I never really had a birth plan with Ragan. I did know that I did not want to be induced, and that I wanted as little interventions as possible. That's all I knew though. I was with a traditional OB who I loved and trusted. I ended up with signs preeclampsia at 37 weeks and was put on bedrest at home. I went back a week later at 38w3d knowing I was most likely going to be induced. What I didn't know and wasn't told was all the interventions that went a long with our induction and what they would do/mean for my labor and Ragan. I had my water broken, magnesium, Pitocin, and an epidural all with in about an hour. I labored for 10 hours. I later found out the hospital I delivered at had a very high C-section rate. My midwives and doula were both surprised that I didn't have one when I told them where I'd delievered
Going into Hally's birth I knew I wanted to do it very differently. Along the way I'd met a couple other moms who had natural births. This thought was terrifying and intriguing. When we decided to start trying for another I knew this was the route I wanted to go. I had to do some convincing for Nick to get on board. We watched 'The Business of Being Born' and I had to get it out of his head that I wasn't giving birth in a barn, and there are OB's there if needed. After finding out I was pregnant I quit seeing my OB and starting seeing Midwives instead. A midwife would deliver me, but it was still in a very naturally minded hospital. It was the best of both worlds and a perfect fit for us. I also hired a doula who I love and am still in contact with. Having had preeclampsia before made me a higher risk to have it again. My doula and midwives advised me to eat a ton of protein (80-90 grams a day) and drink a lot of water. I did those things and my blood pressure never ended up being an issue. I also did all I could to prepare my mind and body. Nick and I went to natural childbirth classes, I started seeing a chiropractor a couple times a month, I took an Epson salt bath every night while listening to a childbirth podcast (people just tell their childbirth stories), I read positive birth affirmations, did hip/pelvic exercises and drank red raspberry tea daily (after the first trimester). I also moderately exercised and walked as much as I could. They say preparing for a natural birth is a lot like preparing for a marathon and it truly was. When it was all said and done I had 100% faith in my self, Nick, and Debbie (doula) that I could do it. I just kept remembering and saying to anyone who would ask me about it, that God created women to be able to bear children naturally. With His strength I knew I could do it.
Hally was due July 4th. My goal was to carry her to term. Having been induced before this was really important to me. My midwives, doula, and chiro were all saying I was probably going to go late. Since my body had never gone into labor on it's own the thought is that I would be more like a first time mom, who typically do deliver past the "due date." That morning I decided ok, operation get this kid out would start. I'd read on a blog about brewing double strength red raspberry tea could help induce labor and make contractions more effective; win, win. I brewed a box of tea in 2 quarts water and sipped on it all day. By evening I'd drank it all. We went swimming in our neighbors pool, I walked, and sat on the medicine ball. Around 3:00 I felt a crap/contraction then at 4:00 another one. Between 5:00-6:00 I had a few more. They didn't bother me, just felt like period cramping. I made dinner and we ate. I told Nick afterwards I'd had more. I text my doula and let her know. She had me track them for an hour to see where we were at. They were irregular. When I text her back she said I was in early labor or prodromal (false labor). She said she may see us around 2am. She suggested I take 2 Tylenol PM to be able to sleep better through them. Nick and I both took them around 8:30 and tried to sleep. Nick was getting nervous and decided he needed to take them to help him sleep too. At 9:20 I felt a pop and almost immediately a real contraction that made me hop out of bed and needed to use the restroom. I was pretty sure my water had just broke. Of course I was Googling "how do you know if your water broke." They got increasingly stronger and closer together very quickly and I had to keep using the restroom. My water had definitely broken and my body was cleaning out the pipes so to speak to make room for baby. I'd called my doula, she didn't answer (she was watching fireworks with her family). Nick made me text/call her again. I was having to pause mid sentence for the contraction. She decided we needed to go straight to the hospital. She didn't think she'd have time to come to our house first. I called my mom and told her it was time to go. She came over to stay with Ragan. While we waited I called the hospital to tell them we were on the way and we finished packing. In between contractions I would tell Nick what we all needed. We just needed to grab last minute stuff and a bag of snacks I had ready: apples, almond butter, Lara Bars, protein bites I'd made ahead and froze. When my mom got there we were ready to leave. I told Nick to grab a bowl because I might throw up in the car the pain was so bad. Nick loaded up the car, but I wanted to tell Ragan bye. My sweet first born was about to become a big sister and her life would never be the same. I wanted a final moment with just her. She was sound asleep, it was 10 o'clock by this point. I stood by the side of her bed waiting through a contraction to tell her we were leaving. Sweet girl was half asleep and it was so brief, but I'll remember it forever.
