I get asked this one a lot and figured it would be faster to put together a blog with links than to re-type the same email several times a month.
Maybe you have a rare medical condition that requires a scheduled C-section. Maybe you are going to be induced and are aware that induction doubles your risk of needing a C-section and would like to plan to have the best possible C-section if it comes to that. Maybe you're attempting a VBAC and would like to have a backup plan in place. Maybe you're a healthy, low-risk mom who is planning an unmedicated birth (whether at home, birth center, or hospital) and would like to prepare for the slim chance that a cesarean may become necessary. Maybe you are having an elective cesarean.
In any case, all moms have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Many moms are unaware that they have options to make a cesarean the best possible experience (considering the circumstances) and that often, there are options moms can request to help with bonding with baby, allow immediate skin-to-skin contact with baby, facilitate breastfeeding, reduce your risk of postpartum depression, and more.
"Family centered cesarean" or "natural cesarean" can mean a wide variety of things. You can view some of these options on this sample cesarean birth plan by Preparing For Birth. Personally, I think it's a good idea for all expectant mothers to have Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C lined up just in case, because a birth plan is not designed to be a script for how the birth should go, but rather, it's a well thought out list of preferences the family would have in the event of different circumstances.
Please remember that no birth plan is legally binding. It's crucial to find a care provider who truly supports you as you work toward the birth you want, whatever kind of birth that is. Many care providers will give lip service to supporting moms, but will deny them at the end. Finding the right hospital and OB to perform a family-friendly cesarean will be worth the effort. Hiring a doula or having your midwife present for this role can help boost your odds of achieving a gentler cesarean. A doula can help calm your nerves in the hours before a planned cesarean while you wait and fill out paperwork, and she can answer any questions you have along the way as to what is going on, why something is happening, whether that's normal, and what options (and legal rights) you have. She can also tag in to the OR if your partner leaves you after the delivery to follow the baby to the nursery, so that you don't have to be alone while they stitch you back up. She can assist you with relaxation and breathing techniques to keep you calm, as well. Here's doula (The Feminist Breeder) Gina Crosley-Corcoran's blog about her experience supporting a client during her cesarean.
The natural caesarean: a woman-centred technique--National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Family-Centered Cesarean--ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) White Papers
Ideas for the best cesarean possible--by Penny Simkin. Free PDF printable.
The new "natural" cesarean--UK Times
"Natural" cesarean mimics vaginal birth experience--Reuters UK
"Every bit as magical": A British doctor is challenging convention to pioneer the 'natural' cesarean. Joanna Moorhead watched one baby's slow and gentle arrival.--Guardian UK
Delivered safely by caesarean with his mother's hands ("assisted cesarean")--The Age (Australia)
The Case for Kangaroo Daddy Care--Baby Gooroo--One family's story of how Dad provided Kangaroo Care for baby while mother was recovering post-cesarean, and why babies can benefit from this.
Above is the 8 minute trailer for the documentary, "Breast is Best," showing how to get breastfeeding off to a good start. The opening scene shows a "natural" cesarean with baby being brought skin-to-skin on mom's chest so he can nurse while she is still being stitched up on the OR table. Immediate skin-to-skin contact on mom's chest immediately after birth helps stabilize baby's breathing, heart rate, blood sugars, and body temperature, all while promoting bonding and reassuring both mom and baby in each other's presence.
12 minute video describing "The Natural Caesarean: a woman-centred technique":
The "natural" cesarean described by the above links, with baby's slow, gentle emergence from the womb, somewhat reduces baby's risk of respiratory distress after cesarean birth, which is common for cesarean babies since they do not receive the benefit of having their lungs squeezed and emptied of mucus, which occurs naturally in a a vaginal birth.
Having a cesarean birth is compatible with having the placenta encapsulated (placentophagy). If you're unfamiliar with this, you'll have to hang tight until I can post a blog with all the research and reasons why it's a great option for postpartum, regardless of the method of birth. To make a long story short, the placenta can be steamed, dried, ground, and encapsulated into geltabs so that it's no different than taking a multivitamin. Research indicates that placentophagy, which has been traditional around the world for thousands of years, may potentially offer the following benefits: reduced risk of postpartum depression, reduced risk of anemia (by restoring her iron reserves), helps bring postpartum hormones back into balance, improved mothers' energy and sense of well-being postpartum, and a boost in establishing milk supply. While all of these are wonderful benefits for any mom postpartum, they are especially beneficial post-cesarean. Here's a great FAQ on placenta encapsulation, including tips on how to get your placenta released from the hospital.
For many moms who are planning a cesarean (whether for medical or elective reasons), waiting on labor to begin before going in for the cesarean is an option. If this is a possibility, based on your medical situation, this is helpful for mom and baby both. By allowing labor to begin, you can rest assured that baby was "ready," precluding the all-too-common iatrogenic (doctor-caused) prematurity which is on the rise. Mom and baby both receive the chemical/hormonal benefits of the beginnings of labor, and if mom has a good series of contractions before a cesarean, baby's risk of respiratory distress and other respiratory problems is somewhat lessened because the squeezing effects of efficient contractions help push mucus out of baby's lungs (which occurs naturally in vaginal births).
