Birth Stories Thread

[Kelly]

#1 woke up in labor at about 7am, got to the hospital, found I was dilated to 3 and the nurse said I was having "mild" contractions. I knew then that I was in trouble!!! I didn't want meds so I kind of went inside myself (best way to explain it) and dealt with it. I yelled at my ex every time he touched me or even touched the bed because it broke my concentration. My son was born at 4pm, all 9 pounds 3 ounces of him. Had a nice 4th degree (rectal) tear... the kid came out with his hands up by his face!!! The nurse called him "Brutus"... overall a GREAT experience. I even thought about going into nursing at the time because my OB nurse had such a big impact on me... she was great.

#2 I had gestational diabetes, I couldn't control it with diet and was put on insulin. We were never real sure of my dates so I had a late US and they fond that she had very little amnoitic fluid. We think I was 34-36 weeks at the time. That day they put the gel on my cervix to "ripen" it, as my body was nowhere near ready to go into labor. They sent me home for the night and I went back the next morning to be induced. I'm not sure if it was because I was induced, or my body wasn't ready, but this labor was ALOT worse, pain wise. I asked for the epi, the CRNA came in to see me and tells me hat the doc was stuck in surgery and it may be a while before I can get my epi. I was NOT happy!!!! Then he says, "do I know you? do you work here?"... I did, had worked with him in the OR many times. About 15 minutes later he comes back with the doc (who I also knew), he had found someone else to cover his surgery so he could come take care of me. I learned that day, its always good to know people!!!!!! Got the epi... it was wonderful. I joked with my mom that I could have 10 kids that way. My daughter was born not too long after that. She had some trouble breathing which totally freaked me out and they took her to the NICU. They took me to my room, my mom and ex had gone to see DD, by this time it was 3am, I was exhausted, but I wanted to see my girl. So I asked my nurse and she said something about getting her settled and we she would take me in the morning. AAAHAHAHA... no way!!! I can't really remember what I said to her, but 5 minutes later she was walking into my room with a wheelchair to take me to see her. I guess I made my point!!!! She ended up in NICU for a week, but did really well.

I also had the experience of watching one of my nephews come into the world. That was one of the coolest things I have ever experienced. When its not happening to you, you can really appreciate the "awesomeness" of it. I will never be able to repay my sis in law for giving me that privlidge. If anyone ever has the chance to experience that... I say go for it!! Other than the birth of my children, it is one of my best memories.

[Imachickadee75]

Here is the story of my second child's birth. A little different than the first but still special.

