NB a second time...Ashlyn Taylor

dosafyre

My water broke with a pain and gush at midnight, so I went to wake up DH (who was sleeping on the couch because of a cold). The rest of my waters broke all over the floor as I was standing there talking, so we got ready to head to the hospital, and woke up Grandma to watch DD#1. On the ride in, there was just a light cramping and a few sporadic contractions. I was 3-4 cm dilated when admitted.

We tried to get a little sleep (since we spent my last labor walking around for 15 hours) but active labor started up 30min later at 3am. We walked the halls for a half hour but contractions were already getting intense at 2-3 minutes apart. Instead I paced my room going between kneeling in front of a rocking chair leaning over the seat, walking and going pee (which always set off a new strong contraction after I stood back up). I sat on the birth ball, but standing up, the contractions were too hard, so I only did that a couple times. I was starting to add a hum to my exhales at this point, and after a few especially sharp contractions, I asked DH to do counter-pressure on my hips. The nurse was in no hurry with the hep-lock...so it never happened.

I was starting to doubt I could last through a second natural birth at this point?so I hoped that meant transition was close or happening. That feeling lasted another half hour (though it felt twice as long) and then I was starting to feel more pressure (7cm). I leaned over the back of the bed to pant through contractions and fight the urge to push, but wanted to turn over. I was still 9cm and had a lip left.

Finally the nurse said I could push, but I couldn't seem to get the same leverage I remembered with DD#1?looking back, it was probably because no one was helping support my legs like last time. In fact, I remember thinking it strange that here I was pushing, and only the one nurse was in the room (I had DH holding my hand still). After a few minutes not getting anywhere pushing, the nurse suggested trying the squat bar. But just lowering the end of the bed gave me all the leverage I needed, and I could feel the baby descending quickly. Definitely felt the ring of fire this time, and in three pushes I had the head out. The OB arrived and another big push had the body out.

Ashlyn Taylor was born at 6:13am?39w 2 days, 6 hours after my water broke, with 3 hours of active labor and 25min of pushing. She was a pound bigger at 8lbs 3 oz and 20 inches long. I needed just one small stitch this time, after tearing in the same place. The nurse said a few times that she was impressed with how calm and "in control" I'd been.

We let the cord pulse for a few minutes before cutting it. And after a little rest, DD#2 took to nursing and latching with a gusto. My recovery and nursing soreness seems much better this time too. We were only in the hospital the required 24hrs for the liver test, and headed home to snuggle in. I feel very blessed that I was able to have this experience one more time, and that it was again so positive!

MidwestSeashell

thank you for sharing your beautiful story! i'm a FTM and reading stories like yours are so empowering. 

 were you planning on having a hep-lock? i'm not sure i completely understand what that is and the internet it just confusing me more... 

dosafyre

I was willing to let them place one...but when the nurse asked she said, "now, later, never?" lol...so I said "never!"

Last time they pushed so many fluids that I swelled up like a balloon for a week after the birth. This time I have ankles, but did have to drink a lot of fluids to replace the blood lost. It just made me feel out of breath and tired the first couple days.

LaurelBee

Congrats on your sweet baby girl! Great story

J <3 D

Congrats on your sweet little girl. Thanks for sharing your story

MidwestSeashell

dosafyre:

I was willing to let them place one...but when the nurse asked she said, "now, later, never?" lol...so I said "never!"

Last time they pushed so many fluids that I swelled up like a balloon for a week after the birth. This time I have ankles, but did have to drink a lot of fluids to replace the blood lost. It just made me feel out of breath and tired the first couple days.

 

ah, i see, thank you for clarifying. i could see that being helpful in situations where they don't let the mother eat and drink when she wants but i could also see it being detrimental as the fluid intake is not in response to the mother's internal cues. seems like the potential for overdoing it (as it sounds like may have happened for you the first time around) is high.

i've heard of places that won't let mama eat/drink freely during labor. kind of baffles me!