Birthing every possible way; learning as I go!

I wanted to share my birth experience(s). Hope to bring some hope and courage to other mothers to be out there.

In 2007 I had my first child. I went to my mother’s OBGYN office at 18 so that was all I had ever known. A husband and wife team. The wife was my GYN but no longer did deliveries and I was to see her husband for that part. I met him 3 weeks before my son was due. He told me my frame was small and my baby was big and an induction was what he suggested. I was so anxious to meet my son that I obliged without a second thought.

Off we went to the hospital early in the morning on Oct. 12th 2007, and my water was manually broken at 7:02a.m. I cried unexpectedly and uncontrollably. It felt wrong. He was now forced to be born or parish. I felt such regret and disappointment. What was I thinking? I knew God had a plan for this life. Why was I letting a doctor control how or when my baby entered the world. A couple hours later the pitocin was started. My contractions grew stronger. I am my mother’s only daughter. Seeing the pain begin to start, she remembered her 4 deliveries. The last of which was her only with an epidural. She frightened me with pain talk so I went ahead with an epidural. I wasn’t even writhing yet. I wasn’t even close to the worst period cramps I’d ever had.

Immediately my labor slowed. I was threatened with a C-section. The doctor doesn’t like to let labor go past 12 hours for the safety of the baby. I had no clue how silly that was. By God’s grace I was complete 30 minutes before the OR was to open up for me. I delivered an 8lb 9oz baby boy. Then the trouble started. The drugs made me so out of it. I passed out in the restroom that night. It took 2 full weeks for me to feel like some version of myself again. I swore I’d never let another doctor induce me ever again.

In July of 2009, my Daughter was breech and her feet were wedged on my hip bones forcing her head into my heart and lungs. I wasn’t really in pain but had a gut feeling that she needed me to take action. I was right. She wasn’t going to make it. She was born via emergency c section three and a half weeks early. She was a NICU baby. I was heartbroken. I wanted to deliver naturally. I was sure I could have done it. I had put so much pressure on myself that I was again trying to control God’s plan for my baby and my world was wrecked when her life out of the womb didn’t start how I wanted it to. This time though, having no pitocin I recovered fast and was at her side in the NICU by 11pm. 14 hours after surgery.

In August of 2011 I found out I was expecting again. This time I was going to do it all right. I ate right and slept right and exercised. I was so healthy and happy. My husband spent 9 months praying for a natural labor and a pain free delivery. I went with my first doctor because I discussed the induction not being an option with him and he was fine with that. The night I went into labor I began contractions at 10:30pm and left for the hospital around 2am. I labored without any assistance from anyone but my husband. For 9 hours. (3.5 at home and 5.5 at the hospital) When I was at 9cm we decided that I could control myself enough to get an epidural so that my boy could come into a quiet calm world. Just the doctor, 2 nurses, Daddy, and me. What a JOY! I was fine and up walking in less than 4 hours.

 I’m expecting my 4th child in August of this year. I hope to labor on my own and maybe, just maybe, be educated on pain management enough to deliver quietly epidural free (last time I had wanted to take classes, but it wasn’t in the cards).

 Either way I will birth the way I feel is right in God’s time and I will be strong and courageous and blessed beyond measure!

My son and I in 2007 post induced delivery. We were both a little upset!

All of us happy and healthy in 2012 after laboring on our own and a quiet beautiful delivery!

My daughter after our emergency c-section in 2009