Zachary William was born Oct 22 at 9:28 am. He was 8lbs4oz-a whole pound bigger than his brother.
With my first son we were a few days early so I expected to go much earlier than I did (my due date was the 23). My husband is an airline pilot so we were worried about getting him home in time for the birth -especially because my 1st delivery was so easy. Anyway, I saw my chiropractor on Friday and she adjusted my L1 vertebrae which she says they are trained to stay away from during pregnancy unless you want to induce labor. Wow! I felt so much better when I walked out of there -it had been very out of place. Anyway, I guess it worked because Sunday am I had a little bloody show and I hoped to have a baby in my arms in the next 24 hours as happened the last time.
All day, I had irregular contractions that were not at all painful. In the late evening they got more regular but several minutes apart -still not painful. But when I laid down to go to sleep (Ha!) they went to 5 then 2-3 minutes apart within an hour. So, we left for the hospital around midnight. We were admitted at 1am at 3-4cm. My nurse was an older woman who seemed a little sour. My doc confirmed to her I didn't need to be continuously monitored -15 min per hour but she did leave the monitors strapped on. In hindsight I would definitely have taken them off. But for the most part she just stayed away which was fine with me.
The contrax didn't get difficult until about 3am and I struggled to find a position that worked for me from then on. Last time DH was really able to help me but not so much this time. Last time it was all in my back, this time in the front -where that dang monitor was! Ultimately, I found that leaning over the bed or the back of the bed with DH hands right above my pubic bone was the most comfortable but not great. I found myself vocalizing a guttural "OHHHHHHHHHHHH" sound that helped some as well. I'm a little embarrassed about it for some reason, but it did help. I did get a little nauseous and got a good laugh out of the new puke thingies. Instead of the kidney shaped emesis trays, my hospital has these disks that have a bag you push through. They push out into something like a giant blue condom! It was pretty funny! I progressed about a centimeter an hour and when I hit an 8 the nurse called in my doc.
He is almost 70 and really non-intervention oriented although he stays very current on all the research. He has colon cancer and had a PET scan scheduled for himself later in the morning so his schedule was cleared. Which was good because I stayed at an 8 for more than an hour. He and my mom just sat on the couch and watched me work with some encouraging words. I had already been laboring on my knees leaning against the raised head of the bed. He even had me reach inside and feel to see if I could determine any difference after every push! After about 45 min he checked me and found I was still at an 8 and offered -only if I wanted- to break my water. His hesitancy concerned me until he explained that I had done everything so naturally he didn't want to make me think he was rushing me!? I decided to go for it.
Once that was done I pretty much stayed on my back with knees up from there. He and I had previously agreed that I wanted to catch this baby and planned on my pushing on my side as he feels squatting doesn't give you enough control and sets you up for tearing. I did try pushing on my side but DS got stuck first on my pubic bone then tailbone and it wasn't very effective. Once we got past that, my doc reminded me that I had wanted to deliver on my side but at that point I just wanted him out. My doc really worked my perineum as DS crowned. Then after he got the first shoulder out my doc made sure I got my hands down there by grabbing my wrists and pulling me forward and it was me that pulled DS up onto my chest! He was a slippery little sucker!

I had no tears, stitches or probs with bleeding as happened last time. Zack latched on within the first hour and has never looked back.

This Labor was definitely harder than the first. In fact, immediately afterwards I said I'd never do another unmed again. Of course he was a pound heavier and half an inch shorter than the first too -I envision myself delivering a bowling ball! My DH and mom laugh when I say it was harder because while I was working hard with each contrax, I'd start chatting away again between them. I think I was just more afraid this time. Last time I was very open to whatever labor brought me and really thought I'd have to have an epi but never had to. This time I didn't really give myself that option and felt a little trapped. Also, DH wasn't able to help me as much physically and seemingly took an emotional step backso I felt kind of alone. I wish someone had been more encouraging. But, I didn't express any of this then either and was all chatty in between so I guess they really didn't know.
With some hindsight and perspective, the contrax again were NOT painful, just a very intense pressure. I was more just afraid that things were going to get worse and didn't have a very positive attitude. I find myself wishing I had a doula whose main job would have been to just be very encouraging. Of course, that was supposed to be DH's job but he got so distant -frustrating since he was so awesome with my first birth. He says that he tried to be helpful a couple of time and I wasn't very receptive so he was just waiting for me to tell him what to do. It makes me a little sad that I made him feel that way and that he didn't work harder to connect with me but he's still a great Dad now.
Now the delivery was FUN! I know that sounds weird, but it was not painful and I had an active role. I can't say enough wonderful things about my doctor. He was so on board in letting me do this- I know he had fun too. We have a picture of him whistling while setting up! I still wish that I could have delivered squatting, but recovery with no tears versus the labial tears and stitches I had last time is completely different and worlds better. I still feel like pushing like that was not very effective, but my doc really could work that perineum and create the environment where I didn't tear. I guess too, by it not being very effective, the baby comes down slower and things get to stretch out gradually.
So that's my story. While I said I wouldn't do it again, I totally would. I just would either better prepare my husband and/or get a doula for encouragement. While non-med births aren't something everyone wants or can have, I feel like its important to put positive stories out there to combat our terribly medicalized society. So many women automatically believe that it is always so incredibly painful that there is no way it can be done without meds. I'm here to tell you that is not the case. Sometimes it is, but not always. If it is something you are at all interested in, educate yourself and find a provider who is supportive. I think the most important thing is to keep an open mind that it could be possible. You can always add meds -you can't take them away.

