Birth Story
It's pretty long but I wanted to write out everything I remembered.
Well, here we go with Phoebe’s birth story. As a heads up - I went completely natural. The only thing I received were antibiotics for Group B Strep and a shot of cytotec to slow bleeding afterwards.
On Wednesday, February 11th, I went to Inanna Birth and Women’s Care to have my 40 week checkup. Phoebe’s heartrate was just fine, I was now 2cm dilated and about 60% effaced with a very soft cervix. Jean (one of my midwives) told me she’d be surprised if Phoebe wasn’t born by the end of the weekend. However, we scheduled a Non-Stress Test for the following Monday morning just to make sure Phoebe was doing fine.
Later that evening around 7pm, our friend Andrew came over and during his visit I had several contractions. They felt similar to Braxton Hicks but stronger. I found myself having trouble focusing on the conversation when a contraction would hit. I called my doula, Marissa, and spoke with her. If this was labor, I knew it was early so no need to get all worked up. I took a shower and got to bed just a bit earlier that evening.
On Thursday, February 12th, I woke up around 7am briefly as a I felt a strong muscle type pain in my back. Honestly, it felt like if I could just go to the bathroom I’d feel a lot better. At 8am I felt a couple of more but sent Jason to work since I wasn’t positive. I didn’t want him to take a day off and nothing happen. He drove to work and I got up a few times to use the bathroom and by 9:30am, I knew I couldn’t talk through what I was sure were contractions and I called Jason because I really wanted someone there.
I found my “birthing voice” and worked through each contraction. As soon as the peak hit and the downhill part of the contraction would begin, I could relax. It was a pretty rough time emotionally without anyone there with me. I called Jason, who was almost home, and asked him to get me a sausage biscuit. I didn’t really want to eat but I knew I should because there’d be a long period of time where I wouldn’t even want to eat.
Jason made it home, I tried to eat between contractions. I made it about 2/3 of the way through the biscuit before I decided I needed to try and get more comfortable. We called Marissa who suggested some compresses on the lower back - either warm or cold depending on what I wanted. Jason and I moved to the bedroom and I sat on the birthing ball that Marissa had left and Jason sat behind me as I leaned forward against the bed to rest between contractions.
They were getting tougher and I asked Jason for a cold washcloth. My doula arrived and our friend Shannon arrived at the end of me receiving a Priesthood blessing from my husband and our friend Andrew from church.
We then called Jean who told us to meet her at the birth center at 2pm. We tried to time when we’d make the trip downstairs and to the various cars between contractions. Standing upright was really difficult. I just wanted to sit on that lovely birthing ball and rock. 2 contractions and 5 minutes or so later, we all were at the birth center. I needed to go in, at the very least, to receive my first dose of antibiotics for Group B Strep. I remember telling Marissa that I hoped I was at least 3cm after all that work.
Jean checked me and to everyone’s surprise I was at 9cm! We only had time for one dose of antibiotics so in went the IV solely for that purpose. Jean said she could break my water which would make the labor quicker but more painful. That was the last thing I wanted to hear. I told her I wanted to wait until 10cm when it would become more necessary in my eyes to have that done.
An hour later, I only have a bit of cervix left. Jean breaks my water and it was so warm! It’s no wonder babies want to stay in there!
The contractions then became what I heard transition labor was like. It was intense. It was virtually non-stop and I could understand why women would want some relief. I’m happy that I never said I couldn’t do it. In fact, I would occasionally repeatedly say “I can do this. I can do this.” Marissa and Jason would agree and say that yes, I was doing it. Jason kept me hydrated with water. He let me hold his hand as I had been throughout my labor but needed to so desperately as Phoebe and I neared the final stretch. I found a cool washcloth was very helpful. Marissa would pat my hand but mostly just sat back, watched, and reported any changes to Jean. One time I did call out for her and she was right there. I was surrounded by everyone I wanted and needed at that point. It was quiet except for my “birthing voice” which continued to get louder and louder as I went back to sitting on the birthing ball.