A gentler cesarean birth is possible--even here in America. However, it is going to take informed consumers to drive this change. If enough moms request this, it can become the standard for cesarean care. With the current state of affairs in American maternity care, I'm not optimistic that I could see that scale of change in my lifetime, but that's irrelevant. You don't have to wait until evidence-based care of any sort--including "natural" cesarean--is the norm. You can find a way to make it possible for *you*, regardless of what everyone else is doing.
It would be irresponsible to post all this information about "natural" cesarean without making sure that you have links to weigh all the risks of cesareans. Cesarean birth is a major abdominal surgery with serious risks and consequences, both short-term and long-term, for mom and for baby. The point of this blog is not to encourage an even higher cesarean rate (32.3% of US births are cesarean as of 2008, while the World Health Organization has stated that 10-15% should be the maximum), but rather to make alternative options more widely available for situations when cesareans are needed or desired, based on fully informed consent.
The Risks of Cesarean Section Fact Sheet--Free printable PDF--CIMS (Coalition for Improvement of Maternity Services). Current (Feb. 2010 publication). Includes checklist for expectant mothers to read during pregnancy and discuss with their care providers.
Cesarean Fact Sheet--ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network)
Cesarean Section: Myth vs. Reality--Childbirth Connection
Patient Choice Cesarean Position Sheet--ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network)
Where to turn for more information about cesareans--California Watch
A Woman's Guide to VBAC. How to weigh the National Institutes of Health recommendations for considerations of VBAC vs. repeat elective cesarean, based on each woman's individual circumstances.-- Giving Birth With Confidence/Lamaze International.
(Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor. I'm not trying to tell you to have a cesarean or not to have a cesarean. I'm encouraging all expectant families to READ, READ, READ and learn their options so that they may make fully informed decisions with their care providers as to what is the safest route for their individual situation.)
Well Rounded Birth Prep
WellRoundedBirthPrep.com
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
"Is the hCG diet safe for breastfeeding?"
I got an email from a blog reader asking, "Is the hCG diet safe for breastfeeding? the OBGYN's nurse said she doesn't know if its safe to take the HCG drops while nursing. We all agree no one while nursing (probably not even not nursing) should cut back to 500 calories a day... but they say the diet will still work if you just eat healthy and take the HCG drops, it'll just work slower, not so dramatically.
DO you know? Is it safe to take the HCG drops while nursing? Does it cross over through the breast milk? Does it affect the breast milk supply or anything?"
I had never heard of this fad diet and had to Google it.
I think the first question to ask is, "Is the hCG diet safe for anyone at all?" We'll get to that.
HCG supplements/injections are not listed in Dr. Hale's Medications and Mother's Milk guide which I own because it's a supplement and not a medication.
The official hCG diet website says regarding the hCG diet and breastfeeding: "So, is it ok for a woman to breast feed while on the HCG diet? The definitive answer will need to come from her doctor. However, it looks like it wouldn’t be a good idea, simply because the caloric needs during breastfeeding are just too great and not a conducive to following the HCG diet."
Consuming a mere 500 calories per day, as outlined by the hCG diet, is not safe for any adult (man or woman), let alone a breastfeeding mother. Breastfeeding burns about 200-500 calories per day, and the best research says that breastfeeding mothers need to be consuming a bare minimum of 1500-1800 calories per day (often more). If a mother is not eating enough calories, her milk supply will suffer. Here are a few articles outlining how to lose weight safely while breastfeeding, so that you can maintain your health and your milk supply:
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/mom/mom-weightloss.html
and an article on herbal supplements and other diet aids while breastfeeding:
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/mom/mom-herbalweightloss.html
I am highly cautious with anything involving artificial hormones. While they can have their place in certain medical situations, it's not to be taken lightly. I tried to find info on the side effects of hCG injections and found this about the hCG diet on Discovery Health online. HCG is only approved by the FDA as a fertility drug (you heard that correctly--should newly postpartum moms be taking a FERTILITY DRUG as a weight loss supplement???), and it is not FDA approved as a dietary supplement.
According to Discovery Health, "There have been few reports of health problems developing as a result of the hCG diet, although there are some risks, among them an increased risk of blood clots, headaches, restlessness and depression. Also, you may feel, well, like you're pregnant -- swelling, breast tenderness and water retention, anyone? HCG can also cause a potentially life-threatening condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)."
One aspect of the question was whether hCG supplements could cause a drop in milk supply, even if the mother ate a sufficient number of calories. While this might be a question better answered by an endocrinologist, I would be concerned that along with the other pregnancy symptoms that are a side effect of hCG supplementation, a drop in milk supply could be a potential side effect. I looked far and wide to find the chemical mechanism by which many mothers experience a drop in milk supply when they become pregnant while still nursing. Rising levels of progesterone are responsible for the drop in milk supply, but I could not find an answer as to whether hCG supplements could stimulate a rise in progesterone (subsequently causing a drop in milk supply even if mom's caloric intake were sufficient).
