December 2016 Moms
LinziLoo09
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Linziloo09's Chaotic Birth
LinziLoo09
member
So I covered a lot of this on the weekly appointments thread, but...39 weeks was yesterday, and we were scheduled to get my membranes stripped. While doing the sweep, the NP said I was 3cm dilated and 50% effaced. Then she said she was having a hard time finding the baby's head. So they sent me over to get an ultrasound to be safe. DD2 was apparently in a transverse position, which can lead to a prolapsed cord (and related complications if my water were to break prior to correcting the position).
Since we already swept the membranes, we were working on a limited timer. We made a 4:30 appt for an external version. I was prepared for it to be rough, having heard stories about it and knowing that a 39 week fetus with limited fluid would be a challenge in any setting. I kept trying to explain ti DH my apprehensions about the procedure. I was going to do it just to ensure all stones were turned prior to a c-section, but I felt the need to mentally prepare myself to deal with the pain. I'm the sort of person who, if I let myself crack, I'll just fall all the way. So I knew I would need to meditate or grit my teeth and just let it happen. It was TERRIBLY uncomfortable and painful (one of my friends in NYC said her hospital mandates epidurals for all women getting the procedure...no suck luck for me). DH was shocked (and still keeps talking about his shock) at the violence of the procedure. My OB's muscles were shaking and he was sweating, he was pushing so hard. Somehow (and I really don't know how) I made it through with deep breathing and focusing on one spot on the ceiling. I know a few tears slipped out, but I didn't make a sound. I'm afraid that if I had, I would have crumpled and started begging for mercy. Anyways, after three painful attempts, the OB still couldn't get DD2 to budge anywhere. So since I was having moderate contractions at 7 minutes apart, we scheduled an emergency c-section for last night.
I think our OB's practice did an amazing job with the c-section. Of course, there are the fun dehumanizing aspects, like me being splayed out naked in front of the whole team while they were prepping my anesthesia and getting things draped. But at this point, who HASN'T seen my cooch, right? So they pull up the curtain and DH comes in to sit next to my head. I was surprised I could feel the pressure of the procedure and kind of figure out what they were doing. Like I knew when they used spacers to keep my stomach open. And I could feel them rooting around - kind of like ferrets digging in my belly. Finally the OB gave us a 2 minute warning to pull out a camera if desired, and they dropped the drape. I got to see DD2 be pulled from my belly, which was incredible. With my first, I was so tired and pained that I was just out of it when DD1 came out and was put on my chest. This time, I got to see it up close and watch her slowly get worked out of my belly. She was so covered in vernix and blood, that she looked a little zombie-like. And when the provider's tool would touch the vernix, it would scrape it off - at first I thought it was her skin and got freaked out. It was really awesome to see her emerge like that (see photo), and they handed her over to me very quickly. The whole thing was just very patient-centered. Despite my frustrations with our birth plan being pushed off course, this was a very good compromise.
And DH and I have repeatedly discussed how a series of misfortunes actually led to some very fortunate circumstances. Had I not had kidney stones and needed a surgery in a week and a half, we wouldn't have gotten the membrane sweep. Had we not decided to avoid seeing the new midwife (who has yet to get her sea legs) and request the awesome NP, we may never have learned that the baby wasn't head down (she may have turned recently but otherwise no one had noticed). Had we not learned about her position, when we did go into labor, we would have labored at home for as long as possible. We may have compromised the baby's and my health without even knowing there was a risk. As it stands, everything turned out really well. DD2 is beautiful, and I feel like I'm fairly functional today - healing pretty quickly.
So not at all the birth I had hoped for, but a good birth all the same. A great example of why I'm opposed to birth plans (and prefer birth 'wishes'). Because birth, at least MY births, are ridiculously unpredictable. You've got to play it by uterus and do what you've got to do to get the bub out safely. For those still with inside babies, I wish you all the best as your littles prepare to emerge. For everyone with an outside baby, I'm so happy to have joined your ranks. Love you all!
