Labor Story

Okay, it's been almost a month, so I better write this down before it slips my mind. And yes, somehow I have repressed much of the labor memories.

So to back up, lets go to March 2oth at 11 pm when I woke up with a start. I couldn't tell you why, but my guess is that I must have had a hormone rush or something as my body geared up for the main event. After pushing on my tummy a little to feel Easton's kicks I fell back asleep. Though, something felt different.

So throughout the day on the 21st, I had surges (contractions). I just figured they were the routine braxton-hicks, so I dismissed them as nothing out of the ordinary. My mother, on the other hand, was convinced that I was going to go into labor. She arranged to have family home evening at the bowling alley so that I would have to be up and about. I thought she was exaggerating but played along anyways. The bowling ally was full so we went to the movies to see Rango instead. Ryan and I kept track of the surges in the movie. I felt 8 within the two hour movie.

Throughout the night the surges came stronger and more frequent, so I couldn't sleep. At midnight they were evenly 15 mins apart, by 1 am 10 mins apart, then from 3 to 5 am they were between 5-8 mins apart. I started to get suspicious so we called the hospital and they told me to come in just to be sure. At 6:30 we arrived at the hospital and after negatives on all the checks from the resident MD, was told I wasn't ready yet. The nurse didn't buy it and requested that I had my cervix checked. I was dilated to a 4 and 60% effaced. So they admitted me.

Throughout the morning and that night I practiced hypnobirthing, which is a relaxed state of mind during labor. I listened to soft music and focused on keeping my mind relaxed and breathing. It was extremely helpful and I did just fine during this period. At about 10:30 am the surges started to get very strong and I asked them to check me. I was at a 6 and 80% effaced. I was getting tired from all the back labor. The back labor was difficult to deal with and I wasn't able to focus on the surges as well.

I had tried the birthing ball, side lying, back lying, and nothing was really relieving the pressure from the back labor. The lovely nurse who had helped that morning, suggested to move to the tub. At first I didn't want to, because every time I changed positions the surges would get stronger. In the end I went to the tub and it was SO helpful. Next baby, I am going straight to the tub! I felt less during the surges and it wasn't until about 1:30 that I started to lose it again. I had had it and asked to be checked. If the progress wasn't improving I was strongly considering some kind of numbing. Well, they checked me and I was complete. Geez, how long had I been complete for!? Good thing I asked to be checked. Those last three or four surges were tough, but after hearing that I was complete I had renewed energy. I jumped out of the tub (literally) and skated across the floor to the bed.

I realized that I had no idea what I was supposed to do next. I tried pushing, totally in vain (I was not doing it right at all). Then, mother nature tuned me in and I was able to use the surges with the pushing. In less than twenty minutes and prob only four or five pushes, baby Easton came into this world, without even a cry. They immediately brought him to my chest and for the next couple of hours, I couldn't move. I was in complete denial that I had a baby and just kept staring at Easton. Those two hours were most likely two of my happiest hours in my life. Magical. It's not like fire works went off, but it was just a gentle feeling of love. I wish I could relive those two hours every day.

So that's about it...

If you heard Ryan's side of the story, he would emphasize the fact that at some point near the end I chomped his finger. Ops. He would also mention how exhausted he was from holding me up in the tub. Wierdly, after I got in the tub my entire body went numb and couldn't even hold myself up. So glad the hubby saved me from drowning:). Ryan passed out soon after the birth and took several naps over the next day or two. People kept asking who had given birth me or Ryan.

On the flip side, after delivering Easton I had the most fantastic recovery. The moment he was out, I was totally awake and energized. If I can toot any horn, it is the recovery from a natural birth. Truly amazing! I was tired a few days later from lack of sleep, but my body felt like almost nothing had happened.