I felt myself barely able to stay on top of the contractions at this point. Sometimes they’d roll from one into the next. Marissa got Jean and when Jean came in, they had me stand up so they could check Phoebe’s heartrate (which was perfect and completely uneffected throughout labor and birth). I begged for Jean to help me. And this is perfect Jean - she responded calmly “Well, I think what will help is getting on that bed and pushing the baby out.”
At this point, while some things are perfectly clear - other things are not.
It took me a couple of minutes but I got on the bed. They had me lay down. I told Jean I didn’t want to and she calmly explained why it was for the best. Phoebe was already at a +2 station. Shannon held my right leg. Dana, who is training to become a Certified Nurse Midwife was holding my left. I gripped Jason’s left thumb and hand like they were a handle as he supported my head with his free hand. Marissa was on my left and much like she said to me - anyone more than 6 inches away from my face may as well have been a blur. It was on now - completely primal.
Pushing was not a relief to me but I had little control over it. My body was doing most of the work, but after a couple of contractions and encouragement with instruction, I found that I was able to force my muscle to give a little more “oomph” - and that was what was the most effective.
I always admired women who were completely calm and quiet during labor and pushing. I was not one of those women. I wasn’t panicked but I had no control over the situation and I had to accept that - I had no choice. It’s true that you slowly have to let go of many things during labor - and that was the last one.
I screamed and pushed. Asked people, politely believe it or not, to not move or to put back their hands where they had been. Jean suggested on many pushes to just use that energy from screaming and force it all down. It worked. Jean could see the head (tons of hair was the repeated chorus). Then she said she could see the head without having to place her fingers inside. One thing that was very helpful to me was Jean placing her fingers on where I needed to focus my pushing. Each contraction brought on at least 3 times where I could push intensely. I found myself unable to push when a contraction wasn’t happening. I’d let Jean know when another contraction was coming.
I remember Jean sounding so happy, surprised, and encouraging as I was pushing. She gave me updates on where Phoebe was. The only thing I did not like was when she had to check Phoebe’s heartrate by placing the dopplar on my stomach. No thank you - definitely didn’t like that.
I don’t remember a ring of fire as many women distinctly recall. But it wasn’t long after they had Phoebe’s head that I felt her shoulders pass through my pelvis and suddenly she was here.
So much pressure was gone all at once. I finally looked down and in shock saw this perfectly formed creature and all I could say were two things “I did it” And “That’s my daughter” in wonderous awe.
She had a cord around her neck - no biggie, they unwrapped that and placed her on my chest to wait for the cord to stop pulsing. I remember just holding on to her little body and amazed at how delicate and soft she was. Of course, then she peed on me. I’m pretty sure she did. It made me smile.
There was another gush of fluid and Jason got pale. He had had nightmares of losing me in childbirth and when that gush of fluid that had blood in it came out you could just see the switch flip and it was as if he was in his worst nightmare. I remember telling him I felt fine. Shannon got him to sit down and he relaxed - mainly I think because no one else was panicking. I remember hearing “cytotec” but didn’t make the connection until later that it was due to me bleeding more than normal - but nothing to cause an emergency. (Edit: This gush of fluid, I learned later, was from the placenta detatching. While I did bleed more than was normal, the gush of bloody fluid was normal. No one had ever mentioned that!)
Phoebe stayed on my chest as they repaired my deep 2nd degree tear. It was nearly a 3rd degree but not quite. Come to find out later - I had only pushed for 27 minutes. I remember Jean telling me that I’d have Phoebe in a few more contractions and all I could think was “I don’t want to go through a few more contractions!”
I felt blessed and fortunate to bring Phoebe into the world as I had wanted. She was born into a peaceful environment with so many people waiting for her.
My recovery has been very good so far except for the swollen feet. Phoebe is a wonderful child. Her Dad and I are completely in love with her and even more in love with each other. Jason was attentive and I felt so blessed to have him with me during this entire journey. And now we begin a new one as parents. Should be one wild ride!
