Born at. 814 Wednesday on my kitchen floor by accident. Emts arrived
just in time to save dh from delivering her. 7 lb 6 oz, gorgeous. We're
both fine although she tore me all to hell.
Longer birth story:
I
woke up at 2:30 am on Wednesday morning with a contraction and was
excited - tried to sleep, but they were about every 10 minutes and
strong enough to wake me up, so I gave up and got up. Played online, did
some laundry, kept track of contractions - they stayed about the same
until 6 am or so. Easy to just ignore without having to really "cope",
so I assumed it was just early labour and let DH sleep. By about 6:45,
things were stepping up a little in intensity but still 8+ minutes
apart. I woke DH up and told him to call the doula and a friend to watch
DS. He did, and got up to get himself ready. I got myself dressed and
went to the bathroom around 7 am. There was a little "pop" while I was
on the toilet, but it wasn't very much fluid compared to when it broke
with DS so I wasn't that sure. Turns out she was just really low - I
think her head blocked most of it, as I didn't make a mess until after
she was born. After that things ramped up FAST. When my doula got there
by 7:30, I wanted to GO, but we still had DS and didn't want to bring
him. Also: rush hour, and hospital over a bridge. Bad news. Childcare
arrived around 7:50, but by that point it was obvious this was happening
at home. I had made it to the kitchen by the back door when I wanted to
GO NOW, so that's where it went down (fortunately on the lino rather
than my beige carpet in the living room). DH dialed 911 at 7:53, they
arrived at about 8:10, Elise was born at 8:14. She was perfectly fine
with nice high AGPARs (8 and 9) and they got her in some dryer-warmed
towels quickly. They even delayed cord clamping.
I felt a LOT better as soon as she was delivered (obviously). They
brought the stretcher around back, packed up my placenta for later
inspection, and took us into the hospital. She had absolutely no
problems, and I have "multiple" tears with the most severe a
third-degree. It is not a nice feeling to have 3 doctors (okay, I think
one was a jersey resident, so she just watched, and then the more senior
resident stitched under the supervision of an actual OB) stand around
your business parts for 45 minutes. That was by far the most painful
part.
We got the Victorian Suite (fancy private hotel-style room) in recovery. I think they felt sorry for me.
It was great - lots of privacy and quiet. Came home today as soon as
the 24 hour blood work came back great. She's feeding well and making me
lots of diapers. DS is a bit out of sorts, but adapting. DD bought him a
Mr. Potato Head to say hello, which can't hurt.
Re: My baby is here! And accidentally born at home.
My Ovulation Chart
Elizabeth 5yrs old Jane 3yrs old
I'm recovering well. It doesn't feel any worse than last time, and I think the swelling is starting to subside so I'm not walking like as much of an old lady. As long as I'm careful, it's all fine.
It was a very intense experience, but it went as well as things could under the circumstances! DH was very calm, my doula was there to keep me calm, the birth itself was totally uncomplicated. I actually avoided all interventions this time - no pit, no IV, nothing for me but a lot of local for the stitches. We had lots of time to nurse and cuddle. Not the method I would choose (if there's a third, I'll do a home birth on purpose knowing I probably don't have time for anything else), but all's well that ends well.
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**PAIF/SAIF Welcome**
TTC #1 March 2010 - Nov 2012
Me: 29, PCOS (anov), Hashimoto's Disease // DH: 30, normal SA
3 Clomid, 1 Clomid/Menopur, 1 Menopur w/ TI (CX 4x's due to cysts) - All BFN
1 Clomid/Menopur, 2 Menopur, 1 Follistim w/ IUI - All BFN
RPL & Karyotype testing normal
IUI #5 (12/1/12) --> Follistim + 1/3 hCG Trigger = BFP! EDD: 8/23/13
Betas --> 61 (13dpo) // 156 (16 dpo) // 223 (18dpo) // 656 (21 dpo)
U/S --> 5w0d - sac seen // 6w0d - hb detected // 7w0d - hb seen and heard, measuring 6w6d!
8w6d - wiggly baby! // 9w3d - wiggly baby with fingers!
Baby boy born 8/24/13
My Blog: Searching for Lucky Socks
Engaged 10/2/1202
BFP (a lil quicker than expected) 12/7/2012
Married to my best friend 12/24/2012
Beautiful baby girl arrived 8/15/2013
BFP #2 3/13/2016
I hope this isn't too nosy, but I'm so curious to know: does your insurance cover birth by paramedics? You don't have to pay for the whole hospital delivery then, right?
They did ask if we wanted to be admitted for post-partum or just go home. I chose to stay. My tears were pretty bad and I wanted one night away from my toddler to just worry about the baby.
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Elizabeth 5yrs old Jane 3yrs old
DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!)
More Green For Less Green
Thanks for sharing your birth story. How interesting that your contractions were steadily so far apart and then labor shifted into super high gear... That's probably why you tore how you did this time around, since baby didn't sit on your perineum long to gradually stretch you out.
I find surprise home births to be totally fascinating!! I love that you, your DH, and your doula all worked so well together. Welcome to Miss Elise!
Congrats to you! Just wanted to add, to see if you could save some money potentially, when I worked as an RN on an LDRP unit, all accidental home Birthers got a private room because they were considered "infectious" (so stupid). So if that is your hospitals policy, maybe you won't have to pay for your private room.
No sign of an ambulance bill yet, so I'm hoping that never materializes. They obviously know where I live...
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