I am so filled with gratitude that everything went so well with having baby Trevor. He is one handsome little guy, and is so sweet to just stare at. I feel so much gratitude that he is perfect and healthy in every way. I am so grateful that my delivery went fast and was fairly smooth! I am so fortunate that little Trevor turned head down, all on his own, just 2.5 weeks before he was born. I am so grateful that because my delivery was so fast- when I got to the hospital I was a 10- that I didn’t need an epidural and am having a much better recovery than I did after having Claire. I am so grateful for my amazing husband, and all his support and words of comfort during the pain. I am so grateful that he was at an eye exam here in Springville when I realized that my contractions were 3 minutes apart. I am so grateful that I called at a good time, right before they dilated his eyes (and wouldn’t have been able to see close up for a couple hours). I am so grateful that my water didn’t break until we got to the hospital, or else I may have had him in the car. I am grateful that Trevor has a great latch already, and enjoys nursing. I am just so filled with gratitude that Jason and I are given this precious baby to come join our family.
I hoped to have Claire naturally, but when I was induced, I knew it would be alot harder and easily gave in to an epidural. So when I got pregnant this time around, I wanted to be more educated and prepared for it. So I read the book, "Birthing from Within"- which is all about doing what comes naturally to you when you are in labor- because birthing is a natural thing. I loved the book, but wasn't sure if it would be enough. Around 30 weeks I started listening to hypnobabies and really enjoyed it. I was able to close my eyes and not be able to open them using the deep relaxation techniques- but that is as far as I got. I really enjoyed listening to the cd's but it was a really big time commitment. And with moving and then trying to prepare myself mentally for the possibility of having a c-section (because he was breach), I stopped listening to them. When Trevor turned at 37.5 weeks I listened to the hypnobabies a few times, but not enough to actually use it.
Short story: My contractions started at 7:30 am, and he was out at 10:02 am
Long story: So a week and a day ago before my due date I had contractions 10 minutes apart from 8am- noon, but they were all very short- lasting only 10 seconds. Then I had a check-up at 2:30pm and the doctor stripped my membranes and told me I was already a 4. Then a few hours after that, I had more contractions that were 5 minutes apart and more painful than the ones I had that morning, but after an hour they got alot less painful, and wore away slowly by the time I went to bed. Then a week later, on my due date I began having contractions at 7:30 am so I began cutting out the pattern pieces for Trevor’s blessing outfit (the last big thing I wanted to do before he came). Those patterns are so big and hard to maneuver, I at least wanted it in smaller pieces, so I can work on it here and there easier. While I was cutting the pieces I was having painful contractions, but I think it was because I was standing up, and not trying to breathe through them- I just really wanted to finish the cutting. Fortunately I finished before Jason had to leave for an eye exam. And had him grab my birthing ball before he left. I got on my knees and put my weight on the birthing ball (exercise ball) and my contraction was not as painful. I should have been timing my contractions but I wasn't. I do know that the painful part of the contractions were only lasting 10-20 seconds.
Jason left at 7:50am and I thought I will fold the laundry, so I can be on all fours- sway my hips, and use my birthing ball to put weight on and fold laundry in between contractions. By the time I got all the laundry ready to start folding, I was having more painful contractions – probably should have left for the hospital then! So I timed one of them, and it was only 3 minutes apart- but still lasting only 10-20 seconds. Some were mild, but about every third one was pretty painful- even on all fours- hips swaying- using the birthing ball. So I called Jason immediately after noticing it was 3 mins apart. (8:35 am) Since I only timed one, I wasn’t too insistent on him coming immediately. I told him to come home and we will probably have to go to the hospital after that. Well fortunately I called right before they were going to dialate his eyes, which makes it hard to see close up for a few hours, and he is really sensitive to light.
Then I thought I will take a bath, maybe that will help with the pain. But the pain wasn’t in my lower back this time, and the bath was not really helpful at all. By this time, every time I had a contraction, I would crumble to my knees near the nearest rug (since its tile floor in the bathroom and hardwood in the living room). Then I realized I need to be at the hospital. I called Jason’s parents and told them we would be bringing Claire over soon. I called Jason and he said he would be home in 5 mins. So I began getting dressed, which was difficult and painful as Claire came in to check on me and steal my birthing ball (to which I would get real upset- cuz it was helping me so much). Jason came home and followed my list of last minute things to grab for the hospital. He was quick and swift and running around quickly while I was starting to have to breath really deeply and quickly to deal with the pain.
