3rd baby - first UC
When
we discovered we were pregnant for the third time we were thrilled
and considered nothing but unassisted birth. We didn't have any
traditional prenatal care-but daily prayer, exercise, and nourishing
foods and herbs kept me feeling great-this pregnancy felt fantastic!
We measured fundal height, kept up with my weight, and checked
my cervix on occasion.
We
had specific prayers for this birth-that the water would not
break until the moment of birth, the cord would not be around
the neck, the baby would be alert and crying, that there would
be no heavy bleeding, that the placenta would come soon after
the birth and would be complete.
With
our first births, the water had broken a long while before labor
began which caused concern, the cord had been very tight around
both our girl's necks, and I had a very heavy bleed after Kyah's
birth. (Incidentally, Symbra was born in a freestanding birthcenter
with a CNM, no drugs or interventions, Kyah had been born at
home with a LM, no interventions.)
Towards
the end of the pregnancy, I had been having a lot of BH's. Finally,
after being nine days late and having several false starts that
never went anywhere, I awoke at 2 am and told Frank to lay hands
on me and command labor to begin-WHAM! first real contraction.
We labored together, hugged, rested some, kissed-did all kinds
of lovey stuff. Kyah woke up and nursed a bit and contractions
got harder, so we packed the kids off to Great Grandma's house.
We
got back home and did a lot of walking down our lane and marvelled
at how nice it was not to have to call anyone or worry about
people coming 'too early' or too late. It's amazing how not having
an attendant to measure every length of contraction-staring at
the clock and expecting the labor to conform to a certain standard-truly
relaxes you. Frank held me during each contraction and helped
me to relax, to sway my hips, he was such a strength to me, he
said everything I needed to hear. My mom dropped by and helped
Frank get the birth supplies set up-we did some walking and she
went home to report progress to my dad and ease his fears!
At this point,
it was getting late in the day and I was ready to switch gears.
I labored in the tub and found it did nothing to ease my discomfort
and I just wanted to hold my baby. I got out of the tub and Frank
had made me a wonderful pallet on the living room floor so I
layed down and promptly threw up!(He was right there with a pan,
boy he's fast!) I layed on the floor and was overtaken by strong
contractions as he held me and whispered the sweetest things
to me- he prayed, told me it wouldn't be long, he held me as
I went through every emotional signpost of transition...
Just then
my mom walked in! Wonderful! She made a few well placed remarks
that boosted my spirits and soon I was feeling pushy.
"You can't
push, there's still some cervix" Frank told me.
"I can't
help it!" I cried.
"She's complete
Frank, she can push" my mom.
"I just
don't want the cervix to tear" -Frank.
"I can't
help it- the baby is pushing!"
"Well Frank,
if she can't help it, then it's okay to push!"
At this
point it all struck me as comical and I leaned up on my knees
when a contraction literally THREW me on all fours.
"My water
just broke" I announced.
I don't
know how I knew! Frank was right there supporting the perineum.
"He's
coming out!" I announced as Jacob was born into his daddy's
hands. I sat back as Frank handed me our beautiful 7½
lb baby boy. I latched him on as mom snapped pictures and not
four minutes later the placenta came all in one piece, no heavy
bleeding.
We got
everything we prayed for! We can't wait for the next blessing!
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