Disclaimer:
This is the story of the birth of our fourth child, SG. SG was born April 7th, 2008 at 9:00 PM. She was born at home, unassisted, and caught by her daddy.
This story you are about to read is detailed and graphically descriptive. It also is unique to our situation and my body. We are in no way proclaiming this event as the "norm" or "typical" birth experience, because we believe there is no such "norm" or "typical" birth experience. All births are unique and should be respected and treated as such. We are open for discussion on how we came to be in this event, and are happy to provide our resources to our education should anyone like to learn more.
At 40 weeks and 3 days, SG was born at home, unassisted and was 8lbs 5 oz, 21 in. Pink and perfect.
This was my 4th birth and 3rd UC.
Pre-labor started about 3pm. I was napping and the older girls were playing in the playroom while my 3rd was napping in her room. The contractions were coming about every 15 minutes and felt a bit more intense than the prodromal labor I was having the past 2 weeks.
I was more than ready.
By 4pm, my husband called, and the flexes were a bit stronger, but I could work through it. I told him to come home, today was the day.
He got home and all the girls were wired. We made dinner and I decided to make chocolate chip cookies. By 530-6pm, the flexes needed my concentration so I would add a few ingredients then have to walk away to work through the flex. They were about 10 minutes apart. The girls were laughing at me as I moaned and groaned. My 2 yr old was mimicking me, too. She was so funny!
At 630pm, my mother called. She asked me what was happening, and she felt compelled to call me, as she felt something was up. She was right. The conversation was cut short, because I had another flex. I hung up with her, and of course she sends out the broadcast to the rest of the family that I was in labor.
The phone starts ringing! UGGH! Who the hell calls a woman in labor?
Dinner was quick, and we got the girls upstairs to bed about 630-7pm. My husband got them all tucked in.
At 7p, I filled the bathtub with hot water, and sat down. My husband comes into the bathroom and says they are all asleep.
BAM! The contractions start coming like gangbusters! I guess after everything calmed down in the house, my body let loose! I was kneeling in the tub, leaning over the side and moaning, with a few pushy grunts in between. My husband asked if I was pushing. I said-sort of. I laughed and said, "This is wild, I feel completely coherent between contractions! I can actually have a conversation!" That ended quickly.
The contractions were getting stronger and closer and I was moving all about in the tub. I was hanging over the tub sweating like crazy and unable to talk.
Then, I found myself lying on my back- belly up in the water. My husband was on the toilet reading "This Old House" (I don't think he was reading)
After a few flexes, I decided that even though I was very comfortable- if I wanted this thing to get underway- I needed to get out of this position.
At 845p- I got out of the tub and waddled to the bed. I got on my hands and knees and felt the push coming on.
My husband said he saw some blood- and was finally convinced I was in true labor- something was happening.
Some tissue came out, and the sac broke.
I knew I was ready to push. Whether my body wanted to or not. Then I felt the urge.
NOW- I know to listen to my body, follow my body's lead, and to get out of my way. You would think that after 2 UCs.
This time, however I just wanted the baby to come out and so I got aggressive and extremely impatient. I actually shouted OUT! With my 2nd to last push. I was determined to get this baby out with the next push. So when I felt the urge, I physically pushed with all my might, and birthed her head. The cord was wrapped, and my husband was there to help unwind if from her neck.
The next push- I bullied my body into forcing her out.
I know there is a difference between my body pushing and me pushing, and shame on me for being such a butthead.
My husband was going to tell me to wait, and slow down, but he figured I should know better my now! (Hahaha).
So out she came, with a tumble, the cord unwrapped and was very short.
After this birth, I felt utterly and completely done with labor and delivery. I never ever want to feel that again. Ever.
I almost feel bad about saying that, but the whole 2 hrs I wasn't scared, worried, or anything- I just wanted it to be over. I didn't want another contraction; I didn't want to push at all. I think that if I was in the hospital, my misery would have compounded because intervention to me means delays.
I love this little peanut so much, and she is totally not high maintenance, I just wish I would have listened to my body better, and felt happier during this labor.
Who knows, maybe in 6 months, my thoughts will change and I will be up for the thrill of labor again. We may get that boy yet!
