*Written by Anna Bourdess.
**This post contains affiliate links.
To understand our birth story a little better let me tell you about the weeks leading up to Jackson’s arrival. My pregnancy had been almost seamless up until 35 weeks. I had some pretty severe morning sickness the whole time, but, beyond that things had gone very well.
At 35 weeks my blood pressure suddenly spiked. After visiting with my midwife and some testing, I was informed that I had, with no warning, developed preeclampsia. We weighed through together the benefits and risks of each decision and we decided that it would be best to try and get me to 37 weeks and then we would induce. I was put on bedrest and monitored my blood pressure closely at home. We ended up in the hospital twice before delivering Jackson, due to blood pressure spikes.
PROM (premature rupture of membranes)
Scheduled for induction the following Thursday, I woke up around four o’clock in the morning on that Sunday, to discover my water had broken. Only, I didn’t realize that’s what had happened. For me, it wasn’t like a movie scene where a huge gush of fluid splashes to the floor. It was more like a leaky faucet, and as any mama will tell you that feeling is pretty common those last months of pregnancy. Not realizing what was happening, I later went back to sleep and awoke to the same feeling around seven. By now I was suspicious.
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My husband, Philip, had gone to do bus route and church that morning but, I had informed him of what I thought was going on and asked him to keep his phone close. At this point that “faucet” I mentioned earlier had sprung a few more leaks and I was feeling a lot of pressure, making it difficult to sit comfortably. Contractions started around nine and slowly increased in frequency and intensity but still very manageable. I called Philip at ten and suggested he come home. By the time he got there, things were picking up. Let me just pause here and say how thankful I am for my husband. He did amazing and I could not have had the birth experience I did without his support.
We eventually make it to the hospital and they run all of their tests to confirm that I am actually in labor. My triage nurse was phenomenal. She explained everything she was going to do and asked permission for it all. I consented to a cervical exam and we found out I was at three centimeters dilation and eighty percent effaced. You don’t have to have cervical exams if you don’t want to, it’s completely your choice. Just remember, they typically don’t mean much as far as your progress goes. Things can change quickly with your progress or you could stall out. Every person’s body is different and each time can be different so don’t get consumed with your numbers.
I desired greatly to have a natural, unmedicated delivery and tried my best in prayer and preparation to have the greatest chance of that happening. Once we were in a room, a nurse began bringing in a bag of Pitocin, to which I had not consented at the time. I politely declined and we tried some natural methods to progress my labor. At this time I was having consistent contractions, but they weren’t getting closer together or intensifying anymore. A few hours later, Philip and I discussed the risks versus benefits of beginning the Pitocin and decided it would be best to start the Pitocin to try and progress my labor. I could have delayed it longer, the risk was not high, it’s just what we felt was best for myself and baby at that time.
I had originally planned to be very mobile during labor and also use a birthing tub once at a certain point. Due to the preeclampsia, it was asked that I be monitored constantly which wasn’t a part of my plan, however, at the time I found it easier for me to be calm through my labor while listening to Jackson’s heartbeat, so I agreed. My nurses knew I desired to be up and moving and so kindly brought in a portable monitor since I wasn’t a candidate for wireless monitoring due to Jackson coming early. This allowed me as much mobility as possible, which greatly helped me manage my contractions.
Beginning the Pitocin
My nurse and I decided upping the Pitocin at half the usual rate would work best for my body. Since I was already showing signs of progression, we just wanted to give my body a little boost. Within thirty minutes of starting the Pitocin, things were progressing forward again. Since I couldn’t use the tub due to monitoring, I had to use other things in my arsenal of pain management. I brought several options since I didn’t know what I’d prefer. I ended up using a labor comb, and birthing ball the most. I had also practiced breathing techniques which were such a big part of my pain management. Philip was amazing in helping me achieve the unmedicated birth I desired. He was constantly giving counter pressure (which felt amazing), telling me how proud he was of me, and reminding me to relax my body and breath down.
Transition
After being on the Pitocin for a few hours, I requested a cervical exam again. To my dismay, I had only progressed to 4 cm. This is why I stated previously to not get focused on the numbers. Things can change fast, and they did for me. We pushed the Pitocin up slightly, one more time, and within 30 minutes my contractions were much more intense than they had been before. I was no longer able to speak at all through them and had entered “labor land” as many mamas have called it. Focusing on nothing but breathing and low moaning through each one.
I had been doing well with the mental game of labor but I hit a point of exhaustion and lost some of the control I had worked so hard to keep. My low moans turned into growls and became much louder than before. More like a grizzly bear if I’m being honest. At this point my nurse had come in when the next contraction hit. She saw me bare down and urged me to resist that feeling to push because if my cervix wasn’t dilated enough it would swell and birth would be much more difficult. I told her my body was doing that and I had no control. Stunned she said “Oh! would it be ok for me to check you again?” I agreed and she did a cervical exam. She leaped off the table and told me how proud she was of me and that I was doing it! I had gone from 4cm to 10cm in thirty minutes and we were about to have a baby!
Delivery
Contractions were hitting back to back and at this point Philip was growing uneasy seeing me in so much pain, not knowing how to help ease it anymore. He said he was praying in his heart “Lord, I really wish Anna’s mom was here, she would know what to do”. He looked up and guess who was standing at the door? He said he mouthed “help me” across the room to her. I hate I missed that because it’s still hilarious to me that my husband needed my mommy for my birth.
We had originally planned for it to be just Philip and I, but I’m thankful my mom got to be in there. It was special. During all this, contractions are still hitting back to back and the nurse is calmly but repeatedly calling for the doctor knowing we don’t have long before this baby is here. The doctor made it in the room and barely got his gloves on when Jackson made his appearance. By now, he had triggered the fetal ejection reflex and in two pushes he was here. In Philip’s description it wasn’t a delivery, I launched him.
I heard that perfect little cry and they laid him on my chest while Philip laid above my head and sobbed. That will forever be one of my most precious memories. We did delayed cord clamping and his Daddy cut the cord when it was time. With him being early we weren’t sure what he would need so a NICU team was on stand by in the room. Originally, my plan was an hour of undisturbed skin to skin, however, with him being a preemie we knew he needed to be checked out quickly, especially his breathing. Once the cord was cut, I handed him to the nurses to be checked out and Philip followed to ensure all our wishes were honored. No eye goop, no shots, just checked, measured, weighed, and right back to mama if all was well. Praise The Lord it was, my little early boy was perfect in every way, to all the staff’s amazement and spent the next several hours getting all the snuggles. In fact, he’s still getting all the snuggles.
Although everything about my birth wasn’t exactly how I had planned, I am still so happy with our birth story. Of course all that matters is a healthy baby, but having a no or low intervention birth was extremely important to me. I’m so thankful that The Lord heard that prayer and granted the natural delivery I desired.
It is possible to have an unmedicated, peaceful hospital birth. The biggest suggestion I have is do your research. Knowledge is power. Pray about what is best for you and then put in the work to be informed on your choice so things don’t surprise you. Babies don’t care about your plans.
If you have any birth questions feel free to reach out. Nothing is TMI, I had so many questions as a first time mama and having people along the way to ask all my questions to was such a blessing.
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