Sunday, October 9, 2011
Saturday, October 8, 2011
The Birth of Michaela
The Birth of Michaela
The afternoon of October 3rd, 2011 I began having mild contractions. I had been debating on whether Michaela was going to come early, on time, or late. My midwife, Paula, and a friend, Nikki, predicted she’d be arriving that week, probably earlier in the week. Keith had even guessed the 5th! I began timing the contractions to see if there was any consistency and they were coming for 30-60 seconds every 15-23 minutes. They continued that way until I went to bed and was able to sleep through them.
4:30 AM October 4th I woke up to a pretty intense contraction. I had another one and felt I should time them to see if there is a pattern. They were coming every 8 minutes and lasting 60-90 seconds. Then they were coming every 6 minutes and were increasing in intensity. I got up, had some water to see if it that would help but they continued. I called my midwife and explained what I was feeling and she said to try to sleep and call her back if they get more intense or closer together. I tried to go back to sleep but couldn’t.
Keith’s alarm went off and he got ready for school. We debated on whether he should stay or go to school and try to save a sub day (since he could come home early that morning anyways). He left for school and I kept timing contractions. I couldn’t lie down anymore. I walked around, laid in bed, knelt on the floor over my birthing ball and rocked, put it on the bed and rocked, leaned over the bed and rocked. The contractions were pretty intense. I could push through them but at the peak… they were pretty intense. They then were coming every 2-3 minutes lasting 60-90 seconds and I called my midwife. She came over at 9am. (By this time I was lying in the bathroom tub, which helped a little bit.) I got out and she checked me. I was 100% effaced (yay!) and 4cm dilated. I was a little down I wasn’t dilated more but excited I was 100% effaced. She suggested I call Keith and tell him to come home. She went out to get a few things and would come back. I called Keith and told him to come home.
Keith came home and found me lying on our bed going through a contraction. During the contraction, I was also having some back pains so Keith would push against my back to counter the pressure which helped a lot. Paula and the Doula, Caitlin, came and began setting up the tub, supplies. Etc. They began filling up the tub but when it was about 6 inches full, the hot water ran out. Keith went to turn up the water heater and while we waited for it to heat up to keep filling the tub, I went through more contractions. Lying on the bed wasn’t comfortable dealing with them but I did not want to move. I kept asking if I could get in the tub but it wasn’t ready yet. I was getting worried I wouldn’t be able to birth in the tub! Two contractions before I got into the tub I was beginning to get the urge to push but held it in.
11:00 came and the tub was ready! I began getting out of bed and a contraction immediately began and I practically ran to the tub and got in. The second I was in the water the relief was instant!!! I could still feel the contractions but the intensity was definitely less and it was so relieving, and warm! They kept filling the tub and even brought in some boiling pots of water to fill it with. It felt so good!
Around noon, the photographer, Kathleen, came. I continued to labor in the water. When I was in the water it seemed that the contractions were further apart and the breaks were nice. Despite the pain, it was absolutely amazing feeling Michaela come down the birth canal. Sitting against the tub was hurting my back s I got on all fours and birthed that way facing the side of the tub, and between contractions I’d rest my head and arms on the side of the tub. Water does amazing things! About 6 times I felt Michaela’s head coming down the canal. More and more each time but with each one, she’d go back up a little bit which was a little disappointing but with each one I knew she was getting further and further. It was so surreal thinking she’d be in my arms soon. There was a lot of burning pain and at times I wondered if I could do it (but knew I could). The entire time, it never crossed my mind to go to the hospital or ask for pain medication. Feeling the birth process was entirely worth it to me!
Towards the last few contractions, Paula began telling me about how Michaela would have to go through the pelvic bones and to take it slow and gently. I would get the contraction, the urge to push, and I’d give a little extra pushing to help Michaela out but was doing it very gradually, controlled, and gently. Each contraction, the Doula’s, Caitlin and Heather would check Michaela’s heartbeat- which was strong the entire time! What a trooper! Paula told me to reach down and feel Michaela’s head and where she was. It was pretty cool feeling her soft/wrinkly head.
Finally, the second to last push Michaela’s head came out! When it came out I felt her rotate around (very cool feeling). I knew we were almost there and I was about to meet our baby girl! Paula reached down to check if there was a cord around her neck, and there was. She tried to take it off but it wouldn’t so they would at the next contraction. With the next push at 12:40 pm October 4th she came out- I pulled her up and onto my chest (while Paula took the cord off from around her neck) I leaned back against the tub while she was covered with some towels. Keith cut the cord after it was done pulsing. We were both in heaven looking at our baby girl and finally meeting her.
Keith took her and I went into the bed to birth the placenta and get checked out. With a few pushes the placenta came out. Paula checked me and there were no tears and no hemorrhaging! We got cleaned up and were given some private family time while Paula, Caitlin, and Heather cleaned up and put the tub away. Later on Paula came in and did Michaela’s newborn checks. She was 20 inches long, 6 pounds 15 ounces, 14 inch head, good vitals, and no jaundice. She’s such a strong little girl! After the checks, it was on to breastfeeding. She got a good latch and ate right away.
We couldn’t be happier with the arrival of our daughter and look forward to many great moments with her. I couldn’t have been happier with how my pregnancy and labor went. 9 hour labor with no pain medications, in the water, and being able to feel her being born- I couldn’t ask for more. We love you, Michaela.
