Baby!

Birth Story

Warning: this birth story contains what a lot of people would consider TMI: Too Much Information. Read at your own risk!

Giving birth to a child was definitely an experience that I will cherish for my entire life. It was amazing and incredible and I wouldn't trade it for the world. After some scary pre-labor moments, the labor itself proceeded very smoothly and beautifully. My water broke on Monday at 5:30am, and I hadn't gone into labor by the next day. We planned on waiting for labor to start naturally, but some tests that we did at the hospital gave results that were 'worrisome', so we decided to induce. The induction started at around 11:00am, and by 2:00pm my contractions were a minute apart, lasting about a minute each. I never found them to be overwhelmingly painful, and just breathed through them, visualizing my cervix opening to let the baby out. At about 7:00pm, I was dilated to 7 or 8 centimeters. Shortly after, I started pushing, and the little Xander-bean came into the world!

Due to the induction and the constant monitoring that it requires, I did not get to have a water birth, which had been my original plan. However, I found my labor to be perfect, and wouldn't change a thing. I don't think that I would have stayed in the pool, anyway. Maybe I'll try it next time. I was still able to give birth without any pain relief, and never even felt that I needed it, so it was as close to a natural birth as I could have with an induction.

Evidently, my choices of laboring and birthing positions were rather unorthodox. Since I've given birth, I've visited my midwives and the hospital, and both times people have said, 'I just can't stop telling people about the positions you were in!' I just did what felt good to me, and I'm so glad that I had such a great midwife, who just encouraged me to try whatever I wanted, and such a great husband, who was willing to support my 190 pound laboring body.

I am, as you know, very long winded. Therefore, I've broken the birth story up into sections so you can read what you are interested in, and skip what you aren't. I recommend reading premature rupture of membranes, afternoon - labor and evening - pushing. I documented everything, but a lot of it was really stressful and not fun. The previously listed entries are the good parts.

Birth Story

Cast of Characters

A lot of people were involved in making this a wonderful birth experience for me. This is my chance to honor them!

• My husband Travis
• My friend Delia
• Greene Midwifery Care, especially my midwife Cat
• Greene Memorial Hospital, especially my nurses Mary Ellen and Terri

Saturday, April 19th, 2003

• lost mucus plug

Monday, April 21st, 2003

• premature rupture of membranes
  • My water broke at 5:15am. We were thrilled! This is my amusing writeup of the experience. This is before we knew PROM might be a problem!
• waiting at home
  • Just waiting to go into active labor. Not worried yet.
• midwife appointment
  • Visit with Cat at GMC. First time we realized that everything may not be going as planned. Beginning of my panic.
• night time
  • Trying to sleep, trying not to worry, trying to go into labor naturally.

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2003

• morning - at home
  • Delaying calling Cat as long as possible (to give my body a chance to do it on its own). Writing to Delia. Finally calling Cat. Decided to wait until labor started naturally, with twice-daily tests to be sure the baby was doing all right.
• morning - at the hospital
  • First scheduled test to check the baby. 'Worrisome' results cause me to panic and demand a C-section. Travis is calming influence Delia shows up. Mary Ellen convinces Jen than the baby is fine (despite what the doctor says).
• afternoon - induction
  • Start pitocin drip. Boring time waiting for the pain to start. Playing Hearts, taking the Cosmo 'Are You Hot?' quiz. Did I ever feel hot!
• afternoon - labor
  • Yay! Labor! Contractions 1 minute apart from the start. Finding a good position. Breathing and visualization. I love this part!
• evening - pushing and his arrival
  • He's almost here! Unconventional position number 2 discovered! Alexander comes into the world at 8:44pm. I love this part more!
• evening - afterwards
  • One last scare. His first breastfeeding experience. Happy parents!