Scarlet’s Birth

First, I must begin by telling each and every one of you that the
Hypnobabies program is unbelievable.  It helped me to handle every
aspect of my first baby’s birth.  I was able to remain relaxed
regardless of my expectations.  Without it, I don’t know what the
outcome would have been.  I would recommend this program to any and
every person..it is the key to getting the United States out of the
“medical” mind frame for births!

Well…here goes, it’s a long story and there is pain mentioned:

4am – woke up to first major contraction.  I knew it was the real
thing, but I didn’t know how long it would take to become regular (1st
baby)

5am – My plan had been to continue laying down and sleeping after the
strong contractions began.  I was unable to do so because the
contractions very noticeable. So, I took a long hot shower instead.

Tried to lay down again after the shower—couldn’t get comfortable.
Feeling all of the contractions in my back, so laying down actually
made it worse.

Let DH know that the contractions were happening around 8:30am, but
explained that didn’t mean anything and I could have them all day.  We
needed to wait till they were 4 mins apart, lasting 1 minute or more
for 1 hour or more.

DH ran around getting all the things done we needed to go to hospital.
He was a bit nervous and anxious.  It was neat to see him that
excited…but, he was wearing himself out.

Throughout the day, I listed to the birthing CD and I was on the birth
ball for each of the surges.  As evening came, the surges became
stronger and stronger.  I was having a lot of pressure in my back, but
felt nothing in my abdomen.  The CD helped me remain relaxed and
focused on our baby.  Although there was discomfort, I was easily able
to manage through it.

Finally, at about 11pm, after a long day of work (ha ha), we were at
the magic 4 – 1 – 1.  Luckily, throughout the day, my Mom and DH took
turns putting counter pressure on my back through each of the
contractions.  It helped a lot to listen to the CD, sit on the birth
ball and lay forward on my bed through each surge.

We did not take our birth ball to the hospital because they said they
would provide one… BIG MISTAKE!  When we arrived at the hospital, the
birth ball they had was barely inflated.  Everything just changed upon
arriving at the hospital.  When they checked me, I was only about
3-4cm dilated.  After 20 hours of surges, how could I only be 3-4 cm?
Also, the midwife told me it was very curious because when she went
to check me, I was only 1 cm dilated & then suddenly opened to 3-4
while she checked me.  It was confirmed (my suspicion) that our baby
girl was sunny side up (I had thought she was for about 2 months by now)….

My doula, Cindy, arrived at about 11:30pm.  She began helping with
counter pressure.  The birth ball was useless.  By this time, I was
dropping to my knees at each surge & bending forward onto the bed.  My
Mom, DH & doula were in the room supporting me. Then, at about 3am, my
midwife, Rachel, (not the midwife at the hospital, but from my office
visits) showed up.  The midwife team that I visited had told the
hospital to call them when I went into labor because they knew I had a
specific birth plan (no intervention, drugs, etc…)

Rachel tried her best to help me by having me sit in different
positions.  She tried to get baby to move up and out of the canal to
turn.  She did a water pustule injection at the base of my spine (I
had read of this procedure reducing labor pain and agreed when she
suggested it).

Ultimately, nothing was able to get our baby girl to turn or to get me
further dilated.  By about 5 am, Rachel said she was concerned that I
was exhausting myself and by the time I was ready to push, I might not
have the energy.  She said I could continue without meds, but she
suggested it might be time.  She left me alone with DH, Mom & doula to
decide.

It was a very difficult decision.  Basically, everything from my birth
plan was falling apart.  In addition, I had to quickly address my
guilty feelings because I was considering medicating my little one…
But, at the same time, I was in a great deal of pain with each
contraction.  I felt it was the right choice to get the epidural.  I
had used all of the tools I had up to that point and still no birth.

By about 6am, the epidural was finally in and I slept for about 3
hours.  Then, they checked me again…only at 5cm…. Rachel broke my
water, hoping this would speed up the process and found meconium.
Each time I was checked, I was only dilated a slight bit more or not
at all.  Now, we had to start induction.  Again, I was going against
my birth plan, but flexibility was the true key to all of this.  So,
pitocin began.  From here on out, I did feel like a prisoner to that
epidural and the monitors.  I was unable to get up and unable to eat.
I was stuck waiting.  It was a slow process, but finally, at 6pm (36
hours after my first major surge), I was 10 cm.

The pushing was difficult.  I wished I wasn’t on the epidural for the
sake of pushing and knowing what my body was doing.  But, I listened
to my team and pushed when they told me to.  Things were moving along
very slowly.  After 2 hours, the midwife came in and told me that in 1
hour, she would have to report to her Dr where we were at.  She looked
me square in the eye, making sure that I KNEW WHAT THAT MEANT
(C-section…).  She told me I needed to push and get this baby out.
She began coaching me and really supporting me the way I needed.  In
my birth plan I had asked for no one to say push, but by this time, I
NEEDED THE HELP.  After 2 more hours of this heavy pushing and nearly
reaching exhaustion, Scarlet made her arrival into the world!

Scarlet Evangeline took her first breath at 10:05 pm.  She breathed in
meconium along with her first breath.  The nurse was unable to suction
it out.  Scarlet was not breathing.  The pediatric team was on hand
and suddenly 8-12 more people ran into the room.  Everyone was working
on suctioning Scarlet and getting her breathing.  It took 15 minutes,
at least 3 long tubes down her throat to suction and a lot of people
all around her.  I had tears running down my face because I wasn’t
even able to touch her before all of this began.  Finally, they got
her breathing, handed her to me for about 30 seconds (my poor husband
didn’t even get to touch her) and then they whisked her away to the
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

She ended up being fine—no infections, no problems.  She weighed 7 lbs
14 oz & was 20.5″ long.  I was pressured into giving her the Vit K
shot, but I stood my ground and refused the eye goop and hep b!
Scarlet is now a healthy and wonderful 6 month old and I am so lucky
to be her Mommy.

Again, Hypnobabies and being flexible with my birth plan (and
especially with my expectations) were my saving grace.  I am so glad
that I had the program to get me through a 42 hour labor.  Also, I
feel like I succeeded because I was able to make good decisions
throughout the birthing process without feeling pressured or afraid.
I do not remember feeling pain.  I only remember feeling confident
about each decision I made at the time.  Hypnobabies provided me with
a core of confidence to get me through those 42 hours. =)

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