Before I attempt to recapture Lita's birth story I should say a few things... How a woman chooses to approach her birthing process is an extremely personal decision. For myself, I had in my mind for many years (I began my research during college) that I would have an all natural water birth. This is what was right for me and my family. It does not make me any more brave or strong willed than other women, it is simply a different approach to the birthing process. I say this because I have had a lot of people say "wow, you're so brave" or "oh my gosh, I could never do that" and the truth is that I am just another woman who gave birth to a beautiful baby in the best way for ME. :)
On Friday January 18th at around 8:30 or so (times are blurry but you get the idea) I began feeling consistent contractions at about 7 min apart. I didn't want to get my hopes up so I headed to bed to try and relax through them. I let my doula and birth photographer know that I was pretty sure this thing might actually be happening and I would keep them updated. A little while later I decided to have my doula head over to our apartment in order to help me through the contractions. She arrived at around 10:30 and we worked through the contractions until about 3:30. This time was really about getting into a different mental space and preparing for the best labor possible. We listened to the relaxation station on Pandora, chatted for hours, and worked through contractions together, one at a time, trying several different positions to become more comfortable. At about 3:30am we decided to head to the hospital as I was experiencing some pretty bad back labor and wanted to try some different techniques such as the birthing ball. We contacted the midwife and she thought it was a fine time to come in as well. Contractions at this time were about 4-5 minutes apart and had remained so for well over an hour.
Despite having updated Corey twice on my progress he was completely shocked when I woke him to say it was time to leave. Turns out he was sleeping pretty hard and didn't even remember me coming in to talk to him the first two times. He got it together quickly and we were off. During the 20min ride to the hospital I experienced 4 or 5 more contractions.
Once we arrived at the hospital I was checked into the triage room. This is where they check your progress to see if you will be checked into a delivery room to continue labor. If you have not progressed enough they may send you home again. By this time I was dilated to a 5 and contractions were 1-2 minutes apart. Her heart rate was sluggish and that was of slight concern so once I headed to my delivery room I had to stay on the monitors for about a half hour. Once in the room my midwife broke my water and I was given apple juice to try and wake her up a bit. Eventually the monitor showed what the nurses and midwife wanted to see and I was free to labor in anyway I felt comfortable. The next few hours were spent laboring in different positions and trying to be as comfortable as possible. At some point in here too, a new midwife was assigned since Fairview Riverside has a rotating midwife group.
Sometime around 9am or so I began to feel the urge to push and was checked at 9cm dilated. The birthing tub has no temperature control so you are only able to get in when you're fully or nearly fully dilated. I was then allowed to get in the tub and begin pushing since I was feeling a strong urge. Sometime around 15 to 20 minutes later she came out into the water and I was invited to reach down with the midwife, grab my baby and pull her up out of the water onto me. Corey announced the sex and she was finally here! She was not crying when she came up and was just so calm from such a smooth transition into the world.
The whole labor lasted around 12 hours and was everything I've ever wanted and imagined. Like I said times here are blurry and this is not as detailed for the fact that I would be writing for hours and there are just some things that writing can't recapture.
I know several people have been interested in Lita's entrance into the world. If you have any further questions about her birth or natural birth in general I am 100% open to chatting with anyone (although I can only truly comment on my own experience). Natural birth was absolutely the best decision for our family and we couldn't be more happy with her entrance into this world.
Thank you to my amazing birth team! You were all key pieces to such a special birth for little Lita, I could not have done it without each of you!
Corey- I could not have asked for a better birth coach. You were so helpful, supportive, & patient the entire time.
Leah (doula)- Woman you've got some skills! Thank you for being such an amazing support for the entire 12 hours I was in labor. You are so dedicated to your work and your passion shows with each passing contraction! :)
Alyssa (photographer)- Thank you for providing additional support, and capturing this special day. You have a true talent for catching the most special moments during a woman's birthing experience!