The hCG diet official page states a breastfeeding myth, "If she fails to eat properly, this will negatively affect the quality of the milk she produces. The baby may not receive nutritious milk if a woman does not eat enough or enough of the right things." Contrast that with research from La Leche League on the quality of mom's diet and its effect (or lack thereof) on the quality of her breastmilk: "In recent years, research has confirmed that even if some nutrients are missing in a woman’s daily diet, she will still produce milk that will help her child grow. There is very little difference in the milk of healthy mothers and mothers who are severely malnourished. For example, if a mother’s diet is lacking in calories, her body makes up the deficit, drawing on the reserves laid down during pregnancy or before." Mother's milk supply may drop and her health may suffer for her lack of adequate nutrition, but the quality of her breastmilk will not be affected.
I'm not really in the loop in terms of what's popular, and since this diet fad seems to be having its 15 minutes of fame, I wanted to make sure that moms had the info to weigh the risks.
DO you know? Is it safe to take the HCG drops while nursing? Does it cross over through the breast milk? Does it affect the breast milk supply or anything?"
I had never heard of this fad diet and had to Google it.
I think the first question to ask is, "Is the hCG diet safe for anyone at all?" We'll get to that.
HCG supplements/injections are not listed in Dr. Hale's Medications and Mother's Milk guide which I own because it's a supplement and not a medication.
The official hCG diet website says regarding the hCG diet and breastfeeding: "So, is it ok for a woman to breast feed while on the HCG diet? The definitive answer will need to come from her doctor. However, it looks like it wouldn’t be a good idea, simply because the caloric needs during breastfeeding are just too great and not a conducive to following the HCG diet."
Consuming a mere 500 calories per day, as outlined by the hCG diet, is not safe for any adult (man or woman), let alone a breastfeeding mother. Breastfeeding burns about 200-500 calories per day, and the best research says that breastfeeding mothers need to be consuming a bare minimum of 1500-1800 calories per day (often more). If a mother is not eating enough calories, her milk supply will suffer. Here are a few articles outlining how to lose weight safely while breastfeeding, so that you can maintain your health and your milk supply:
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/mom/mom-weightloss.html
and an article on herbal supplements and other diet aids while breastfeeding:
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/mom/mom-herbalweightloss.html
I am highly cautious with anything involving artificial hormones. While they can have their place in certain medical situations, it's not to be taken lightly. I tried to find info on the side effects of hCG injections and found this about the hCG diet on Discovery Health online. HCG is only approved by the FDA as a fertility drug (you heard that correctly--should newly postpartum moms be taking a FERTILITY DRUG as a weight loss supplement???), and it is not FDA approved as a dietary supplement.
According to Discovery Health, "There have been few reports of health problems developing as a result of the hCG diet, although there are some risks, among them an increased risk of blood clots, headaches, restlessness and depression. Also, you may feel, well, like you're pregnant -- swelling, breast tenderness and water retention, anyone? HCG can also cause a potentially life-threatening condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)."
One aspect of the question was whether hCG supplements could cause a drop in milk supply, even if the mother ate a sufficient number of calories. While this might be a question better answered by an endocrinologist, I would be concerned that along with the other pregnancy symptoms that are a side effect of hCG supplementation, a drop in milk supply could be a potential side effect. I looked far and wide to find the chemical mechanism by which many mothers experience a drop in milk supply when they become pregnant while still nursing. Rising levels of progesterone are responsible for the drop in milk supply, but I could not find an answer as to whether hCG supplements could stimulate a rise in progesterone (subsequently causing a drop in milk supply even if mom's caloric intake were sufficient).
The hCG diet official page states a breastfeeding myth, "If she fails to eat properly, this will negatively affect the quality of the milk she produces. The baby may not receive nutritious milk if a woman does not eat enough or enough of the right things." Contrast that with research from La Leche League on the quality of mom's diet and its effect (or lack thereof) on the quality of her breastmilk: "In recent years, research has confirmed that even if some nutrients are missing in a woman’s daily diet, she will still produce milk that will help her child grow. There is very little difference in the milk of healthy mothers and mothers who are severely malnourished. For example, if a mother’s diet is lacking in calories, her body makes up the deficit, drawing on the reserves laid down during pregnancy or before." Mother's milk supply may drop and her health may suffer for her lack of adequate nutrition, but the quality of her breastmilk will not be affected.
I'm not really in the loop in terms of what's popular, and since this diet fad seems to be having its 15 minutes of fame, I wanted to make sure that moms had the info to weigh the risks.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
So thankful to make a difference.
I had such a wonderful private childbirth class tonight, for two couples, first time parents. This was my second private class for them, and while I really *need* 12-15 hours of face-to-face contact to cover what first-time parents need to know, I had to condense it to 6 hours (2 private classes, each 3 hours long). I couldn't shortchange them; I had to stay to cover what they needed/wanted covered, 1 1/2 hours "late" tonight. I didn't charge extra and didn't want to. I *wanted* to help. It is my pleasure, my joy, my heart's desire.
