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Eben's birth story- LONG
I had a feeling from the start that our baby would come before our due date. I don?t know what it was, but I just knew it. The week Eben was born I was just feeling blah; I would have a great day full of energy and then feel so tired and lethargic. Thursday December 15 I had my 39-week appointment, declined the option to be checked for dilatation and went home. I lost my mucus plug that night. Thought to myself- well there is some sort of progress, who knows.
Friday I went to work and cleaned my office, finished up last minute projects and had a great day. I came home and Jason was in the garage. We usually go out to eat on Fridays so I just waited for him to come in. At 7pm as I was lying on the couch I felt a gush. Hmmm- could it be? It was my water breaking. I was totally in denial- to the point that I told Jason that we could still go out to dinner, until the gushes became larger and I finally gave in and told Jason that we were going to have a baby in the VERY near future. I called the midwife and she said that I could come in to be checked or just take a shower, go to bed and call when the contractions picked up and became unbearable. I labored at home until 9am. I could tell things were picking up fast- the contractions were not unbearable but they were really fast- between 3 to 5 minutes and they had been that way for a couple of hours. Not to mention that we live 30 minutes from the hospital. So we made our way. Jason stopped to get breakfast. We arrived to the hospital at 10am. They checked to make sure it was indeed amniotic fluid- yes it was. And hooked me to the contraction monitor. My contractions were actually one on top of one another, but I just wasn?t feeling the smaller ones. My midwife checked me and I was already at 3cm. Awesome. That was my goal from the start.
I used the birthing ball and quickly progressed from 3-4cm. The nurse then informed me that I could get in the tub if I would like to. At this point the contractions were starting to pick up. I had some pretty intense back pain, which was due to the position of the baby. I got into the tub and kneeled on my hands and knees. Which hurt so much. I was in the tub for 30 minutes. I got out and we walked a lap around labor and delivery. I basically had to RUN back to my room because I knew that I was going to get sick. I puked my guts out in the first open container that I could find. The nurses were really excited and said that it was a good sign. However when I puked I noticed a difference in my amniotic fluid- they confirmed it was meconium. Which meant that there would be many doctors waiting for my baby?s arrival just in case any interventions were needed. It also meant that I had to be on the monitors all the time and was now confined to my room.
I was checked again and was now at 7, which meant that I progressed from 4-7 in 30 minutes. No wonder I was sick. This was the point in labor where I didn?t think that I could do the med free birth that I really wanted to attempt. There was no time to rest between the contractions and just when I thought I had it under control they would pick up again. I had already made it this far I kept telling myself I couldn?t turn back now. I also knew that I had pushing ahead of me and needed energy. This was about 5 hours into our hospital stay. I decided that I wanted to have a dose of Nubian. They gave me an IV and administered it. It did not take away the pain of the contractions at all- but allowed me to get the rest in between. I transitioned from 7 to 10 in an hour and a half. It ran out just in time for the transition to pushing.
The first part was really focused on helping my hips to widen and to help the baby get into the best position. My midwife helped with my back pain and I kept my eyes closed pretty much this entire time. I was using the sound of the fan to help me really focus on breathing and relaxing my entire body. My midwife said I was finally ready to push. Pushing was intense. I kept chanting to myself in my head this is the final stretch; this is what it is all about. Temporary pain will bring our healthy baby. I pushed for an hour or so. The hardest part did not really know how to push. It took me about 3 pushes to figure out. I think I pushed in total about 20 times. It was the most difficult yet amazing thing that I have ever done. I had no idea that my body would be able to do something so amazing as birth a baby- especially without major drugs. My midwife was amazing and kept saying keep bringing your baby closer to me, you can do this. It was just the encouragement that I needed. The crowing of his head was seriously a ring of fire, his head would go out and then come back out. For me the shoulders were the most painful. That only took one push and then the rest of the baby was born. The team of doctors was ready to act, but Eben came out screaming and peeing. No need for interventions. YAY! We were able to do delayed cord clamping and Jason announced to the word that it was a boy! I had minor tearing on the inside needing one stitch on one side and three stiches on the other.
Jason was the most amazing labor support person. He was encouraging without having to say anything. He held my legs and watched the entire process of his son being born. Every time I opened my eyes he was able to reassure me without saying a word. I cannot express the love I have for him. Not knowing whether Eben was a boy or girl was truly a magical experience. I honestly feel that I had the best pregnancy, labor and delivery that I could ever imagine.
Eben Jason was born at 6:11pm weighing 8lbs and measuring 20 inches.
Re: Eben's birth story- LONG
What a wonderful story! Totally made me tear up.So happy for you!
Oh and I have never wanted to be team green until this post...sounds amazing!
*sniffle*
Thank you so much for sharing this, Kristy! I'm so happy for you guys. What a wonderful Christmas present
Thank you for sharing and congrats on your adorable baby boy!