Andrew's natural birth story

aggiemeg · January 2011

Well, I got the natural birth I wanted, thank goodness. Tuesday (the 11th) was the day my doctor wanted to induce, and I told her no, that I wanted to wait. So glad I held out since he came that evening! My doctor had my EDD at Jan. 5th. From the beginning, I told her I knew it had to be at least 6 days later (knew that from charting) which would put my due date somewhere around the 11th.

I felt a few contractions beginning in the morning and VERY far apart throughout the day. They felt different from the many BH contractions I had been having... I can't describe exactly why. They were more uncomfortable, but not necessarily painful. It felt the same as early labor with my first two pregnancies, so I knew something was up.

I went through the rest of the day as normal, taking DD to school and picking her up, chores around the house, etc. as contractions continued. Sometime around 3 or 4pm, I started to notice that they were starting to come more frequently, and I called my husband and parents to put them on alert that I may need them here soon. About 30 minutes later, I called my husband and told him he better come home now. Things were picking up and I was home alone with 2 kids. My dad and DH arrived and we finished packing bags, installed carseat, and got the kids dinner ready.

When we finally got to the hospital around 6:30pm, I was 8 cm. Contractions were strong but manageable as long as I could sit upright (they made me sit semi-reclined, they said the monitors would only work if I was partially reclined). After another 30 mins or so, I was 10 cm. The nurse who checked me was concerned because baby was still WAY up high. Well, after just a couple more very strong contractions, my water broke on its own (splashing all over DH's... oops), baby moved down quickly, and it was time to push! Our on-call doctor barely made it but she did arrive in time to "coach" my pushing.

The ring of fire (baby crowning) was quite painful, but not quite as bad this time as with my last natural labor. LO was just slightly smaller than DS, that may have been why! I think it was about 3 or 4 contractions and he was out. I've heard it said that pushing feels like a great relief and this time that was my experience. Feeling the urge to push without actually getting "in position" and bearing down was pretty agonizing; once I was pushing it was better. I think my body was ready to push before the doctor was ready to catch! DH was scared the doc wouldn't make it; he ran over and put some gloves on just in case. I'm glad she made it; she was good at coaching the pushing part. I had a minor tear this time (first degree) and the recovery has been easier than with either of the other kids. I'm glad we got our natural birth but not ready to do it again any time soon!

I thank God for another healthy baby and for allowing for relatively few interventions/complications. DD and DS are very sweet with the baby; they don't seem to be jealous. We're home and DH is off work for 1 week, so we're enjoying this time. Don't know what I'm going to do on Tuesday when I'm on my own though!! Yikes!