Wednesday, July 29, 2009

And #5 Makes...umm...Five!

We arrived at the hospital by 7:00AM. They took us back to our room [one that has two beds/phones, btw. If you are calling the hospital trying to get me --tell them I'm in the "b" part; the "a" phone keeps ringing (has all day), but I'm not close enough to get to it (and am usually nursing). So, if you've been trying to get a hold of me, I'm sorry! Try again!]. I was put on pitocin right around 8:00 or 8:30AM.
Not sure, exactly.
Anyway, my midwife broke my water at approx. 9:30AM. My mother and husband were with me.

And then, for the next 7 hours, I waited patiently.

Oh, the contractions came and went; I was in complete control. They were hard, but not hard enough. So, after a good conversation with my midwife and my husband, we agreed to up the pitocin levels by 2 ml every 30-60 minutes. By 3PM, I was at a 20, and I was so frustrated with myself --I swear I was only dilated to a 4, and I felt I would be in labor all night.

However, by 3:30PM, I needed help through the contractions. By 4PM, I was dilated to a 6. Even though the contractions were really hard, I was amazed at my focus --I could feel my cervix opening, and I was able to breathe deeply through the pain. However, by 4:30PM, I was starting to get worried at my ability to breathe. That's usually when my yelling starts, but I found I was only grunting and breathing "loud." I did throw out some swearing, though (I think it was one "dammit"). At 4:30PM, my midwife checked me and I was almost an 8. They prepped the room.

It was also around this time that my SIL showed up to help (she's a nurse and she is awesome!). Between her, Brandon, my mom, the midwife, and the fabulous l&d nurse, I was still breathing deeply through the very painful contractions. When I felt him descend and I knew I needed to push, everyone held my legs for me so I didn't have to, and I focused on my breathing and pushing him out.

This is where the greatest miracle of my life occurred: I was able, in the course of 10 minutes, to not only push out my son, but I did so slowly, with ease (no frantic, head-popping pushing), without yelling, breathing deeply and slowly (not shallow), and without tearing at all. His shoulders were harder to push out, but it only took a few seconds. Then he was placed in my arms, and I cried with joy.

The midwife and nurse (and my SIL) couldn't stop talking about how in control I was --in fact, today, ALL the nurses are still talking about that woman who didn't yell during her unmedicated childbirth. One asked me how I did it --I said I read a HynoBirthing book a few months ago. Plus, all my experiences, thinking, breathing practice, etc. helped. That was pretty much it. I didn't have a lot of prep for it.
And I have to admit, hearing that I'm the "talk of the hospital" does make me feel good. But I have to confess --just because I was in control does not mean it didn't hurt.
It hurt like hell, dear reader. It's definitely not easy!

He weighed 9 lbs 3 oz and was 21 inches long. He has tons of dark hair (although not nearly as much as #1 and #4 had), and he's soooo mellow. He's a good nurser, and sleeps like a rock. I sure love that little guy.

Anyway, this was --by far --the best labor and delivery I've ever had. The outcome isn't the best nor the worst --all the outcomes (my gorgeous 5 kids) are tied for perfect. :) But I can't help but see that this particular birth has given me some miracles:

Miracle One: I no longer believe pitocin is of the devil. Since we had induced me cold (I was a 2, and not thinned out completely), the pitocin is what got the kid out.
Miracle Two: The no yelling thing.
Miracle Three: Realizing I can be in control!
Miracle Four: Not tearing at all; no stitches. Healing is going fast this time...

Sorry for no pictures --I'll post some after I get home...or go here and see if you can see him.

22 comments:

Brandon said...

If the previous link didn't work, this one should... http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3586648&l=2f95af9802&id=682321232

Amanda D said...

Congrats, Cheryl! I'm so excited for you. Hooray for a great birth. Good luck with the next few weeks! Can't wait to see pictures.

Mother of the Wild Boys said...

Look at you, Mrs. Talk of the Hospital! Good job, I'm so glad that everything went well for you. Best wishes to your new little #5, he's a lucky guy to come to such great parents. :)

Courtney N said...

