Birth story

I am finally getting around to posting the full birth story of Annalise. Some of you have requested the details. Sorry it is so long.

My water broke sat. morning about 6AM. I called the dr. , but I begged to be able to labor at home for a few hours. I was only having back cramps, but I had been feeling them for weeks so I thought they were Braxton Hicks. She called back from the hospital and asked me to get ready and go to get checked. I would be allowed to return home if I was not dilated too far. I got to the hospital around 8AM. They back pain still felt too irregular to time. I was checked and already 2-3 cm. and 60% effaced. Contractions on the machine showed every 2-3 mins. I was told I was being admitted and not going home. The OB said if I was not in active labor by 6PM I would be given pitocin. I was allowed to walk the halls and only had to return for 20 mins. of monitoring each hour. The walking really help me contract. By noon I was really having strong contractions (almost all back labor) and hated to be on my back. At this point I refused to stay on my back for monitoring and made them find a way to do it with me on my side. I also requested stadol. I figured I had at least 12 more hours to go if I was on track with a typical 1st time delivery. I did not think I could handle the pain for that long. They had 2 emergency c-sections going on. By the time the appropriate person was there to give me stadol, I think it was at least 12:30. I really started to lose track of time. I requested to first be checked with a hope of being 4cm and getting an epi and skipping the stadol. I was already 6-7cm and thinned out. There was no time for an epi anyway because the anesthesiologist was in the c-section. By the time they could get hime and the epi kicked in I would be ready to push. I decided I could do without the stadol, but it was already being given since I declined it too late. All it did was make me feel really dizzy and drowsy. It is supposed to take the edge off the contractions. I think it was around 1PM now. The nurse went to call the OB back to the hospital. By the time she returned I was 8-9 cm. She went to call the doctor again with an update. Within 5 minutes I felt I had to push and made my husband get her back. I started pushing before the OB made it back to the hospital. My contractions had been 2-3 mins. the entire day, but they spaced to about 5 min. apart when I needed to push. That's why it took me about 45 of pushing to get her out. A few times the dr. mentioned starting pitocin, but I said I didn't want it unless the baby was in danger if she did not come out immediately. I pushed when I was ready, not when I was told. This combined with perineal massage left me with no episiotomy, rips, or tears. I felt I had a fast and easy delivery. I am glad I only had a shot of stadol. I was alert after she was born. I recovered very quickly and the soreness was gone within 3 days.

Re: Birth story

WOW! Victoria, you are a champion! I am very impressed by your fortitude during your labor and delivery. Your story is proof that labor and delivery don't always have to be so bad. I'm glad that your doctors and your hospital respected your wishes to labor while walking - it definitely helps to have that freedom. Where did you give birth?

Happy New Year!

Re: Birth story

Thank you SOOOO much for this story. Whenever I tell people that I think epis are given too quickly these days, people tell me I am totally crazy! I have read about the subject and know that there are many women who are given epis as 'routine' when they are not even necessary. I am sooo glad your birth was not a horror story, like we usually hear.

Re: Birth story

Can you please tell me what a perineal massage is? I think I have an idea, but I am not sure.

Re: Birth story

congratulations!!! thanks for the story- informative!