Attending Birth Classes with Her Husband Helped Amber During Her Hospital Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I didn't get to go into labor myself. I was induced. I had high blood pressure at 39 weeks and 3 days

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

I didnt quite get to go natural but I sure as hell tried. The most challenging thing was having to get induced and then later having to chose to get an epidural.

What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?

Attending birth classes with my husband so he new what was going to happen so he could be prepared and remind me what it was all about.

What surprised you about your birth?

That after have a very slow inductions I didn't even have any painful contractions till after my water broke even when I was given pitocin. First I was given misoprostion then what they call a cook balloon and the pitocin to get labor rolling and nothing worked til my water broke on its own.

Even if you don't get to have a natural birth just know that your doing everything for that little person you have been waiting 9 months to meet. We make decisions that we have to live with every day and you may have to make a decision that will go against everything you have planned but it will be ok cuz you will get to hold that wonderful bundle of joy that you grew inside you.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

After my water broke my contractions were right on top of each other I was 6 cm and after 6 hours of contractions that were 2 to 3 min long and not even a min apart I was still 6 cm. The only thing that worked even a little was being on my hands and knees and I couldn't staying that position for very long cuz my knees were giving out. Then I would go to the tub and had my husband turn on the shower head and hold it on my lower belly.

What position did you end up delivering in?

I ended up having a c section. After 6 hours of back to back contractions and no progress my midwife and nurse were relieved that I asked for an epidural. (as in told by my husband) it was the hardest thing for me to do but I knew that if I took any longer to progress and after 6 hours of no change I'm sure it would have been hours and hour. I wouldn't have any straight to push him out. After I got the epidural I got some much needed rest and by the time I woke up the baby's heart rate kept dropping. He wasn't in distress yet but after two hours of it dipping and shooting back up we (my husband me and the midwife) decided c section was the best option. My contractions had slowed again and they couldn't give any pitocin cuz of his heart so it was the hardest decision but the best in the end. The c section was very hard also. I felt most of it cuz the epidural wasn't working on me any more and they wanted to knock me out but I wouldn't let them. I was determined to hold my baby as soon as he came out and hear his first cry. And I did. I felt them cut me open and I felt my baby's feet drag from the top of my belly out.

How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?

There is nothing that can describe what it was like. But one thing for sure everything that I went through was worth it and I would do it all again for my little Alexander.

What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?

Even if you don't get to have a natural birth just know that your doing everything for that little person you have been waiting 9 months to meet. We make decisions that we have to live with every day and you may have to make a decision that will go against everything you have planned but it will be ok cuz you will get to hold that wonderful bundle of joy that you grew inside you.