Nathan's Elijah's Birth
The short details:
Nathan Elijah was born at 5:15pm on Sunday, September 30th in my very own
bed. He weighed in at 8lbs 15oz and was 22in long. He's absolutely
gorgeous and we're both doing extremely well.
The very long labor/deliver part:Saturday was a wonderful day, it was beautiful out and we spent the day
together as a family cleaning and getting things ready for the baby, but
mostly just spending time together. I couldn't have asked for a more
perfect prelude to the new baby's arrival. At 1am, I woke up to ctx about
10 mins apart and pretty intense. After a few nights of the same thing, I
could definitely tell this was different and woke my dh up at about 3am to
warn him.By about 4am, they were about 5 mins apart and by 5am, they were
2-3 mins apart so I called one of the midwives. She was literally walking
in her door from her last birth and just walked back out again to head to my
house. Of course, by the time she got here, they spaced back out again. We
had called my sister to get the boys for the day and she took them around
7:30. The midwife assured me that was normal and that once things were
settled in the house, the ctx would pick back up again.By 1pm, the contractions were back to 10 mins apart, though still somewhat
intense and lasting about a minute or so. So, the midwives decided to go
home and rest and told me to call them if the contractions picked back up
again or if my water broke. Well, they were literally bag in hand ready to
go out the door when my water started leaking. So, they decided to get some
food at the diner across the road and wait for labor to pick up again.By 2pm, I was not getting any breaks from the contractions and things get a bit
fuzzy from there. I'll tell it the best I remember. My dh called my
friend, a doula who offered to come if I needed her. He also called the
midwives and they raced out of the diner (apparently causing quite the
flurry as they asked for the check amidst a "medical emergency"). My friend
arrived about 2:45 and the midwives shortly afterward, though it felt like
forever before anyone else got there.The shower was the most comfortable place to be, but I started getting a bit claustrophobic and wanted out after a little while so I labored in the birth tub for a while (dh had filled it
up while we were waiting for the midwives and my sister to arrive). I don't
know how long I was in there, but it felt to me like it would never end and
I couldn't get any sort of break from the contractions. I was exhausted and
really ready to give up. So, the midwives suggested a change of scenery and
they wanted to check my progress as I was feeling a bit pushy but not
overwhelmingly so.Apparently, I was almost fully dilated but with a lip still there. They encouraged me not to push. I think this was around 4. I kept changing positions for what seemed like hours, I'd was on my side, my back, and standing. I couldn't find anywhere that worked well for me. It's funny because now that I write this story out, it couldn't have been more
than an hour, but it felt like forever. I ended up getting a break when I
was on the bed on all fours with my head propped up on pillows. The
contractions were so strong I was having difficulty dealing with the pain,
but I was getting to rest in between them so it did make it easier. The
entire time, I was being encouraged, massaged, and simply loved by my
midwives, my friend, and my husband.I decided to go back in the shower just before 5pm and kicked everyone out
of the room, I just wanted to be alone. At this point, I decided I was
exhausted and in so much pain I just couldn't do it anymore so I came out
and declared that I was done, I was going to the hospital, getting drugs,
and that was it. So, the midwives said no, why don't we try to check you
again and discuss it after that. I told one of the midwives I didn't like
her anymore and I didn't want her checking me. Of course, this is while I
was lying on my back on my bed when a contraction came on.I just suddenly started pushing, surprising myself and everyone around me. They quickly got their supplies b/c he was crowning at that point and they were still setting
up when I started. His head was half-way out during the second contraction
when my leg cramped up on me. I no longer had the leverage to push and my
leg was killing me. I truly think that was the worst part, the burning was
so intense and I couldn't do anything but wait for the next contraction to
come and help get him out. His head came out with the next contraction and
the rest of his body with the one after that.The midwives placed him immediately on my chest and we checked to make sure he was initially ok. He was fine and we waited for the placenta. What a relief when he and the
afterbirth were all out of my body. I could relax and breathe, look at the
alien creature on my chest, and see how amazing he is. I was so glad to be
surrounded by my two midwives, an amazing friend, and, of course, my
wonderful husband. My friend cut the cord (as dh really truly wants nothing
to do with that bit), and the midwives checked out the baby and dealt with
the "business" end of giving birth. I had a very small tear in the perineum
which did not require stitches and a "skid mark" on my labia.He nursed like a champ after a few minutes and we watched with amazement as he was
from this squirming blue icky little boy to a pink, smooth baby within an
hour or so. I was surprised that he didn't get or need that scrubbing they
always did in the hospital. He cried a few little squawks, and then was
alert and looking around at the room, taking in his new home and family. My
friend cooked me a lovely dinner of chicken, vegetable rice, and spinach.
By this point, I was starving and it was fabulous, more than I could have
asked for (or gotten) in a hospital.My other two boys arrived two hours later with my sister to say hello to
their new baby brother and were so excited to meet him. My mother came and
met the baby a bit later and took the older boys to her house where they'll
stay for a few days (we're still working on how long that will be, they love
to stay at Mom-Mom's house). I couldn't have asked for a better welcome for
my new son.I feel so blessed to have gone on this journey through all three of my births, as long and difficult as the journey was at times, I'm glad to be here now, sitting in my living room with my new baby sleeping on my lap as I am pampered and loved by my family and friends. It's such a contrast between what happened here at my own home and what happened in the hospital. I feel like I've had so many experiences in birth, from the
highly medicalized labor and c/s with my first, to the somewhat medical
hospital mw birth with my second, to a truly open experience at home with
this little one. We know this is our last child and I'm truly happy to have
been given this as my final memory of birth. As difficult as it was, I made
it through and really had the ideal birth for myself and for my little boy.
How awesome it is to experience a relaxed and gentle birth with love and
support around me and the baby.
With Love,
Anna
Mom to:
Benjamin Thomas 4/03 c/s for "cpd" 9lbs 12oz
Matthew Alan 7/05 hosp VBAC 8lbs 4oz
Nathan Elijah 9/07 HBAC!!!!! 8lbs 15oz