Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Birthing

Justin and I opted to take a birthing class for this baby. Sure, this is my second baby, and yes I delivered Reuben vaginally, but I don't know what natural labor feels like, and I don't know what to expect from an unmedicated birth and it was the only way to get a tour of the hospital.

With Reuben I was induced because of high blood pressure, and because the ultra sounds were predicting a large baby, and because I was 8 days past the due date and feeling really crappy, and because both sides of grandparents were already visiting. I went in on Wednesday at 5:30 or 6, and was hooked up to everything, and given the thing they do before pitocin, described to me as a "tea bag that will start contractions." The contractions never came, instead I was in a really uncomfortable bed, hooked up to monitors, and unable to sleep.

Thursday morning the doctor came started the pitocin (and all the stuff that goes with that), and broke my water. I lasted ten hours, and finally the combination of blood pressure cuff, contractions, having already been tied to that horrid bed for the whole night and most of the day, no sleep, and been offered a c-section got to me. I asked for the epidural after being assured that it would speed things along.

My blood pressure dropped (75/37), the nurse and my husband tried to hide their fear. Then the contractions stopped so they had to increase my pitocin drip. I was offered a c-section a few more times "so you could have this baby within the next few hours." I declined because that didn't sound like a valid medical reason. I got a fever, and was quickly given drugs to combat the infection.

After 21 hours of pitocin I was finally open, so they had me start pushing. 4 hours later (36 hours after check in) I had an episiotimy, forcept delivery, and a baby that I was too weak to hold.

And lets not talk about recovery.

So, I've decided that unless there is a valid medical reason for intervention, there will be none on this baby. And hence the birthing class because we are going to be prepared for what everyone has promised me will be an easier delivery.

I was skeptical because our birthing class with Reuben was a waste of time, just reading out a book... that I could have read on my own. This teacher is funny, a good listener, very discriptive, and realistic. Like, did you know the difference between Braxton Hicks contractions, and labor contractions? You'd think someone would have explained this to me by now. Braxton Hicks start at the bottom of your uterus and spread up to make a tight ball, and labor contractions start at your back, wrap around to the front and push down into a tight little ball. Its nice to finally know that I'm having Braxton Hicks contractions, because lately I've had a harder time getting them to stop and was worried.

Justin and I are inventing our own pain managment process combining hypnobirthing, bradley, and lamaze, because I have problems with each of those methods, and like pieces of each, and she seems to be teaching a mixture of methods. And, I am doing a birthing plan. I figure since I've seen a different doctor every visit, I better be prepared to not know the delivering doctor. I've also decided that Justin needs me to explain to him what his role is and what I expect from him, and what he is not allowed to repeat from the last birth.

And now 2 to 6 weeks sounds pretty dang close, and so its time to start thinking about having a baby, instead of thinking that it could just slip away.

7 comments:

The Jones :) said...

You're brave Brecken to do it all naturally...but I completely understand after all you had to go through to get Reuben!! Good luck and I hope this one is a LOT easier for you!! Thinking about you!!
Becki ;)

Heidi said...

Wow, what an adventure you had with the first. Good job for sticking with your what your heart told you; it will hopefully be much better with this one. It has to be, right!?! :) We took bradley and will do hynobirthing with this one; would love to hear more about your teacher/birthing class! Best of luck with the next few weeks! We'll be sending happy thoughts your way.

Sandy M. said...

I'm excited for you Breckon! You're really going to have another baby soon! :)
Hurrah to you for not taking the C-section - it makes me cringe that they offered it under those circumstances(!)and I admire your resolve not to take it.
3 of our births were 2 weeks overdue (including the twins). I guess some just want to stay longer :) I don't know what would have happened if they'd been pushed to come earlier (no pun intended :) - but perhaps what happened to you..
(Though I was twice induced at 2 weeks over - I guess it was time by then.)
I hope your experience this time is wonderful :)
I don't know if you've come across it - but I like a book by Dr. Grantley Dick Reid called 'Childbirth Without Fear'. I can't agree entirely, but found the book very helpful anyway. (He believes NO FEAR = NO PAIN) It's an oldie but a classic.
You sound like you are doing great!
xo

Mindy said...

Have you thought about a water birth with the help of a midwife? Midwives just seem to be less concerned about all the medicine unless it's really necessary...we had a midwife deliver Hazel.

Morgan said...

you'll do awesome brecken! you should also read "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" I mostly just read the birth stories... they were very empowering and prepared me for a natural birth. good luck!

Twinmomwv said...

I read "Birthing From Within" during my last pregnancy when I was determined to have a natural delivery. It was amazing. I also had a midwife who let me deliver in the birthing tub. I have to say that it was the most amazing, empowering experience of my life and made me wish I had done the other three that way. You will do great! Now that you know what you want and what you don't, you will be so much more powerful once you are checked in.

emilysuze said...

I can't believe you're so close to delivery! Sounds like you are so much more prepared for this second go round. I can't wait to hear how it goes without any medication and if that will make it an easier delivery.