We were on our way. It's a 25 minute drive to the hospital. During the drive I would go from holding Nick's hand to hitting the door and saying all the cuss words to breathing deeply with low moans to watching fireworks go off in the distance. My awesome doula was texting me reminding me to breath. I had my worship labor playlist on in my headphones. I couldn't get through a song without a contraction. They were right on top of each other. In hindsight I was in transition in the car, which really is the last place you want to be for that. Nick parked on the side of the street. I told him to go ahead and park the car and I grabbed some bags and my water. I was in pain, but was managing it and thought my doula was right there waiting for me. Turns out she was on the other side of the wing.
This is were everything got CRAZY! I was waiting for the elevator with a couple other people. I was having contractions. They were like ummm are you ok? Are you alone? Do you need help? I told them no problem, I was just in labor and my husband was right behind me. I got to the labor floor and had to go to the bathroom, again. When I stood up something felt different. I felt below and could feel her head. She was crowning! I was alone in the bathroom in an apparently closed area. I started screaming for help! For anyone to help me. I'd text my doula and tried calling her and Nick, but hospital service is spotty at best. Nick could hear me screaming from the elevator before he even got off (that gave him nightmares for weeks).
Let me back track a little. When we toured the labor floor we went to a window that was open with a receptionist. She told us where to go. I went back to that same window, but it's the 'maternal observation' wing, not the labor wing. There was no one there, the maternal observation wing closes at night. At this point Nick and I are both kind of freaking out that we are about to deliver this baby by ourselves. We thought in our haze that we might need to go up another floor. We were clearly not thinking right. The next floor up was ICU! Nick came up screaming "my wife is in labor!" They didn't quite realize the situation at hand until they saw me. Did I mention I never really put my bottoms on after I went to the bathroom initially? Yeah I had cotton skirt on that I was just holding in between my legs. At that point I had zero modesty or was even thinking about it. I was just trying to get to the right place to deliver her. There were visitors there who were trying to help me. They were so sweet and no doubt scarred for life. The receptionist called down to labor and a nurse and doctor brought us back down. All we did was go right instead of left. We were so crazed we didn't see the sign. The OB on call and nurse took us and threw us in the first room in the hall. I kept saying I needed my midwife and doula. They both got there just in time. I got on the bed on in an all four position and my body did all the work. It was the most surreal thing. I was told to push one time because the cord was wrapped around her some. I has holding Nick's hand and breathing with my doula. We were in the room for 4 minutes before she was here, 10:43pm, 7lbs 10oz, 20" long. We didn't know if we were having a boy or girl until she was here. I looked down and said it's a girl! We have another girl! She was the most beautiful pink color with dark hair and dark eyes. She didn't even cry, she was just there looking around and oh so perfect. We did delayed cord clamping and waited for the cord to stop pulsing completely to cut it. I think around that time that I delivered the placenta. We decided ahead of time that I would get it encapsulated in pill form. Side note: encapsulating was hands down one of the best decisions I've ever made (more energy, no postpartum blues, more milk supply). We chose not to get the ointment on her eyes too, but did do the vitamin K shot. She started nursing within the first hour.
When she was here and everything calmed down we just kept saying I can't believe that just happened. We had bags strewn all over the labor floor and were the talk of the hospital that night. It was so, so crazy! The door we needed to go into was so close, but when I could feel her head crowning we both freaked out and lost all clue as to where to go. Everything was calm. Hally was great, and I felt great. Nick text his mom and mine that she was here but we waited until the next day for my mom and Ragan to come to tell them if it was a boy or a girl. We had Nick go get Rae first so it could just be the four of us for a little bit and Rae could meet her new sister. She just kept giggling. It was so sweet to see the two of them. Sweet little girls that will have such a special bond and have each other forever. My heart was full! We gave Ragan a baby doll from Hally so she had her own baby to take care of too. She loved that! We were able to go home the next afternoon and start our journey as a family of four.
Hally's birth was so fast that I wouldn't have had time for an epidural if I even wanted one. From the time my water broke to when she was here was an hour and twenty minutes. I know all of my/our preparation was completely worth it. I know too that while the pain was bad I will chose the same route if we have another baby. Having a natural birth has countless benefits for mother and child. I was up walking around within 30 of having her and felt amazing. God is so, so good. He has a way of washing all the pain away.