I so relate to one of my midwives' recent blog (Jennifer Stewart of Joy in Birth Midwifery) titled, "Can I help you? Please?". I can't stand to see mothers have traumatic births when there were preventable interventions that led to the trauma. (I'm not implying that all interventive births are traumatic, because they are not. I'm not implying that all traumatic births are preventable, because they are not. Many are both, and therein lies my struggle.) I don't teach childbirth classes because I hope to get rich in the process. (Trust me, childbirth educators, doulas, and midwives do not get paid much. They're in it because they believe in it.) I teach birth classes because I am compelled to, driven to. It would be unethical if I did not share this information, not for my sake or glory, but so that families have the evidence-based info they need to make empowered, educated decisions regarding their pregnancies, birth, breastfeeding, parenting, and childbearing year.
When I hear that a friend or acquaintance who turned down my help has an outcome she did not want, a traumatic birth that did not have to be, separation due to complications and/or NICU, I am so distraught for them. Sometimes I cry for days, mourning for their loss. I pray for their recovery, for health for mom and baby, and for God to make a way to reunite and bond the family.
I realize that not everyone wants my help. I try to mind my own business and only give information if they ask. It's so hard to sit aside and say nothing if I see that a family is making fear-based decisions or are accepting the default routine interventions that their care provider does to everyone in their assembly-line birth practice. I can accept any decisions that someone makes for their birth--if I feel confident that they have researched their options thoroughly and are making their decisions with purpose, rather than by default or backed into a corner. Just ask my variety of clients I have served: planned homebirth with midwives clients; birth center with midwives clients; hospital unmedicated birth clients; planned induction clients; and elective scheduled cesarean clients. Regardless of their choices, I want them to know what their options are and how to have the safest birth possible, considering their circumstances.
Tonight was so refreshing. It's easy to become weary when looking at American maternity care as a whole. It's easy to get discouraged when so many expectant parents turn down my help, saying, "Thanks, but I trust my doctor. I'm sure s/he wouldn't do anything unsafe," without researching their birth options. These two couples, each expecting their first child, were eager learners and renewed my soul. They were thankful for my help. Once in a while, God puts people like this in our lives to help recharge and inspire us so we can continue with our work. I'm reminded why I do what I do, and that while I can't help everyone, I am making a difference for *someone*. I'm so thankful for that.
I so relate to one of my midwives' recent blog (Jennifer Stewart of Joy in Birth Midwifery) titled, "Can I help you? Please?". I can't stand to see mothers have traumatic births when there were preventable interventions that led to the trauma. (I'm not implying that all interventive births are traumatic, because they are not. I'm not implying that all traumatic births are preventable, because they are not. Many are both, and therein lies my struggle.) I don't teach childbirth classes because I hope to get rich in the process. (Trust me, childbirth educators, doulas, and midwives do not get paid much. They're in it because they believe in it.) I teach birth classes because I am compelled to, driven to. It would be unethical if I did not share this information, not for my sake or glory, but so that families have the evidence-based info they need to make empowered, educated decisions regarding their pregnancies, birth, breastfeeding, parenting, and childbearing year.
When I hear that a friend or acquaintance who turned down my help has an outcome she did not want, a traumatic birth that did not have to be, separation due to complications and/or NICU, I am so distraught for them. Sometimes I cry for days, mourning for their loss. I pray for their recovery, for health for mom and baby, and for God to make a way to reunite and bond the family.
I realize that not everyone wants my help. I try to mind my own business and only give information if they ask. It's so hard to sit aside and say nothing if I see that a family is making fear-based decisions or are accepting the default routine interventions that their care provider does to everyone in their assembly-line birth practice. I can accept any decisions that someone makes for their birth--if I feel confident that they have researched their options thoroughly and are making their decisions with purpose, rather than by default or backed into a corner. Just ask my variety of clients I have served: planned homebirth with midwives clients; birth center with midwives clients; hospital unmedicated birth clients; planned induction clients; and elective scheduled cesarean clients. Regardless of their choices, I want them to know what their options are and how to have the safest birth possible, considering their circumstances.
Tonight was so refreshing. It's easy to become weary when looking at American maternity care as a whole. It's easy to get discouraged when so many expectant parents turn down my help, saying, "Thanks, but I trust my doctor. I'm sure s/he wouldn't do anything unsafe," without researching their birth options. These two couples, each expecting their first child, were eager learners and renewed my soul. They were thankful for my help. Once in a while, God puts people like this in our lives to help recharge and inspire us so we can continue with our work. I'm reminded why I do what I do, and that while I can't help everyone, I am making a difference for *someone*. I'm so thankful for that.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Wordless Wednesday: beautiful nursing toddler (guest post)
Thanks to Christine for sharing these beautiful, intimate professional portraits taken with her husband and their first child when their son was 17 months old in January 2004. Photographer: Kathleen Swisher. (You might remember Christine from her birth story posted here, home waterbirth of her 4th child with cord wrapped around his neck 4 times.)
And for good measure, in case you are wondering why on earth someone would nurse a toddler beyond a year of age:
Breastfeeding past infancy: fact sheet (from kellymom.com)
And for good measure, in case you are wondering why on earth someone would nurse a toddler beyond a year of age:
Breastfeeding past infancy: fact sheet (from kellymom.com)
Sunday, January 30, 2011
VBAC and Scrabble
A friend texted me a few days ago and told me that she was playing Scrabble (not sure whether it was online or on iPhone) and her entry was "VBAC," but Scrabble wouldn't accept it. We joked that Scrabble *should* accept VBAC and possibly VBAMC, VBA3C, HBAC, HBA2C, and others.
