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Susie's birth story
I had to be induced because a routine post due date monitoring test revealed that our baby's heart rate sometimes dipped when I had big contractions. The medical staff speculated that our baby was leaning on his umbilical cord and temporarily cutting off his oxygen flow. They gave me an IV and wheeled me from the hospital's testing floor to Labor and Delivery. This was quite a shock since my husband and I had come in for a simple test and ultrasound; I was starving, Steve had planned to go back to work, we did not have anything with us...but we were having this baby!
The nurses gave me Pitocin and things started to progress very quickly. My water broke 15 minutes later, too soon to be blamed on the Pitocin. Coincidentally, I also happened to be in early labor on my own. They continued to give me Pitocin but monitored it very carefully. (My doctor decided to give me Pitocin and not Cervidil because Pitocin is more easily measured. This was important because he was concerned about overdoing it, since I was already progressing on my own.)
The contractions grew stronger and more regular so I began to establish a routine. I slow danced with Steve during the contractions and relaxed during the breaks, repeating my mantra, "I trust my body". (I was not allowed to walk or shower since I had to be constantly hooked up to the monitors. This was unfortunate since I love to walk and desperately wanted to feel clean, especially after my water broke and continued to gush out, but I had to just go with it.) Steve also repeated phrases like "this is temporary" "three more breaths" (and then counted them "one...two...three" ) and "trust your body", and imitated the various yoga breaths that I did...lion's breath, open sigh, fluttering lips, etc.
I consciously tried to pace myself in terms of pain expectation. Even though it seemed painful, I kind of tricked myself into thinking that it couldn't be, because this was just the beginning! I reminded myself that the contractions went in peaks and troughs and that I just needed to focus on getting through the peak. Same went with the rest breaks. I tried to cherish the break but at the same time gear up for the next challenge.
The doctor came in to check me and said that I was 3-4 cm and 30% effaced. The contractions were becoming more difficult but it still seemed like I had a long way to go. Therefore, this next stage became all about focus. I got into a zone, similar to what I do when I am long distance running. I don't really know how to describe it except to say that I got into a rhythm and then blocked everything out. It became difficult to find a position that worked, as it was much better to stand, dance or sway for the actual contractions but I got tired from standing during the rest breaks. (I think it would have been easier if I would have been able to walk around but standing on my feet without walking wore me out.) I ended up resting on the birth ball (arms forward against the bed) during the breaks and then standing and swaying through the contractions.
Again, my breath was what drove me through the pain. I blocked everything out except for Steve and my breath. Steve stood in front of me and breathed, and I simply did what he did. This was extremely helpful as the contractions grew stronger and my brain grew weaker.
The contractions continued to get stronger and stronger and soon they were very intense with very little rest. Again, it was all about my breath. I began picturing myself swimming in a competitive swim meet (which is especially strange since I stopped competitively swimming 15 years ago). As the contraction started, I pictured myself diving into the water, breathing slowly but forcefully, all the while focusing on getting to the other side of the pool.
Soon after the contractions got close to unbearable, I felt the sudden need to push. I also noticed a metallic taste in my mouth and started to shiver, two very strange sensations. Even though both Steve and I thought it was way too soon to be in transition (only 3ish hours had gone by since the very beginning and we had guessed that it would take 8+), I desperately needed a status update. Thankfully, Steve trusted me and ran out of the room to get the doctor and thankfully the doctor immediately responded. To all of our surprise, I had in fact transitioned and my doctor told me it was time to push. He told me that he could see the head already and that my overall pushing time would only be around 15-20 minutes.
All this time, I was being constantly monitored and the baby's heart rate was holding steady at a healthy rate. But then I had a very big contraction and the baby's heart rate dipped dramatically and stayed down for a few minutes. My doctor, who is generally calm, collected, and very supportive of an intervention-free birth experience, said "We need to get this baby out RIGHT NOW!" He grabbed a vacuum (basically a suction cup that attached to our baby's head) and told me to push with all of my might.
Strangely, I had always looked forward to the pushing stage. I had practiced my ab work religiously and was excited to see how I would perform. But at this point I had even more motivation; on top of everything else, I was terrified about the status of our little one. As Ina May Gaskin put it, this last part was pure monkey. I screamed. I grunted. I had a total out of body experience.
Afterwards I didn't even remember much of the pain, I think because I was just totally in the moment. I later said to my husband "It didn't even hurt that much at the end" and he was like, "Are you crazy? They heard you down the hall!"
Thankfully, our son was completely fine after the first few minutes. The pediatrician rushed in and examined him, and after a short time he breathed and cried. Unfortunately, because the doctor needed to use the vacuum, I tore quite extensively. (My doctor did not perform an episiotomy but he had to repair my tearing with quite a few stitches.) This was a shame since the tearing made my initial recovery more difficult, and especially since I had practiced endless rounds of kegels throughout my pregnancy to avoid such an outcome. However, I have no doubt that it was necessary as our baby was in distress and needed the assistance. (And thankfully, now three weeks later, I feel very close to normal.)
Overall, I had a short but intense, strange but remarkable birth experience. I think the take home messages I'd suggest to others would include: be flexible (you never know what is going to happen), trust your body, BREATHE, and let go. Also, make sure you completely trust your doctor and his decision making; I was thrilled with my doctor's performance and that made a huge impact on my overall experience. And, most importantly, trust and communicate with your partner. Steve was such a huge help during labor; I honestly do not think I could have done it without him. He knew exactly what I needed and was there for me every step of the way...and that was so incredibly important!
I wish everyone a thrilling and rewarding birth experience. Please try to remember that, no matter what happens, the outcome will hopefully be the same...you will be holding your healthy baby in your arms.
All the best,
Susie Eilenberg
P.S. Remember to do your kegals and ab work! My experience was pretty uncommon and it will be so worth it if these exercises help prevent tearing, etc. Additionally, so much of labor is mental...and feeling that I was prepared went a really long way.
Last edited by SusieE1 : 05-08-2008 at 08:38 PM.
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Wow it's a really nice giving birth story that you have. Well..,I really want to share my giving birth story to all, me my story goes like this, when I'm getting started at my tree month freagnancy it is still okey, but then whe n i'm already at my 9 month freagnancy I just then recognize that I 'm having a hypertention, and I really felt so afraid at that time, afraid for the things that might happen to my baby, Bnut then I have to be strong for my baby,my husband is cryhing aqlready for the consequnsews that might occur that those moment of time. But then wwe thank God for not living us for those kind of tirials of tour life, me and my whole family was praying for the safe of me and my baby, and finally I give birth a healthy baby girl.
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