Jackie

[Regina]

Wow...it sounds like you have a great doc. He seems very encouraging.

I love my meds at birth, and I always tell my docs to meet me out in the parking lot with my epidural! ha ha I think if I was more brave, I would try a non-medicated birth, but I have had a baby with none of the meds working and been sewn up while not even numbed, and it was not a fun experience! I give a pat on the back to those able to do it though...

I am interested in your chiropractor situation though. I get horrible back problems in my pregnancy, and I would love for you to share more info. about the chiropractor.

[rgphib]

Regina....

I've been going to a chiropractor now for 2 weeks. Right before Thanksgiving, I had this horrible pain in my right butt area everytime I walked (at about 32 weeks). It was awful. Then it spread to both sides, I literally was in pain everytime I took a step. I would cry when I had to get out of bed. When I slept my hips hurt and turning from side to side was excrutiating. When I had to get out of bed, I would get hot, sharp pains in my lower back/butt area- they hurt so bad I cried. I couldn't walk at all, and I didn't think I was going to make it teaching much longer.

When I went to my ob on the 5th of December, he recommended a chiropractor and if that didn't work he wanted me to go to physical therapy since I still had 6 weeks left and was in a lot of pain. I saw a chiropractor the next day, and wouldn't you know by 2 visits, I was getting up easier (getting out of a sitting position was not fun, I had to grab on to everything) and I wasn't getting any sharp, hot pains when I got up out of bed. After 4 visits, the pain is gone and I can walk no problem again. Literally, I have no pain anymore in my lower back/butt area. I go back on Tuesday and then maybe 1-2 times a week. He says the key is to keep moving so he wants to still see me, luckily I get 12 visits a year with my insurance with a 5$ copay.

He didn't do too much (since I am pregnant), but what he did must have done the trick. He worked on my hips/pelvis area, and that was where I was in pain. I am so thankful that I went....I can now walk and do my everyday activites (I couldn't do anything while DH was gone...it took me almost 2 hours to grocery shop one night...and I didn't even buy that much!).

What type of back pain do you have?

[Regina]

Robyn,

Thanks for the info. Are you on your hubby or your own insurance? I think our husbands work for the same company, and I must of messed up on our pick of insurance because I think our co-pays are like 30.00 for a chiropractor per visit.

I had a great o.b. in Ohio that was totally understanding to the hip and back pain, but down here in Florida, they all say that "it's just pregnancy. There isn't anything we can do, and you just have to deal with it." I think most ob.'s down here just feel like if I am going to have that many kids than I just need to be punished by any side-effects that I have in my pregnancy. The last doctor I saw asked me if I thought of permanent sterilzation...this was at my 12 week appointment. I have a friend that goes to the same office and wasn't asked anything about it. They totally baby her (this is her 2nd pregnancy and her kids are spaced apart appropriately).

Anyway, as far as the pains I get...my hips hurt horribly starting at about 20 something weeks. I can't sleep at night because it is constantly repositioning myself from side to side all night because of the pain. Then, when I lie down and go to get up, I have this horrible charlie horse-like pain in my lower back towards my bottom. I tell hubby not to touch me to help, but just let the pain go away first. I would wait, and then kinda roll out of the bed..still in pain but not as bad.

I would be very interested in seeing a chiropractor, if it will help when or if this happens again. What exactly did he do for you?

[amelia]

Those are nice to read. Thanks for posting those. When I get some time, I'll have to post mine.

Jackie - On a side note, have you gotten a onsie from skywest yet? We were surprised when we got one when Joey was born b/c we didn't get one when Olivia was born. It was cute.