Since we already swept the membranes, we were working on a limited timer. We made a 4:30 appt for an external version. I was prepared for it to be rough, having heard stories about it and knowing that a 39 week fetus with limited fluid would be a challenge in any setting. I kept trying to explain ti DH my apprehensions about the procedure. I was going to do it just to ensure all stones were turned prior to a c-section, but I felt the need to mentally prepare myself to deal with the pain. I'm the sort of person who, if I let myself crack, I'll just fall all the way. So I knew I would need to meditate or grit my teeth and just let it happen. It was TERRIBLY uncomfortable and painful (one of my friends in NYC said her hospital mandates epidurals for all women getting the procedure...no suck luck for me). DH was shocked (and still keeps talking about his shock) at the violence of the procedure. My OB's muscles were shaking and he was sweating, he was pushing so hard. Somehow (and I really don't know how) I made it through with deep breathing and focusing on one spot on the ceiling. I know a few tears slipped out, but I didn't make a sound. I'm afraid that if I had, I would have crumpled and started begging for mercy. Anyways, after three painful attempts, the OB still couldn't get DD2 to budge anywhere. So since I was having moderate contractions at 7 minutes apart, we scheduled an emergency c-section for last night.
I think our OB's practice did an amazing job with the c-section. Of course, there are the fun dehumanizing aspects, like me being splayed out naked in front of the whole team while they were prepping my anesthesia and getting things draped. But at this point, who HASN'T seen my cooch, right? So they pull up the curtain and DH comes in to sit next to my head. I was surprised I could feel the pressure of the procedure and kind of figure out what they were doing. Like I knew when they used spacers to keep my stomach open. And I could feel them rooting around - kind of like ferrets digging in my belly. Finally the OB gave us a 2 minute warning to pull out a camera if desired, and they dropped the drape. I got to see DD2 be pulled from my belly, which was incredible. With my first, I was so tired and pained that I was just out of it when DD1 came out and was put on my chest. This time, I got to see it up close and watch her slowly get worked out of my belly. She was so covered in vernix and blood, that she looked a little zombie-like. And when the provider's tool would touch the vernix, it would scrape it off - at first I thought it was her skin and got freaked out. It was really awesome to see her emerge like that (see photo), and they handed her over to me very quickly. The whole thing was just very patient-centered. Despite my frustrations with our birth plan being pushed off course, this was a very good compromise.
And DH and I have repeatedly discussed how a series of misfortunes actually led to some very fortunate circumstances. Had I not had kidney stones and needed a surgery in a week and a half, we wouldn't have gotten the membrane sweep. Had we not decided to avoid seeing the new midwife (who has yet to get her sea legs) and request the awesome NP, we may never have learned that the baby wasn't head down (she may have turned recently but otherwise no one had noticed). Had we not learned about her position, when we did go into labor, we would have labored at home for as long as possible. We may have compromised the baby's and my health without even knowing there was a risk. As it stands, everything turned out really well. DD2 is beautiful, and I feel like I'm fairly functional today - healing pretty quickly.
So not at all the birth I had hoped for, but a good birth all the same. A great example of why I'm opposed to birth plans (and prefer birth 'wishes'). Because birth, at least MY births, are ridiculously unpredictable. You've got to play it by uterus and do what you've got to do to get the bub out safely. For those still with inside babies, I wish you all the best as your littles prepare to emerge. For everyone with an outside baby, I'm so happy to have joined your ranks. Love you all!
Re: Linziloo09's Chaotic Birth
My Wedding Bio!
Me: 39 DH: 36
Married: Sept 2018
DS: December 2016
#2 EDD Feb 2020
Congratulations, you awesome lady, you.
You done good, and what an adorable little lady! I hope you have a quick and uneventful recovery
Me:27 H:30
Till death do us part: 7.2.2011
Trying to conceive since 01.2014
Low AFC and azoospermia
IVF #1 03.2016 - BFP 03.28.2016
Due: 12.05.2016
Married Jan 2008
DD Baby Bells born Dec 2016 5 lbs, 12 oz, 18"
Due with #2 Baby Arya EDD February 2020
natural pregnancy: 2008
Me: 28 (Hypothyroid), DH: 35
Together since: 2010
Married: 2013
TTC: 2013
Infertility: severe MFI, low AMH (0.5)
Met RE: January 2016
ER: 3/14 (4 follies, 6 eggs retrieved, 2 fertilized)
fresh 3dt of 2 embryos= BFP (1 implanted)
EDD w/ baby boy= 12/6/16
Due December 27th with baby #7
DS: 12/20/16
EDD: 11/29/18