The afternoon of October 3rd, 2011 I began having mild contractions. I had been debating on whether Michaela was going to come early, on time, or late. My midwife, Paula, and a friend, Nikki, predicted she’d be arriving that week, probably earlier in the week. Keith had even guessed the 5th! I began timing the contractions to see if there was any consistency and they were coming for 30-60 seconds every 15-23 minutes. They continued that way until I went to bed and was able to sleep through them.
4:30 AM October 4th I woke up to a pretty intense contraction. I had another one and felt I should time them to see if there is a pattern. They were coming every 8 minutes and lasting 60-90 seconds. Then they were coming every 6 minutes and were increasing in intensity. I got up, had some water to see if it that would help but they continued. I called my midwife and explained what I was feeling and she said to try to sleep and call her back if they get more intense or closer together. I tried to go back to sleep but couldn’t.
Keith’s alarm went off and he got ready for school. We debated on whether he should stay or go to school and try to save a sub day (since he could come home early that morning anyways). He left for school and I kept timing contractions. I couldn’t lie down anymore. I walked around, laid in bed, knelt on the floor over my birthing ball and rocked, put it on the bed and rocked, leaned over the bed and rocked. The contractions were pretty intense. I could push through them but at the peak… they were pretty intense. They then were coming every 2-3 minutes lasting 60-90 seconds and I called my midwife. She came over at 9am. (By this time I was lying in the bathroom tub, which helped a little bit.) I got out and she checked me. I was 100% effaced (yay!) and 4cm dilated. I was a little down I wasn’t dilated more but excited I was 100% effaced. She suggested I call Keith and tell him to come home. She went out to get a few things and would come back. I called Keith and told him to come home.
Keith came home and found me lying on our bed going through a contraction. During the contraction, I was also having some back pains so Keith would push against my back to counter the pressure which helped a lot. Paula and the Doula, Caitlin, came and began setting up the tub, supplies. Etc. They began filling up the tub but when it was about 6 inches full, the hot water ran out. Keith went to turn up the water heater and while we waited for it to heat up to keep filling the tub, I went through more contractions. Lying on the bed wasn’t comfortable dealing with them but I did not want to move. I kept asking if I could get in the tub but it wasn’t ready yet. I was getting worried I wouldn’t be able to birth in the tub! Two contractions before I got into the tub I was beginning to get the urge to push but held it in.
11:00 came and the tub was ready! I began getting out of bed and a contraction immediately began and I practically ran to the tub and got in. The second I was in the water the relief was instant!!! I could still feel the contractions but the intensity was definitely less and it was so relieving, and warm! They kept filling the tub and even brought in some boiling pots of water to fill it with. It felt so good!
Around noon, the photographer, Kathleen, came. I continued to labor in the water. When I was in the water it seemed that the contractions were further apart and the breaks were nice. Despite the pain, it was absolutely amazing feeling Michaela come down the birth canal. Sitting against the tub was hurting my back s I got on all fours and birthed that way facing the side of the tub, and between contractions I’d rest my head and arms on the side of the tub. Water does amazing things! About 6 times I felt Michaela’s head coming down the canal. More and more each time but with each one, she’d go back up a little bit which was a little disappointing but with each one I knew she was getting further and further. It was so surreal thinking she’d be in my arms soon. There was a lot of burning pain and at times I wondered if I could do it (but knew I could). The entire time, it never crossed my mind to go to the hospital or ask for pain medication. Feeling the birth process was entirely worth it to me!
Towards the last few contractions, Paula began telling me about how Michaela would have to go through the pelvic bones and to take it slow and gently. I would get the contraction, the urge to push, and I’d give a little extra pushing to help Michaela out but was doing it very gradually, controlled, and gently. Each contraction, the Doula’s, Caitlin and Heather would check Michaela’s heartbeat- which was strong the entire time! What a trooper! Paula told me to reach down and feel Michaela’s head and where she was. It was pretty cool feeling her soft/wrinkly head.
Finally, the second to last push Michaela’s head came out! When it came out I felt her rotate around (very cool feeling). I knew we were almost there and I was about to meet our baby girl! Paula reached down to check if there was a cord around her neck, and there was. She tried to take it off but it wouldn’t so they would at the next contraction. With the next push at 12:40 pm October 4th she came out- I pulled her up and onto my chest (while Paula took the cord off from around her neck) I leaned back against the tub while she was covered with some towels. Keith cut the cord after it was done pulsing. We were both in heaven looking at our baby girl and finally meeting her.
Keith took her and I went into the bed to birth the placenta and get checked out. With a few pushes the placenta came out. Paula checked me and there were no tears and no hemorrhaging! We got cleaned up and were given some private family time while Paula, Caitlin, and Heather cleaned up and put the tub away. Later on Paula came in and did Michaela’s newborn checks. She was 20 inches long, 6 pounds 15 ounces, 14 inch head, good vitals, and no jaundice. She’s such a strong little girl! After the checks, it was on to breastfeeding. She got a good latch and ate right away.
We couldn’t be happier with the arrival of our daughter and look forward to many great moments with her. I couldn’t have been happier with how my pregnancy and labor went. 9 hour labor with no pain medications, in the water, and being able to feel her being born- I couldn’t ask for more. We love you, Michaela.
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