Then I got to thinking about it. Why *shouldn't* VBAC be accepted as a regular word--both in options for birth, and in our national conversations? Wouldn't it be nice American mothers had true informed choice of care for their pregnancy? Wouldn't it be great if evidence-based care were the rule rather than the exception? Wouldn't it be awesome if VBAC were such a mainstream term that every American of childbearing age knew what a VBAC is and that it's a “reasonable option” for most women with a previous cesarean section, according to the National Institutes of Health?
Radar, laser, and snafu are all acronyms which have become regular words in American vocabulary. Isn't it time for VBAC to go mainstream, for the safety of mothers and babies?
For the uninitiated,
VBAC = vaginal birth after cesarean
VBAMC = vaginal birth after multiple cesareans
VBA3C = vaginal birth after 3 cesareans
HBAC = homebirth after cesarean
HBA2C = homebirth after 2 cesareans
(All of which can be safe options, depending on individual circumstances, consult your medical charts and care provider, do your own research, and other disclaimers.)
Then I got to thinking about it. Why *shouldn't* VBAC be accepted as a regular word--both in options for birth, and in our national conversations? Wouldn't it be nice American mothers had true informed choice of care for their pregnancy? Wouldn't it be great if evidence-based care were the rule rather than the exception? Wouldn't it be awesome if VBAC were such a mainstream term that every American of childbearing age knew what a VBAC is and that it's a “reasonable option” for most women with a previous cesarean section, according to the National Institutes of Health?
Radar, laser, and snafu are all acronyms which have become regular words in American vocabulary. Isn't it time for VBAC to go mainstream, for the safety of mothers and babies?
For the uninitiated,
VBAC = vaginal birth after cesarean
VBAMC = vaginal birth after multiple cesareans
VBA3C = vaginal birth after 3 cesareans
HBAC = homebirth after cesarean
HBA2C = homebirth after 2 cesareans
(All of which can be safe options, depending on individual circumstances, consult your medical charts and care provider, do your own research, and other disclaimers.)
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wordless Wednesday: Trebor's "In Silent Prayer" maternity portrait
Trebor's name might be familiar to you. She shared her written birth story here of her home waterbirth VBA2C (vaginal birth after 2 cesareans), then shared her touching photo slideshow of her homebirth. Trebor has graciously given permission to use her beautiful maternity portrait, "In Silent Prayer."
Reflecting on this photo, Trebor said, "Prayer and Meditation are such an important part of my pregnancy and who I am. I often find myself by the window and decided one day to capture the moment. I love the silhouette created by the natural light and using no flash with camera." Trebor was 34 weeks pregnant with her soon-to-be homebirth VBA2C baby at the time of this portrait.
Reflecting on this photo, Trebor said, "Prayer and Meditation are such an important part of my pregnancy and who I am. I often find myself by the window and decided one day to capture the moment. I love the silhouette created by the natural light and using no flash with camera." Trebor was 34 weeks pregnant with her soon-to-be homebirth VBA2C baby at the time of this portrait.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Guest post: Margaret's 2-hour med-free labor & delivery
by Margaret
The day before my due date I saw my midwife for a regular check up and she did a stretch and sweep. I was hot, miserable and done. It had been an absolutely brutal summer, humidity of 90+% almost every day. Temps well over 100F. No a/c. (In Canada we only need it for a few months of the year, so most people don't bother) I was done. She promised that if it didn't work she would do another one a few days later. It did nothing. So on Friday (2 days after my EDD) I went in for another one. She did it, and then did it again...lol. She kept telling me that she was trying to make me bleed. Nice :P I was about 3cm by this point.
I had lots of cramping after leaving, but wasn't hopeful for any labour starting....
Over the weekend I lost my mucus plug in huge globs. Still no bloody show though. I still wasn't convinced that anything was going to happen. The weather had cooled off FINALLY and I was actually enjoying being pregnant.
Sunday night we went to a friends house for a bonfire. While I was there I had a few contractions. They were more intense then they'd been before, but still felt way too much like braxton hicks for me to think 'this is it'. But I was suspecting that I would be in labour that night or the next day for sure.
We came back home around 9 and I decided I was just going to go to bed. Everything had stopped anyway, not a twinge of a cramp or anything.
I woke at exactly 3am (on LABOUR DAY!!) with a contraction. It was a REAL contraction. I got up, went pee, noticed some bloody show finally, and then went back to bed. By 3:30, I'd had 4 more contractions in bed. I decided to let John sleep and take my 'breathing' elsewhere. I decided to stand in the shower for awhile. Within a few minutes the contractions were VERY intense and I knew 'this was it'. I was down on my hands and knees during every contraction and only stood up in between b/c my knees were sore...lol. I thought of getting a towel to kneel on and I thought of telling John to wake up...but I just couldn't move. I was so focused on the contractions that I couldn't do anything else. I knew I was in transition and was more than a little freaked out that I would be delivering the baby by myself in the shower.
Finally around 4am, only an hour after the contractions started, I managed to get out of the shower. (the hot water was running out anyway...lol) I waddled to our room and yelled at John, "wake up, call you dad to come over, call the MW! We're going to the hospital NOW!!"