Well, here we go with Phoebe’s birth story. As a heads up - I went completely natural. The only thing I received were antibiotics for Group B Strep and a shot of cytotec to slow bleeding afterwards.
On Wednesday, February 11th, I went to Inanna Birth and Women’s Care to have my 40 week checkup. Phoebe’s heartrate was just fine, I was now 2cm dilated and about 60% effaced with a very soft cervix. Jean (one of my midwives) told me she’d be surprised if Phoebe wasn’t born by the end of the weekend. However, we scheduled a Non-Stress Test for the following Monday morning just to make sure Phoebe was doing fine.
Later that evening around 7pm, our friend Andrew came over and during his visit I had several contractions. They felt similar to Braxton Hicks but stronger. I found myself having trouble focusing on the conversation when a contraction would hit. I called my doula, Marissa, and spoke with her. If this was labor, I knew it was early so no need to get all worked up. I took a shower and got to bed just a bit earlier that evening.
On Thursday, February 12th, I woke up around 7am briefly as a I felt a strong muscle type pain in my back. Honestly, it felt like if I could just go to the bathroom I’d feel a lot better. At 8am I felt a couple of more but sent Jason to work since I wasn’t positive. I didn’t want him to take a day off and nothing happen. He drove to work and I got up a few times to use the bathroom and by 9:30am, I knew I couldn’t talk through what I was sure were contractions and I called Jason because I really wanted someone there.
I found my “birthing voice” and worked through each contraction. As soon as the peak hit and the downhill part of the contraction would begin, I could relax. It was a pretty rough time emotionally without anyone there with me. I called Jason, who was almost home, and asked him to get me a sausage biscuit. I didn’t really want to eat but I knew I should because there’d be a long period of time where I wouldn’t even want to eat.
Jason made it home, I tried to eat between contractions. I made it about 2/3 of the way through the biscuit before I decided I needed to try and get more comfortable. We called Marissa who suggested some compresses on the lower back - either warm or cold depending on what I wanted. Jason and I moved to the bedroom and I sat on the birthing ball that Marissa had left and Jason sat behind me as I leaned forward against the bed to rest between contractions.
They were getting tougher and I asked Jason for a cold washcloth. My doula arrived and our friend Shannon arrived at the end of me receiving a Priesthood blessing from my husband and our friend Andrew from church.
We then called Jean who told us to meet her at the birth center at 2pm. We tried to time when we’d make the trip downstairs and to the various cars between contractions. Standing upright was really difficult. I just wanted to sit on that lovely birthing ball and rock. 2 contractions and 5 minutes or so later, we all were at the birth center. I needed to go in, at the very least, to receive my first dose of antibiotics for Group B Strep. I remember telling Marissa that I hoped I was at least 3cm after all that work.
Jean checked me and to everyone’s surprise I was at 9cm! We only had time for one dose of antibiotics so in went the IV solely for that purpose. Jean said she could break my water which would make the labor quicker but more painful. That was the last thing I wanted to hear. I told her I wanted to wait until 10cm when it would become more necessary in my eyes to have that done.
An hour later, I only have a bit of cervix left. Jean breaks my water and it was so warm! It’s no wonder babies want to stay in there!
The contractions then became what I heard transition labor was like. It was intense. It was virtually non-stop and I could understand why women would want some relief. I’m happy that I never said I couldn’t do it. In fact, I would occasionally repeatedly say “I can do this. I can do this.” Marissa and Jason would agree and say that yes, I was doing it. Jason kept me hydrated with water. He let me hold his hand as I had been throughout my labor but needed to so desperately as Phoebe and I neared the final stretch. I found a cool washcloth was very helpful. Marissa would pat my hand but mostly just sat back, watched, and reported any changes to Jean. One time I did call out for her and she was right there. I was surrounded by everyone I wanted and needed at that point. It was quiet except for my “birthing voice” which continued to get louder and louder as I went back to sitting on the birthing ball.