YEAH! Congrats!! I really really want to come see you... Ill make it work and come see you ASAP!!

tammy said...

Congrats Mom & Dad!!! Welcome to the world little man!!!

Unknown said...

cheryl - you are a machine! Unmedicated and isn't pitocin supposed to make contractions more brutal? Maybe you should try marathons - you're hardcore.

Christiansen 6 said...

Cheryl, This is Michelle's friend Erika from high school, I just happened upon your blog and saw you had yor baby. I just wanted to tell you congratulations! How amazing you are, I am glad everything worked out the way you wanted. Good luck with #5!!

Jocelyn said...

I'm so happy this experience was so positive! Congratulations!

Summer said...

Congratulations Cheryl!

flip flop mama said...

Amazing! Congrats!

Alison Wonderland said...

Yay Cheryl!! I haven't been trying to call you, I don't want to bug you. But I'm so excited for you. Congrats!!

Blogging and Bliss said...

Great story Cheryl. I am so glad everything is going so well. Best of luck and get some sleep...

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I was thinking about you that day.

Hooray for no yelling! Now you don't have a sore throat. I don't know how anyone gives birth without yelling, though. I'm very impressed, indeed. :)

MoDLin said...

Congratulations! I'm glad everything went so smoothly. May the next several months run as smoothly for the SEVEN of you, too.

FluffyChicky said...

Hooray for baby #5!

You are awesome Cheryl. Just plain awesome. :)

GCC said...

Wow, that's really inspiring! I might have to read that book about hypnobirthing. Congratulations!!!!! I'm so glad he and you are strong, healthy and doing well!

Annette Lyon said...

Great story--thanks for the recap! I had an inadvertent unmedicated birth, and it was very hard, but I didn't yell. I guess it's just not who I am. There was a lot of, "I can't do this . . . I can't do this," but no screaming.

And yes, it was very, very hard.

I'm in awe of anyone who does that intentionally.

Cristy said...

Congrats! Doing it natural is the best! I love being in control and it is such a satisfying feeling when you're done and you feel like you've just run a marathon or something. OK I"m a weird... What a cute little guy and what a strong Mama!

Laura said...

That is awesome! Congratulations on such an awesome delivery! Yay for no tearing!!! :)

jendoop said...

Congrats on a wonderful birth!

A few days ago a young newlywed woman asked me about natural childbirth. She wanted specifics on pain. I told her I couldn't even begin to describe.

I yelled during my natural labor, and I am not a yeller. I've heard that is why some hospitals don't like to have midwives and natural births - because the yelling scares the medicated women.

Suki said...

Wow, that's amazing Cheryl. I was lucky to not have been induced, but I agree that hypnobirthing can help (I personally used a simple meditation I had learned from a relaxation book.)

I think I have heard more women crying and screaming on an epidural than I have through natural births. I was really chatty and in fact, the midwife who delivered my child remembered me because I was so hyper.

Congratulations (though a bit a late)!

-Emily

germanjules said...

Cheryl, I can't believe how similar our recent baby stories are...large baby, no medication, the nurses in awe that a woman can have a baby without screaming or an epidural, and being in control...I just wish someone would have told me the part about taking it slow! Maybe by #5 (if there is one) I will have learned to "take it slow"-

The art of childbirth has truly been lost over the last 50-70 years. (My mother was born while my grandmother was sleeping on a hospital bed--when she woke up they gave the baby to her. Crazy!)

Oh, and yes, we have met once. It was after you two were married, right before you went to your first summer at Aspen Grove.(maybe?) I'm sure your life has always been a busy one and I'm glad that your husband has treated you well.

The longer I'm married the more I realize that I'm one of the "lucky ones" too. God has truly blessed me with a wonderful husband. And it sounds like you feel the same way...

You have a beautiful family...what a wonderful gift to be able to have children (and your positive outlook on having more!)

Take care!
Julie