He looked confused and no wonder, it was 4am, I had just woke him up from a dead sleep by running into the room yelling at him:P I almost killed him when he asked if he had time to take a shower first. "NO! NO WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME. AND I USED UP ALL THE HOT WATER ANYWAY." He got the point.
All the noise (especially the cow-like moaning I was doing during each contraction) woke up Megan, our oldest (almost 6yrs). John managed to get her right back in bed and told her that we were going to have the baby very soon. She told John that even though she was really hoping for a sister, it would be ok if we brought her another brother:) I was happy she went right back to bed, b/c I did NOT want her to see me in labour. It was moving so fast and I was making so much noise that I was worried it would scare her...heck, it was scaring me!
I managed to call the midwife and told her we were going to the hospital right away. She called her back-up and they left to meet us there. John's dad showed up around 4:15 and we were waiting in the car already. I was hanging over the back of my seat on my hands and knees. John drove, fast. I am pretty sure he went through some red lights, but I didn't care. I told him I felt like I was going to throw up, which worried me more than it did him, b/c I did NOT want to have the baby in the car.
Since it was night time, we had to go into the hospital through the ER. The nurses there looked pretty worried that I was going to give birth in the waiting room. I was on my knees on the floor leaning over the seat of a chair moaning away. Probably the dirtiest place in the world to be.... They tried to get me into a wheel chair to take me upstairs, but I told them right away that there was no way I could sit, I needed to be able to lean over things. So they helped me walk down to the elevator and made me promise NOT to have the baby in there, b/c its too small;)
I got up to my room and my MW wasn't there yet. A few minutes later, John (who had been parking the car) came in and it was still about 15 more minutes before the MW's got there. I was having contractions every 2 minutes by this point. I knew it was going to be very soon.
I was just trying to deal with the contractions. They were so close together and so intense I could barely stand it. I was even banging my head against the wall (lightly...lol) during some of the worst ones. I could feel myself tensing up and was trying so hard to relax, but just couldn't. John was standing next to me helpless. I didn't need him for anything...there was nothing he could have done for me anyway. I went into the bathroom at one point to splash some cool water on my face, but I only could get warm water out of the tap. I still can't figure out why I couldn't get it to go cold, but I remember wanting to rip the sink off the wall and hurl it across the room.
The MW's were rushing around getting things set up and told me that anytime I wanted they could check to see how far I was. I waited for a contraction to end (it was around 5am at this point) and quickly hopped onto the bed. The MW still had to get her gloves on, and it was just taking too long for my liking, so I hopped back off the bed as another contraction started. After that one ended, my MW said she could check me as I was standing, so she did. She said "Great! You're complete!" I thought, as another contraction started, "There is no way! If I were 10cm, I'd be holding my baby by now. I've never had to push my other babies out. I hit 10cm and out they fly. What is wrong??" As soon as it ended I hopped up on the bed for her to check me again, b/c I was still doubtful of being 10cm. and sure enough she said "yes, it is harder to check when you're standing...you're 7cm."
I was MAD! Pi$$ed!!!! ONLY 7cm???? AAARRRGGGHHH! She offered to break my water and I knew the baby would be there instantly, but I was still nervous about it. I'm not sure exactly what was holding me back, but I was scared to give birth again. I just wasn't embracing it like I had with my previous births. I kept tensing up and was not looking forward to what I knew was coming.
A few minutes later I could feel surges sort of rippling down my belly and I knew the baby was moving down and going to be there in a few minutes. I finally said "Ok, fine. Break my water." So I hopped back on the bed. (when I say 'hopped'...I mean hopped. I can only imagine what it looked like to see a half-naked MAD woman hopping up and down) She checked me first and I was 9cm now. She got the hook out and started to put it in, but I screamed at her to "Get out!" because I was having another contraction. I rolled on my side to try to ease the pain, but during that contraction I felt the baby on its way. She didn't need to break my water after all.
I was scared to push. I knew I had to, but I was holding back, which made the pain unbearable. I couldn't stop my body from pushing though...even though I tried. I screamed out "OH NO THE HEMORRHOIDS!" as I gave the first push. Not my finest moment...but I didn't care. I had horrible hemmorhoids with other births...and as I said before, I've never had to push any of them. It was very unfair:P
The other MW grabbed a warm compress to hold on my rear-end as I gave a push. It was more of a scream, but it did the job, the head was out.
At this point I screamed at the MW to "Just pull it out!!!" To which they laughed and said "We can't, you have to push!!" Yeah, again not something I'm proud of..hehe. They helped hold my legs way back to make more room for baby's shoulders and I gave one more big push and out popped my baby at 5:16am, just over 2 hours after the first contraction!!
I've never made so much noise in labour before. But I've never experienced something so intense or fast as that. I couldn't believe it when I looked at the clock and saw the time. Days later, I'm still sitting here in shock....I joke with people that I 'think I had a baby...I'm pretty sure I was there, but I don't really remember'.
It was absolute euphoria. I had my baby on my belly and lifted up a leg to see what we had. It was a GIRL! I was so excited I didn't believe it. I looked again and again, just to be sure. Yup, no penis there! lol.
