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a natural birth

unisunis
in Birth Stories
Our beautiful baby girl, Ingrid Flewellyn, was born on October 16, 2008, at 11:55 pm. She weighed 7 pounds 11 oz., and was 19 3/4 inches long. She was born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina to mom Anna and dad Keith. She is our first child. We are married, have been together for almost 10 years. We met living in Savannah Ga at art school. We are both professional artists. We also love music and nature. We planned for two years to have a baby, but had to wait until we were able to get maternity insurance. Once the insurance was in place, we started trying to get pregnant. I was pregnant in 2 weeks! I was happy and a little overwhelmed even though I had planned for this for so long. It was finally a reality! I had a strong feeling the baby was a girl, and all of my relatives and friends also thought so. It was confirmed that we were having a girl in our first ulrasound. I have a vegan diet and read a lot about keeping the baby nourished. The whole pregnancy went very smoothly- except during the fifth month I broke my ankle! I was walking and lost my balance because I was pregnant. I broke 2 bones and had to have surgery. I was in a cast for 3 months and then in physical therapy. I had to get around on a scooter because I couldn't balance on the crutches. I felt so awkward being pregnant and wearing a cast. Needless to say everywhere I went I attracted lots of attention- which led to me not wanting to go anywhere- it was also pretty difficult getting around. My husband was really my savior during this time- he had to take over all cooking and housecleaning, he even had to wash my hair for me!I had been planning all along to have a natural birth if at all possible- and wondered which pain would be worse- birth or broken ankle? I hired a doula. She actually came to the hospital with me when I broke my ankle and helped me through that pain, so I knew she was good. I decided to give birth at UNC hospital- because they have midwives. I had random cramping all throughout my last week of pregnancy. I had my first contraction the morning of October 16 at 4:30 am. I knew right away that labor had started because it wasn't like any of the other cramps I had felt- this was a cramp that lasted a little longer and had a peak. The contractions continued throughout the morning about half an hour apart. My doula was going to take me to the midwives that day- I had an appointment. When she came over and saw that I was in labor she convinced me to cancel my appointment and stay at home until labor intensified. All during that day I relaxed through the contractions, trying to sleep when I could and eat when I could. My husband made me a "labor soup". The pain wasn't bad at all, and the contractions stayed about 20 minutes apart all through the day. I talked to my mom and best friend on the phone keeping them updated. Around 6 in the evening my doula came back by. She thought we should go ahead to my best friend's house in Chapel Hill- since the hospital is 45 minutes from my house. It was a better idea to make the journey while I was still feeling good. Labor intensified during the drive. My friend always told me laboring in the car is the hardest and she was right. I remember talking with my mom and feeling panicky. It was weird leaving the house knowing I wouldn't be coming back without a baby! Keith was the calmest and most reassuring husband ever. Taking a birth class really helped him- he knew just what to expect and how to reassure me. I kept telling myself- I trust my body to birth this baby- my body will know what to do. When I got to my friend's house I made a little labor nest in her couch. I had her, Keith, and my doula helping me breathe and helping me through the intense contractions. They were getting closer and closer together and more and more painful. Thankfully, my endorphins really kicked in at this point and helped me relax between contractions. As they intensified I questioned wether or not I would be able to keep together and do it natural. I kept asking to go to he hospital. I had only been at my friend's house about 2 hours and my doula thought my labor would go on a lot longer so she tried to distract me from going in quite yet. She encouraged me to drink lots of water- which I didn't want to do because then I would have to get up to pee. Despite having studied up on all different types of labor positions, all I wanted to do was lay down. When I finally did get up to pee I found that sitting on the toilet hurt unbelievably. I also felt the baby starting to come out. I told everyone that I had to go in, that I had the urge to push. That 5 minute drive was the longest of my life- I had to blow out air to keep from pushing. Keith was still cool as a cucumber! We finally got there and I got up on the bed to be examined- I was 10 cm and ready to push! No time for drugs.... I remember that the hospital had sent Keith out to move the car, and he still thought we had plenty of time and was gathering our hospital stuff out of the car. Meanwhile I was trying not to push to hard- I wanted him to be there! My best friend went to find him and told him our baby was about to be born and he needed to RUN!! When he got there I began to push in earnest. I only pushed when I felt the urge, and rested in between pushing. It was really hard and painful. I was scared to push the baby out- but I knew I had to. The midwife told me- just one more push and you will see your baby! She broke my water. Keith was saying- I can see her head! But what really motivated me was when my best friend said- just one more push and it's over- the pain will stop! So I pushed as hard as I could, I think I screamed and cursed- and pushed her head out! Then they told me to push again to get the rest of her out- and I remember saying no, I can't push again- that's it! But I found the strength and pushed again and she came out! The pain stopped immediately. I felt calm, happy, euphoric, and was in a state of shock and disbelief. She came out screaming. The midewife put her on my chest and Keith cut the cord. I can't describe the feelings I had at that moment. It was a rush of emotion. She was so beautiful and so awake and alert! I was really amazed and surprised at myself for giving birth without drugs. In the back of my mind I always thought I would cave in and get an epidural but I didn't need one! I was proud, and relived. The nurse cleaned her and put her on my chest skin to skin. I couldn't believe this was my daughter, that she came out of me! It was surreal. She was and is so beautiful and perfect. Keith had tears in his eyes. My friend called my mom and put me on with her. The midwife said- there's so much love in this room! Looking back I am very satisfied with my birth experience. I was lucky the labor wasn't so long and it was something I could handle. I'm glad I had a doula to keep me out of the hospital until the last minute. I can say now- the pain of breaking your ankle is worse than giving birth!
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