The contractions started coming closer together as the night
wore on. They were 7-8 minutes apart by 2 am Sunday July 24. I tried to sleep
in between each one and was fairly successful using my Hypnobirthing techniques.
By 8 am my contractions were 3-4 minutes apart so I called my mom. I asked her
to leave soon so she would make it in time for the birth. She lives just over 3
hours away so I was hoping I would make it that long. Little did I know at the
time, that wouldn't be a problem. I called my older sister just after that and
convinced her to start driving as well, also from 3 hours away after dropping
off the kids for whom she was the nanny for the weekend. My contractions were
still 3-4 minutes apart when my mom, dad, older sister and younger sister
arrived about 4 hours later.
I started to get a little nauseous but wanted to keep up my
strength so I snacked on Cheerios and water as much as I could stomach. I
brought my yoga/birthing ball into the living room to help ease the
contractions. I didn't find it very helpful. I walked around, a lot. My sisters
walked me around the block. I felt pretty silly stopping every so often to have
a contraction outside on a sunny Sunday. They were encouraging and worked as my
stabilizers as I held onto them and breathed through each contraction.
My older sister diligently wrote down the time and length of
every contraction. They seemed to be getting a little closer, though they never
got very intense. I called my midwife, she told me to stay at home for a little
while longer. She couldn't hear me screaming so I must not be close yet. After
hours and hours of slight progress, the fear of having an unplanned home birth
crept in. Both my mother and mother-in-law (over the phone to The Hubs) made me
feel like this baby was coming any minute. I let my fear get to me and told
everyone it was time to head to the hospital. It was a 25-30 minute drive,
depending on lights and traffic, so I didn't want to be stuck at home or in the
car if the baby decided to make a sudden appearance. My mom folded a towel on
my seat, just in case, and The Hubs tried his best to avoid the copious number
of potholes on the way there.
Once we arrived at the hospital, we had to figure out the
expecting mother parking and valet service. Lucky for us, it was the front desk
guy’s first day. He had no idea what was going on. Finally making our way toward
the maternity ward, the elevators were busy. I climbed the 3 flights of stairs
and got a nice welcome from the reception desk staff.
During my pregnancy I wanted to meet all 8 midwives in the
practice because I would get whoever was on duty when I came in. I successfully
met 6 of them; another one didn't take regular patients and I had to cancel my
appointment for something for the other. Turns out, the first midwife on duty
when I got there was one of the ones I hadn't met.
I checked in around 6 pm. They gave me a room, a hospital
gown and then I got checked out (only 4 cm) and walked.
And walked…
And walked…
Then my older sister suggested plies and lunges. So we
lunged and plie-ed the maternity ward hallway for hours. We heard at least 2
other babies being born. My mom, sister and The Hubs took turns walking the
halls with me. My sister found the popsicles, which were really gross and
artificial. But thank you sis for trying.
Then I walked…
And walked…
My sister fell asleep in the pull-out chair. I think my mom
dosed off in one of the other chairs. So did The Hubs at various times. They
helped me hold onto the railing that lined the walls during each contraction.
During the more intense ones my mom rubbed my back. And then I walked.
Every so often the nurse or midwife would come in and check
me. Not much was happening and my contractions were slowing down. So much for
walking making things progress!
The anesthesiologist came in and said he wanted to meet me.
My sister told him, in her very stern, authoritative, but polite voice, that we
don’t need him and led him out of my room. He seemed taken aback so I guess he doesn't get many women who want natural birth! I remember being asked a couple
of times about getting an epidural, but my sister always took care of the more
forceful responses. That is why I wanted her there. She could put into words
what I could not and people listen to her. Another reason I am so happy she was
there was because she was my voice for everything. I am a quiet person in
nearly everything I do. Turns out, I’m also quiet while in the process of
giving birth. During every contraction I pulled my thoughts inward, thinking
about the baby that would soon enter the world, focusing a lot on my breathing,
trying the techniques where I focused on counting and peaceful images. With my
focus also came utter silence. I closed my eyes and blocked out my
surroundings. I did such a good job that the nurses and midwife would be
talking to me, a contraction would come on and they wouldn't even notice. My
sister had to keep telling them to wait because I was having one.
So as my birthing “staff” took turns trying to get a little sleep
throughout the night, I kept walking.
And walking…
I did manage to get a few minutes of sleep here and there
between contractions, especially when they had me hooked up to the fetal
monitor.
And then I walked…
And walked…
In fact, all night long, I walked, lunged and plie-ed. Happy
Sunday! My first full day of labor.
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