I kept saying to John "It's a girl!! It's really a girl!!"... I was over the moon! I'd been hoping for a girl the whole time, but was pretty convinced near the end of my pregnancy that I was having a boy. He told me later that he saw she was a girl as she was being born, but didn't want to ruin the surprise for me so he didn't say anything until I had looked. We now had 2 girls and 2 boys:)
I birth the placenta within about 10 minutes. My MW's marveled over the length of the cord! They said they'd never seen such a long one. Everything was well and my bleeding was very minimal. I felt great. I got up and took a shower within the hour and really didn't even feel like I'd had a baby.
We left the hospital at about 8 am, only a few hours after arriving! Surprised my father-in-law who was just getting the older kids their breakfast when we walked in the door. He couldn't believe that we were home already!
Madelyn Faith was 7lbs 8oz and 20.5" long. I thought for sure that she would have been much closer to 9lbs b/c I'd never been so far past my EDD (she was 40w 5d).
She is absolutely beautiful and so content. I can't stop staring at her. Even in the middle of the night when I know I should be sleeping, I just sit and stare at her. God has given me a very mellow, easy baby, something I needed as having 4 kids under 6 years is a bit crazy to say the least.
I had intended to get John to take pictures during the labour and birth, but it was all so fast, I just didn't think of it.
People have said "Wow you're so lucky that it was so fast!"...I'm not sure what I prefer, fast and intense or longer and not so crazy.
All I know is that I have PRECIPITOUS LABOUR written in really big letters across the top of my records...as warning for next time. (Did I just say 'next time'???)
The day before my due date I saw my midwife for a regular check up and she did a stretch and sweep. I was hot, miserable and done. It had been an absolutely brutal summer, humidity of 90+% almost every day. Temps well over 100F. No a/c. (In Canada we only need it for a few months of the year, so most people don't bother) I was done. She promised that if it didn't work she would do another one a few days later. It did nothing. So on Friday (2 days after my EDD) I went in for another one. She did it, and then did it again...lol. She kept telling me that she was trying to make me bleed. Nice :P I was about 3cm by this point.
I had lots of cramping after leaving, but wasn't hopeful for any labour starting....
Over the weekend I lost my mucus plug in huge globs. Still no bloody show though. I still wasn't convinced that anything was going to happen. The weather had cooled off FINALLY and I was actually enjoying being pregnant.
Sunday night we went to a friends house for a bonfire. While I was there I had a few contractions. They were more intense then they'd been before, but still felt way too much like braxton hicks for me to think 'this is it'. But I was suspecting that I would be in labour that night or the next day for sure.
We came back home around 9 and I decided I was just going to go to bed. Everything had stopped anyway, not a twinge of a cramp or anything.
I woke at exactly 3am (on LABOUR DAY!!) with a contraction. It was a REAL contraction. I got up, went pee, noticed some bloody show finally, and then went back to bed. By 3:30, I'd had 4 more contractions in bed. I decided to let John sleep and take my 'breathing' elsewhere. I decided to stand in the shower for awhile. Within a few minutes the contractions were VERY intense and I knew 'this was it'. I was down on my hands and knees during every contraction and only stood up in between b/c my knees were sore...lol. I thought of getting a towel to kneel on and I thought of telling John to wake up...but I just couldn't move. I was so focused on the contractions that I couldn't do anything else. I knew I was in transition and was more than a little freaked out that I would be delivering the baby by myself in the shower.
Finally around 4am, only an hour after the contractions started, I managed to get out of the shower. (the hot water was running out anyway...lol) I waddled to our room and yelled at John, "wake up, call you dad to come over, call the MW! We're going to the hospital NOW!!"
He looked confused and no wonder, it was 4am, I had just woke him up from a dead sleep by running into the room yelling at him:P I almost killed him when he asked if he had time to take a shower first. "NO! NO WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME. AND I USED UP ALL THE HOT WATER ANYWAY." He got the point.
All the noise (especially the cow-like moaning I was doing during each contraction) woke up Megan, our oldest (almost 6yrs). John managed to get her right back in bed and told her that we were going to have the baby very soon. She told John that even though she was really hoping for a sister, it would be ok if we brought her another brother:) I was happy she went right back to bed, b/c I did NOT want her to see me in labour. It was moving so fast and I was making so much noise that I was worried it would scare her...heck, it was scaring me!
I managed to call the midwife and told her we were going to the hospital right away. She called her back-up and they left to meet us there. John's dad showed up around 4:15 and we were waiting in the car already. I was hanging over the back of my seat on my hands and knees. John drove, fast. I am pretty sure he went through some red lights, but I didn't care. I told him I felt like I was going to throw up, which worried me more than it did him, b/c I did NOT want to have the baby in the car.
Since it was night time, we had to go into the hospital through the ER. The nurses there looked pretty worried that I was going to give birth in the waiting room. I was on my knees on the floor leaning over the seat of a chair moaning away. Probably the dirtiest place in the world to be.... They tried to get me into a wheel chair to take me upstairs, but I told them right away that there was no way I could sit, I needed to be able to lean over things. So they helped me walk down to the elevator and made me promise NOT to have the baby in there, b/c its too small;)
I got up to my room and my MW wasn't there yet. A few minutes later, John (who had been parking the car) came in and it was still about 15 more minutes before the MW's got there. I was having contractions every 2 minutes by this point. I knew it was going to be very soon.
