I want to thank Sarah and Brian for sharing their birth story with us. Sarah had a great birth, with some inspirational moments. Read on! ~Deena
My husband and I attended your Lamaze class and breastfeeding class. We were the couple that traveled from Greensburg, I wanted to send you a huge thank you for your wonderful classes. The knowledge was empowering and helpful in making informed decisions.
This was especially important when I felt pressured by one Gynecologist at my practice to undergo induction following my 39 week appointment. Needless to say I declined. He insisted I come back in a few days for another appointment, I scheduled it, and then decided to reschedule it, to see my regular Gynecologist. After the stress of the previous appointment, I did not want to face the same conflict again. At my next appointment with my regular Gynecologist, she assured me that I was very close and she would wait until 42 weeks. I scheduled a non stress test and ultrasound for three days later, and the nurse and I agreed we wouldn’t need those appointments!
Since it was so hot that day, I walked a mile in an air conditioned indoor track at the University where I work. I know walking can help bring on labor and it was relaxing, I felt sense of relief after my positive appointment.
Later that same day, I went into labor, starting around 6 pm. I did not know it was labor at first, it started as menstrual like cramps. I had a false labor a few days earlier where my contractions were very regular and lasted two hours before dying off. I was so disappointed after that, I did not want to get my hopes up again.
I decided to go out to eat and I discreetly timed my cramps on my phone just to see if they stayed regular. We headed home after a nice meal since my pains stayed regular. I labored at home with my husband utilizing my birth ball and deep breathing to stay relaxed.
After my water broke at 10:20, we knew it was the real thing and my Doula, Erica, from Heart and Hands Doula Services, headed to my house. In the meantime, I showered after my water broke and used the shower head on my stomach, and kneeling on a towel in the tub to help I returned to my birth ball and we stayed and labored until midnight, and then drove to the hospital.
The fifteen minute car ride was a challenge because I was in transition in the car. I got through it by having a sick bucket in the car, just in case, holding my husbandʼs hand, and I chanted over and over “I can do this.”
I remember having two very strong contractions when I was trying to check into the hospital. I was so thankful my Doula was there to help me check in and get through the contractions whilst my husband, Brian, was frantically parking the car. After walking through a hospital maze that felt like it went on forever, we made it onto to an elevator and up to the Labor and Delivery floor. When I arrived on the floor, I tried to walk to the delivery room; they rushed a wheelchair to me when I said “I think I need to push!” I had a contraction right in front of a couple that were working through the early stages of labor. I hope I gave her confidence that you can make it until the end!
I delivered a healthy baby Elliott after about 20 minutes of pushing at 1:17 am on June 26. He weighed in at 7 lbs 6 oz and 18 1/2 inches long. I managed an all natural labor and am grateful for all of your advice on coping strategies!!
I had to wait for the Doctor to arrive, so I was breathing through the urge to push until the nurses allowed me to push once they knew the Doctor had arrived at the hospital.
I used forward leaning throughout my labor. I was over a birth ball on my couch at home, and I leaned against the top of the hospital bed that was in a reclined position at the hospital. One favorite moment of my labor, and much to the empowerment of my Doula was when I initially arrived in the delivery room and the nurse was trying to apply my monitor and the baby monitor onto my stomach. She asked me to lie flat on the bed, which was extremely uncomfortable. Just as she started to apply the monitors, I had a strong contraction and I leapt up and flipped over, grabbed the top of the bed and kneeled on the bed backwards. The nurse thankfully understood and said, “Ok, we will wait until your contraction is over.”.
One of the more interesting things that occurred at the hospital during my stay was the many questions about my birth vision from all of the nurses. The request to leave the amniotic fluid on the hands of the baby, delaying the first bath, and the delayed cord clamping was of of particular interest to them. Your advice and knowledge is also helping to open the eyes of nurses! I was happy they were able to witness a natural birth, and hope that this exposure will help them to realize that there is an alternative option!
Thanks for everything!
Sarah and Brian
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