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Lisa's Story
At a few minutes before midnight, I woke up with pretty intense cramps and
lower back ache. It was absolutely clear to me that this was it, and I woke
Chris (it took a few tries...). By 12:05 I was having contractions every 3
minutes or so - they were shorter (30-40 seconds), but strong. We called
the midwife (Barbara) and the doula (Jenna) and Chris's mom and our nanny
(to watch over Chloe). We also called the parking garage to pull our car
since this was in the middle of the taxi strike! I grabbed the last few
things for the hospital between contractions (because I wasn't ready to
really be in labor until everything was in order - go figure), and then by
12:20 things were cranking up a lot - I got in the shower/tub to help with
the contractions while we waited for Chris' mom and Jenna to arrive.
Contractions were strong and more intense than with Chloe - and they hurt
quite a bit (so much for my dream of two labors that I could characterize as
pain-free - this one truly hurt). I felt it a lot more in my back. I used
a lot of sound (both to make sure I was breathing and to make it bearable -
especially "s" sounds and "maaamaamaamaa"). Later on I also tried to repeat
things (Deb's mantras in action) - it was "Open" or "Come out baby".
At 12:45 with Jenna and Chris's mom here, Chris sprinted the 11 blocks to
get the car and Jenna got me dressed and downstairs - contraction in the
hallway, contraction waiting for the elevator, contraction in the lobby (but
this time I could walk across it - last time I was crawling), and then
contraction waiting to get into the car. Luckily the streets were empty and
we made it to the hospital by 1:00 am and up to the birth center by 1:05.
Barbara met us there and started monitoring me for the required time. I
just wanted to be in the tub. At 1:30 I was three centimeters dialated and
fully effaced.
Barbara also started an IV port immediately since the labor was going so
fast (apparently there's a greater risk of hemorrhage, so they wanted an IV
port in place). The baby must have been sleeping or my sugar was low,
because there wasn't a lot of variability in the baby's heart rate on the
monitors. So, they pumped me full of IV fluids and gatorade, and by 1:45
she had perked up enough that I could stay in the birth center, come off the
monitor, and get in the tub. During the brief time when it was possible
that I would have to be moved I did have thoughts of pain relief (if I have
to be in L&D, then why not indulge was my line of thinking - so glad it
didn't play out!).
Once in the tub, the contractions lengthened and strengthened, I sort of sat
on my knees leaning against the edge of the tub. Jenna and Chris took turns
putting pressure on my lower back and talking me through the contractions.
For a handful of contractions everything felt hard but manageable (like I
remember labor being the first time). The rest/break after these was
blissful and I wanted it to stretch forever. Unfortunately, many of the
contractions were not like this. I had a few moments of despair and had to
suppress some panic ("breath, open, breath, open, louder sound, more sound,
oh baby - OUCH" was running through my head). I now know this was
transition (and my "self doubt" emotional sign post right on cue).
At around 2:25 my contractions started shifting midway through to a pushing
contraction. After two or three of these hybrid contractions, we got me out
of the tub and onto the bed.
Barbara then checked me and I was fully dilated and she said I should try to
push. I had three pushing contractions on my hands and knees.
Then Barbara said the baby's head was behind my pubic bone and that I'd have an easier time if I flipped over onto my back (propped up on an angle). We did this and it helped - Chris propped me up and I had another contraction and could feel the baby's head with my hand. Then at 2:42 my water broke. The next contraction was "ring of fire" and I could again feel the baby's head. Then the baby's head was born and the next contraction was her shoulders - which I think was actually the hardest one. Then one more and she was born at 2:45 am (so just less than three hours start to finish). Barbara passed her up to me and I got to hold her right away while we waited for the cord to stop pulsing; she started rooting very quickly (and has proved to have a great appetite). It was a magical moment and I was flooded with love and amazement. Then I got to cut the cord, and Chris and I began to get to knowour daughter and fall in love.
A few additional details:
* I didn't really tear (one or two skid marks, but no stitches), so I got my
wish. All the prep paid off - tell your students/clients that they should
do their kegels and breathe! Also, the recovery has been so much easier
than last time (when I had to have an episiotomy because Chloe's heart rate
kept decelerating and they needed her out ASAP). I am ectstatic.
* All the ab exercises were helpful for pushing and now for trying to
maintain some form of posture while nursing and holding Matilda. My back is
sore, and I can't wait until I can regain my core strength in earnest.
Until then, I'm doing my kegels, and transverse isometric exercises.
I'm sure I have omitted details - happy to answer questions or fill them in
- just let me know. Also, if any of this is helpful to your students, feel
free to share my thoughts.
Thanks again, I look forward to introducing you to Matilda.
Lisa
Last edited by Deb : 02-19-2008 at 11:28 PM.
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