I push out a baby...finally. Nola Anne's Birth Story Part 4

I got back in Meg's car, ramming my leg into some random sticky-outie-thing in her new car. Cussed a blue streak and rode the rest of the way home half hoping that 'this' was labor half hoping it wasn't. I mean shoot! I had just eaten a basket full of fried catfish. Probably not a good idea if I was in labor. (stupid, stupid, stupid.)

Got out in the driveway at home and BAM another contraction. So we decided Meg should probably stay and see what happens. I walked in the house and whoa... Nature called. This was good. I texted my Birth Boot Camp friend who was coming to observe the birth that I thought I was in early labor and just had diarrhea.

who does that?

(weeks and weeks later I went to text her before our Birth Boot Camp workshop and I noticed one of the last texts to her was "good news I have diarrhea.") OMG so embarrassing. I mean hardcore birth junkies know that is a good sign of early labor. But really? I am a dork beyond compare.

So...
If you think you are in labor the best idea is to IGNORE it.  Its the law of diminishing returns: If you start doing all your relaxation stuff right off the bat that relaxation stuff won't be as new or helpful later in labor. So I thought, "I'll go take a bath." But no, I might need that hot water... So I'll just take a shower. Three contractions in the shower one requiring I hang off the door. I thought this might be the real deal. Meg walked by and said "there is blood running down your leg". I pictured immediate transfer to hospital and freaked out. It was just from ramming my leg in her car. phew.

I was just on the cusp of saying

"this is it."
So much so that when I got out of the shower I put on my 'birth gown'. I had bought this gown FULL PRICE (so not like me) right at the tail end of morning sickness. I saw it and felt how soft it was and just pictured myself birthing in it. Majority of homebirthers birth sans clothing. But my children hang out in close proximity and I'm just more comfortable with clothing. This gown was a stretchy crossover - still perfect for skin to skin.

I had arrived! I had survived morning sickness. I was finally in labor and I might be at that moment when for the last time in my life there was a baby.( in. my. body). It was bittersweet, so like I do, I got that last picture taken:

I made my way downstairs freshened up for labor. Kyle bustled about making preparations. (homebirth tips: dropcloths and two hoses for filling your birth pool from the washer hook ups.) I don't remember now but I think it was around 11. Ella was too excited to sleep. A decision that would be regretted later... much later.

The call the midwife/don't call the midwife debate started. The general rule of thumb is 5-1-1, contractions five minutes apart that last one minute for one hour. Mine were ALL over the place. Some five minutes apart then some 18 minutes apart. Almost to the point where I thought this is dumb, lets just go to bed.

BUT... they were getting stronger each and every time. I went between a few spots, sitting in almost a squat on the very edge of the bed Kyle had brought down for me, while leaning on a chair. Then leaning on the back of the sofa then pacing in the kitchen and leaning on the island. So happy to not be flat on my back in a hospital bed.

Finally that contraction came. The one. The one where I said ok call the midwife!

Midwives were on their way and then.. contractions slowed. I was fretting a bit that I'd stalled out. 

Don't do this moms. Don't worry about your labor pattern. It was silly that I did. When my midwife arrived my average time between contractions was 14 minutes. eek.  But when she checked me for dilation I was at... drum roll please:

NINE CENTIMETERS.

I totally did a fist pump: hell yeah!! I was doing this. I was so pleased with how well I was handling things. And I thought, there will be a baby in my arms in NO time. I think this was about 12:30. I hoped two things, that my friend would make it in time and that my water would break on its own.

The sweetest midwife in training and current doula talked me through contractions, along with all the love Kyle was offering me. It was divine. We decided the kids should probably be gently woke up in case things moved fast. Kyle's mom made it over. 

I decided I was ready to get in the water, one last hibiclens routine to treat group b.. yes you can have a homebirth with group b.

Have I already said how much better that is than a hospital bed? well it is.

Things went on, still long breaks but contractions getting harder and harder. Over an hour had passed, my bag of waters was bulging. I was encouraged to give little pushes so that it would break and hopefully a baby would follow. Everything felt wrong about pushing, There was no urge. Forcing myself hurt beyond belief. Midwife wanted to check me during a contraction - I think I slapped her hand away.

