It all started yesterday morning when I realized my contractions were no longer Braxton Hicks, causing pain instead of just uncomfortable pressure. I sent for my mother-in-law and made arrangements for someone to be with Jaime until she came. Luckily, she was able to get on a flight right away and got here before we even had to leave for the hospital. I had been experiencing contractions all day - irregularly spaced yet painful. By evening the intensity and frequency picked up a bit and I began thinking about going to the hospital. Justin and I walked around our block many times, pausing for contractions along the way. They were pretty strong around 10:30p.m. so I made the decision to go to the hospital, arriving at 11:00p.m. I got there, got checked at 3cm and began a minimum 30 minute monitoring that turned into an hour, at which point they declared I could stay. If only they knew how fast this baby would come!
I got in the tub for a warm bath at 12:30am, which may have helped slightly but my contractions were so painful I was starting to not be able to contain it. I began familiarly shaking and saying "I can't do this! I'll never make it!" which are both signs that I was entering transition and got out of the tub. From that point I tried everything - laying, sitting, birthing ball and burying myself in Justin's chest but it was all too much - I was sure I wouldn't be able to do this naturally. I got checked again at 6cm at 1:00a.m., 7 1/2cm at 1:30a.m. and 8cm after a particularly painful contraction caused my water to break at 1:40am. I cannot describe the intensity with which the pain took over after my water broke. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced and I didn't even recognize myself amidst the yelling, screaming and general wildness that I couldn't contain. Justin did his best to offer me anything he could, and he did very well - considering I involuntarily bit him twice during this experience. A horrible contraction produced pressure that was impossibly huge. The next contraction found me unable to stop myself from pushing. The nurses panicked, scrambled to get the doctor in the room as fast as they could and stayed by me. One nurse said the baby was coming and came to my aid, helping hold the baby in to prevent as much tearing as possible. She told me to pant and not push and I tried my hardest but couldn't. Vida was then born at 1:47a.m. as I felt a warm head and then body appear between my legs that were never placed in stirrups for lack of time. I didn't watch like I did with Jaime because I was in such a moment of desperation and Justin didn't have the opportunity to watch either because I was clutching the front of his shirt too strongly. The first thing I said when she was born was "Is she out? Is she out?" When I heard the confirmation I didn't really need, I looked down, saw her and said "I am SO glad that is over" and repeated it several times. The doctor walked in with a look of shock on his face and said "You didn't give me time to get up here. I was just downstairs!" Oh well, I couldn't care less. He gave me two stitches, wrote me a bunch of prescriptions and left. Yeah, I'm kind of feeling like he didn't do anything.
Looking back, I can't believe I did it and am still incredibly grateful that it is over. I did it. I gave birth completely naturally. I effectively went my entire pregnancy, labor, delivery and now recovery without ever taking or receiving a single pain killer. Nothing. It can be done. Would I ever do it again? Right now I'm thinking that sounds impossible but I'm sure I will forget the gravity of this experience - don't we all? That's one of the blessings and curses of bearing children: how much we forget.
What I'm concentrating on right now is my gorgeous, healthy baby girl that is the fruit of my labor, literally.
Do we forget or just realize that it's worth it?
5 responses:
Oh, Congratulations! The two of us and the two of you will have to share our "no doctor to deliver our baby" stories over a good meal some time soon. Really, what are they even there for? :)
She is adorable! And congratulations on going natural. I did it once, and am not sure I will ever do it that way again. But then again, I had no clue what was going on.
She is a doll, and I can't wait to meet her!
Congratulations! She is adorable!
Congrats Jodie and Justin!! She is beautiful. That's awesome that you were able to go naturally! Way to go. That's what I hope I will be able to do when we have kids but it sure doesn't sound too fun...
Congratulations! She is GORGEOUS.
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