details of my 75hr labor(also posted on Aug13)

rooftop

I started writing a detailed birth story and realized no one was going to want to read it all when I hit page two in word and was only on the second day of four. So here's the highlights. I was attempting an unmedicated birth in a freestanding birth clinic using hypnobabies but I was overdue and running out of time with an apt at the hospital scheduled for monday afternoon.

I woke up to contractions monday morning around 4 am around 20 minutes apart by late morning they were about 6 or 7 min apart but not any stronger. I called the midwife who said to come in if I'd like and we could check progress. I went in mid afternoon and was at 2 cm but had effaced 50%. However my  contractions had started a pattern of getting closer than further apart. I was given the option of checking in early or coming back later so I left. When I returned that evening I was still only 3 cm but she was able to stretch my cervix to a 4. That's when the back labor started. I went home again to try and sleep through some progress still relaxed through my hypnobabies techniques and using counter pressure to combat the back labor.

Next day I went in and was checked again. Only to 5 cm, but 75% effaced now. The midwife felt for position trying to figure out why progress was so slow. Baby's head was kinked sideways so they had me doing several exersizes and positioning to move her finally succeeding by late afternoon but still little progress when I was checked that night. I was to 6cm but now she is looking up instead of tucking her chin. I was so tired so they sent me home to sleep with benadryl and a glass of wine. I was still pretty confident and upbeat.

Next day we continue movements now working through contractions. Her head moves first to military presentation (straight ahead) and fnailly down but now her hand has gone up. All this time and work and now we were talking about dealing with a nuchal hand, I lost it. I was beyond exhuasted and didn't know where I was going to find to energy to continue being OK. So I got mad. Where before I was breathing through each contraction sometimes humming or "ahing" now I was snarling and roaring. I did several more intense moves to try once again to reposition her then was sent home feeling betrayed by my body. I was really doubting my ability at this point. Got home around 10 went to bed and cringed through each contraction. Around 11 30 another contraction hit and I yelled in frustration for it to "do something or go away" and with a pop my water burst.

Back at the birthcenter she checked and I was only to an 8 so we had to wait to push but my body started giving me involuntary pushes that I had to fight against. I make it to 9 cm before I started losing the battle to the pushes. At 6 30 am I had swollen my cervix back down to a 8.5 but in one fit of pushes around 7 I feel another pop and the unmistakeable pressure of her descending. They quickly filled the tub got my husband into place to catch and I breathed her out in 8 pushes with no tearing.

A gush of meconium followed her but all fluid before had been clear meaning she had descending right before she pooped keeping her from inhaling it. She also came out with the cord wrapped. Turns out that was what was keeping her head from turning down. Had she come any sooner and the cord would have been wrapped to tight; any later and the dangers of meconium. Turns out she came just when she needed to.

Welcome: Khaleesi Vera 7lbs 15oz 21 1/4 in 7:32 am on Aug 15th

Arielle27

Wow, what a story! Congrats mom!!! Out if curiosity, how did they know do much about the baby's head position? We're they giving you ultrasounds?

ejb23

Thanks for sharing your amazing story. Also what sort of things did you do/try to get the position changes?

aylafsu88

Wow!  That was a long birth.  You did an amazing job especially with the slow progress and all the trips to the birth center.   My LO had a nuchal hand and it was no picnic!  I am so glad your LO made it safe and healthy, our bodies are amazing and know when it is the right time to deliver.  I hope you are recovering and enjoying your little girl!

rooftop

@arielle27 they could tell the position from a combo of stomach palpitation and physically touching her head through my opening cervix. not comfy!
@ejb23 some positions included deep squats with hip rotation, side laying while bringing my knee up to my chin, lunging during contractions, movement on the birthball, inversions, pelvic tilts and several others
@aylafsu88 thank you! I'm recovering rather quickly. luckily I avoided any complications that could have arose And all the trips back and forth sucked but fortunately my house is only 6 blocks away

Arielle27

Wow, that's amazing!

I only ask because my first was OP with a nuchal hand, but I didn't know until he came out! After pushing for an hour with his head stuck slightly out (going in and out with each push), they said they didn't think he was coming out on his own and would it be OK to give me an episiotomy. I said yes and only found out later it was because of being sunny side up and with a hand on his face!

I had a pretty quick birth though, so I guess they didn't have time to feel positions and what not...?

 

rooftop

I think they tend to avoid doing it in most cases since it is VERY invasive and carries the risk of rupturing membranes but in my case they needed to know what was happening more than the risk

beckyandmiles

Thanks for sharing your story! I hope you & your family are getting some rest. Love that they "prescribed" you a glass of wine.

rooftop

best prescription ever lol