... And Delivery

              From the time we were settled in the labor room to around 5 PM not much happened.  This is the longest portion of labor, where your cervix is dilating.  At some point I was 100% effaced, I am not sure when that was, but I was dilating on average 2 cm per hour.  Those four hours were a blur to me.  I was living from contraction to contraction.  During contractions I would relax my whole body, breathe deep breaths while looking into myhusband’s eyes.   It was perfect; he was my rock that kept me steady.  I loved it- I really did.  In-between contractions I would shift myself to a somewhat more comfortable position.  I had to suck on ice chips to wet my mouth again because breathing through my mouth during contractions really dried it out.  And I took a moment to rest.

                Somewhere in this four hour period, I am going to guess around 4 PM, I hit transition.  Transition is the shortest and most intense part of labor; the period between contractions shortens, giving you less time to regenerate.  The baby is starting to enter the birth canal and it is nearing time to push.  I started to shiver and shake, which is a very common and normal reaction.  I also started to lose my cool, which is normal as well because you have less time between contractions to gather your wits.  On top of all this AJ left my side for a moment.  I don’t know where he went or how long he was gone- he could have just walked around to the other side of the bed.

One.  Two.  Three.

                For a moment my support was gone and it made me nervous.  My hands started to clench, my legs got tense, my breathing was shallow and my heart started to pound.  The next few contractions I can only describe as completely painful.  They were horrible!  I cannot imagine a whole labor experience with that much pain.  I felt like a spooked horse, breathing heavily through flared nostrils with wide, wild eyes; completely out of control.  AJ was by my side again in no time.  He caressed my face, and looked into my eyes while calmly speaking to me.  He gently unclenched my fists and massaged my legs until I was completely relaxed again.  He was all I needed to compose myself.  Now I was ready to roll.

                It amazed me how my two different demeanors made my contractions feel to me.  When I was afraid and tense I experienced feelings of extreme pain.  But when I was relaxed, calm and comfortable there was only the pressure of my uterus working.  I can tell you first hand that allowing yourself to relax during labor is the key.  It makes a world of a difference.

PUSH!!!

                At 5:05 PM I reached 10 cm and began feeling the urge to push.  It was such a relief to push- I could DO something now!  Again, pushing on your back is not the brightest idea, and the most difficult position to push in.  Anyway, as the baby is crowning many women describe it as the “ring of fire”.  I don’t remember feeling that.  I have the faintest memory, but I don’t know if I imagined it.  I remember AJ telling me that he could see Samuel’s head crowning.  I was pushing so hard- it took a lot of energy.  After only a few pushes his head was out. From this point I didn’t get to fully experience the pushing stage because the nurse jumped on me while pushing down on my pelvic bone causing Samuel to fly out.  Literally.  So, I only pushed for 6 minutes.  Samuel Spencer Smith was born at 5:13 PM, he weighed 9 pounds 1 ounce and measured 20 inches long.  My labor was 7 hours total.

                During the pushing, I started to tear and my Dr. said, “This is where natural goes out the window,” and gave me an episiotomy along my tear.  I had no idea that he had cut me until AJ told me afterward.  We learned in our Lamaze class that episiotomies are far better than tearing, and they heal better.  THAT’S WONG!  Say, “NO!” to episiotomies!  I had no idea that it would give me so much trouble and cause so much pain.  I have friends who have no problems from their tears.  So far I haven’t found research to back my opinion, but I have talked with many women about it.  The majority agrees with me, but do research and tell me if you find anything.

Big boy!

                I was SO surprised when they told me that Samuel weighed over 9 pounds.  I remember thinking, “If I had known that I wouldn’t have tried to give birth naturally.”  But I am glad that I didn’t know that because I could do it and I did it.  I don’t have to limit myself because of my baby’s size.  Don’t ever let a Dr. tell you that your baby is “too big” because that is EXTREMELY rare, it almost never happens.  Women’s bodies are amazing and were created for childbirth.

                Overall, hospital childbirth is not the experience that I want during labor.  I don’t feel that I need an IV or monitors.  And I don’t want to be stuck in a bed.  I didn’t like the strangers that were coming in and out of my labor room.  The bright lights were right in my face and I simply get nervous when I am in hospitals.  But I was pleased with MY experience of childbirth, in side of myself.  I treasured the evidence of my love toward AJ – I couldn’t have done it without him.  I marveled at my strength and ability to have a baby.  And I am glad that I was able to experience childbirth, every feeling, enjoyable and terrible.  AJ and I both look back and enjoy remembering the day our son was born. 

After the birth AJ came up to me and asked “So…what was it like?”  I said “It wasn’t as bad as I was expecting.”  And that is true.  I realized I actually truly enjoy the experience of giving birth naturally.  I felt like a seasoned athlete running a marathon.  It was hard, and at times painful, but mostly rewarding.  Childbirth isn’t a disease, or sickness.  Women are made to do this, and except for high risk pregnancies, you don’t need a hospital; just a coach. 

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous!  It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."