Aimee's Birth of Fiona

Aimee's Birth of Fiona

OK all, here is the birth details! I finally have a chance to sit down and type it up.

On December 28th at about 6am I started having serious contractions for about 1 to 2 minutes, 15-30 minutes apart. My mother came over at 10am with groceries and to spend time with Jayden will I was in labor. The contractions stayed consistent but far apart till about 11am when we (my midwife and I) decided that I should take some castor oil to try to help progress the labor. Christine came over at nourish to pick up Jay and take her for a sleep over. I had wished to have Jay there with us for the birth but it was making her really nervous and scared that I seemed to be upset or in pain. We felt it best that she go have a fun night instead.
I spent most of the labor on my couch or on the in the downstairs bathroom. I threw up a little and mostly due to the Caster oil. Fun fact, throwing up actually helps you dilate. Contractions picked up a little more each time and then around 2pm they really picked up. The contractions were about every 5 minutes for about 1 minute each.

My midwife Lesley got to my house around 4:30....I think, didn't check my watch. She checked to see how dilated I was and I was at 7cm. At about 5:30pm Dave helped me upstairs and I got into the Birthing tub in our spare bedroom and continued to work out the rest of the labor in the tub.

About 15 minutes later Dave got into the tub with me and held me while I labored. He was so sweet and supportive. He really made a big difference for me I think because he helped me feel connected and not so alone. My second Midwife Linda made it to my home just in time as not long after I began I feel like I needed to really push, but was surprised that the feeling was actually pretty similar to the contraction. I expected something different, not sure what just thought it would be more intense than it was.

At this point I was floating on my side in the tub holding onto Dave by the shoulder and started to feel her move down as I pushed. I just felt the urge to hold onto my right leg and lift as I pushed. I felt Like I pushed for 3 or 4 contractions this way. On the second she crowned then slide back a bit, on the third her head came out and Lesley held her head gently while she broke my water and peeled back the membrane from her face. At this point Lesley saw the cord was wrapped around her neck. Which was not surprising considering how much she spun around in the belly. :) Lesley held her head and told me that on my next contractions that I would feel her fingers moving around. As the contraction started she gently looped the cord over her finger and slid it over the baby's head and away from her neck. On the fourth contraction, as I pushed Lesley and Linda helped guide her shoulders out and then the rest of her slid out very quickly. They immediately laid her on my chest, and I held her tight and I rubbed her back gently waiting for her to take her first breath. Which she did as almost immediately. She came out sticking her tongue out and then gave me a look of "So when do we eat?"

Fiona was 7lbs and 8oz. 21" long. Born at home at 6:17pm on December 28th, 2011. She was about 13 days late.

We sat in the tub for a little bit talking to her, relaxing, waiting for my body to expel my placenta. I was still having mild contractions but did not seem enough to deliver the placenta. Lesley and Linda asked that i get out of the tub and dry off while we wait for the delivery. I held Fiona as they helped me up and no sooner than I stood up that it literally fell out into the tub. Wonderful. :) We walked across the room to the small bed we had set up while I attempted to start feeding her and help uterus contract down to size.We laid there for a bit while they checked on me and the baby. Always asking how I felt and how I was doing. I was bleeding a little more than they wanted to see so they gave me a shot of pitocin in my thigh to help control the bleeding. After a bit I gave the baby to Dave and made my way to the bathroom. However on my way back as I came back into the room i began to feel very light headed and spaced out. I told Lesley and Linda as I began to collapse. They caught me and carried me over to the bed and gave me some oxygen. I didn't completely pass out, but came a little close. The midwives where on it. Took good care of me. I also ended up needing 4 stitches on my perineum which Lesley did very gracefully on my lady parts.

I am not gonna lie, labor hurt. It was not the most fun thing I ever did. It was not a magical enjoyable experience I hoped it would be. It was work. It was work I was happy to do and very glad I got to do on my own terms. I can't imagine having people poking me with needles or telling me what to do while I went through this transition. I definitely can't imagine sitting in a bed with people telling me to push or not to push. In hind sight it seems very silly to me that anyone would need to tell someone that, but I digress. I really believe every mother needs to find their own way to birth their babies deserves the freedom to discover what that is. This was my way, it was what was right for me and my family. I know that because I wasn't afraid. I am glad that we live in a time were we have options.

Also, breastfeeding HURT! Like really hurt. It still does to this day and I am trying to work through it. I have seen consultants, other moms, read websites and called the LLL. No one can seem to figure out why other than I will just need to work through it. Which for me personally is disappointing, because I was really looking forward to it. I have been a big advocate for breastfeeding my whole life and I am struggling with how painful it is for me.

I have hope it will get better. That is my story. I am so incredibly happy that everything worked out the way it did. Much love to you all for your support and caring.

Tags: Birth, birth stories, birth stories on demand, home birth, natural birth, water birth, positive birth stories, birth stories with pictures, midwife, birth pool, Aimee's Birth of Fiona, childbirth