Amanda's Birth of Nolan

During my 39th week of pregnancy, I began having rhythmic Braxton hicks. I
started eating pineapple, spicy foods, walking, pregnancy tea (with red
raspberry leaves), and taking evening primrose oil to induce labor. Since July,
I've practiced Hypnobabies hypnosis to prepare for Nolan's birthing day. At
12:20am on Saturday, October 22 (my edd) I began having mild, real pressure
waves. I had about 2-3 per hour, but nothing rhythmic. At 11am I had my bloody
show. I went about my daily chores, enjoyed time with my husband and went on a
late night walk. I didn't realize how soon my life would change as I kissed my
husband goodnight shortly after midnight on the morning of the 23rd.

I woke up at 2am to pressure waves that I had to breathe my anesthesia to
manage, but tried to go back to sleep. At 3:30am I started timing the pressure
waves and they varied in length from 4 to 7 minutes apart. At this point I could
no longer sleep, I could only focus on getting through each pressure wave. My
husband awoke at 4am to my loud breathing. We laid in bed timing pressure waves
wondering if this was it. At 5 am I moved from the bed to the couch. My husband
made coffee; I ate a banana as I contemplated calling the midwife. At 5:30am I
called the midwife, I told her my pressure waves were 4-7 minutes apart. My
midwife was at the hospital assisting another woman push, she seemed distracted
while on the phone with me. After listening to a pressure wave of mine, she
thought I should get in the tub and relax until my pressure waves became more
regular. My midwife thought I was in early, not active labor. My husband decided
it was time to gather last minute odds and ends for the hospital bag.

Shortly after the call, my pressure waves came 1-2 minutes apart. I felt
pressure waves come on top of one another not offering any relief. At
the time I wondered if it was possible to get through labor without an epidural.
I began loudly vocalizing/screaming through my contractions. At
6am I had my husband call the midwife back and let her know how soon my pressure
waves were apart. She decided it was time to head to the hospital. My husband
finished packing and I decided to go the bathroom before the 45 minute ride to
New Orleans. I had my second bloody show. I wondered if I was in transition and
started feeling pushing sensations.

My husband attempted to put my shoes on my feet, but my pressure waves were so
intense I couldn't focus long enough to put them on, so I left the house with
just my socks. I hopped into the car and I had a horrible time getting
comfortable. I could only lean on my left side, any pressure on my bottom was
too intense to handle.

The trip to the hospital felt like it was out of a movie; my husband drove 95mph
on the interstate. Once in the city, he ran several red lights to expedite the
trip. My pressure waves eased up on during the ride, I thought my labor was
stalling. We arrived at the hospital at 6:45am. My husband parked in the parking
garage with his hazard lights on and assisted me to the labor ward. On the way
to the unit, I had to stop several times in the hallway, lean up against a wall,
and breathe through pressure waves. Hospital staff offered to get me a
wheelchair, I tried to sit in the chair, but the pressure on my bottom was too
great.

I got checked in and walked myself to the labor room. I changed into a gown and
received my first cervical check. I was told I was fully dilated and ready to
push! I couldn't believe what the nurse said; I had her repeat herself thinking
I was only 4cm or so. I wanted a water birth, I even had a birth tub rented, but
I was so far along I didn't have time to use the tub.

My midwife told me I could start pushing at any time. However, My husband had to
park the car and my mom was not at the hospital yet, so I continued ignoring the
push sensation. At 7:30am my husband finished parking the car and my mom arrived
shortly after, I then felt ready to start pushing. The midwife told me she would
break my water and realized it recently broke on its own. She noticed some
meconium in the water and informed me that I'd have to have the cord cut right
away. I began pushing and attempted first on my left side; the midwife offered
to hold my leg up. I felt so much pressure all over my body I could not stand to
be touched, anytime someone offered, I'd snap back at them, "No!"

I ended up pushing in a position with my back reclined and my knees bent. It
took me a while to feel comfortable pushing. I ignored the feeling for so long,
it took some time for my body to release into the sensation. My midwife offered
me perineum support as the head was crowning. As the head came out I
felt tearing up my labia, which was one of my most uncomfortable memories.
At 9:48am, Nolan Blaze entered the world crying and flailing.

 
Nolan was placed on my chest and his cord was cut by my husband immediately
afterward. Whenever I visualized the birth I imagined I would cry when I first
saw Nolan, however, I had a different response. I felt very proud and
accomplished when he came into this world.

I cuddled with Nolan as my placenta was birthed and aftercare started. The
midwife cleaned me up and began stitching me. I was told I had a small perineum
tear and a first degree tear up my right labia. Nolan was born with his hand up
by his head, which was responsible for my labia tearing. The stitching
felt like an eternity to me. The worst part of the entire experience was when I
got novocaine shots in my labia, it was the only time I swore. While getting
stitched up I let the nurses give Nolan a bath because I didn't want to scream
in his ear. My midwife had trouble stitching me up because the labia tear went
deep and she said it was like a puzzle to sew back together. After a grueling
two hours, I was stitched and ready to hold Nolan again. Looking back on the
birthing process, getting stitched up was the worst part.

I was brought a roasted chicken lunch and slowly ate as my family held Nolan. In
the middle of eating, I was moved to a recovery room where I finished my lunch
and began breastfeeding. Nolan latched well and ate for 25 minutes during my
first attempt. The rest of the day was spent holding and feeding Nolan.

The next morning my midwife who delivered Nolan called and asked how I was
doing. She let me know she was really impressed with how I handled the situation
and that I had the type of birth most of her clients desired and wanted to know
my secret. I let her know that the hypnosis relaxation techniques helped me cope
with the discomfort. She informed me that the other midwife would stop by and if
I looked good, I could go home! The baby and I were checked out and we only had
to spend one night in the hospital.

What worked most for me were the relaxation techniques, positive thoughts, and
breathing my anesthesia to where I needed it most. I highly recommend the
hypnobabies program.

Nolan Blaze
October 23, 2011 at 9:48am
8lbs 3.5oz
20-1/4" long

whodatbaby.tumblr.com

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