Birth Story Part 2 (Typed with both hands)

Now, where was I? Oh yeah, deciding if I should stay home and try for the

natural home birth I wanted, or head to the hospital and likely receive and

epidural. So I'm betting that from my previous posts pushing home birth you

think I decided to stay, but guess what....your wrong. Before the midwives

finished saying"I think we should head to the hospital" I was already getting

my crocks on and heading for the door. I wasn't even wearing a shirt but off

I went to the elevator. Of course my good hubby was there to make sure I put

all me clothes on, he even asked if I was sure this is what I wanted, to which

I replied "Caterpillar, Caterpillar, Caterpillar!" our code word.

I was the first one at the elevator waiting for everyone else to pack up and figure 

out how to get to the hospital. In the end my doula drove while I had contractions 

in the front seat and my husband rubbed my shoulders from the back seat. At this 

point all I wanted was the epidural, each contraction made my body push, and each

contraction everyone would say "don't push" and I was forced to pant instead. When 

we arrived at the hospital the nursing staff joined the "don't push" chorus and I

started to feel completely alone. In fact I started to feel like everyone was out to

get me, I may have even accused them of "trying to kill me"....a bit dramatic!

I wanted to be checked before requesting the epidural just in case I miraculously

dilated 3 cm while in the car. The OB was called in to check my progress but

unfortunately my pushing did start to swell the cervix and I was now 6cm. That

was it for me, I wanted the epidural and I wanted it "NOW!". It took nearly 1

hour for the anesthetist to arrive and wile I waited I yelled continually at the

staff to go find him. Things I may have said:

"Where the *#@! is he? Why arn't you getting him?"

"I need this to be over, someone go find him"

and again "Your all trying to kill me!!!"

As soon as I decided on the epidural I threw all my breathing and coping

techniques out the window......not a good Idea. That last hour was honestly

the worst and lowest point of this whole event, I can look back and laugh

now but it really was not a shinning moment for me! 

Once the anesthetist arrived and worked his magic all was well and I 

immediately felt relief........and guilt. I felt as if I gave up on my baby and left her 

to labour alone, I had worked so hard to have her and when things got hard I 

tapped out, but I NEEDED the break. I also knew the epidural was going to slow 

labour down and pitocin was eventually going to be introduced, I really did not

want the baby exposed to pitocin. 

After about 45min. you could see on the monitor that the contractions (that had 

once been 2 min a part lasting 1.5min for hours) had completely stopped. My doula 

and I used a breast pump to try and increase oxytocin (which I am sure got a few 

laughs from the nurses) and it worked a little bit. We got the contractions back 

up to 5 min apart but it wasn't enough, pitocin would have to be used.

We spent the rest of the day resting, eating and chatting. Staff was in and out

to check on me but really we were left alone most of the time. My nurse was amazing 

and encouraging as well as the OB who was confident his baby would rotate and make

her way out eventually. This was refreshing to hear because in my experience swollen 

cervix = cesarean. I really can't say enough about the hospital stay, I was really very 

lucky that day.

At around 4 or 5pm I was checked again and was ecstatic to hear that I was 10cm 

dilated, they recommended I have more rest and get ready to push soon. The epidural 

had been given at around 9am, and I avoided pressing the nice red button (the one 

that boosts the medication) so by this time I was feeling the contractions again. 

Actually for much of the day I knew when contractions were coming so was able to

continue my breathing and visualizations.

By 6pm I was feeling that urge to push again but this time I was able to work with it. 

There was still some intensity but it was a relief to finally push. When the midwife 

checked me the baby's head was "right there" and had turned back to the proper 

position. I turned to my side to push while hubby held my hand watched the birth. 

I could hear everyone encouraging me as I pushed until I heard the midwife say 

"Here is the head". I felt very much in control at this point so I waited for the next 

contraction and pushed with all I had.

Then, suddenly there was a little tiny face staring up at me, I know there was

lots of commotion going on around but all I could see was this little baby on my 

chest. Hubby announced that we had a little girl and before long the 3 of us were

able to enjoy our first few moments together. Sotiria (Sadie) Lorraine was born 

Friday Aug 12th at 6:30pm to a packed room of doctors, midwives, nurses, doulas 

and the waiting arms of her loving parents.

I wish I could say that this was the way it was supposed to be and it was perfect but 

the truth is I wish I had been stronger for her. All I wanted was to start her life off in 

a calm and gentle way and I feel like I let her down. Of course when I am thinking 

logically I know I did the best I could and that I am proud of the decisions I made. 

In the end our birth story is "ours" and I had an amazing day filled with love,

amazing support and happiness, and that is the way it's supposed to be.