Miles Joseph birth story (long)

daronsmommy · November 2012

I always admired women who could go med-free, I just didn't think I was one of them. I had fantasized about it, but knowing my pain tolerance, thought there was no way I could do it. I thought I would labor at home as long as I could, then go to the hospital and get my epi. It didn't work that way. Here is my birth story! Miles Joseph made his grand entrance into this world on October 18, 2012 at 3:57 am. He was 7 lbs 11 oz and 19.5 inches long. Here is how it all happened... On Wednesday, 10/17, I went to the last centering session. Afterwards, the doc checked me, I was at 1 cm! At the last check just the Friday before, I had been closed, so 1 cm felt like a victory to me. The doctor went ahead and did a membrane sweep and told me if it worked, he would be born within 24 hours.? I went to work that night and worked from 6-10. I tried to stay on my feet the whole time and walked as much as I could. I had a few contractions while at work, but nothing painful or timeable. I got home and went to bed. At 1:30 am I woke up because I was having contractions. They were uncomfortable but not extremely painful. I got up and went to the bathroom and decided to send my sister a text. I told her contractions had woke me up, they were stronger than before and that I was going to try to go back to sleep. At about 1:45 I went back to bed. As I'm laying there trying to go back to sleep, a contraction starts and then I felt a "pop". I knew my water had broke and was scared to move as i knew a gush of fluid would come. As I rolled over I felt a small gush of fluid. I got up and went back to the bathroom, and called my sister. Being a labor and delivery nurse, she told me to make sure it really was my water and to put on a pad and if I soaked through in 20-30 minutes it was. Within 10 minutes I could tell it was definitely my water and I let my sister know. Since contractions still weren't too painful, I decided to take a bath. My sister went ahead and left work to head over and I called my friend to have her come stay with Daron.? While in the bath, my contractions became stronger and closer together. By the time I got out they were pretty painful and 2 minutes apart. My friend got here and DH and I got in the car to head to the hospital. On the ride to the hospital it seemed like my contractions were right on top of each other and extremely painful. Every time we had to stop for a red light, the contraction felt even stronger. We finally got to the hospital and some nurses came out with a wheelchair. DH went to park the car while they ran me up to labor and delivery. Contractions were still really close together and very painful, I was also starting to feel a lot of pressure. They got me up to triage and I changed into a hospital gown, they quickly checked me and said I was at 8 cm! The next few minutes were a blur, they moved me into a delivery room, attempted to start an IV, and asked a bunch of questions. There were lots of people running around. I was in so much pain, I asked the nurse for some kind of medicine, I will never forget the fear I felt when she told me it was too late. I was scared to death of having a med-free birth. The doctor then came in and introduced herself, then sat down on a stool in front of me. Another nurse came over and checked me, I was at 9 cm. The next thing I knew, I had the urge to push. I told everyone I needed to, but no one said anything, so I tried not to push. My body on the other hand, wanted to push. I then informed them I was pushing and I couldn't stop, still, no one said anything. Finally, My sister said "it's okay" so I gave a good push and out came baby Miles! It was a very emotional experience. I cried throughout the delivery, and after he was born and I was holding him. I cried first because I was scared, then because he was here, safe and in my arms, and I had done it! I got to do skin to skin and breastfeed immediately afterward. He latched right on and breastfed for 45 minutes.? Although it was not the birth I had planned, everything worked out in the end. I have a beautiful baby boy and am head over heels in love with him! I am so proud of myself and think I would have another med-free birth if I were to have another baby. It was such an amazing experience!

julyjennifer · November 2012

Way to go! Congratulations.

I couldn't tell (maybe I missed it)...did your husband end up making it back from the parking lot in time for the birth?

daronsmommy · November 2012

Yes, he did. We were at the hospital for about 35 minutes before Miles was born.

aylafsu88 · November 2012

Great job! You did an incredible job and it is amazing what our bodies can do.

Nericole · November 2012

I enjoyed reading your birth story.

I can understand why it would be scary for you to hear that you couldn't have medicine, when you probably spent the last 9 months imagining your birth going a certain way and suddenly being told that wasn't gonna fly. You did a good job! Congratulations. I'm jealous :P