gwen's arrival

I’ve had a few requests for Gwen’s birth story so I’ve decided to share a somewhat edited version. As a disclaimer, this was my experience and everyone has different experiences with labor and birth and I don’t think one is better than the other!

I have always been interested in natural childbirth and was intrigued on how different cultures view childbirth. I feel like birth in our culture is treated more like a medical condition than the natural, peaceful process that it can be and is. Of course there are many instances where modern medical technology is a miracle and saves lives and I'm not discounting that, however I knew in my experience that my body would do its thing if I was prepared mentally to be in control. I did some research after becoming pregnant again and decided to do a hypnobabies home study course. I started practicing around 28 weeks by listening to "scripts" or self relaxation techniques every day, along with pregnancy affirmations that helped to keep my mind positive about the pregnancy and birth. I was worried at first that it would be too much of a commitment for me, but found as I started doing it that I really looked forward to taking some time to sit and relax. I think it made this pregnancy much easier for me and I always felt calm about the pregnancy and birth.

Fast forward to Friday night, Feb 27 around midnight I woke up having contractions about 5 minutes apart. They weren't too intense, but I definitely felt them and it kept me from sleeping. I kept timing contractions and they stayed pretty regular, but weren't getting stronger or longer. Having been in labor before, I knew that things needed to get more intense before it was time to go to the hospital. So I tried to go back to bed and rest. I was able to get a few hours of sleep. I woke up Saturday morning, still having contractions and cramping, but they weren't regular. Some were intense and some not, so I just decided to try and go about my day. I went on a walk with Kate and to yoga. By Saturday afternoon they began to be more intense and I got the feeling that the baby was coming soon. I called friends who were planning to watch Kate and then decided to keep waiting things out at home until I knew for sure. It seemed that just when I thought it was time to go, the contractions would ease up and I wouldn't have any for 20 minutes. I knew they needed to be regular so I decided maybe it was all a false alarm. I tried to keep busy doing other things hoping maybe that would go away. That evening, I decided to run the stairs to our basement 20 times (I'm convinced running stairs is what started my labor with Kate). I went to bed, hoping for something or nothing--I just wanted these half way uncomfortable contractions to stop so I could rest. We went to bed around 10 and after lying in bed for an hour, again not being able to sleep, I got up and decided this was for real. The contractions become longer and more intense and were coming about 5 minutes apart. Around midnight I woke Paul up and told him it was time to go. We arrived at the hospital around 1 am. We waited in triage for a half hour or so, and the doctor arrived. I was dilated to 5-6 cm and admitted. The doctor broke my water and told me she'd be back in an hour to check on me. I thought the hospital staff was excellent. I wasn't required to have an IV or be on continuous monitoring. I was able to move around as I pleased, but ended up spending most of my time sitting up in bed laboring. The nurse checked the baby every 10 minutes or so and around 3:15 am while checking the baby, realized the baby's heart rate was dropping during contractions, but recovering after. The next 15 minutes were a whirlwind. The nurse immediately made me lay on my side (which I was not happy about--laying down is the worst position for dealing with intense contractions) and the room was filled with people. Someone started getting an IV ready and the doctor rushed in. I really wasn't sure what was going on, until the doctor checked me and said I was ready to push and 12 minutes later our baby was born with the cord wrapped around her neck. They rushed her to the warmer, gave her a few breaths and after about 30 seconds she started breathing on her own. When Paul tells the story he says how scared he was that she came out blue, but for some reason I never remember feeling scared. I had felt her kicking me throughout the whole labor and knew she was ok. As it turns out, she was. The doctor said that she probably just descended really fast and that combined with the cord around her neck caused her heart rate to drop a little bit at the end.

The whole experience seems a bit euphoric to me now. It was intense and definitely one of the most difficult things I have ever done. I'm glad it's over and I'm glad she is here. It was a really great feeling though to be in control and let my body do its work. The mind is so powerful! My recovery has been amazing. I feel fantastic and loved that less than an hour after giving birth I was able to walk down to the nursery to watch my baby be given her first bath. Paul was incredibly supportive throughout the entire pregnancy and birth and I feel lucky to have him as my birth (and life) partner. Gwen has been a really calm baby so far and everything seems much easier the second time around. I’ve just got to figure out how to keep my 2 year old under control now!