Frustration was starting to set in. I asked for my water to be broke. Then I demanded. Then I said screw you guys I'll do it myself. And dang if I didn't try. I heard someone say "Is she trying to break her water?"

I didn't speak, but thought YES, yes I am.

I couldn't reach.

I turned around exorcist style and said please break my water! It took three tries. Someone has said that a strong bag of waters is testament to mom getting protein during pregnancy. I don't know for sure but SIX babies and SIX times my amniotic sac has been artificially ruptured. oh well, I tried.

Now I still will always vote for water breaking on its own. Contractions with no cushion are harder. They just are. But I was ready, my water is never broken for long without a baby coming in short order. With PJ it was the very next contraction.

I don't know for sure but I'll guess this was between 2 am and 2:30 that my water was broken on the third try. I thought: baby time. My mental game is, "tomorrow I'll be holding a baby, tomorrow I'll be holding a baby", My mind began to switch to "in a few minutes I'll be holding a baby, In a FEW minutes I'll be holding a baby."

My friend arrived. Good! she almost missed it I thought.

HA.

An hour passed. Still long breaks between contractions but the contractions were hard and bringing a bit of panic with them. Why am I not pushing? I have NO urge to push. Why? I want to push. No more contractions please. Let me push. Come on body. I promise I'll never ask you to do this again. JUST PUSH already!!!

Midwives in their brilliance really wanted me to get out of the water and empty my bladder maybe even push some on the toilet. 

I hated them to the core with even the suggestion. I didn't want to move and I most certainly didn't want to get out of the water. 

Eventually I did. And it was el mucho sucko.

 a very, very tired Ella.

I survived being on the toilet. I was able to empty my bladder and holler through a contraction and make it back to the tub. I saw the clock on the way, It was close to 4 am. I decided that if I saw the first ray of the sun I was going to the hospital. I had a little bit left in me but not much. No shame in my game.

And then I hit the wall. The next contraction I'm only a little hesitant to say that I screamed through it. Kyle says it wasn't bad but I felt like I was screaming at a bottom of a dark cave and everyone above me was leaving. And all I could do was scream. But I made it through and I used that blessed time in between contractions to calm myself.

My midwife asked me nicely but firmly to check me during a contraction. I agreed. It was time to know what was going on. I was analyzing this labor dystocia aka stalled labor from every angle.

I grabbed forcefully on to Kyle's forearms and she said "I feel fingers." Lets get those out of the way.

Eureka!

a Nuchal Hand.

from here

I was so relieved, just to know what was going on. And there again was that feeling of the train in the station. 

and with my best Forrest Gump voice (I was runnnning.) I was pushhhhing...

I was essentially in the lithomy position, I was "on my back" in the water though but yes - I will teach the benefits of pushing off of your back but that was what my body chose. And above all others you listen to your body.

Some women hate pushing. Some love it. I was just glad to be doing it. After a challenging hours long 'transition' I was so glad to feel baby descend. So glad in the sense that I STILL said...

OH please god GET IT OUT !!!

and whoom. A baby on my chest. Before the sun had come up! At first I needed a moment as they say. I honestly had no other thoughts immediately but "thank god that is over." ...then the high came:

It is true you don't get a medal for natural childbirth but I have no human words to describe the natural high that comes after pushing out a baby with only the power of your own body. It sounds similar to what runners call the runners high. With pounds of love hormone (oxytocin) pumping through your veins. You are biologically made for that moment, you and your baby.

Maiya got to reveal the gender, IT'S A GIRL !!

 me saying "Holy crap that hurt."

 Nola Anne, all 10 lbs. 5 ozs. of her

A bit more bleeding than usual, maybe because of the prolonged time? That meant birthing the placenta out of the water. But steadfast care by the midwives and all was well. I didn't even want to eat. Something they always want you to do. But it was 5 am - who eats at 5 am? 

Upstairs for an herbal bath together:

Up next: processing through when your birth was a bit off course, and what I think might have happened had we been in a hospital. 

PS. big baby, no tearing, no stitches, no pelvic floor issues,was doing my kegels the next day and six babies, no #2 while pushing :)... I know you were wondering.