I was just trying to deal with the contractions. They were so close together and so intense I could barely stand it. I was even banging my head against the wall (lightly...lol) during some of the worst ones. I could feel myself tensing up and was trying so hard to relax, but just couldn't. John was standing next to me helpless. I didn't need him for anything...there was nothing he could have done for me anyway. I went into the bathroom at one point to splash some cool water on my face, but I only could get warm water out of the tap. I still can't figure out why I couldn't get it to go cold, but I remember wanting to rip the sink off the wall and hurl it across the room.
The MW's were rushing around getting things set up and told me that anytime I wanted they could check to see how far I was. I waited for a contraction to end (it was around 5am at this point) and quickly hopped onto the bed. The MW still had to get her gloves on, and it was just taking too long for my liking, so I hopped back off the bed as another contraction started. After that one ended, my MW said she could check me as I was standing, so she did. She said "Great! You're complete!" I thought, as another contraction started, "There is no way! If I were 10cm, I'd be holding my baby by now. I've never had to push my other babies out. I hit 10cm and out they fly. What is wrong??" As soon as it ended I hopped up on the bed for her to check me again, b/c I was still doubtful of being 10cm. and sure enough she said "yes, it is harder to check when you're standing...you're 7cm."
I was MAD! Pi$$ed!!!! ONLY 7cm???? AAARRRGGGHHH! She offered to break my water and I knew the baby would be there instantly, but I was still nervous about it. I'm not sure exactly what was holding me back, but I was scared to give birth again. I just wasn't embracing it like I had with my previous births. I kept tensing up and was not looking forward to what I knew was coming.
A few minutes later I could feel surges sort of rippling down my belly and I knew the baby was moving down and going to be there in a few minutes. I finally said "Ok, fine. Break my water." So I hopped back on the bed. (when I say 'hopped'...I mean hopped. I can only imagine what it looked like to see a half-naked MAD woman hopping up and down) She checked me first and I was 9cm now. She got the hook out and started to put it in, but I screamed at her to "Get out!" because I was having another contraction. I rolled on my side to try to ease the pain, but during that contraction I felt the baby on its way. She didn't need to break my water after all.
I was scared to push. I knew I had to, but I was holding back, which made the pain unbearable. I couldn't stop my body from pushing though...even though I tried. I screamed out "OH NO THE HEMORRHOIDS!" as I gave the first push. Not my finest moment...but I didn't care. I had horrible hemmorhoids with other births...and as I said before, I've never had to push any of them. It was very unfair:P
The other MW grabbed a warm compress to hold on my rear-end as I gave a push. It was more of a scream, but it did the job, the head was out.
At this point I screamed at the MW to "Just pull it out!!!" To which they laughed and said "We can't, you have to push!!" Yeah, again not something I'm proud of..hehe. They helped hold my legs way back to make more room for baby's shoulders and I gave one more big push and out popped my baby at 5:16am, just over 2 hours after the first contraction!!
I've never made so much noise in labour before. But I've never experienced something so intense or fast as that. I couldn't believe it when I looked at the clock and saw the time. Days later, I'm still sitting here in shock....I joke with people that I 'think I had a baby...I'm pretty sure I was there, but I don't really remember'.
It was absolute euphoria. I had my baby on my belly and lifted up a leg to see what we had. It was a GIRL! I was so excited I didn't believe it. I looked again and again, just to be sure. Yup, no penis there! lol.
I kept saying to John "It's a girl!! It's really a girl!!"... I was over the moon! I'd been hoping for a girl the whole time, but was pretty convinced near the end of my pregnancy that I was having a boy. He told me later that he saw she was a girl as she was being born, but didn't want to ruin the surprise for me so he didn't say anything until I had looked. We now had 2 girls and 2 boys:)
I birth the placenta within about 10 minutes. My MW's marveled over the length of the cord! They said they'd never seen such a long one. Everything was well and my bleeding was very minimal. I felt great. I got up and took a shower within the hour and really didn't even feel like I'd had a baby.
We left the hospital at about 8 am, only a few hours after arriving! Surprised my father-in-law who was just getting the older kids their breakfast when we walked in the door. He couldn't believe that we were home already!
Madelyn Faith was 7lbs 8oz and 20.5" long. I thought for sure that she would have been much closer to 9lbs b/c I'd never been so far past my EDD (she was 40w 5d).
She is absolutely beautiful and so content. I can't stop staring at her. Even in the middle of the night when I know I should be sleeping, I just sit and stare at her. God has given me a very mellow, easy baby, something I needed as having 4 kids under 6 years is a bit crazy to say the least.
I had intended to get John to take pictures during the labour and birth, but it was all so fast, I just didn't think of it.
People have said "Wow you're so lucky that it was so fast!"...I'm not sure what I prefer, fast and intense or longer and not so crazy.
All I know is that I have PRECIPITOUS LABOUR written in really big letters across the top of my records...as warning for next time. (Did I just say 'next time'???)
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