psychological... just because I know what the midwife said". I started to feel pressure on my rear and I thought "oh, this must be what "real" surges feel like I'll just have to deal with this awhile. I got checked into my room and couldn't find a place to stand... I found standing and leaning was most comfortable. So, I laid on the bed on my left side and listened to my Birth Guide Tape. I got hooked up to the monitors ... a requirement for the first 30 minutes. Seemed like I no sooner got comfortable and was hit with intense pressure... pressure to push. I noticed that my water had sprung a little leak and told the nurse. (just then my sis came into the room from out of town) I tried to really focus, but after two surges I said "I can't do this, I'm feeling pressure". The nurse came in to check me and said "she's 9cm... call the midwife to come now". Note - my midwife/OB office is basically across the street. Well, the next surge came and I couldn't help but push... I pushed and my water burst. On the next surge, I pushed the babies head out and on the next one the rest came. I just couldn't help myself... I really did try to listen to the people and stay focused, but something in my body took over. During all this the hospital staff was scrambling for a doctor... my midwife never made it (about 5 minutes too late) , the OB never made it (about 1 minute too late) and they literally grabbed a doctor from the hallway to do the delivery. I would have delivered in the side lying position, but when my water broke they saw meconium and got me into the traditional position. Everything happened so fast and got a bit chaotic, I felt like I was in a movie and couldn't believe I was the star of the movie having my baby without drugs!
My midwife said she checked the records and I was checked into my room at 6:07PM... she had called the desk to make sure I was there and ok at 6:30PM. My nurse said that I was "fine and not much happening". HA! The nurse had never checked me. I think she didn't bother checking me because I had just come from the midwife and she knew I was doing Hypnobirthing and didn't want to be disturbed. To her credit, the nurse had mentioned that she had a Hypnobabies patient about a week before (who had done "great")... so I really think she was trying do the right thing and leave me alone to focus.
I really should have warned people sooner when I felt the pressure... I guess I was in denial because it felt like everything was happening too fast and too easy.
My advice to first time moms and to Hypnobirthing/Babies students is to be careful because Hypnobirthing/Babies works! Even if you aren't the type to get easily hypnotized (like me) you will get so relaxed and focused that you may not realize that you are farther along than you thought. Also, it's a good idea to give others around you a little "hint" of whats going on because to others you'll look like your having a nice rest! LOL!
I know most moms have a fear of the final "pushing stage", but actually, I have to say that although it was intense it was fast and you do experience relief with it... so it's really not to be feared.
Best Wishes to the other soon to be HypnoMoms/HypnoBabies! I look forward to your birth stories! If I can do it than anyone can (I was one of those that always "fell asleep" while listening to the CD's and never was able to structure my studying)
Christina H.
New Mom to Landace Devona (#2)
Born Tuesday, May 11th 7:10PM
7lbs 12 ozs. 20.5 inches long