[rgphib]

Originally Posted by Regina

Robyn,

Thanks for the info. Are you on your hubby or your own insurance? I think our husbands work for the same company, and I must of messed up on our pick of insurance because I think our co-pays are like 30.00 for a chiropractor per visit.

I had a great o.b. in Ohio that was totally understanding to the hip and back pain, but down here in Florida, they all say that "it's just pregnancy. There isn't anything we can do, and you just have to deal with it." I think most ob.'s down here just feel like if I am going to have that many kids than I just need to be punished by any side-effects that I have in my pregnancy. The last doctor I saw asked me if I thought of permanent sterilzation...this was at my 12 week appointment. I have a friend that goes to the same office and wasn't asked anything about it. They totally baby her (this is her 2nd pregnancy and her kids are spaced apart appropriately).

Anyway, as far as the pains I get...my hips hurt horribly starting at about 20 something weeks. I can't sleep at night because it is constantly repositioning myself from side to side all night because of the pain. Then, when I lie down and go to get up, I have this horrible charlie horse-like pain in my lower back towards my bottom. I tell hubby not to touch me to help, but just let the pain go away first. I would wait, and then kinda roll out of the bed..still in pain but not as bad.

I would be very interested in seeing a chiropractor, if it will help when or if this happens again. What exactly did he do for you?

Regina

No, we don't have ExpressJet's insurance (we might have to in a few months though since I am taking time off for a couple of years....and who knows when he is going to class at Southwest at this point!). I am a teacher and I have awesome insurance through the city. So my copays are only 5$ for doctor or chiropractor.

The pain you described is what I was having. It started for me around 32 weeks. Sleeping was horrible (changing positions, getting up, laying on my side...). He basically has me lay on my side wtih one leg bent and he does this weird sideways push on my hips with a table that drops where my hips are. He repeats this a few times and then does the other side. He has also started working on my hips a bit more the other day....it hurt at first, but I honestly feel 100% better. No pain at night, no pain when walking, no pain getting up out of a sitting position. I have gone 5x so far and after the first 3 times, I felt 99% better. So even going a few times might really help you a lot. Just make sure you find someone who works on pregnant people (my ob recommended the one I am seeing).

Good luck!

[ccbegay]

I don't have a Birth story thread, but I do have to tip my hat to the non-med births...the idea of it, is yes frightening, and when the time does come, i will do my research and from there decide which is the best route for me...so I am not totally cutting it out, it's still an option...(when the time is here, hahahahha) Thank you jackie!

[devin]

I also don't have any stories yet, but I appreciate everyone sharing theirs, and Jackie for sharing the pictures as well! I've never been fond of medicines, and try to avoid taking things as much as possible and just letting my body deal with it on it's own. If SO and I ever decide to have kids, I've always envisioned doing a home birth with a midwife, unless of course there are medical complications that might make it unwise. I'd also want to try to go the unmed route - I know it could be quite painful and there's no real way to tell ahead of time, but I take a lot of courage from the stories of women who have done it, and that women have been doing it that way long before modern medicine.

Thanks everyone for sharing!

[Mrs.Alchemist]

Originally Posted by jr_lenz

here is mine...

the last thing I remember was Dr. yelling at them to get him an IV...then I was gone...I had to have cpr and drugs, when I woke up DS was gone, I guess he had gone up awhile ago, my mom went him and was allowed to sit in the nursery and hold him. I went up 8 hours later. I had 57 stiches. I had a stage 4 tear, which is a tear into the rectum, so my but and to be stiched up...talk about pain pooping! I stayed in the hospital for 4 days and took turns sitting in a hot tub and packing my butt with ice! I even gat a herina pillow so sit on. Since DS was early he didn't have a suck reflex and had to be fed by a cup for two weeks. For a very long time I thought I would never do it again, but here I am, and I am hoping for a much easier time!

Well, I know that I am about a year late here, but... WOW! You really went through hell there! I am so glad that you survived the ordeal! Amazing!