Taking a break from the tutorials and the tours today for a story. For each of my babies I’ve taken the time to write out their birth story.
This third pregnancy had been pretty normal for me. Weight gain was normal. Blood pressure normal. 20 week ultrasound, normal. Failed glucose test, normal. Passed 3 hour glucose test, normal. I had however, been more tired and nauseous than my previous pregnancy. And that sciatica nerve? Well, she’s a you know what.
So with all of this normal-ness going on I fully expected to ride this ride well past my due date. My other two babies had been born at 41 weeks and 41 + 1 respectively. Why would I think any different?
The second week of October rolled around and on Tuesday evening our family went down to Flyaway to put out some winter gear since the weather was going to get cold. We also had some bills to deliver so we walked around downtown and dropped them in the drop off boxes. When we got home I jokingly said “If we keep that up we might have a baby soon!” Jerrel told me to go sit down, he had 4 days left of work before he was on leave. Not baby time yet, or so we thought.
At 4 am I woke for my normal bathroom visit. When I crawled back in bed I felt this little “pop” and then a gush of water came. I felt like I wet the bed. I sat up and more water came. I tip toed long strides to the toilet leaving a trail of water behind me. “OH WOW. WHAT THE HECK? OH MY GOSH.”
Not only were my other babies born past their due dates my water also had never broken like this. With Millie it did not break until I started pushing. August’s water never broke. He was born in caul and it was broke upon the midwife catching him.
When I thought the water had slowed down I woke Jerrel. I whisper yelled ” UM JERREL. My water just broke. Pretty sure that’s what’s happening anyway.”
He asked me all the nurse questions about the color of the water etc. My answers were all good.
Guys, there’s a lot of water in those pregnant bellies. Again, because of my previous experiences, I really didn’t realize this. Immediately my baby bump changed shape.
We then realized we had packed nothing. NOTHING. I said “The weather was supposed to turn! I was going to pack this week! I’m only 38 weeks.” Don’t worry, that waterproof mattress pad I bought the week before, but hadn’t got on the bed yet, was sitting in the corner too. Suddenly we were like totally unprepared first time parents just staring at each other.
It didn’t last too long as Jerrel went into nurse mode and knew that because this was my third baby and my water just broke that things could happen pretty quickly. Funny man. First I went to my phone and texted Kenzie, my sister in law, who was going to ride along to watch the kids. With shaking hands I typed, “Hey Kenz, my water just broke. Surprise! I’ll text you when we leave town.”
Next I went down my mental checklist for packing. Going one person at a time and at the last minute remembering to bring up the carseat from the basement. I’m telling you, we were so not in a headspace to have a baby.
All the while I was feeling fine. Like annoyingly fine. When we got all packed Jerrel looked at me and asked “How are you.” and I replied “I’m fine.” My contractions felt like my normal Braxton Hicks. The only difference was the depends underwear I was donning and the water leaking from me. Millie woke to our packing escapade and asked what was going on. We told her that it was time to have a baby and she just sat in bed and smiled. We decided to call the birth center while on the road. Jerrel was convinced that I was going to start active labor any minute.
We got on the road and I was trying to wrap my head around what was happening. Why had my water broke but I was feeling nothing? Why had I not packed beforehand? Did I get anything? I forgot shampoo. And a pick. Of course I did.
This ride was so vastly different than my other two rides to the midwife. Instead of counter pressure to relieve contractions I was doing pressure points to try and start contractions. Every time I would think contractions were starting to become regular they would stop. I was getting frustrated.
We stopped to pick up Kenzie. Still feeling…fine. We called the Midwife and let her know that my water had broke and that we were on our way to her. We got there and she asked all the same questions as Jerrel asked how I was feeling and how contractions were. I told her I felt pretty normal. I consented to a cervical check and I got the news I was dreading, 2 cm dilated. I was so utterly annoyed. What was going on? If my body is not ready to have this baby then why did my water break? I probably had walked around at 2cm dilated for WEEKS with my other two babies.
I knew this meant I was on a time clock now and it totally messed with my mind. I knew that my chances for infections and interventions were rising. I know just enough about natural birth to be dangerous and I didn’t like where this was heading.
My midwife stayed calm and upbeat. Encouraging me to go get some breakfast (even though I looked like a homeless person). Take the kids to a park, try to relax, but also walk, walk, walk. So we did just that. I called my mom and she was shocked to hear that we were already in Lincoln and that my water had broke. We decided to set up a home base of sorts at my Aunts house about 30 mins away. I thought I would feel comfortable there and knew they had a park nearby to play. I walked the entire morning. Nothing changed. Noon came and I still wasn’t having regular or intense contractions. Midwife called and I told her I didn’t feel like I was getting anywhere. She said to check back in in a few hours.
She also texted me instructions for a caster oil induction. Now, you all know I am about as crunchy as they come. My desire for a natural birth runs deep. But. Making yourself have diarrhea? I just couldn’t go there. Maybe it’s worked for some. That’s great. Just not for me. So I kept walking, using pressure points, oils, praying.
But my body and my brain were working against me. I felt like was in a fish bowl, everyone watching and waiting for me to double over in the wave of a contraction. Waiting for me to perform like I always had. But I couldn’t make myself have a contraction. I went on a walk alone and I prayed. “Lord, deliver me from this. You have given me two healthy births and babies before. You can do this again. I trust you.”