I felt myself barely able to stay on top of the contractions at this point. Sometimes they’d roll from one into the next. Marissa got Jean and when Jean came in, they had me stand up so they could check Phoebe’s heartrate (which was perfect and completely uneffected throughout labor and birth). I begged for Jean to help me. And this is perfect Jean - she responded calmly “Well, I think what will help is getting on that bed and pushing the baby out.”
At this point, while some things are perfectly clear - other things are not.
It took me a couple of minutes but I got on the bed. They had me lay down. I told Jean I didn’t want to and she calmly explained why it was for the best. Phoebe was already at a +2 station. Shannon held my right leg. Dana, who is training to become a Certified Nurse Midwife was holding my left. I gripped Jason’s left thumb and hand like they were a handle as he supported my head with his free hand. Marissa was on my left and much like she said to me - anyone more than 6 inches away from my face may as well have been a blur. It was on now - completely primal.
Pushing was not a relief to me but I had little control over it. My body was doing most of the work, but after a couple of contractions and encouragement with instruction, I found that I was able to force my muscle to give a little more “oomph” - and that was what was the most effective.
I always admired women who were completely calm and quiet during labor and pushing. I was not one of those women. I wasn’t panicked but I had no control over the situation and I had to accept that - I had no choice. It’s true that you slowly have to let go of many things during labor - and that was the last one.
I screamed and pushed. Asked people, politely believe it or not, to not move or to put back their hands where they had been. Jean suggested on many pushes to just use that energy from screaming and force it all down. It worked. Jean could see the head (tons of hair was the repeated chorus). Then she said she could see the head without having to place her fingers inside. One thing that was very helpful to me was Jean placing her fingers on where I needed to focus my pushing. Each contraction brought on at least 3 times where I could push intensely. I found myself unable to push when a contraction wasn’t happening. I’d let Jean know when another contraction was coming.
I remember Jean sounding so happy, surprised, and encouraging as I was pushing. She gave me updates on where Phoebe was. The only thing I did not like was when she had to check Phoebe’s heartrate by placing the dopplar on my stomach. No thank you - definitely didn’t like that.
I don’t remember a ring of fire as many women distinctly recall. But it wasn’t long after they had Phoebe’s head that I felt her shoulders pass through my pelvis and suddenly she was here.
So much pressure was gone all at once. I finally looked down and in shock saw this perfectly formed creature and all I could say were two things “I did it” And “That’s my daughter” in wonderous awe.
She had a cord around her neck - no biggie, they unwrapped that and placed her on my chest to wait for the cord to stop pulsing. I remember just holding on to her little body and amazed at how delicate and soft she was. Of course, then she peed on me. I’m pretty sure she did. It made me smile.
There was another gush of fluid and Jason got pale. He had had nightmares of losing me in childbirth and when that gush of fluid that had blood in it came out you could just see the switch flip and it was as if he was in his worst nightmare. I remember telling him I felt fine. Shannon got him to sit down and he relaxed - mainly I think because no one else was panicking. I remember hearing “cytotec” but didn’t make the connection until later that it was due to me bleeding more than normal - but nothing to cause an emergency. (Edit: This gush of fluid, I learned later, was from the placenta detatching. While I did bleed more than was normal, the gush of bloody fluid was normal. No one had ever mentioned that!)
Phoebe stayed on my chest as they repaired my deep 2nd degree tear. It was nearly a 3rd degree but not quite. Come to find out later - I had only pushed for 27 minutes. I remember Jean telling me that I’d have Phoebe in a few more contractions and all I could think was “I don’t want to go through a few more contractions!”
I felt blessed and fortunate to bring Phoebe into the world as I had wanted. She was born into a peaceful environment with so many people waiting for her.
My recovery has been very good so far except for the swollen feet. Phoebe is a wonderful child. Her Dad and I are completely in love with her and even more in love with each other. Jason was attentive and I felt so blessed to have him with me during this entire journey. And now we begin a new one as parents. Should be one wild ride!