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Birth Stories
Simone's Birth Story (Natural Child Birth)
Simone?s Birth Story ? Born November 24, 2008; 7 lbs 9 oz; 20 ? inches
On her due date it was 7 pm when I started to feel what I would describe as uncomfortable Braxton hick contractions. It wasn?t too long where I realized they were getting consistent and timeable, so my husband and I started timing and they were about 7 minutes apart and about 45-50 seconds long. I finished getting things organized and our plan was to try and labor at home as long as possible since we wanted to have a natural child birth. I bounced/rolled on the birth ball a lot and changed positions during each contraction as they grew and it was around 1 pm when it was time to drive to the hospital. I probably could have labored at home longer as the contractions were really uncomfortable but not incredibly painful yet. We had a 30 minute drive though so I was kind of nervous. The break in between was still enjoyable and long enough for me to get my composure back.
Believe it or not we got pulled over by a cop on the way to the hospital! So funny! Immediately my husband mentioned I was in labor and having contractions and the cop graciously told us to get on our way. J
We arrived at the hospital and I was only 3.5 cm dilated. I was completely thinned out however and they also mentioned the baby was incredibly low for where I was dilated at. They admitted me and just encouraged me to walk and keep things going. The plan was to see how things go and possibly break my water at 6am to get progressing more. I kept changing positions from the birth ball, to leaning on my husband, and the bathtub felt fabulous during the contractions and I could have stayed there for hours!
By 6am I was 5 cm dilated. The Dr. broke my waters and immediately I started having stronger, more intense contractions. The plan was to continue to let me move around, but because the baby was so low they wanted to keep monitoring baby for awhile. Alsobecause the baby was so low, I was feeling an incredible pressure and by 7:00 am there were times I felt like I wanted to push but they kept telling me it was so important not to push or I?ll rip the cervix. My husband had to really keep me focused on breathing with him. By this time, natural child birth was looking more difficult as I couldn?t relax and I was getting contractions back to back that again, had so much pressure to where I felt the urge to push. They checked me again and I was 8 cm dilated. It was about 7:30 where I thought the epidural was something I should go for. I was so tired and needed to not push and I just felt like I couldn?t not push! So, after telling my husband what I felt I needed, the anastegiolist came in. It wasn?t that long where he asked me to sit up on the bed so he could inject me, he was back there and mentioned he was only hitting bone. I had about 2 contractions while he was trying, the second contraction was almost immediately after I changed positions and sat up, I absolutely HAD TO PUSH! So, the nurse sent the epi man away and checked me again and I was complete!
Wow, what a change, the nurse mentioned calling the Dr. as there is going to be a baby being delivered! Dr. walked in and I had like a 10 minute break where I didn?t have a contraction and we just all waited. It was 4-5 contractions later and some hard pushes that our little girl came out! I ended up with a 2nd degree tear but I honestly could not feel the tearing.
The feelings I had with the pushing were such a relief compared to the contractions. Her crowning and her coming out felt so intense and amazing and I am so happy I didn?t end up with the Epidural. I can?t tell you how much I have reflected on this birth and the amazing emotions and intense feelings I felt. And now having a beautiful daughter that we are just both so in love with,makes this a mind blowing, unforgettable experience.
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Re: Simone's Birth Story (Natural Child Birth)
I just do not understand why you are glad you didn't have the epidural. You could have had just as much joy with zero pain, who would NOT choose that?
?Everyone I know had a drug-free birth and went on about how "intense" it was. When I had DS I found out what that is code for - its code for PAIN and SUFFERING. After the epidural I had zero pain and just enjoyed the whole birth, even the crowning. I was more interested in watching and feeling because it was NOT painful.
So I find your statement very strange.