At 5pm my midwife called. She asked how things were going, though I’m sure she already knew. She said to come back to the birth center and we would assess the situation. I took my sweet time, because I had a gut feeling of what was to come. I took a long hot shower. I put on some clean clothes and a little mascara. I felt more human and confident. We questioned weather to bring the kids along or not, but in the end I needed my babies with me. Millie had wanted to be there for birth. We wanted that too. My sweet sister-in-law was up for whatever I wanted. I’m forever thankful for her.
We arrived at the birth center and I again consented to a cervical check. Still 2cm maybe 3m. My heart sank. So very defeated. I told her how I just wanted to go home and throw in a load of laundry. I wanted my normal day back. We talked about how going on 16 hrs after water breaking our risk for infection was rising. At this point she recommended going to the Hospital and using some Pitcion.
She gave us a moment alone to visit. I cried big crocodile tears. Pitcion was never part of my birth plan. Heck, not ever part of my life plan. But I should know by now. Life? Doesn’t go as planned. She came back in, hugged me, and said she didn’t think it’d take much or take long. “Let’s go there, lets get this s*&% done.” That was the humor I needed. That was the fight I needed put back in me. I called my mom and told them to come. We would probably need reinforcements for the kids because of this change of plan.
When it was decided we would do the Pitcion I was assured I could still have the natural birth I wanted.
- A low dose would be administered.
- Once contractions were regular and progressing the Pit could be turned off.
- I could still move and use the tub for labor and delivery.
- I was encourage to eat and stay nourished during labor.
These parameters made me much more comfortable with this new action plan.
My mom told me “This one is just going to be different, Jess. You’ve had the other two exactly how you wanted to. But this ones different.” She knows, life is all about change. She also knows, I don’t like change.
Upon arrival to the hospital I was checked in and my irritation with this whole day continued. They labeled me an “induction.” I looked at Jerrel. It was like he could see all the bad words I was thinking. They asked me too many questions and poked me way too many times. The nurses were fantastic though, kind, caring, compassionate, funny. The pit was started and soon I was feeling regular contractions. I moved to the birth ball and could feel progress happening.
It was about 8pm by this point and I knew the kids and Kenzie needed supper. Jerrel looked up some places close to eat. Burger King was the choice. They asked me if I wanted anything, I wasn’t sure that sounded good. Jerrel asked if he could go too (Burger King is very important, apparently.) I thought about it for a minute, but my gut just said he should stay. So he did. I hugged and kissed the kids. They were off.
I started to feel the urge to push. I also wanted to get into the tub to ease the contractions. Our midwife had just brought me a snack but I wasn’t getting much of a break between contractions so it had to wait. Jerrel thought I looked like I was in active labor now and because of my desire to push the midwife decided to check me before I walked to the tub. Low and behold I was fully dilated and my urge to push was warranted.
I then said “Shut that pit off.” On my next contraction I pushed. The midwife said “Your kids are going to love this! Give us 15 minutes and they will have a baby when they come back for supper!” A couple more pushes and we had a baby. A girl. The Lord delivered. Just 2 hrs after arriving to the hospital.
We all laughed about how quickly it all went once we finally got some regular contractions going. One nurse said “We have a few choice things to say about third babies. They always seem to be a bit difficult in one way or another.”
Soon there was a knock on the door. Our crew was back. Everybody got mostly cleaned up and we welcomed them. With an “Oh my gosh!” from Kenzie they came over to see the baby. She was the sweetest and calmest little thing. We decided to play a trick on my brother who was coming to see the kids while they waited for Grandma and Grandpa. We let him in the room and he said “You had the baby!?” Yes.
Finally my parents arrived and again, the crew went down, brought them up and they were surprised to see a baby upon entering the room. She was then weighed and measured and then wrapped up to be held for the first time by everyone. She was absolute perfection.
When it was finally time for them to go I said bye to my first two babies and trusted they were in good hands with Grandma and Kenzie. They would spend the night at my Aunts and come visit the next day.
Once the family left my delivery nurse asked if I had just the one brother. The question took my breath away for a minute. I inhaled deeply and said “No. We lost our brother two years ago.” Looking down at our new baby I finished with, “And she feels like the first really good thing to happen to us since the accident.”
I was wheeled down to my postpartum room and we settled in for the night. But not before I had my husband run down to the nourishment center and grab an arm load of food. Has a turkey and cheese sandwich on white bread ever tasted so good? It has not.
We named her the next morning. Elsie Kay born 10/9/19. 7lbs 11 oz. 20.5 in.
We stayed in the hospital for two nights and it was so hard to be away from August and Millie for that long. But the quiet and rest of the hospital was good for us too. Elsie continued to be the calmest and sweetest baby. Not even crying for her PKU test. She slept the entire ride home.
So there’s Elsie’s birth story. Such a different experience this time around. I’m happy with the care provider we chose. I’m happy we traveled again, even though it’s sometimes a stretch. I’m thankful for a positive and empowering experience. This girl has brought such joy to our family.
We just adore you Elsie Kay.
Thanks for stopping by.
Jess