I got in the car and began listening to hypnobabies. It was nice to listen to the relaxing calm voice. It helped me relax deeper when I wasn't having contractions. But during a contraction, it didn't seem to do much. But I wasn't really using it the way its intended, so it makes sense why it wasn't working. We dropped Claire off at Jason’s parents at 9:12 (according to cars time- which is fast so probably about 9:05 then rushed to the hospital. By now the contractions were longer, I think just because sitting in a car is so uncomfortable when you have contractions. A minute or so before getting there, I had a really big contraction and told Jason, I feel like I need to push. He said, your water hasn’t broken- were safe- which made me feel so much better! I also remember telling Jason “If I am not to a 10, I am getting an epidural”. Then I remembered that the car ride is the worst part and felt better again. We got the hospital at 9:25- car time so about 9:18 (made it there in 13 mins- nice work Jason!!)
So we took the birth ball and a rug inside the hospital. Why a rug you ask, the hospital has a lot of hard tile floors. So I had a big contraction near the gift shop- probably freaked those ladies out a lot- and I just hung on Jason’s arm, fortunately it was much better than the car ride. Then we got on the elevator and I was immediately on all fours on my rug and birth ball, with Jason putting pressure on my back. Then we made it to the 5th floor and I was on all fours again as the lady asked Jason some questions. I got the last room on the labor and delivery floor – thank goodness! Jason helped me get in the lovely hospital gown and then I sat on the birth ball with my legs under the bed, and my body lying over the bed. Wow! That felt so nice! Then the nurse came in, asked me to get on the bed, so she could check me, to which I cringed I did not want to get off the birth ball- it felt so nice! But I got on the bed after a contraction and then was off just as quick.
She said I was a 10. She was not frantic or anything, and was really calm and just said, we will have a lot of people come in to get things ready. They told me they were going to give me an IV, and I asked why, and they gave their typical answer, but they did not insist on it, and I didn’t get it! I knew I didn't want one, but didn't think I had the strength to fight them on it. Fortunately, one of the OBs from my office was already there- he had a DNC scheduled but came in to help me out instead. I asked how I should push, and they said lying on the bed (I cringed again), and thought it would be my death. The nurse said that I can keep the bed reclined up and just hold my legs up when I need to push. I was worried about how it took 2 hours to push with Claire, and maybe I should let him descend further on his own. The nurse said 3-4 contractions and you will be done. Thank goodness she was right! I got on the bed after a painful contraction, and then the doctor broke my water(about 9:55am) during a contraction- and he warned that the next contraction would be worse, but it wasn’t amazingly. (After they broke my water with Claire and I was maxed out on the pitocin- I wanted to die).
There was a little meconium when they broke my water, which worried me and I knew I would need to push him out quickly so they could make sure he was okay. Which went against the hypnobabies way of “Ahh” pushing- but it needed to be done to make sure he was safe. Then they wanted me to start pushing- which was still painful, but at least your getting somewhere and everyone is cheering you on, while you have these painful contractions. The first contraction they told me to push, I was actually fighting the urge, because I wanted to make sure I could deal with the pain in the position I was in. When I did push, I did not try to kill myself by pushing for the full 10 seconds, I just tried to do want I could during the painful contraction. So after the fourth contraction, he was out. (10:02 am) And then they tell you not to push for the shoulders, and they just get him out slowly. But he was crying good when he came out- even though the umbilical cord was around him- so Jason got to cut the umbilical cord this time (didn't get to with Claire). YAY! Then the NICU team inspected him because of the meconium, so it was a little while before I got to hold him. My contractions stopped immediately after he came out and I couldn’t push the placenta out, so the doc just helped- but he was way gentle about it- so nice! Then while they stitched me up I got to hold little Trevor! It was amazing! I am still in shock that it all happened so fast.
