[reganfitz]

Nothing short of a miracle, Having a precipitous (fast) birth Regan and Finbar's birth story (5/6/08)
After having had two children and becoming pregnant with our third, we figured birthing was something we already did and was experienced in. Granted our first was induced and came still fairly quick (6 hours) and then our second we went to the hospital earlier than we probably should of, but we were told second children come faster, so we went early to the hospital (another 6 hour birth). So, when I decided for the third child that I did not want any drugs what-so-ever, we decided we would not rush off to the hospital but labor a little longer at home and then go. Let me also mention that with our first two, by 38 weeks I was already 3 cm. and 90% effaced. For three weeks with the third, I sat at 1 cm and not effaced, well I started to efface a little on May 5th but was still 1cm.
Tuesday, May 6th came along and I felt fine, a wee bit frustrating. I was having a few contractions but nothing really that regular. I started to have a few regular contractions about 9 minutes apart, but this happened the night before and then stopped after an hour. So, I really did not think anything of it. So, I decided it was a good idea to go to prenatal yoga class. Ha! At about 7pm, the first decent contraction hit, so I decided to leave yoga and go home. It took longer than usual to get across the park and my contractions were definitely getting stronger but nothing unmanagable. I finally decided to get out of the cab 3 blocks from our apartment and walk. Which I did, but still the contractions were manageable. Oh, it was about 7:25 pm when I arrived home. By then I called my Doula, Deb and informed her. By then Bob was still in the room with the kids and I decided to take a shower and get ready to labor. I tried calling my OBGYN but was disconnected by the service. By 7:45pm I was 2 ½ minutes apart and the contractions were coming stronger and faster, there really wasn’t much of a break. I finally heard Bob in the other room, he was out of putting the kids down, but had no idea I was home. He heard something in the bathroom, opened the door to see that I had bloody show and my water broke and was trying to deal with my labor. Let’s just say he was surpirsed. I looked at him and said “I do not know if I can do this” and he looked at me and just said “yes, you can”. That was my turning point. However, the next thing I said was, “call 911”. Now he was confused. All he could say and think was that was not part of our plan. He truly thought I was overreacting and that the contractions were getting the better of me. What he did not realize, was that I was in transition and getting ready to push. When I told him that I felt the need to push, then did I think he realize that I was serious. He proceeded to call our dear friend Melissa to come over to stay with the kids and the doctor again. He tried four times, everytime it just rang and rang and rang. Bob thought I was giving him the wrong number so I somehow told him to go look at the paper on the board. He realized I was right and we could not get in touch with the doctor. He called 911. Melissa got here in record time and realized too that I was going to give birth at home. She immediatelely washed up and got ready to help. One thing though, the woman who stayed on the line from 911 was incredible. She walked Bob and Melissa through everything. She wanted me on my back and at first refused but then I think I realized that I needed to help out and lay down because someone had to “catch” the baby. So I laid on my left side and we got ready. Before this though, she was saying to get towels etc and Bob and Melissa were throwing piles of towels on the floor and then laid me down. I began to crown, it was a little after 8:00pm and Deb walked in eating a sandwich and almost died when she saw me on the bathroom floor about the give birth. She immediately washed up and began to get ready to help, considering she has seen over 65 births. Two minutes later the EMS team, Arthur and Wayne walked in, as Bob said “I could have liplocked them when they came in”. Not long after, by 8:20pm Finbar was born.
I have a new resound respect for EMS and 911, they are amazing people who dedicate themselves to helping others. Shouldn’t we all take a lesson from that. They immediately tended to the baby, which they gave perfect agpar scores to. By this time the other EMS team arrived and then we are ready for transfer. They did not want me delivering the placenta till we get to the hospital. Which they decide since we are both doing well they will take up to New York Presbyterian instead of Lenox Hill right across the street. Finbar and myself actually have to ride in different ambulances since we are now two separate patients. As they roll me in, the emergency department gives us a big cheer congratulating us. We proceed to labor and delivery where the nurses attend to Finbar and my doctor taked care of me, delivering the placenta and taking care of stitching a few tears. Our doctor, however, was not happy with what happened to her service. But in the long run, it all turned out fine and was happy to hear that EMS turned up.
Looking back, what an absolutely amazing experience. I cannot thank everyone who was with me and Finbar that night, their love and support was what comforted me to do the job I knew I needed to do. They gave me the confidence and clarity to realize that you just need to trust your body. God gave women a wonderful gift of reproducing and delivering life. To my husband Bob, even though I know you were terrified you were absolutely amazing. Knowing you were there and telling me I could do it was my turning point and focal point, thank you and I love you with all my heart. Melissa, our dear friend, I could not thank you enough. Thank you also for your support and telling me I was doing great and we will be okay. Oh, and by the way, when we went to the hospital, Melissa cleaned the whole place up because she did not want the kids waking up and seeing the mess. Oh, that reminds me, yes, our two other beautiful children Farrell and Faith were sound asleep in the other room. Deb, thank you also for all your support and guidance, you being there with your experience was a great comfort. To the EMS(Arthur and Wayne) and 911 woman thank you for giving all of us the calmness we all needed.
To all expecting moms… whether you have a long labor, a short precipitous labor or whatever…remember to trust your body and have faith in yourself. We live in a society where I believe sometimes we are taught to fear childbirth and because of that we have lost confidence in ourselves. Believe in yourself, your body knows what to do. Women have been doing this for a long time. Give the power back to yourself. I am not saying medical care is not necessary, because it is especially during the less than 2% emergencies. A midwife/nurse (whose name I cannot recall) once asked a group of people touring a hospital, “what equipment in this room is necessary during a birth?” Her answer, “only a pregnant woman, everything else is there to make it easier for those attending the birth”.
by Regan